Skip to content
ApplySafer

How to become a marketing manager

Marketing managers lead an organisation's marketing — setting strategy, managing budgets and campaigns, and leading a team or agencies.

You could work in a business, an agency, a charity or the public sector. Brand manager and account manager are related titles.

Most people reach this role after working as a marketing executive. A degree or CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) qualification can help, but neither is a legal requirement.

  • Experience usually needed
  • No licence needed
  • Earn while learning possible

3 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 AWork + study

    Work up from marketing executive, with CIM Level 6

    For marketing executives who want to move into management and add a senior professional qualification.

    Starting requirements

    • Experience as a marketing executive or in a similar role
    • CIM's Level 6 Diploma asks for a CIM Level 4 qualification or equivalent, a Level 6 apprenticeship, a relevant degree, or professional practice with a diagnostic assessment
    • Employers set their own requirements for manager roles

    Pathway outline

    1. Work as a marketing executive and build experience
    2. Join CIM and study the Level 6 Diploma part-time
    3. Pass the CIM assessments
    4. Take on campaign, budget and team responsibility
    5. Apply for marketing manager roles
    Estimated duration
    9 to 12 months for CIM Level 6
    How we estimate this

    CIM's typical duration for the Level 6 Diploma. How long it takes to reach a manager role depends on your experience and employer.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £730Plus: CIM says tuition is set by each accredited study centre and variesPaid up front by you: At least £730Published 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
    You keep earning throughout.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Marketing manager apprenticeship (Level 6)

    For people with some marketing experience whose employer will support a degree-level apprenticeship.

    Starting requirements

    • The National Careers Service says this apprenticeship is for people with some marketing experience
    • Higher or degree apprenticeships usually ask for 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent
    • You must be employed in a suitable role; employers set their own requirements

    Pathway outline

    1. Gain some marketing experience
    2. Agree a Marketing manager apprenticeship with your employer, or apply for a vacancy
    3. Work and train; your employer and the government pay for the training
    4. Complete the end-point assessment
    5. Move into a marketing manager role
    Estimated duration
    About 2 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Marketing manager (Level 6) at 24 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £9,000 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
    You are employed and paid throughout.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CUniversity

    University degree, graduate role, then management

    For those who want to study first and then build marketing experience towards a manager role.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements (2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, is typical for a degree)
    • Any degree subject is accepted; marketing, business, digital marketing, advertising and psychology are relevant
    • Some CIM-accredited degrees can speed up professional marketing qualifications

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a degree in any subject
    2. Join a graduate scheme or start as a marketing executive
    3. Build experience running campaigns
    4. You could add a CIM qualification
    5. Apply for marketing manager roles
    Estimated duration
    3 years of study, then several years' experience
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years. The National Careers Service describes starting as a marketing executive before moving into management; it gives no fixed timescale.

    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

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 manager

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

Questions people ask

How long does it take to become a marketing manager?

It varies. Most people work as a marketing executive first. The National Careers Service does not give a fixed timescale, and promotion depends on your experience and employer.

Is Chartered Marketer status required?

No. It is optional professional recognition from CIM. You need a graded CIM membership, two consecutive years of CPD and an assessment.

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