The CPD-Accredited Editing Course with a Route to Paid Work
Learn to make any writing clearer, tighter, and right for its reader, with 1:1 support from tutors who’ve done the job. Pass Becoming An Editor and Becoming A Proofreader with 80% or more, and you can start paid work with our partner, Proofed, within weeks.
- CPD accredited
- Self-paced learning
- Lifetime access
- Certificate of completion
- 1:1 tutor support
- Part of our Proofed work guarantee
Learn Advanced Skills to Launch a Copy Editing Career
Would you love to help businesses perfect their blogs, web pages, and marketing copy, work on creative projects with authors, or support academics with their research?
Becoming An Editor will teach you the skills you need to collaborate with a diverse range of clients and edit all sorts of texts – from marketing copy and web content to literary fiction and academic papers. Across nine comprehensive modules packed with practice-based exercises, you’ll learn how to:
Is Becoming An Editor Right for You?
Editing goes further than proofreading – you improve how writing reads, not just correct errors. Here’s who the course suits.
It’s a great fit if…
You already spot errors and want to make writing clearer and more effective, for businesses, authors, or academics, from home or wherever you work.
You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with the full version of Microsoft Word.
You’ll be able to…
Copy edit and line edit, adapt tone for different readers, edit online content and AI-generated text, and explain your editorial choices to clients.
The course is in US English, with exercises in both US and UK English.
Start with proofreading if…
You’re new to working with text. We strongly recommend Becoming A Proofreader first, and you’ll need both courses for guaranteed work with Proofed.
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
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Why Choose Becoming An Editor?
9 modules and lots of practice-based exercises
Our copy editing course will teach you the core skills every professional editor needs. Plus, you’ll learn how to work with clients and tackle real-world editing projects with confidence. Launch (or level up) your career with our CPD-accredited training.
CPD-Accredited Editing Training
Learn the fundamentals of copy, line, and comprehensive editing, as well as how to improve different types of writing – from marketing copy to fiction manuscripts.
Put Your Skills into Practice
We won’t just teach you editing principles – we’ll help you apply them. Complete practical exercises to edit for tone, structure, or style, then compare your work against exemplars to see how a professional approached the same text – and why.
Built by Editing Experts
Learn from course materials created by experienced editors who understand real client expectations. You’ll find out how to make sound editorial decisions and explain your reasoning clearly to clients.
Receive 1:1 Tutor Support
You’re not doing this alone! Our friendly tutor team is always on hand if you get stuck. You’ll receive detailed written feedback on your final assignment and have the chance to go over it on a 1:1 call.
Learn on Your Own Schedule
You’ve got lifetime course access, so you can work through lessons when it suits you and revisit whenever you need a refresher. Even after you start taking on real editing projects!
A Route into Paid Editing Work
Want a structured way to build experience? Pass Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with distinction scores of 80% or above, and you’ll be eligible for paid work with Proofed, one of the world’s leading editing agencies.
Try It: Edit This Sentence
In the course, you’ll edit real-world texts, then compare your work with a professional editor’s to see how they approached it and why. Try it with this sentence from a workplace email. How would you make it clearer and shorter without losing any meaning?
At this point in time, it is absolutely essential that all members of staff make sure that they read the updated policy document in its entirety, due to the fact that there have been a number of changes that have been made to the way in which annual leave is requested.
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Show one way to edit it
All staff must read the updated policy in full because the way to request annual leave has changed.
That’s 51 words down to 18, with no meaning lost. There’s more than one good answer, though. What matters is that every change makes the sentence easier to read.
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Show what changed, and why
- “At this point in time” is cut, as it adds nothing.
- “It is absolutely essential that…make sure that they read” becomes “must read.”
- “All members of staff” becomes “all staff,” and “in its entirety” becomes “in full.”
- “Due to the fact that” becomes “because.”
- “There have been a number of changes that have been made to the way in which annual leave is requested” becomes “the way to request annual leave has changed” – this is active voice and less than half the length.
An editor would also ask the client if the email should name or link to the policy and explain what has changed.
Becoming An Editor Course Curriculum
Want to know exactly what you’ll be learning? Here’s a full outline of the 9 modules in the course:
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Module 1: An Introduction To Becoming An Editor
See module detailsThis quick-start module walks you through how the course works and what you can expect along the way. You’ll also find out how to access support and prepare for your final assessment.
