Career Suggestion

Web designer

Web designers use their creative and technical skills to design new websites and improve existing ones.

Average salary (a year)

£28000.0 to £50000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

37.0 to 42.0

You could work

between 8am and 6pm flexibly

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could study for a higher national diploma or degree in:

  • web design and development
  • multimedia design
  • digital media development
  • interactive computing
  • graphic design

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

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/

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you need for this job, for example:

  • web design
  • web design and development
  • creative digital media production
  • T Level in Digital Software Development

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
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a design company, such as:

  • Content Creator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Creative Digital Design Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

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

  • 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

Work

You could start working as a design assistant or web support assistant and move into a web design professional role through training and promotion.

Volunteering

You could volunteer for a local community group or charity and create a website for them. Any experience you can get will be helpful when applying for jobs.

More Information

Career Tips

You'll need a portfolio of work that showcases your creative design skills to employers.

You can keep up to date with the latest trends, features and design tools by:

  • using free webinars and online training courses
  • signing up to free online web design channels
  • reading and watching the latest industry blogs for news and tips
  • exploring how to use artificial intelligence tools to enhance your skills

Further Information

You can get more advice about careers in web design from techskills .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

Day-to-day tasks

As a web designer, you could:

  • speak with clients to find out what they want their site to do
  • create engaging prototypes, using both code and design software
  • make sure websites meet accessibility standards and design principles
  • work closely with marketing teams on targeting content, features and branding
  • analyse website data to identify trends and increase visitor numbers
  • use content management systems (CMS) to manage and maintain sites
  • keep up to date with emerging trends and changing technology

Working environment

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

With experience you could:

  • become a lead web designer or creative studio manager
  • work on different contracts as a freelance web designer
  • set up your own web design business, employing others
  • work in related areas like app development, e-commerce or social media management

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