Archivist

Career path and progression

With experience, you could work with large and prestigious collections held by national archives and museums, businesses, church foundations and charities.

You could also take on particular responsibilities, such as:

• team management, supervising archivists and assistants
• dealing with funding bids and advising on strategy and planning
• specialist research
• handling the legal requirements around record keeping

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• an interest and knowledge of history
• analytical thinking skills
• administration skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• concentration skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• History - Archivists work directly with historical records and need to understand the periods, events, and contexts that produced them. Dating, cataloguing, and interpreting documents all require a strong grasp of how societies, institutions, and individuals operated in the past.
• English Language - Archivists read, interpret, and catalogue a wide range of written documents, from centuries-old letters to modern government records. They also write detailed descriptions of collections and communicate complex information clearly to researchers and the public.
• Computer Science - Archivists use specialist archive management software and set up processes to digitise records and make them searchable online. Understanding databases, metadata structures, and how digital systems organise and retrieve information is increasingly central to the role.

Also relevant

• English Literature - Archivists often handle literary manuscripts, correspondence, and published works as part of their collections. The close reading and analytical skills developed in English Literature help when interpreting the meaning and significance of historical texts.
• Modern Foreign Languages - Archivists may work with documents written in other languages, particularly in collections with international connections or historical records from periods when Latin, French, or other languages were commonly used. Being able to read and understand foreign-language materials is a real advantage.
• Law - Archivists deal with legal requirements around record keeping, data protection, and access rights. They also negotiate the acquisition or donation of materials, which can involve understanding contracts, copyright, and intellectual property.
• Art and Design - Archivists organise exhibitions, displays, and presentations to make collections accessible to the public. They also work with visual materials such as photographs, maps, and artwork, where an understanding of visual culture and design helps with interpretation and display.
• Sociology - Archivists preserve records that document how communities, organisations, and social structures have changed over time. Understanding social contexts and how different groups are represented in historical records helps archivists make collections meaningful and accessible to diverse audiences.