Antique dealer valuer

You could study for a degree or postgraduate award in a subject like:

• art history
• visual culture
• fine arts
• conservation

It can help to get some relevant work experience whilst you're studying, for example through an internship or placement. Your university careers service will be able to help you with this.

You may be able to join a graduate training scheme after completing your university studies, for example with a large auction house.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could take part-time or short residential courses to build up your subject knowledge.

Courses include:

• antiques
• history of art
• fine art
• decorative arts

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route.

You may be able start in a saleroom or auction house as a porter, clerk or researcher-cataloguer. With experience and further training, you could become a valuer, auctioneer or antiques dealer.

Volunteering in museums and art galleries can be a good way to pick up knowledge of collectable items, like paintings, furniture and ceramics. It also demonstrates your enthusiasm for the subject, which may be helpful in job interviews.

You could research and collect antiques and art objects as a hobby, then:

• manage a regular stall at an antiques market or fair
• buy and sell items online
• open a shop on the high street

Some of the larger auction houses, like Sotheby's Institute of Art and Christie's Education , run a range of courses in art history and the arts market. They also offer more in-depth postgraduate study aimed at graduates wanting to work in the commercial arts market.

Career Tips

You'll need a good understanding of antiques and market trends . Sales skills, customer care and the ability to spot items that will sell are very important.

Further Information

You can discover more about working in antiques and valuations from The British Antique Dealers' Association

As an antiques dealer valuer, you could:

• attend salerooms, auctions, markets and meet with private owners
• assess the condition, quality and age of items
• sell items to the public from a shop or stall in an antiques centre
• negotiate purchase prices and sales
• buy and sell items online
• do minor restoration work and have items restored professionally
• research the identity, history and value of items
• value antique objects for insurance, probate or sales purposes

You could work at a store, at antiques fairs or in an office.