Copy editor

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a:

• features writer
• chief sub-editor
• production editor
• editorial manager

You could also become a commissioning editor, working with authors, literary agents and publishers to develop new content.

You might decide to be a freelance editor, working on different types of publication.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• excellent written communication skills
• knowledge of media production and communication
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• English Language - Copy editors spend their days correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation, so a deep understanding of how English works is essential. They also need to ensure that text reads clearly and consistently, which requires a strong grasp of sentence structure, tone, and style.
• English Literature - Copy editors work closely with written texts across many genres, from books to magazine features. Studying literature develops the ability to analyse how language choices affect meaning and tone – skills copy editors use constantly when refining an author's work.

Also relevant

• Media Studies - Copy editors polish content across magazines, newspapers, websites, and audio or video publications. Media Studies helps them understand how content is structured for different audiences and how house style varies across formats, so they can adapt their editing approach accordingly.
• Law - Copy editors check content for potential legal issues such as libel, defamation, and breach of copyright before publication. Having an awareness of media law helps them spot problems that could land a publisher in serious legal trouble.
• Computer Science - Copy editors increasingly work with content management systems, digital publishing tools, and markup languages like HTML or XML. Understanding how these systems work helps them format and structure content correctly for online and digital publications.
• Business - Copy editors who go freelance need to manage their own finances, market their services, and negotiate rates with clients. Understanding business basics is particularly useful since freelancing is a very common career path in editing and publishing.
• Modern Foreign Languages - Copy editors sometimes encounter foreign words, phrases, or references in the texts they edit and need to check them for accuracy. Studying languages also sharpens awareness of grammar, syntax, and how meaning is constructed – all directly useful in editing work.