Archivist

Also called Curator, records manager, archives officer.

Archivists preserve and manage historical and cultural records. They also make collections available to researchers and the public.

Potential salary: £23,000 starter to £45,000 experienced per year
Typical hours: 38 to 40 a week. Working pattern: between 8am and 6pm.
Career area: Law and public service
Where they might work: You could work in an office or at a client's business.
A typical task: use archive management software to date, catalogue and index materials
Subjects that may help: 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Typical route: You'll usually need a degree and postgraduate training to do this job. Most degree subjects are accepted for postgraduate study, but you may find it useful to take a degree like:
Interest area used here: Organising information and detail, Asking questions and research

Career actions

What you might do

More tasks (1)

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

More skills

You'll usually need a degree and postgraduate training to do this job. Most degree subjects are accepted for postgraduate study, but you may find it useful to take a degree like:
history
museum studies
information science
languages
law
After you complete your degree, you can do a postgraduate qualification in archives and records management recognised by the Archives & Records Association (ARA) .
It's very important to get some work experience with record collections, which will help when you apply for a postgraduate course.
Contact organisations that hold archives to find work experience opportunities .
You'll usually need:
2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
equivalent entry requirements
student finance for fees and living costs
university courses and entry requirements

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

Archaeology
Related, but not enough on its own. Archives usually expect a postgraduate archives qualification. Archaeology is not that course.
Heritage Management
Alternative route. Some skills overlap. Professional archive posts often expect a postgraduate qualification.
History
Alternative route. History is a recognised background. The professional archives qualification is postgraduate.
Information Management
Alternative route. Archive work often has its own postgraduate route.

You may be able to apply for a place on an Archivist and Records Manager Level 7 Apprenticeship.
This usually takes 3 years to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and study with an approved university.
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
guide to apprenticeships

Career progression

With experience, you could work with large and prestigious collections held by national archives and museums, businesses, church foundations and charities.
You could also take on particular responsibilities, such as:
team management, supervising archivists and assistants
dealing with funding bids and advising on strategy and planning
specialist research
handling the legal requirements around record keeping