Market research data analyst

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, or equivalent, including maths
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

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

You may be able to start by doing a higher apprenticeship as a data analyst.

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 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.

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.

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:

• The Market Research Society
• Royal Statistical Society
• Social Research Association

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

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

You could work in an office.