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Module 2: Overview Of The Editing Industry
See module detailsBuild your editorial foundations with a clear breakdown of editing services, publishing formats, and the kinds of content you’ll encounter. This module unpacks essential industry insights to help you step into your new role with a solid grasp of how it all fits together.
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Module 3: Essential Editing Skills
See module detailsLearn the core techniques every editor needs, from following an editing workflow to refining a text for clarity and flow. This module also covers style guides, working across global markets, and editing in a digital world.
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Module 4: Tone Of Voice
See module detailsExplore how tone shapes the way content is received – and how you, as an editor, can help writers express themselves clearly and consistently. This module dives into business, academic, and creative writing to help you refine tone across a wide range of content.
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Module 5: The Ethics Of Editing
See module detailsLearn how to protect your clients’ rights, uphold editorial integrity, and handle sensitive content with care. This module explores ethical and legal principles, including copyright and confidentiality, and looks at fact-checking as an editorial service.
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Module 6: Special Considerations
See module detailsNot all editing jobs follow the same rules. This module dives into specialist content types – such as academic writing, marketing copy, and AI-generated text – and shows you how to adapt your approach for different writing styles, audiences, and goals.
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Module 7: Advanced Editing Techniques
See module detailsLook at some less common types of editing, including manuscripts, technical documents, and alternative formats such as PDFs, spreadsheets, and HTML. This module is designed to broaden your skill set and open up your options for more specialized or collaborative editorial roles.
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Module 8: Working As A Freelance Editor
See module detailsTurn your editing skills into a viable career path by learning how to find clients, set fair rates, and manage professional relationships. This module also covers opportunities beyond freelance editing, such as working with publishers and branching out into related services.
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Module 9: The Final Assignment
See module detailsPut your skills to the test in the final stage of the course. This module guides you through the assignment process, from completing a mock paper to submitting your edited document for grading. You’ll also be offered tailored support to help you reflect on your progress and plan your next steps as an editor.
What Happens When You Enroll
Here’s what to expect, from your first lesson to paid work.
Start right away
You get lifetime access as soon as you enroll. The course is in US English, with practice exercises in both US and UK English.
Learn by editing
Work through nine modules, from essential editing skills and tone of voice to ethics and advanced techniques, and compare your edits with a professional’s.
Ask a tutor anytime
Our tutors are always on hand if you get stuck. Every one of them trained with Knowadays.
Complete your final assignment
Get detailed written feedback on your final assignment and the chance to go over it on a 1:1 call. Pass, and you’ll get a CPD-accredited certificate. Want a higher score? You can buy up to two more attempts.
Start paid work
Pass Becoming A Proofreader too, with 80% or more in both, to join Proofed as a freelance editor if you live in an eligible country, with feedback on your first 15 documents. Or use the module on freelance editing to find clients.
Success Stories From Our Learners
Our graduates edit for Proofed, run their own editorial businesses, or combine both paths. Read how Steven, Ateeb, and Melissa built flexible careers editing for Proofed.
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Steven
The Retired Teacher
“There’s been no shortage of work. So I’ve been able to do exactly what I wanted, which was work as much or as little as I choose. So yeah, all around, it’s been a great experience.”
- Courses
- Proofreading Course + Editing Course
- Time to qualify
- 6 months
- Avg. weekly hours at Proofed
- 15
- Proofed clients
- 3
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Ateeb
Turning a Hobby Into Income
“To be honest, I never imagined this journey would turn out to be even half as rewarding as it has been. Working with Proofed has genuinely changed a lot for me – and all in the best ways.”
- Courses
- The Proofreader & Editor Course Bundle
- Time to qualify
- 4 months
- Avg. weekly hours at Proofed
- 20
- Proofed clients
- 4
Meet the Tutors Who’ll Support You
Every one of our tutors trained with Knowadays, and most have gone on to edit for Proofed, so they know exactly what you’re working toward. They answer your questions 1:1 and give you feedback on your final assignment.
A few of the people you’ll work with. You can meet the whole team on our About Us page.
