L4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship Standard
Where an administrator becomes someone who shapes what you say
An apprenticeship is a real, paid job. The apprentice works for an employer and trains with us at the same time, and comes out with a nationally recognised qualification and the experience to go with it.
The short answer
What an apprentice needs
Apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment. Employers may set their own criteria.
The employer sets the real bar, so treat this as a guide. If somebody is close but not quite there, it is still worth the conversation.
What they’ll learn
Shaping, supporting and delivering marketing plans alongside the Marketing Manager.
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They will find the insight that the plan is built on
Researching to develop and deliver products and services against customer needs that keep changing.
Covers market research, customer insight, product and service development
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They will take something to market end to end
Researching, developing, promoting and distributing through the channels that reach the audience you actually want.
Covers promotion, distribution, channel selection, target audiences
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They will work in-house or agency side
These roles sit in an internal marketing team or in an agency advising external clients, and the apprenticeship covers both.
Covers in-house marketing teams, agency working, client deliverables
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They will manage the specialists you buy in
Marketing teams work with external agencies on the specialist parts of a campaign. Briefing them well is a skill in itself.
Covers working with external agencies, campaign delivery
Nobody springs anything on anyone
Every apprenticeship ends with an independent assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours learned on the programme, carried out by an organisation with no connection to us or to the employer. Everything before it exists to get the apprentice ready for it.
Coursework and portfolio
Work launched in class and completed in the job, building the evidence the assessor will look at.
A review with you
The employer, the apprentice and the tutor. Half an hour. Progress, targets, and anything getting in the way.
A full mock
Marked by a tutor who is not theirs, so the feedback is honest and the real thing holds no surprises.
What it takes, on both sides
If you're the employer
- A real role that covers the standard. Your Employer Relationship Officer will check it before anyone enrols.
- Time released for teaching, on a timetable you'll have from day one.
- Half an hour every 8 to 10 weeks for a three-way review.
- Your say-so when the apprentice is ready for their final assessment.
If you want to be the apprentice
- A job. An apprenticeship is employment, so you need an employer before you can start.
- Already working in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
- An initial skills scan with us, so we know where you're starting from.
- No employer yet? That's the usual starting point, and finding one is the part we help with.
This is a step, not a destination
Most of our apprentices carry on, usually with the same employer and usually into a wider role. Which route is right depends on the job being done, so it is worth a conversation rather than a guess.
Not sure what comes after this one? Tell us the role and we'll tell you honestly which of our apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships or university-level courses fits next.
Where this course can take you
- Before you start
- This course Level 4
- Further study
Check you have what you need in the entry requirements.
Not sure? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
Careers it can lead to
- Advertising and Marketing Associate Professionals £28,900 a year
- Sales Accounts and Business Development Managers £48,900 a year
- Market Research Interviewers £24,400 a year
- Database Administrators and Web Content Technicians £32,200 a year
See all 14 careers
- Events Managers and Organisers £25,000 a year
- Sales Related Occupations £28,300 a year
- Visual Merchandisers and Related Occupations £25,000 a year
- Merchandisers £23,800 a year
With further study or experience
- Marketing and Commercial Managers £46,600 a year
- Advertising Accounts Managers and Creative Directors £41,000 a year
- Marketing, Sales, and Advertising Directors £79,600 a year
- Business and Financial Project Management Professionals £52,000 a year
- Public Relations Professionals £32,100 a year
- IT Managers £50,600 a year
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
How to start this apprenticeship
It takes two, an employer and an apprentice. Pick your side.
Put someone on this programme
Recruiting, or formalising the training of someone already in post? Start with a conversation. We'll check the role, sort the funding, and get them enrolled.
Speak to us today 0800 358 7979
Or advertise a vacancy through us and we'll handle the recruitment.
You'll need an employer first
An apprenticeship is a job, so an employer has to take you on before you can start. Already employed in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
No vacancy that suits? Register your interest and we'll tell you when one comes up.