How to become a company secretary
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- training with a professional body
University
You'll need a foundation degree or degree in a relevant subject like:
- business
- law
- accountancy
- public administration
You'll also need relevant business experience in areas like:
- pensions or insurance
- personnel
- accounts and credit control
- purchasing
- office management
You could get valuable work experience during your studies by doing a placement year or summer internship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could start by doing a higher national diploma in business management or law. Then you can apply to join a company as a trainee company secretary.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma
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Apprenticeship
You may be able to become a company secretary by first qualifying as a solicitor through a degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
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Other Routes
You can take professional qualifications offered by The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland to become a company secretary.
You'll begin by doing the Chartered Secretaries Qualifying Scheme, which starts at foundation level. You can join at a more advanced level if you already have a relevant qualification, for example in law.
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Professional and industry bodies
You can join The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland to:
- get professional recognition
- find training opportunities
- make industry contacts
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a company secretary from The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland.