Quality assurance and regulatory professional - requirements

As a quality assurance and regulatory professional, often called a quality manager, you’ll be a detail-focused professional who manages and maintains quality across different products or processes. Read on to find out more about what your career might be like, what study options will help you progress and how you can get your first role.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

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What qualifications do you need to be a quality assurance and regulatory professional?

You’ll typically benefit from getting a degree in an engineering or science subject. Subjects to consider include:

You might also prepare for your career in quality assurance and regulation through a HND or foundation degree, typically in areas like materials science or production. You may transfer into quality assurance roles after working as a production technician or engineer in your chosen field.

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a quality assurance and regulatory professional?

You don’t need a postgraduate level degree to work as a quality assurance professional, but it can help you access senior or specialised roles.

Postgraduate level courses you might consider include:

  • Additive manufacturing
  • Process safety
  • Advanced process engineering
  • Advanced manufacture: technology & systems
  • Production engineering and operations management
  • Mechanical and manufacturing engineering

What skills do you need to be a quality assurance and regulatory professional?

Your technical knowledge will be an important part of this role, along with organisational skills, an eye for detail and effective communication.

Hard skills usually include:
  • Quality assurance principles
  • Quality management systems
  • Monitoring and auditing
  • Manufacturing practices
  • Industrial processes
  • Quality standards and regulations
Soft skills include:
  • Written communication
  • Verbal communication
  • Eye for detail
  • Management skills
  • Problem solving and analytical thinking
  • Customer relations

Do you need work experience to be a quality assurance and regulatory professional?

Work experience is highly valued for quality assurance and regulatory professionals, as you’re expected to be knowledgeable and skilled in the area you’re monitoring. You might build this experience working as a technician, engineer or scientist before training in quality management or regulation. Industrial placements, work experience and internships are common ways to get experience, along with graduate training programmes.

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