Science

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• applying directly
• completing specialised training courses

University

You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification in a subject like:

• science
• computing
• journalism
• engineering
• telecommunications
• pharmaceuticals

You can do technical or science communication and writing courses at postgraduate level.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Direct application

You can apply to companies directly. Employers will expect you to have in-depth industry knowledge and experience of writing and editing in their sector.

You'll need to show you can research and interpret complex information and communicate it clearly. You'll also need to know about:

• content planning and strategy
• writing to brand style or other guidelines
• user behaviour - how people read and absorb information
• project management

Other routes

You may be able to find work after doing short, specialised training courses in:

• content planning
• writing styles
• quality assurance
• costing
• project management

The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators may have details of short courses like these and how to find them.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a technical author from the Institute of Science and Technical Communicators and the Association of British Science Writers has more information on becoming a science journalist.

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With experience, you could become a technical author for a larger organisation, or move into technical editing.

You could move into supervisory or management roles or work as a freelance consultant.

The Institute of Science and Technical Communicators has more information about this career.