For most degrees leading towards a career in statistics, you need to study and do quite well at A-level mathematics (or the equivalent in other examination systems).
A degree in mathematics or statistics gives you a great start to your career. As a professional statistician or mathematician, your skills can be applied in almost any area. See our Job Profiles page for the kind of jobs Statisticians can do.
Recruitment to the profession of statistician is usually at a graduate and post-graduate level. There are limited opportunities to enter a statistical career as a school leaver, such as a statistical assistant, and work up through an organisation with on-the-job training. But most people get a degree first, and most organisations mainly recruit graduates.
You can study for a specialist statistics degree, or a joint degree featuring statistics (e.g. Psychology and Statistics). Graduates from degrees of these types are likely to be able to enter statistical employment straight away. Most employers require you to study a strongly based mathematics degree. So a strong A2 level in mathematics (or equivalent) is likely to be an entry requirement.
Alternatively, you can take any degree and later follow it up by taking an MSc degree in statistics. This is also quite a common entry route into the profession. Several employers expect or require their new recruits to study for an MSc and will often sponsor people to do this. Usually your non-statistics undergraduate degree will be quite strongly mathematical or scientific. Examples are mathematics or many of the science and engineering subjects. Some social science degrees (e.g. psychology) are also suitable for this route.
For higher level positions, you can study for a PhD and research in statistics. This is likely to be essential if you want a career as a university lecturer, and might also be helpful in some other strongly research-oriented careers.