Archivist : Entry requirements

You need a university degree in order to be accepted onto a postgraduate course in archives, which is the normal entry route, and the profession is open to graduates of any discipline. Although many archivists have undergraduate degrees in history, degrees in law, classics and English are also quite common. The subject of your undergraduate degree is less important than a demonstrable interest in history and an awareness of the importance of archives as evidence. In specialist scientific archives services, a degree in a science subject may be useful.

Entry onto postgraduate programmes is competitive and you normally need a good honours degree and previous work experience in order to be accepted. Postgraduate study is the normal route for entry to the profession, but you may be able to obtain a post as a paraprofessional archives or records assistant and complete further study in-service or after a period of employment. Entry to employment without a degree or with an HND only is unlikely - most assistants have at least a first degree.

There are six postgraduate courses in archive management that are currently accredited by the Archives and Records Association (ARA)  (see their website for an up-to-date list). These lead to a postgraduate diploma, the minimum requirement for employment as a professional archivist, or a Masters degree on completion of a dissertation. Most courses are combined archives and records management programmes. Part-time and distance-learning study options or specialist provision for international work may be available - check details on university websites. Students applying for full-time courses are eligible for funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)  or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) , but not all applicants will receive an award. A career development loan may also be possible, but you may otherwise have to fund yourself.

You need significant voluntary or paid work experience in order to be accepted onto a postgraduate programme. This experience should be in an archives or records management environment, not a library, and must be relevant and of good quality. See the ARA Guidance on Work Experience Placements  for more information and a list of organisations in the UK and Ireland that offer voluntary or paid placements to graduates seeking work experience prior to undertaking an accredited postgraduate qualification. The largest archives services are likely to be in local government and universities. Make contacts wherever you can.

Posts at assistant level may also be advertised in the local and national press. Be persistent in tracking down opportunities for experience. It may also be worth contacting organisations speculatively close to where you live. See the ARCHON Directory  for contact details of local archive and records management services.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

• a genuine interest in history and in preserving records for posterity;
• good communication skills - you need to be able to relate to a wide range of people;
• a high level of commitment to customer service and making materials accessible;
• a logical approach to the work of identification and classification;
• good organisational ability to manage a wide range of tasks;
• an understanding of research skills in order to help users access materials;
• attention to detail and accuracy;
• the ability to skim and understand an extensive and varied range of material;
• adaptability and a high degree of flexibility;
• the ability to anticipate and respond to changing needs and digital media;
• a commitment to the profession and to professional development;
• the ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• good IT skills and an interest in applying digital technology to archival practice;
• competence in administrative procedures and project management ability.

Knowledge of the data protection and freedom of information legislation may also be advantageous.

Student membership of ARA is useful and benefits include access to vacancies, discounts on training, networking opportunities and access to the ARC Magazine .

Competition for jobs is currently fierce and geographical mobility is important as posts are generally spread in small numbers across the UK and Ireland.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.