Marketing Apprenticeships
You know those glossy images and videos you see on TikTok and Instagram? Or those TV ads or super snazzy websites you love to shop on? They’re all examples of GREAT marketing.
Marketing is a crucial part of any business. Why? Because it drives brand awareness, engages people in a product or service and ultimately drives revenue.
Remember Just Eat’s ad campaign with Snoop Dog in 2020? Ryanair’s bold - yet quirky - TikTok feed? Or Gymshark’s fun Black Friday campaign that blended fitness and gaming, featuring some of the biggest YouTube stars on the planet? Kick-start your career with a marketing apprenticeship and you could be behind seriously cool campaigns just like that!
With 225,000 marketers employed in the UK’s creative industries in 2021, the industry is only going to grow even more than ever before.
Want to lead the way in the industry? Read our guide on marketing apprenticeships to learn how they work and why you should do one.
Can you do an apprenticeship in marketing?
Absolutely! You can do a marketing apprenticeship in any industry these days like healthcare, education, engineering or finance. Your tasks will depend on your role. But here’s some examples of responsibilities you might have during a normal working week in marketing…
Write SEO copy, such as blog posts to promote a product or service
Craft social media posts, film TikTok reels and host Instagram Lives
Create email newsletters for customers
Brainstorm new campaign ideas to inspire and engage your audience
As a Cancer Research marketing apprentice, you’ll work in web design and collaborate with your team to prepare charity campaigns.
If data analytics is more your thing, you could do a digital marketing apprenticeship at Amazon and learn about coding. Or how to develop SEO strategies based on consumer habits and demands.
How does a marketing apprenticeship work?
Marketing apprenticeships allow you to split your time between working for your employer and studying towards nationally recognised qualifications at a college or training provider. All while getting paid.
That’s what makes them so great - being able to earn while you learn. So by the time you finish your apprenticeship, you’ll be way ahead of the game. And can start building a life for yourself a lot sooner than if you’d gone straight to university.
Apprenticeship levels
Did you know that apprenticeships come in levels? A bit like karate belts. Except you won’t be karate chopping your way through them. Then again, you might. Who knows.
Intermediate apprenticeship
If you’re 16, you’ll start your career with an intermediate apprenticeship. Intermediate apprenticeships are introductory and give you a flavour of what a role in marketing is like.
As an intermediate apprentice, you could help your team by carrying out market research. Or support them when planning an event. Either way, you’ll gain a good understanding of the business and of working life in general.
The more experience you gain, the further up the career ladder you’ll go - until you reach the king of all apprenticeships - the degree apprenticeship.
The next big question is: what sort of marketing do you want to specialise in? In case you’re wondering, digital marketing and social media marketing are the two most popular areas within marketing.
Search for a marketing apprenticeshipAdvanced apprenticeship
Advanced apprenticeships are the second stage on the career ladder (after intermediate apprenticeships). They’re perfect if you’ve already got 5 GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and want to develop your skills in a particular area within marketing, such as data analytics.
These apprenticeships take around 2 - 4 years to complete. Once you’ve finished, you’ll walk away with qualifications equivalent to two A-Levels. And can either:
Do a higher apprenticeship
Continue working for your employer
Work for a new employer.
Here are two companies offering advanced apprenticeships in digital marketing.
Amazon
The advanced digital marketing apprenticeship at Amazon takes 18 months. To qualify, you’ll need a minimum of three GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in Maths and English.
Once you’ve finished your course, you’ll earn a Level 3 Diploma in Digital Marketing and can join the Chartered Institute of Marketing as an affiliate. This gives you access to monthly webinars that cover topics trending in the marketing world.
The advanced digital marketing apprenticeship at Google takes 15-24 months. Entry requirements are flexible, but you’ll need to write a cover letter to explain your reasons for applying. You might even have to complete an aptitude test, but that will depend on your role.
Learn how to pass a psychometric test →
Want to know what it’s like to be a digital marketing apprentice at Google? Check out this video.
Degree apprenticeship
If you do a degree apprenticeship, you’ll still attend university (part-time). But you won’t need to take out a student loan or pay any tuition fees as the government and your employer will cover those for you.
