How to Become a Librarian in the UK
Librarians manage information and the services that give people access to it. In public libraries that means reading programmes, digital help and community events. In universities, schools, the NHS, law firms and government, it means research support, managing collections and databases, and teaching people to find reliable information.
Most professional librarian posts ask for a library and information qualification accredited by CILIP, the UK professional body. Many people start as a library assistant, then take a postgraduate qualification while working.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £26,000 - £32,000
- Mid-career salary
- £35,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £70,000
- Work environment
- Office, community or institutional setting
- Time to entry
- 3 - 5 years (often MA)
- Degree required
- Often required
- Category
- Public Sector and Emergency Services
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: Stable careers.
What a Librarian does
Curate collections, run services and lead the team in a public, academic or specialist library.
How to become a librarian in the UK
The usual route is a degree in any subject, then a CILIP-accredited master's or postgraduate diploma in library and information studies, which you can often study part-time or by distance learning while working. Before applying, many people spend a year as a graduate trainee in an academic library, or work as a library assistant. You can also start through a Level 3 library, information and archive services apprenticeship. Once qualified, you can work towards CILIP chartership (MCLIP), which recognises your professional development and is valued for senior posts.
- Get paid or volunteer experience in a public, school or university library, for example running the counter or helping at children's reading sessions.
- Apply for a graduate trainee librarian post, usually a one-year paid scheme in a university or specialist library aimed at people heading for a library qualification.
- Choose a CILIP-accredited master's or postgraduate diploma in library and information studies, full-time or part-time alongside a library job.
- Build the digital skills employers ask for, such as library management systems, cataloguing, research databases and teaching information literacy.
- Join CILIP as a student or member to use its job listings, training and specialist groups for health, law, school and academic libraries.
- Once in a professional post, work towards CILIP chartership by building a portfolio that shows your professional development and reflection.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library assistant, then part-time postgraduate qualification | 3-5 years | Postgraduate fees | Earning while you qualify |
| Graduate trainee year, then full-time master's | About 2 years | Postgraduate fees, Master's Loan may help | Recent graduates |
| Level 3 library, information and archive services apprenticeship | Around 1-2 years | Paid by the employer | School leavers and library assistants |
How long it takes
You can get a library assistant job within months, but reaching a professional librarian post usually takes three to five years, including a degree and a postgraduate library qualification.
Librarian salary in the UK
Newly qualified librarians usually earn around £26,000 to £32,000. With experience, or in a specialist role, pay rises to £35,000 to £45,000, and heads of service and senior academic or law librarians earn £50,000 to £70,000. Pay depends heavily on sector. Public library posts usually follow local government pay scales, universities and the NHS use their own national pay frameworks, and law firms and corporate libraries set their own pay. London weighting and specialist subject knowledge also push pay up.
Key skills
- Information mgmt
- Cataloguing
- Service design
- Leadership
- Tech literacy
Librarian FAQs
How do I become a librarian in the UK?
Get experience as a library assistant or graduate trainee, then complete a CILIP-accredited master's or postgraduate diploma in library and information studies. Many people study part-time while working. After qualifying, apply for professional librarian posts and work towards CILIP chartership.
Do you need a master's degree to be a librarian?
For most professional librarian posts, yes, or an equivalent CILIP-accredited qualification. You do not need one to work as a library assistant, and some school and smaller library roles accept experience instead. Senior and academic posts usually expect a qualification.
How much do librarians earn in the UK?
Qualified librarians typically start on around £26,000 to £32,000. Experienced and specialist librarians earn £35,000 to £45,000, and senior managers and heads of library services earn £50,000 to £70,000, depending on the sector and region.
Are librarian jobs disappearing?
Public library services have faced cuts in some areas, so competition for those posts can be strong. Demand is steadier in universities, the NHS, law, research and corporate information roles, where skills in data, research support and digital collections are increasingly valued.
Is Librarian right for you?
Career Compass ranks careers from your interests and priorities and explains every suggestion, with UK routes and trade-offs. See how well Librarian actually fits you. £19.99 once, full report included.
Not sure librarian is the right career for you? A good career test narrows the field before you spend money retraining.