How to become a data analyst-statistician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- a graduate training scheme
University
You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate award in:
- statistics
- mathematics
- economics
- operational research
- psychology
Other subjects may be acceptable if they include formal training in statistics as part of the course, for example social science or geography.
Some university courses offer an industrial placement or sandwich year, which allows you to work in industry or commerce as part of your studies. This could be useful when you look for jobs after you finish your course.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
College
You may be able to start by doing a T level in Digital Business Services. This could give you some of the skills you need to apply for a trainee position with a company.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
More Information
Apprenticeship
You could start in a junior data analysis role through a data technician advanced apprenticeship.
You could go on to complete a data analysis higher apprenticeship or data scientist degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
Volunteering
The Royal Statistical Society advertise volunteering opportunities, which give you the chance to use your skills to help community organisations and charities. This is a good way to increase your understanding of how statistics can be put to good use in wider society.
Other Routes
You can apply to join the Government Statistical Service (GSS) as a trainee through the Civil Service Fast Stream programme. You'll need a good degree pass or postgraduate qualification to do this.
The GSS also directly recruits graduates, and those with equivalent and relevant experience, into positions like statistical officer.
More Information
Further information
You can find out more on careers in statistics from the Royal Statistical Society.