How to Get Into Digital Marketing in the UK With No Experience
Digital marketing is one of the few fields where proof beats qualifications. The routes in, the free certifications worth having, and a 90-day plan.
Digital marketing is one of the more open careers to start without experience, because results are visible and measurable. A campaign either brought in visitors, sign-ups or sales, or it did not. That means a beginner who can show real results from a small project often competes well with someone who only has a qualification.
It is not an easy market, though. The median advertised digital marketing salary fell 12% in the past year, to £39,500 (ITJobsWatch, six months to October 2026), and entry-level roles attract many applicants. The people who get hired are the ones who can show what they have done.
Why beginners can break in
Can you get into digital marketing without a degree?
Yes. Most entry-level digital marketing adverts ask for evidence of skills, such as running social accounts, writing content or using Google Analytics, rather than a specific degree. A small portfolio of real projects, plus one or two free certifications, is often enough to get interviews for assistant and executive roles.
The routes in
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship lets you earn while you train, with the training funded by the employer and government. The Multi-channel Marketer apprenticeship replaced the older Digital Marketer standard in December 2023 and covers planning and running campaigns across channels. A revised version is due for new starts from 30 November 2026. Search "marketing" on the government's Find an Apprenticeship service to see current vacancies.
Entry-level roles
Common first jobs are digital marketing assistant, marketing executive, social media executive, content assistant, email marketing assistant and PPC (paid search) assistant. The median advertised digital marketing executive salary is £35,000, with a quarter of adverts at £30,000 or less (ITJobsWatch, six months to October 2026, based on a small number of adverts).
Smaller companies and agencies are often the most realistic first step. You will do a bit of everything, which is the fastest way to find out which part of marketing you are good at.
Free certifications worth having
- Google Skillshop: the updated Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course, which replaced the old Digital Garage version in 2025, plus free Google Ads and Google Analytics certifications. Skillshop certifications usually need a score of 80% and are valid for a year.
- HubSpot Academy: free courses and certifications in inbound marketing, content marketing and email marketing.
- Meta Blueprint: the training is free, but the certification exams are paid (the Digital Marketing Associate exam is listed at $99 in the US; prices vary by country).
Certifications show you have learned the vocabulary. They do not replace evidence that you can apply it.
Three projects that count as experience
- Grow something real. Run social media, a newsletter or a simple website for a local business, charity or club for eight weeks. Record the starting numbers and the end numbers.
- Run a small paid campaign. Even £50 on Meta or Google ads teaches targeting, budgets and measurement. Write up what you tested and what you would change.
- Audit a website. Pick a small business site, review its search visibility, page speed and content, and write a one-page plan with priorities.
Present each as a short case study: the goal, what you did, the result, and what you learned. Our guide to digital marketing jobs in the UK covers how to build the portfolio itself.
A 90-day plan
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–30 | Complete Google's Fundamentals of Digital Marketing and the Google Analytics certification. Pick one channel to go deeper in. |
| 31–60 | Start project 1 for a real organisation. Add a HubSpot certification in your chosen channel. |
| 61–90 | Run project 2 or 3, write up all your case studies, update your CV and LinkedIn, and apply to 5–10 targeted roles a week. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I get into digital marketing with no experience? Take one or two free certifications from Google or HubSpot, then build evidence: run a real project for a local business or charity, record the results, and present it as a case study. Apply for assistant and executive roles, apprenticeships, and smaller agencies, where you learn several channels at once.
What is the entry-level digital marketing salary in the UK? The median advertised digital marketing executive salary is £35,000, and a quarter of adverts pay £30,000 or less (ITJobsWatch, October 2026). Assistant roles and apprenticeships usually pay less. Pay rises with specialist skills, particularly paid media and analytics.
Are digital marketing apprenticeships still available? Yes. The Multi-channel Marketer apprenticeship replaced the older Digital Marketer standard in December 2023, and a revised version is due from 30 November 2026. Vacancies are listed on the government's Find an Apprenticeship service.
Sources: ITJobsWatch, Digital Marketing and Digital Marketing Executive permanent jobs, six months to October 2026; Skills England, Digital Marketer (ST0122) and Multi-channel Marketer (ST1031) apprenticeship standards, accessed October 2026; Google Skillshop Help, certifications and the legacy Digital Garage certificate, accessed October 2026; HubSpot Academy, accessed October 2026; Meta Blueprint exam pricing via Pearson VUE, July 2026.
Read next
- Digital marketing jobs in the UK
- Digital marketing skills in 2026
- The digital marketing analyst role
- Breaking into data without a degree
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