Market research data analyst
Market research data analysts study statistics and information collected through surveys.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In your day-to-day duties you may:
- speak to clients to understand their needs
- write proposals, describing how research will be carried out
- manage relationships with clients
- advise researchers about survey methods and design
- project-manage teams
- check the quality of the data collected
- analyse the data using statistical software programs and computer models
- present results in a useful way, through talks, written reports, graphs and tables
- explain findings to market research executives
Working environment
You could work in an office.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could progress into management, or become a self-employed market research consultant.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- analytical thinking skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent verbal communication skills
- customer service skills
- maths knowledge
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- business management skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification that includes data analysis, like:
- maths and statistics
- marketing and analytics
- business and marketing
- data science
Some market researchers focus on understanding what customers think and feel to give insight into products and services. Relevant degree subjects for this role include psychology, social sciences and sociology.
If you want to specialise in an area like medical or economic market research, you'll find it useful to have a postgraduate master's degree or PhD in statistics or applied statistics.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You may be able to apply for a junior analyst position with a company after doing a T Level in Digital Business Services.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
You may be able to start by doing a Data Analyst Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, or a Social Researcher Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
These can take 2 years to 3 years and 6 months to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 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
You could start as a research assistant, and move into statistical work after getting more experience and doing qualifications on the job.
The Market Research Society offers training courses at different levels, depending on your job role and responsibilities.
You could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with a market research company and start as a junior analyst. You'll need a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification to apply.
You could get a marketing qualification like those offered by The Chartered Institute of Marketing, which often include a market research focus.
Career tips
Knowledge of social media analytics will be useful.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Royal Statistical Society and The Market Research Society, for professional recognition and training opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about working in market research from:
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.