Starting a career in archives
The main role associated with a career in archives is an archivist. But there are other roles, such as archival assistant, collections assistant, heritage collection officer, community engagement officer
What do archivists do?
Archivists safeguard our national, collective history, preserving crucial events and stories for all. They manage and maintain documents and other materials that have important historical and cultural significance for individuals, organisations and nations. As an archivist, a large part of your work is related to preserving information and making it accessible to everyone.
Archives include valuable historical books, papers, maps, photographs, prints, films, tapes, videos and digital records. Researchers, academics, the general public and work colleagues, are all users of archives and archivists work to improve access to collections in person and online. Think of services like Ancestry or FindMyPast., or The London Archives
Archivists’ duties may include:
There are a range of roles available, with titles that include:
Where do archivists work?
Most archive services are part of larger organisations. Every local authority in the UK has a Record Office or Local Authority Archive Service and there are national archive services in all the countries of the UK and Ireland. Archives are often found in academic institutions such as Universities and Colleges as well as in museums and other heritage organisations. There will often be archives – sometimes with just one archivist managing them – in commercial organisations, charities, schools and a range of other settings.
Some experienced archivists become consultants, offering freelance services and advice.
You can find your nearest public archive Find an archive | The National Archives (UK) or Home – Irish Archives Resource in Ireland.
Listen to some of our ‘Outside the Box’ podcasts to get an idea of the wide range of archives there are out there:
Perth and Kinross – sound archive
In this episode about oral history, Hannah shares with us her work on the sound collection, some early oral history techniques and technologies, questions of ethics and consent, some tips for getting started with recording, as well as a favourite recording from the archive.
Coram – voices through time – the story of care
Voices Through Time: The Story of Care is an ambitious project to digitise the earliest part of Coram’s historic archive, going all the way back to 1739 when it was established as the Foundling Hospital, the country’s first home for children whose mothers could not take care of them.
The Black Cultural Archives – the Melba Wilson Papers
Archivist and witer, Rhoda Boateng, shares the stories of Black mental health initiatives held within the Black Cultural Archives – particularly the work and legacy of Melba Wilson. The collection of Melba Wilson’s papers spans over 40 years of her work in national and regional mental health programmes, policy units and services, including grassroots and community activism alongside formal policy work and leadership. Please note this episode contains upsetting material concerning racism and mental health.
What qualifications do you need to become an archivist?
In order to become a qualified archivist you will need to either:
Most employers will want a qualified archivist to undertake archival work unsupervised or to lead a service. However, there are opportunities in archives that don’t require such specific qualifications for example:
There may also be some roles within digital archiving and preservation where digital skills are the priority and on the job training is given for archival work.
How and where can I get qualified?
Study at University for a postgraduate (PGDip & MA/MSc) in Archives and Records Management and related subjects.
The Archives and Records Association UK & Ireland accredits a number of university programmes that prepare students for a career in archives or records management. ARA-accreditation is awarded to post graduate qualifications that meet ARA’s accreditation criteria, which includes a focus on how accredited programmes engage with employers and practitioner. Is a mark of quality that benefits students, universities, and the profession as a whole.
ARA-accredited programmes can be studied at any stage of your career, whether following a degree or mid-career study. Full-time, part-time and distance learning options are available.
The following universities offer ARA-accredited postgraduate qualifications.
Gaining a place on one of the accredited postgraduate courses can be competitive, so prior work experience or volunteering is strongly recommended. This not only helps you decide whether a career in recordkeeping is right for you, but can also strengthen your application when applying for the programme that best matches your interests and ambitions.
Volunteering, Placements, Internships, Work experience
Getting some real-life work experience is often the best way to understand what it is like to work in many professions. It will help you decide whether record-keeping is the career for you and provide valuable experience that employers and university courses look for. A good place to start is The UK National Archives’ online archive directory. Also have a look online for local heritage organisations, museums, records offices and private sector businesses. Send them an email with a CV to introduce yourself and find out what opportunities they have. Be sure to follow up with a phone call a few days later. It’s never too early to start making connections in the profession.
You can also find information about volunteering and placements on the Archives and Records Association website here: https://www.archives.org.uk/volunteering-in-the-sector
Apprenticeships
In the UK From January 2026, UK government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships, the highest level available and equivalent to a Masters degree, will no longer be available to most learners aged 22 and above. Existing apprentices will continue to receive funding until they complete their training.
Case studies
Find out more about working in archives from reading these case studies of real people doing real jobs.