How to Become an Archivist in the UK
Archivists look after records with long-term value, such as council minutes, estate papers, business records, photographs, maps and digital files. You appraise and select what to keep, catalogue collections so people can find them, advise on preservation, answer enquiries, help researchers in the searchroom and run outreach such as exhibitions and school sessions. More and more of the job involves born-digital records and digitisation.
Employers include local record offices, universities, national institutions, businesses and charities. Most professional posts need a postgraduate qualification in archives and records management, and some people move across from library assistant or librarian roles.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £30,000
- Mid-career salary
- £32,000 - £42,000
- Senior salary
- £48,000 - £65,000
- Work environment
- Office, community or institutional setting
- Time to entry
- 3 - 5 years (often MA)
- Degree required
- Usually required
- Category
- Public Sector and Emergency Services
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: Stable careers.
What a Archivist does
Preserve and catalogue historical records so researchers and the public can use them.
How to become an archivist in the UK
The standard route is a first degree in any subject, often history, followed by a postgraduate qualification in archives and records management accredited by the Archives and Records Association (ARA). Courses usually expect paid or volunteer experience in an archive before you apply, so many people work as archive assistants or volunteers for a year or so first. In England, the Level 7 archivist and records manager apprenticeship lets you qualify while employed. After qualifying, you can work towards the ARA's professional registration. Digital preservation, Latin or palaeography skills can make you stand out for some collections.
- Volunteer or work as an archive assistant at a local record office, university archive or museum to learn handling, cataloguing and searchroom work.
- Choose an ARA-accredited postgraduate course in archives and records management, studied full-time, part-time or by distance learning while you work.
- Learn the cataloguing standards and collections management systems archives use, and practise writing clear catalogue descriptions.
- Build digital skills such as digital preservation, metadata and digitisation, as more collections arrive as emails, databases and born-digital files.
- Apply for archivist, assistant archivist and records manager posts, including roles in businesses and public bodies, not just heritage organisations.
- Join the Archives and Records Association and work towards professional registration to support promotion to senior archivist or head of service.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree, volunteering, then ARA-accredited Master's | 4-5 years in total | Tuition fee loan, then postgraduate fees | Most new archivists |
| Archive assistant role, then part-time qualification | 2-4 years | Paid role, fees sometimes supported | People who want to earn first |
| Level 7 archivist and records manager apprenticeship | About 2-3 years | Paid by the employer | Graduates in archive jobs in England |
| Move across from records management or libraries | Varies | Varies by provider | Information professionals |
How long it takes
Expect three to five years from starting a degree to your first professional archivist post, including volunteering and a postgraduate qualification. If you already have a degree and archive experience, allow one to two years for the qualification.
Archivist salary in the UK
Newly qualified archivists usually earn around £24,000 to £30,000. Experienced and senior archivists earn about £32,000 to £42,000, and heads of archive services or senior staff at national institutions earn roughly £48,000 to £65,000. Corporate archive and records management roles often pay more than heritage posts. Many early jobs are fixed-term project posts, and local authority archives pay on council grades. Being willing to move widens your options, as posts are spread thinly across the country.
Key skills
- Cataloguing
- Conservation basics
- Research
- Writing
- Discretion
Archivist FAQs
How do I become an archivist in the UK?
Get a degree, gain paid or volunteer experience in an archive, then complete an ARA-accredited postgraduate qualification in archives and records management. In England, a Level 7 apprenticeship is another route. Then apply for archivist posts and work towards ARA professional registration.
Do you need a Master's to be an archivist?
For most professional archivist posts, yes, or an equivalent postgraduate qualification accredited by the ARA. You can work as an archive assistant or volunteer without one, and many people do this first to gain the experience courses expect.
How much does an archivist earn in the UK?
Newly qualified archivists earn around £24,000 to £30,000. Experienced archivists earn about £32,000 to £42,000, and heads of service or senior archivists at national institutions earn roughly £48,000 to £65,000.
What is the difference between an archivist and a librarian?
Librarians mainly manage published material that exists in many copies, such as books and journals, and help people use it. Archivists look after unique, unpublished records, decide what to keep permanently, and catalogue and preserve them for future research and accountability.
Is Archivist right for you?
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