Office manager

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• business management
• human resource management
• public administration

Once you've completed your studies, you could apply for a trainee manager position, for example through a company's graduate training scheme.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

• 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 take a course at college that would teach you some of the skills and knowledge needed to apply for an assistant office manager position.

Courses include;business studies; business administration; T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to an organisation for a place on a Business Administrator, or Team Leader, Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These typically take between 1 and 2 years to complete. They combine workplace learning and time spent with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced 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 could work as an office assistant or team supervisor in a company, then move on to become a manager through work-based training and promotion.

Career Tips

Employers will expect you to be well organised, have excellent communication skills and a good working knowledge of the main business software packages.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Institute of Administrative Management for professional development and training opportunities.

As an office manager, you could:

• organise and co-ordinate day-to-day office operations
• develop quality control processes
• carry out staff appraisals and monitor performance
• deal with disciplinary issues
• prepare reports for the senior management team
• manage an office budget and expenses
• support staff with career development
• help to recruit and train new staff
• work closely with other departments, like finance and human resources

You could work in an office.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.