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Market research data analyst

Alternative titles for this job include Data analyst, research analyst, market intelligence analyst, statistician, data insight professional

Market research data analysts study statistics and information collected through surveys.

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become a market research data analyst

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification that includes data analysis, like:

  • maths and statistics
  • marketing and analytics
  • business and marketing
  • data science

Some market researchers focus on understanding what customers think and feel to give insight into products and services. Relevant degree subjects for this role include psychology, social sciences and sociology.

If you want to specialise in an area like medical or economic market research, you'll find it useful to have a postgraduate master's degree or PhD in statistics or applied statistics.

Entry requirements

  • 2 or 3 A levels, including maths for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing an advanced apprenticeship in marketing or higher apprenticeship as a data analyst.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a higher or a degree apprenticeship

More information

Work

You could start as a research assistant, and move into statistical work after getting more experience and doing qualifications while you work.

The Market Research Society offers training courses at different levels, depending on your job role and responsibilities.

Other routes

You could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with a market research company and start as a junior analyst. You'll need a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification to apply.

You could get a marketing qualification like those offered by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, which often include a market research focus.

More information

Career tips

Knowledge of social media analytics will be useful.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Royal Statistical Society and The Market Research Society, for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about working in market research from:

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • maths knowledge
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • business management skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

  • speaking to clients to understand their needs
  • writing proposals, describing how research will be carried out
  • managing relationships with clients
  • advising researchers about survey methods and design
  • project-managing teams
  • checking the quality of the data collected
  • analysing the data using statistical software programs and techniques, spreadsheets and computer models
  • presenting results in a useful way, through talks, written reports, graphs and tables
  • explaining findings to market research executives

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress into management, or become a self-employed market research consultant.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Marketing Apprentice

  • Wage : £192.31 Weekly
  • Location: Ellesmere Port CH65 9HQ

Apprentice Data Analyst

  • Wage : £146.25 Weekly
  • Location: Reading RG2 6UU
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

CIM Level 3 Foundation Certificate in Marketing: Marketing Principles module.

  • Provider: Chichester College
  • Start date: 08 January 2020
  • Location: Chichester

Legal Research Skills level 3

  • Provider: LEICESTER COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2019
  • Location: Leicester
Find courses near you

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