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Information & Heritage

Archivist

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Primary Secondary Post-16

As an Archivist in the UK, your primary role is to preserve and manage historical records and culturally significant documents. This isnt just about dusty old papers; you'll be working with a diverse range of materials including photographs, maps, digital files, sound recordings, and even film. Your day-to-day could involve cataloguing new acquisitions, ensuring the proper storage and conservation of existing collections, and making these materials accessible to researchers and the public. You'll often assist historians, academics, and even legal professionals in their research, helping them navigate complex collections. It's a meticulous role that demands excellent organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and a deep understanding of historical context and ethical considerations in handling sensitive information. You'll also be involved in digital preservation strategies, adapting traditional archival principles to the ever-growing volume of electronic records.

Archivist

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary Range

Starting salaries for qualified archivists in the UK typically range from 25,000 to 30,000. Experienced professionals with management responsibilities can earn 35,000 to 45,000 or more, depending on the institution and location.

Number of Positions

While precise real-time numbers are hard to pin down for such a niche profession, sources like the National Archives and various university departments indicate a steady but competitive job market. Many roles are found within public sector institutions (local councils, national bodies) and universities.

Education Requirement

The vast majority of archivist positions in the UK require a postgraduate qualification in Archives and Records Management, or a related field, accredited by the Archives and Records Association (ARA). A relevant undergraduate degree, often in history, English, or a social science, is usually a prerequisite for postgraduate study.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Digital Archivist

Specialises in managing, preserving, and providing access to digital records and born-digital materials. This includes digital photographs, documents, emails, and websites, often requiring expertise in digital preservation software and data management.

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Records Manager

Focuses on the systematic control of an organisation's records throughout their lifecycle, from creation to disposal. This role ensures legal compliance, efficient information retrieval, and long-term preservation of vital business information, often involving policies and systems.

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Conservation Archivist

Dedicated to the physical preservation and restoration of historical documents, photographs, and artefacts held within archives. This involves assessing damage, performing repairs using specialised techniques and materials, and advising on environmental controls to prevent further deterioration.

Build Your Foundation

Gain a Relevant Degree

Start with an undergraduate degree in a subject like History, English Literature, Archaeology, or Museum Studies. These subjects provide a strong background in research, critical thinking, and understanding historical contexts, which are crucial for an archivist.

While not strictly mandatory, a strong humanities background is highly valued. Consider modules in palaeography (the study of ancient writing), Latin, or specific historical periods that interest you, as these can be beneficial for understanding different types of archival materials. Aim for a 2:1 or higher, as this will be important for postgraduate applications.

Explore Volunteering or Internships

Seek out opportunities to volunteer or undertake internships at archives, libraries, museums, or heritage organisations. This practical experience is invaluable for understanding the day-to-day work of an archivist.

Look for local archives, university special collections, or even corporate archives. Even a few weeks or months of unpaid experience can give you a significant advantage. Focus on roles that involve handling documents, cataloguing, or assisting researchers. Websites like the National Archives, Archives & Records Association, and university career portals often list such opportunities. This demonstrates commitment and provides real-world insight.

Develop Key Skills

Cultivate essential skills such as meticulous attention to detail, strong research abilities, organisation, IT proficiency (especially with databases and digital tools), and good communication for working with diverse collections and researchers.

Beyond academic skills, focus on developing practical competencies. This includes proficiency in database management systems, digitisation software, and understanding metadata standards. Basic conservation awareness and knowledge of legal and ethical considerations surrounding information access (e.g., GDPR) are also highly beneficial. Excellent written communication is vital for cataloguing and reports, while verbal skills are important for assisting researchers and giving presentations.

Specialise and Qualify

Complete a Postgraduate Qualification

A Master's degree in Archives and Records Management (or a similar field like Library and Information Studies with an archives specialism) is almost always required for professional archivist roles in the UK.

Accredited courses are offered by several universities in the UK, such as UCL, Aberystwyth, and Liverpool. These programmes cover core archival theory, records management, conservation principles, digital curation, and practical skills. Some courses offer professional accreditation from the Archives & Records Association (ARA), which is highly desirable. Research the course content thoroughly to ensure it aligns with your career aspirations and current industry standards.

Network Professionally

Engage with the archival community by attending conferences, workshops, and joining professional bodies like the Archives & Records Association (ARA). This helps with job opportunities and staying current with industry trends.

Networking is crucial for career development. Join the ARA as a student member to access resources, events, and job listings. Attend online or in-person seminars and workshops to meet working archivists and learn about different sectors (e.g., local authority, university, corporate, national archives). Many archivists find their first professional roles through contacts made during their postgraduate studies or networking events.

Consider Further Practical Experience

Alongside your postgraduate studies, try to gain more practical experience, perhaps through a part-time job or further voluntary work, to apply your academic learning in a real-world setting.

Some Master's programmes include a placement module, which is an excellent opportunity to gain supervised experience. If your course doesn't, actively seek out short-term paid or unpaid opportunities. This might involve working as an archive assistant, records officer, or a similar role. Demonstrating practical application of your theoretical knowledge is highly valued by employers when you start applying for professional archivist positions.

Launch Your Career

Apply for Entry-Level Roles

Once qualified, begin applying for entry-level archivist positions, such as Assistant Archivist, Trainee Archivist, or Records Manager. Be prepared to be flexible with location.

Job vacancies are often advertised on the ARA website, university careers services, and specialist recruitment sites. Your first role might not be your 'dream' job, but it will provide essential professional experience. Focus on roles where you can continue to develop your skills in cataloguing, collection management, and user services. Be sure to tailor your CV and cover letter to each specific job description, highlighting relevant coursework and practical experience.

Pursue Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

The archival field is constantly evolving, especially with digital records. Commit to ongoing learning through courses, workshops, and staying informed about new technologies and best practices.

CPD is vital for career progression. This could involve specialist training in digital preservation, specific cataloguing software, or conservation techniques. The ARA offers various CPD opportunities, and many archives provide internal training. Staying abreast of developments in areas like AI for archival description, or new digitisation methods, will ensure you remain a valuable asset in a dynamic profession. This shows initiative and dedication to your craft.

Specialise and Advance

As you gain experience, consider specialising in a particular area, such as digital archives, particular historical periods, or specific types of collections. This can lead to more senior and specialised roles.

With a few years of experience, you might move into roles like Digital Archivist, Senior Archivist, or Head of Archives. Specialisation can open up opportunities in specific institutions (e.g., national archives, universities, corporate archives, local history centres) or within particular functions (e.g., outreach, conservation management). Networking and mentorship become even more important at this stage, helping you identify and pursue advanced career paths.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Archivist. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship

University

You'll usually need a degree and postgraduate training to do this job. Most degree subjects are accepted for postgraduate study, but you may find it useful to take a degree like:

  • history
  • museum studies
  • information science
  • languages
  • law

After you complete your degree, you can do a postgraduate qualification in archives and records management recognised by the Archives & Records Association (ARA).

It's very important to get some work experience with record collections, which will help when you apply for a postgraduate course.

Contact organisations that hold archives to find work experience opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an Archivist and Records Manager Level 7 Apprenticeship.

This usually takes 3 years to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and study with an approved university.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

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Volunteering

Volunteering in archives or records will help when you apply for courses and jobs.

It's also a great way to find out if a career as an archivist is for you.

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Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Archives & Records Association and get access to industry news, professional development courses and networking events.

You can also join the Information and Records Management Society (IRMS).

The IRMS offers events, resources and the opportunity to apply for accreditation once you have several years' experience in the role.

Further information

You can find more details about careers and training in archives from the Archives & Records Association.

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