Marketing apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a great way to build your marketing knowledge and skills while earning a wage. Discover more about the options available to you

By becoming a marketing apprentice, you'll be given the most relevant, up-to-date training and have the opportunity to apply it to the working world as you learn. What's more, you'll be paid a wage while you study, gain valuable experience and build contacts within the industry.

What kinds of marketing apprenticeships are available?

Marketing apprenticeships are available in areas such as:

digital marketing
social media
public relations (PR).

Marketing apprenticeships are offered at a number of levels:

Intermediate (Level 2) - equivalent to five GCSEs, at grade 9-4, usually no eligibility criteria other than demonstrating the ability to complete the course.
Advanced (Level 3) - equivalent to two A-levels, you'll need a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification for this, or industry experience in some cases.
Higher (Level 4 and 5) - equivalent to a foundation degree or full degree, depending on the level. You'll need a Level 3 or similar (NVQ or BTEC). For a Level 5, the company may ask for more specific grades.
Degree (Level 6 and 7) - equivalent to a Bachelors (Level 6) or Masters degree (Level 7) There are strict qualification requirements for entry on to degree apprenticeships.

Look for sales, marketing and procurement apprenticeships on GOV.UK.

Which companies offer marketing apprenticeships?

Amazon - offers two different apprenticeships - a Level 3 diploma in digital marketing and a Level 3 Apprenticeship Marketing Executive.
BBC - provides a Level 4 marketing executive apprenticeship, based in either London or Salford and lasting 12 months.
Generate Leads - this agency offers a degree apprenticeship in digital marketing.
Google - offers apprenticeships all around the world and the one based in the UK is a 15-month Level 3 digital marketing apprenticeship.
NHS - offers all levels of digital marketing apprenticeships.
Sky - has a Level 3, two-year digital marketing apprenticeship in West London.
Virgin Media - runs a Level 3, 16-month programme with three rotations in different digital marketing teams.

If you haven't decided on marketing and you'd like to try out different areas before committing, then consider an apprenticeship in another sector that includes a marketing rotation as part of it. For example, on Lloyd's of London's three-year business apprenticeship, one of its rotations will see you helping to promote the brand as part of its marketing team. See what other business apprenticeships are available.

If you have a specific company in mind, it's worth looking on their career page for opportunities. It’s also worth contacting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to see what they have on offer.

Visit GOV.UK - Find an apprenticeship to see what apprenticeships are available, or the Digital Agency Network to find marketing agencies close to you.

What do marketing apprenticeships involve?

Tasks vary depending on the company and the level of your apprenticeship. Some examples of what you could be asked to do include: copywriting, search engine optimisation (SEO) and public relations (PR) and communications training.

For Cancer Research UK's marketing apprenticeship, you'll need a GCSE in maths and English (grade 4-9). During the apprenticeship, you'll take part in web design, prepare for and review campaigns, and work closely with the marketing teams.

On Amazon's Level 3 digital marketing apprenticeship, you'll do a mix of online study and in-person workshops. This will involve modules such as principles of coding, customer lifecycle and operating securely in a digital environment. Upon successful completion you'll be a fully competent digital marketer and work at the company in a collaborative team.

The BBC has a Level 4 marketing executive apprenticeship, which looks at core marketing concepts and theories, brand and reputation and stakeholder management. After which you'll earn a position in the BBC's marketing community.

Generate Leads' degree apprenticeship will not only get you a Bachelors degree in digital marketing, but you’ll also be accredited with the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM). You'll work on SEO, web design, email automation and launching and managing your own campaigns.

Who are apprenticeships aimed at?

Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2) and advanced apprenticeships (Level 3) are generally aimed at school leavers. Level 2 is right for you if you're looking for entry into the industry and want to get your foot in the door - regardless of age or experience.

If you wish to start with Level 3, you'll need five GCSEs (9-4 grade) - if you don't have any formal qualifications, you will need industry experience instead.

Higher apprenticeships (Levels 4 and 5) are for those with A-levels or those who have already completed an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.

Alternatively, those who have achieved their A-levels can take on a degree apprenticeship (Level 6), which is fully paid for by the company and includes a salary too. A Level 7 apprenticeship is a Masters degree, which you might take after completing Level 6.

How much will I be paid?

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for an apprentice is £5.28 per hour (from April 2023) for those aged under 19, and those aged over 19 who are in their first year.

If you're over 19 and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship you must be paid the minimum wage for your age.

You'll be paid for your normal working hours and any training that is part of the scheme. You're also entitled to at least 20 days of paid holiday per year, as well as bank holidays.

Salaries are down to individual employers, but usually you'll be paid significantly more than the NMW.

For example, on the Cancer Research UK apprenticeship you'll earn £22,950 per annum for 35 hours a week (£12.61 per hour). It's a hybrid role where you'll be required to go to the office once or twice a week.

By comparison, BBC's Level 4 apprenticeship will pay a salary in year one of £19,500 (with a London living allowance of £4,918), which is £10.71 per hour (£13.42 in London). The apprenticeship also offers 25 days of holiday.

Virgin Media's Level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship offers a starting salary of £21,500 (about £11.81 per hour), increasing to £24,500 after 12 months (about £13.46 per hour). Upon completion, this can end up at £28,000 (about £15.38 per hour), and they also promise 25 days of holiday with other benefits.

For more information on pay rates and working hours, see what is an apprenticeship?

How do I become a marketing apprentice?

It's essential to get your application right, and to ensure that it is tailored to the company you're applying to. Recruiters are reading lots of CVs and cover letters, so you'll need to be clear and outline the main points effectively. Take a look at our example apprenticeship cover letter.

Prepare for the interview the same way as if it were a job. Research the company thoroughly, and some common questions they might ask - maybe think of some questions to ask the interviewer. Make sure you have answers and then rehearse them with somebody.

On the day of the interview, it's all about punctuality, dressing presentably and how well you come across.

Some apprenticeship vacancies are listed all year round while others will have set deadlines, so the best advice is to apply as early as possible.

Read more about how to apply for an apprenticeship.

Find out more

Take a look what's on offer in the marketing, advertising and PR sector.