How to become a copy editor
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist training courses with professional bodies
- a graduate training scheme
University
Many copy editors have a degree. Most subjects are accepted.
A degree in publishing, media, English or a related subject may improve your chances of finding work.
To work in a specialist area, employers will prefer you to have a subject-related degree.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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Apprenticeship
You can work towards this role through an advanced apprenticeship as a publishing assistant.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
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Work
You could start as an editorial assistant in a publishing company and build up your experience of proofreading and text editing. This would also allow you to build a portfolio of work, to showcase your skills to potential employers.
Other Routes
You could take a proofreading or editing course, like the ones offered by the The Publishing Training Centre or the Society for Editors and Proofreaders.
Some publishing houses run graduate training schemes and internships.
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Career tips
Employers will often expect you to have some experience in the publishing industry.
You could get experience in the publishing industry from:
- job shadowing
- editing and proofreading student magazines and websites
- admin work in a publishing company
Professional and industry bodies
You could join a professional organisation like The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP).
Further information
The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) and the Publishing Training Centre have further details on training options.
You can also find out more about working in this and other creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.