How to become Antique dealer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- working towards this role
- turning a hobby into a job
University
You could study for a degree in fine arts or art history, although this is not always essential.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
College
You may be able to start by taking part-time or short residential courses to build up your knowledge.
Courses include:
- antiques
- history of art
- fine art
- decorative arts
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for this route.
More Information
Work
You could work in an antiques shop as an assistant to learn on the job.
You could also start in a salesroom or auction house as a porter, clerk, cataloguer, valuer or auctioneer.
Other Routes
You could collect and research antiques as a hobby and then:
- get a stall at an antiques market or fair
- buy and sell on the internet
- open a shop
Some of the larger auction houses, like Sotheby's Institute of Art and Christie's Education, run short courses in art history and the arts market. They also offer more in-depth postgraduate study aimed at graduates wanting to work in the commercial arts market.
More Information
Career tips
You'll need a good knowledge of antiques and the market. Sales skills, the ability to spot items that will sell and having money to start up are likely more important than formal qualifications.
Further information
You can discover more about working in antiques through The British Antique Dealers' Association.
You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.