Database administrator

You could study for a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification before joining a company training scheme.

Useful subjects include:

• computer science
• business information systems
• software engineering
• information technology management
• mathematics

You may have an advantage when you look for work if you do a degree that includes a work placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma

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

• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

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 get into this job by applying to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Data Engineer Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
• Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

If you already have a degree or relevant experience, you may be able to do a Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

Foundation apprenticeship

You may be able to start in a junior or assistant role by doing a Software and Data Level 2, or Hardware, Network and Infrastructure Level 2, Foundation Apprenticeship.

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• 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 may be able to apply directly for a place on a graduate training scheme. You can usually apply if you have a degree related to computing or technology, though employers may accept other subjects.

Career Tips

Experience in IT support, programming or web development will help.

Further Information

The Chartered Institute for IT and techskills have more details about careers and training in computing.

As a database administrator, you could:

• speak to clients to understand what they want from a database
• work with developers to plan the design of a system
• decide what data to use and how to organise it
• test prototype versions to identify issues or 'bugs'
• update information, create back-up copies and report errors
• make sure users can find the information they want
• add new information to a database or transfer existing data into it
• manage who has access to a database and put in security measures
• make sure systems meet data storage and security standards
• provide support for database users

You could work in an office or at a client's business.