Becca Roberts
Becca took Becoming A Proofreader in 2020, worked with Proofed, and joined Knowadays in 2021. She now leads our tutor team.
Operations & Tutor Lead
Rebecca Scott
Rebecca trained with Knowadays in 2021 and joined Proofed. She has edited and ghostwritten books, games, audio dramas, and social media content.
Tutor
Myra Ingmanson
Myra taught English and academic writing in China, South Korea, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. She now works with Knowadays and Proofed.
Tutor
FAQs About Becoming An Editor
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How does this editing course work?
Becoming An Editor has nine modules, from essential editing skills and tone of voice to ethics and advanced techniques. Lessons mix clear explanations with quizzes and try-it-yourself exercises.
Before your final assignment, you take a practice test. Then you choose one of three assignment texts to edit, with no time limit. A tutor grades it and gives you detailed feedback.
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Who is this editing course for?
Proofreaders who want to offer more, and anyone aiming for a career in editing. Editing lets you take on more complex projects and charge more for them, such as helping businesses sharpen their marketing copy, authors shape their manuscripts, or academics present their research.
It’s also valuable for writers and marketers, and it strengthens applications for content and copy editing jobs.
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How long does the course take? Are there any deadlines?
We estimate the course takes around 40 hours, but there are no deadlines or time limits, even on the final assignment.
You get lifetime access, so you can fit the course around your schedule and come back to any lesson whenever you need a refresher, including once you’re working with clients.
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Do I need to take Becoming A Proofreader first?
It’s strongly recommended. Becoming An Editor assumes you’re confident with the mechanics of proofreading, and you need both courses for guaranteed work with Proofed.
If you’ve already taken Becoming A Proofreader, this is the natural next step: you’ll learn to improve structure, flow, and tone, edit digital content, and handle the legal and ethical side of editing.
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What equipment do I need?
You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection and the full version of Microsoft Word (Office 2016, 2019, or 2021, or Microsoft 365). You can view lessons on a phone, tablet, or Chromebook, but they don’t have the Word tools you need for the exercises and final assignment.
Full Word is also required to freelance with Proofed, and many clients will expect it.
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What kinds of writing does the course cover?
There are lessons on editing business and marketing copy (including search engine optimization), resumes, creative writing, academic writing, digital content, and AI-generated text.
If you’d like to edit novels, the course covers the types of creative writing, manuscript structure, and narrative style. When you’re starting out, it’s worth taking on all kinds of work to build your experience.
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Do I get a certificate? Is the course accredited?
Yes. Becoming An Editor is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, which independently checks the quality of professional training.
When you complete the course, you’ll receive a digital certificate. Add it to your resume, website, or LinkedIn profile to show clients and employers what you can do.
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Am I guaranteed work with Proofed?
Yes, if you pass both this course and Becoming A Proofreader with 80% or more. You can start paid work with Proofed within weeks, with feedback on your first 15 documents.
Proofed work is freelance: you choose how much you take on, and the work available varies. It’s open to people in eligible countries. Scored under 80%? You can buy up to two more attempts, and the guarantee works the same way. Read more about guaranteed work.
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Will AI replace editors?
No. The rise of AI has boosted demand for editors. AI drafts sound confident but often contain factual errors, unsupported claims, and repetitive, generic language, and turning that into accurate, well-structured writing is an editor’s job.
Becoming An Editor includes lessons on editing AI-generated content and on fact-checking, so you can bring AI-assisted writing up to a publishable standard.
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How much do editors earn?
Rates depend on your experience, the project, and the client. The EFA (US) suggests $38–$60 an hour for copy editing, and the CIEP (UK) suggests a starting rate of £34.70.
Most new editors charge less at first and raise their rates as they gain experience and clients. Read more about setting editing rates.
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How do I find editing jobs?
Pass both Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with 80% or more, and you can start editing for Proofed within weeks, with new editors onboarded every month.
To find your own clients, the course has a full module on working as a freelance editor, covering finding clients, setting rates, and communicating with them.
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Who can I talk to about the course?
Email us at [email protected] with any questions, or ask to be paired with someone from the team for a chat. Our tutors all trained with Knowadays, so they know exactly what the course involves.
You can also try two lessons for free or visit our main FAQ page.
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