Market research executive

For quantitative market research work, you may find it useful to get a degree in:

• maths
• statistics
• business
• management
• economics

For qualitative jobs, you may find it helpful to have a degree in:

• psychology
• sociology
• geography
• social sciences
• anthropology

Also useful are degrees in English, marketing, and sciences, or engineering for some specialist industrial jobs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

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

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Marketing
• Level 4 Diploma in Professional Marketing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could work as a market research assistant, or interviewer, with or without a degree. You’ll still need very good communication skills, and ability with numbers and IT programs.

You could also start as a research assistant in an agency, and get promotion to executive or account manager as your experience grows. You’ll usually be expected to take further qualifications.

You could get your first job as a market research executive through one of the graduate training schemes that some larger employers run for new recruits.

You could also do specialist courses through professional bodies, like The Market Research Society's Certificate in Market and Social Research.

You may be able to get a paid internship with a company, where you’re given a project to complete. This will allow you to develop your skills and show an employer what you’re able to do.

Career tips

Being able to speak different languages could be an advantage for international work.

Whatever your qualifications, you’ll find it useful to have experience in marketing, sales or advertising, or as a market research interviewer.

Further information

You can find out more about market research careers from The Market Research Society.

You'll need:

• analytical thinking skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• customer service skills
• knowledge of English language
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• persistence and determination
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

In your day-to-day duties you may:

• meet clients to discuss research projects
• create plans or proposals and present them to clients
• manage a budget
• design questionnaires and organise surveys
• brief interviewers and researchers
• monitor the progress of surveys
• analyse data and present results to clients
• advise clients how they can best use the research

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