Company secretary

You could study for a foundation degree or degree in a relevant subject, such as:

• business management
• law
• accountancy
• finance
• public administration

You would also need relevant business experience in areas like:

• pensions or insurance
• personnel
• accounts and credit control
• purchasing
• office management

You could get valuable work experience during your studies by doing a placement year or summer internship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

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

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 start by doing a higher national diploma in business management or law. Then you could apply to join a company as a trainee company secretary.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You may be able to apply to do an apprenticeship with an organisation. For instance:

• Governance Officer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Chartered Legal Executive Level 6 Apprenticeship
• Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can take professional qualifications offered by The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland to become a company secretary.

You'll begin by doing the Chartered Secretaries Qualifying Scheme, which starts at foundation level. You can join at a more advanced level if you already have a relevant qualification or experience, for example in law or finance.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can join The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland to:

• get professional recognition
• find training opportunities
• make industry contacts

Further Information

You can find out more about how to become a company secretary from The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland.

As a company secretary, you could:

• manage committee, panel and board meetings
• prepare company reports
• control share option schemes, dividends and other transactions
• provide legal advice to directors and board members
• deal with other professionals like lawyers and auditors
• send company information to Companies House or the Stock Exchange
• keep up to date with policy, legal and statutory requirements for companies

You could work in an office.