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Curriculum Writer

View this career for different education levels:

Secondary Post-16

Imagine you're designing a recipe for learning something new. A Curriculum Writer is like the head chef who creates that recipe! They design and develop educational materials that help students learn effectively. This could involve planning what topics will be taught in a subject, deciding the best way to teach them, and creating all the resources like textbooks, lesson plans, activities, and even online courses. They need to understand how students learn, what skills they need to develop, and how to make learning fun and engaging. They work for schools, universities, educational publishers, or even companies that offer training. It's a really important job because they shape what and how millions of students across the UK learn every single day, making sure the content is up-to-date and relevant.

Curriculum Writer

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📊 Statistics

Typical UK Salary Range

A Curriculum Writer in the UK can expect to earn between 25,000 and 45,000 a year, depending on their experience, location, and the type of organisation they work for. Experienced writers or those in leadership roles could earn more.

Job Outlook (UK)

While exact figures for 'Curriculum Writer' specifically can be hard to pinpoint, roles in educational content development and instructional design are steadily in demand across the UK. With changes to national curricula and the growth of online learning, there's a continuous need for well-structured educational materials.

Education Sector Workforce (UK)

The wider UK education sector employs millions of people. Curriculum writers contribute directly to the quality and content taught within schools, colleges, and training providers, impacting a significant portion of this workforce and all students.

🚀 Careers in this path

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School Textbook Author

Imagine writing the books that students like you use every day in school! You'd research topics, explain them clearly, and make sure they're fun to read. You'd work on subjects like history, science, or maths, making sure the information helps other kids learn.

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Educational Game Designer

If you love games and learning, this could be perfect! You'd come up with ideas for educational games, apps, or online activities. Your job would be to make learning subjects like English or coding exciting and interactive, helping children learn while they play.

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Museum Exhibit Developer

Think about all the cool things you see in museums! An exhibit developer helps decide what stories a museum tells and how to tell them. You'd write the information boards, design interactive displays, and create activities so that visitors, especially kids, can learn about history, science, or art in a fun and engaging way.

Build Your Learning Foundations

Do Well in School

Focus on your English, Maths, and any subjects you enjoy, especially those that involve writing, research, or presenting.

Excelling in a broad range of subjects, particularly English Language, English Literature, History, and Science, will give you a strong academic base. Pay attention to how different subjects are taught and what makes lessons engaging for you. This early understanding of effective teaching methods can be incredibly valuable.

Read and Write Lots

The more you read different kinds of books and articles, and the more you practice writing, the better you'll become at understanding and explaining ideas.

Reading widely helps you see how information is structured and presented in different ways. Try writing stories, essays, or even creating your own 'lessons' for friends or family on topics you know well. Joining a school newspaper, magazine, or a creative writing club can also give you great practice and feedback.

Explore Teaching

Think about what makes a good teacher and a good lesson. You could even try 'teaching' a topic to a younger sibling or friend.

Observe your teachers and how they explain things. What methods do they use that help you understand? What makes a lesson fun and effective? Consider volunteering to help out with younger classes or at a homework club. This will give you insight into how students learn and what challenges teachers face.

Gain Relevant Experience & Knowledge

Choose the Right University Course

A degree in education, a specific subject like English or History, or even instructional design, can be a great path.

Many curriculum writers start with a degree in the subject they want to write about (e.g., a History degree to write history curriculum) or a degree in Education. Look for courses that include modules on learning theories, curriculum development, or instructional design. Some universities offer specific 'Education Studies' degrees which can be very relevant. Consider if you want to teach first, as a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) can be a valuable route.

Volunteer or Work in Education

Helping out in schools, tutoring, or working with educational charities can give you practical experience.

Look for opportunities to work as a teaching assistant, tutor, or support staff in a school or college. Even summer camp roles or volunteering at a youth club where you develop activities can be useful. This hands-on experience will show you how students learn and what kind of materials are most effective in a real-world setting.

Develop Digital Skills

Many learning materials are digital, so get good at using computers, presentation software, and even basic design tools.

Familiarise yourself with common office software like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Learning to use graphic design tools (even free ones like Canva) or e-learning platforms can be a big advantage. Understanding how to create engaging digital content is increasingly important in curriculum development.

Launch Your Career as a Curriculum Writer

Build a Portfolio of Work

Create examples of educational materials you've designed, even if they're for practice or personal projects.

This could include sample lesson plans, short educational guides, presentations, or even a mini-course on a topic you're passionate about. Showcase your ability to explain complex ideas clearly, structure learning, and create engaging content. Websites like LinkedIn or a personal blog can be great places to share your work.

Look for Entry-Level Roles

Start applying for jobs that involve creating educational content, even if they're not called 'Curriculum Writer' initially.

Search for roles like 'Instructional Designer Assistant', 'Educational Content Creator', 'Learning Designer', or even 'Technical Writer' in an educational setting. Many educational publishers, e-learning companies, or even large organisations with training departments hire people to develop learning materials. Networking with professionals in the education sector can also open doors.

Keep Learning and Adapting

The world of education is always changing, so stay updated on new teaching methods and technologies.

Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences related to education, instructional design, and specific subject areas. Read educational journals and blogs. Continuously seek feedback on your work and be open to improving your skills. This commitment to lifelong learning will ensure your curriculum remains relevant and effective.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Curriculum Writer. 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

A Curriculum Writer primarily focuses on creating written educational content, which aligns directly with the core duties of a general 'Writer' role, encompassing various forms of content creation.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
  • specialist training or self-teaching

University

You'll need a high level of writing skill and talent to be successful. To develop your skills, you could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject, such as:

  • creative writing
  • communication and media
  • English language or literature
  • creative and professional writing
  • journalism

You could also do a postgraduate writing course to get into this career.

To work as a technical author, you'll usually need a higher education qualification in the subject you want to write about, for example engineering, technology or healthcare.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Volunteering

You can do several things to develop your writing skills and learn more about the world of publishing. These include:

  • joining writers' groups in person or online
  • entering writing competitions
  • blogging on websites

Direct Application

You may be able to apply directly for technical writing jobs in industries, such as engineering, computing or scientific research, if you've got the relevant background and qualifications.

Experience in journalism could also help you to get into areas like travel or broadcast writing.

Other Routes

You could work in TV or radio as a scriptwriter. BBC Writers and Channel 4 Talent Schemes have information, advice and workshops on writing and submitting scripts.

You may be able to publish and sell your work without formal training or qualifications, if you're exceptionally talented and have original ideas. A literary agent may be able to help you with this.

More Information

Career tips

You'll need:

  • creative ideas that will sell
  • good research skills
  • the ability to express ideas in a style suited to your intended audience

You'll also need to have confidence in your writing, be able to accept criticism and remain positive.

You'll need a portfolio of your work to show to employers and commissioning editors.

Further information

You'll find more advice about careers in writing through the National Association of Writers Groups.

The Poetry Society and Writers & Artists have more details on writing competitions.

Writers & Artists also has industry advice on being a writer and submitting work for publishing or self-publishing. It publishes the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, which has information on literary agents, publishers, newspapers and magazines.

You can get information about a career in technical writing from the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators.

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