You can become a marketing manager as graduate of any subject. Some higher national diploma or degree subjects might be particularly relevant like:

• marketing
• business management
• digital marketing
• advertising
• psychology

Some companies might offer graduate marketing management schemes.

You might be able to fast-track through professional marketing qualifications if your degree is accredited. 

You can find out more about the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) accredited degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could start by taking a Marketing Assistant or Marketing Executive Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

If you already have some marketing experience, you might be able to do a Marketing Manager Level 6 Higher Apprenticeship.

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

You could start as a marketing executive and then take a qualification offered by a professional marketing body such as:

• The Chartered Institute of Marketing
• the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
• the Institute of Data and Marketing

You might be able to apply directly for marketing manager jobs if you have experience in a related area like:

• sales management
• advertising
• communications
• public relations

You'll need:

• the ability to sell products and services
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• leadership skills
• maths knowledge
• business management skills
• customer service skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As a marketing manager you'll:

• create marketing and social media strategies
• plan and manage the launch of new products and services
• oversee and approve campaign content, budgets and targets
• work with in-house or external agencies
• report on the effectiveness of campaigns

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