Database administrator

You could study for a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification before joining a company training scheme. Useful subjects include:

• computer science
• business information systems
• software engineering
• information technology management
• mathematics

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You may be able to get into this job through a digital and technology solutions specialist degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You may be able to apply directly for a place on a graduate training scheme. These are often open to non-IT graduates as well as those with a computing qualification.

Career tips

Experience in IT support, programming or web development will help.

Further information

Tech Future Careers and the Chartered Institute for IT have more details about careers and training in computing.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• complex problem-solving skills
• to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

You'll need to know structured query language (SQL) and database management systems (DBMS).

You'll work with an organisation to:

• establish what the database is for, who’ll use it and what other systems it will link to
• plan the structure of the database, working out how to organise, find and display data
• build a test version and check the results for bugs
• fill (populate) the database with new information or transfer existing data into it
• plan how to update information, create back-up copies and report errors
• put in security measures

You could work in an office or at a client's business.