Science

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• the armed forces

University

You can take a degree in a subject that includes data gathering and analysis, such as:

• geography
• geographical information systems (GIS)
• land surveying
• earth sciences
• oceanography
• meteorology

Employers may also accept degrees in other subjects like computer science, software engineering or graphic design.

A postgraduate qualification may help you to find work in a specialist field of cartography like GIS.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

For 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/

Apprenticeship

You could apply to an organisation to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Geospatial Survey Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist 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

For 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 may be able to start as a trainee cartographic or GIS technician and work your way up through training and promotion.

Employers may want you to have:

• an apprenticeship in geospatial surveying or similar field
• A levels in geography, mathematics or computing
• a qualification equivalent to A level standard, for example a diploma in applied science

Other routes

You can apply to become a geographic technician with the Army, or join the Royal Air Force and train as an aviation data analyst (air cartographer).

At the end of your service, you could use your experience to find work in commercial cartography and mapping.

More information

Career tips

You can find opportunities to work as a cartographer in the public and private sector with:Ordnance Survey; local and national government departments; transport companies; mapping and publishing companies; surveying and energy companies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Cartographic Society for networking, information resources and career development support.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in cartography from:the British Cartographic Society; Ordnance Survey

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With experience, you could become a senior cartographer, leading a team on mapping projects.

As your career develops, you could apply for Chartered Geographer status, which recogises your professional skills and expertise in this field.

You could also move into:educational publishing; cartographic collections management; urban planning; freelance cartographic consultancy

You can find out more about a career in cartography from the British Cartographic Society and Ordnance Survey.