Know what that means? Bye to £45,000 of debt. And hi to sun-filled getaways to Pula and Split with your pals. During the holidays of course, as apprentices get time off too. Just like regular employees.
Below is an overview of the digital marketing degree apprenticeship. Did you know that you can earn a degree as well as first-hand experience in digital marketing in just three years? Well, you do now!
TIER: Level 6 (degree)
DURATION: 3 years +
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Employers set individual requirements. But the entry criteria is similar to that of a traditional marketing degree: three A-Levels and GCSE passes in English and Maths (or equivalent).
QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's Degree in Digital Marketing.
So, what can you do once you’ve finished your digital marketing apprenticeship? Many things. Here are examples of roles you can get.
Digital Marketing Executive
Digital Marketing Account Manager
Digital and Social Media Executive
Content Marketing Executive
Pay Per Click Analyst
SEO Executive
Lots of companies offer degree apprenticeships in digital marketing, including the BBC.
"“I am currently on placement in Media Planning. My main jobs are scheduling pre-rolls (trailers that you see at the start of shows on BBC iPlayer) and making footers (ads on the BBC website that send you to different areas such as BBC Sounds). I am also involved in the marketing plan for an upcoming BBC Three show and BBC Three + BBC Radio paid social media marketing.”" Digital Marketing Apprentice, BBC
Finding the right employer can be TOUGH. Especially as there are so many companies to choose from in a marketing role.
Luckily for you, we’ve created our Best Student Employers table. It’s based on thousands of honest reviews written by students who’ve been in your shoes. So if you’re wondering which company to work for and what to expect from a particular role, this will be your new BFF.
Social media marketing apprenticeships are more than just hashtags and selfies. They’re a brilliant opportunity to shape a company’s brand and boost its reputation and sales.
As an apprentice, you’ll get to:
Work with influencers
Interact with global audiences online
Conduct polls
Create graphics across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn
Run social media campaigns that target new audiences
Network with people at high-profile events.
Oh - and you’ll get to dress up for the occasion too! We mustn’t forget that one!
With the world becoming more and more digitised, the demand for social media experts is high. So if you want to make a difference in this fun and rewarding sector, now is your chance.
"“My role is a mix of PR, Comms and social media. I have a wide range of exposure to many different aspects of the business, senior members of the team and opportunities. L'Oréal is constantly encouraging internal training and giving you the opportunity to learn so it's a good environment if you want to put yourself out there.” " Brand Engagement Apprentice, at L'Oréal
How much do marketing apprentices make?
One of the great things about apprenticeships is getting paid to learn new skills. So while most of your friends will go to university and build up debt, you’ll be graduating debt-free. And making thousands of pounds in the process. Does it get any better than that?
As a marketing apprentice, you’ll get paid for:
Your normal working hours
Any training that’s part of your apprenticeship
Extra courses you might have to take like Maths and English, for example.
You’ll also get 20 days of paid holiday (at least) as well as Bank Holidays. Quite the treat if you ask us.
National Minimum Wage
Your salary will depend on your apprenticeship level. But you’ll still receive the National Minimum Wage. This is the minimum hourly wage that all workers are entitled to. Some employers will pay you more. So bear that in mind.
Once you’re fully qualified and in a full-time job, your wage will shoot up to £20,000, with marketing managers earning 40,000 and above!
Want to find out more about what it’s really like to do a marketing apprenticeship? Have a read of over 40,000 student-written reviews.
Browse Marketing Apprenticeship Reviews
Is marketing a good career?
Marketing is a brilliant career. It’s fun, creative and versatile and will give you endless opportunities to grow. Whether you’re working in branding, social media or analytics, you’ll get to build solid relationships with people and create successful campaigns with visible results.
No two days are ever the same in marketing. One minute you’ll be writing blogs, the next using programmes like Google Analytics to track website traffic. As a marketer, you’ll get to go to lots of events, film promotional content and discover all the up-and-coming trends in your industry.
If you want to unleash your inner creativity, develop a broad range of skills, from commercial awareness to critical thinking and become an amazing communicator in the process, a career in marketing will allow you to do just that.
So what are you waiting for? GO for it.
Find an apprenticeship