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How to become a marketing executive

Marketing executives plan and run campaigns that help organisations reach customers — online, on social media, by email, at events and in print.

You could work in a company's marketing team, a marketing or digital agency, a charity or the public sector. Digital marketing executive is a common job title.

You do not need a licence or a degree. Some employers ask for a CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) qualification or a relevant degree; many value experience.

  • Multiple routes
  • No licence needed
  • Earn while learning possible

4 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AApprenticeship

    Marketing apprenticeship (Level 3, then Level 4)

    For those who want to earn a wage, have their training paid for and learn marketing on the job.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service says advanced (Level 3) apprenticeships usually ask for 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 including English and maths, or equivalent
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a Level 3 Multi-channel marketer apprenticeship
    2. Work and train; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the end-point assessment
    4. You could move on to the Level 4 Marketing executive apprenticeship
    5. Apply for marketing executive roles
    Estimated duration
    18 to 33 months to Level 4
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Multi-channel marketer (Level 3) at 18 months and Marketing executive (Level 4) at 15 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £17,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Digital marketer degree apprenticeship (Level 6)

    For those who want a degree-level qualification in digital marketing while working and earning, with no tuition fees to pay.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for a degree apprenticeship job; employers and universities set the entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service says degree apprenticeships usually ask for 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent
    • Degree apprenticeship vacancies are fewer than school-leaver roles and are competitive

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a Digital marketer (integrated degree) apprenticeship
    2. Work in a digital marketing role while studying for a degree
    3. Your employer and the government pay the training costs
    4. Complete the integrated degree and end-point assessment
    5. Progress to digital marketing executive or campaign roles
    Estimated duration
    About 3 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Digital marketer (integrated degree, Level 6) at 36 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £21,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — degree apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CUniversity

    University degree, then a marketing role

    For those who want to study marketing, business or another subject at university before starting in marketing.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements (the National Careers Service says 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, is typical for a degree)
    • Relevant subjects include marketing communications, digital marketing, advertising and business — other graduates can apply too
    • Some degrees are accredited by CIM; graduate training schemes exist

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a degree in marketing, business or another subject
    2. Look for a placement, internship or volunteering to build experience
    3. Apply for graduate schemes or marketing executive roles
    4. You could add a CIM qualification at work
    Estimated duration
    About 3 years, then work
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years (some include a placement year).

    Estimated direct study costs
    £29,370Paid up front by you: £0Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students work part-time or take a paid placement year.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route DWork + study

    Marketing assistant job, then CIM study

    For those who want to start work straight away — including people moving from sales or customer service — and add a qualification later.

    Starting requirements

    • An entry role such as marketing administrator or assistant; employers set their own requirements
    • Experience in sales, customer service or public relations can help you apply directly — employers decide
    • CIM's Level 4 Certificate asks for at least a year of marketing experience, or its Level 3 Foundation Certificate

    Pathway outline

    1. Start as a marketing administrator or assistant
    2. Build at least a year of marketing experience
    3. Join CIM and study the Level 4 Certificate part-time
    4. Pass the CIM assessments
    5. Apply for marketing executive roles
    Estimated duration
    About 18 to 21 months
    How we estimate this

    CIM asks for at least a year of marketing experience before its Level 4 Certificate, which it says typically takes 6 to 9 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £573Plus: CIM says tuition is set by each accredited study centre and variesPaid up front by you: At least £573Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From your first job.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Related careers — not the same as a marketing executive

Each of these is a separate career with its own entry rules.

Questions people ask

Do I need a degree to become a marketing executive?

No. You could start through an apprenticeship, an entry marketing job or by applying directly with sales or customer service experience. Some employers ask for a degree, but the National Careers Service says it is not always essential.

Do I need a CIM qualification?

No. CIM qualifications are optional professional recognition. Some employers ask for them; many value experience instead. CIM's Level 4 Certificate needs a year of marketing experience or its Level 3 Foundation Certificate.

What is the difference between a marketing executive and a digital marketer?

Many jobs overlap. Digital marketing executive roles focus on online channels such as search, social media, email and analytics. The National Careers Service treats it as another title for marketing executive.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

Compare routes side by side