Becoming A Proofreader
With academic essays, creative writing, business copy, and AI-generated content requiring review and correction, there has never been a greater need for proofreaders! Take our online proofreading course to receive comprehensive training, earn a professional certificate, and unlock new career opportunities.
- CPD accredited
- Beginner friendly
- Guaranteed work with Proofed
- Takes 4–6 weeks at 5 hours a week
- 100% self-paced learning with lifetime course access
- 24/7 expert tutor support
- Private alumni group
Learn In-Demand Skills and Excel as a Freelance Proofreader
Love reading and writing and often find yourself spotting errors? Our proofreading course will help you put that habit to good use!
With the use of AI to generate content on the rise, proofreaders are more important than ever. While AI-generated text sounds confident and convincing, it’s often littered with errors. It needs a human touch to ensure it’s ready for publication.
Becoming A Proofreader not only teaches you the nuts and bolts of spelling and grammar, but it also covers the nuances of style and substance that you need to know to elevate AI output to a higher standard. You’ll learn how to:
- Find and fix common spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in all kinds of documents
- Ensure AI-generated content is accurate and error-free
- Work according to a variety of style guides
- Approach different types of writing, including creative, business, and academic
- Use Microsoft Word tools as part of the proofreading process
Get Certified and Dive into a Proofreading Career
Certified Becoming A Proofreader graduates have proofread for a wide variety of clients across many different industries.
Who Is This Online Proofreading Course For?
You can become a freelance proofreader if you aspire to…
Kick-start a career in something you’ve always enjoyed
- Earn more, or boost your existing income
- Leave behind an unfulfilling job
- Start a career in something that truly interests you
Gain more flexibility and work from anywhere
- Work from home or while traveling, switching on and off whenever you want to
- Work for yourself around your family’s schedule
- Organize your work around your life, not the other way around
Work on rewarding projects where your expertise is needed and appreciated
- Stay active in your retirement
- Earn extra income to put toward trips and new experiences
- Get a sense of accomplishment while helping others
Introducing Our Becoming A Proofreader Course
13 modules, 78 lessons, and dozens of practice-based exercises.
You’ll learn unique skills that are essential for a successful freelance proofreading career. Plus, you’ll have the chance to try out simulated client scenarios that will prepare you to tackle the real thing.
Comprehensive content
Learn about common mistakes, working to style guides, differences between US and UK English, useful shortcuts, tracking tools, and the nuances of proofreading different types of writing, including creative, business, and academic.
Interactive by design
It’s more than just words on a screen! With a mix of videos, quizzes, and practical try-it-yourself exercises, we’ll help you stay engaged every step of the way.
Built by proofreading experts
You’ll learn from materials carefully crafted by academics and proofreading experts, whose knowledge of grammar and punctuation served as launchpads for their own careers.
1:1 interaction with tutors
One of the best things about this course is our friendly, knowledgeable tutor team. They are always available to give one-on-one assistance and genuinely want to see you succeed. After receiving your final assignment results, you’ll have a call with a tutor who will give you detailed, tailored feedback.
Self-paced learning
There’s no pressure and no ticking clocks. With total control over your education, you can complete the course in under one month or in six months if life is busy. When you’re finished, you can come back to it anytime.
Leads to work opportunities
When you pass the Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor final assignments with scores of at least 80%, you’ll have the option to onboard with Proofed and start a 10-document paid trial, working on real client documents.
Becoming A Proofreader Course Curriculum
Here is a sneak peek of what you will learn in each module
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Know what to expect from our Becoming A Proofreader course and get situated before delving into the details of what it means to be a proofreader.
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Module 2: Proofreading And Editing
Find out why editing and proofreading have traditionally been treated as separate tasks in print publishing, as well as how they often merge in digital work. Get to grips with the ethical issues you might encounter while proofreading. And meet the different client types you might work with once you start your career as a professional proofreader! -
Module 3: The Basics Of Microsoft Word
If you’re a bit rusty on computing, this module will oil you up! Take a tour through all the tools in Microsoft Word you’ll need to get started with proofreading. If you are a technophobe, worry no more! Our back-to-basics course covers tracking changes, changing the proofing language, setting your user name in Microsoft Word, and more. -
Module 4: Common Spelling Mistakes
Finally, you can nail the difference between ‘there’, ‘they’re’, and ‘their’, and much more. Get to grips with British, US, and Australian spelling, clear up the rules about irregular plurals, and impress friends with your knowledge of closed, open, and hyphenated compounds! -
Module 5: Common Grammar Mistakes
Perfect your prepositions, parenthetical clauses, and parallelism! Fix fragments and faulty agreement! And free yourself from dangling and misplaced modifiers forevermore! Grind down the grammatical gremlins of UK, US, and Australian English, and bust some well-worn myths as you boldly go where no non-proofreader has gone before! -
Module 6: Common Punctuation Mistakes
Queries about question marks? Extremely excited about exclamation points?!! Do you, put, too, many commas, in your sentences? We’ll iron all that out. If you’re the type who goes shopping with a paintbrush to correct grocer’s apostrophes, you’ll be right at home here. -
Module 7: Other Common Errors
Take our guided tour through everything else you need to know about the nitty-gritty of language, including Latin terms, abbreviations, acronyms and initialisms, number use, and capitalisation. Find out where most people trip up and separate your ‘i.e.’s from your ‘e.g.’s for good! -
Module 8: Proofreading In Practice: Style
What’s the difference between a style guide, a style sheet, and a referencing style? Worry no more, we’ve got you covered in our style module. We’ll also talk you through written tone, technical jargon, avoiding offensive language, and how to turn clunky confusion into elegant flow. -
Module 9: Academic Proofreading
We’ll take you back to school with an in-depth look at proofreading academic documents, ranging from undergraduate essays to journal articles and PhD theses. We’ll show you how to work with LaTeX (no, it’s nothing kinky), how to make sure quotes are used properly, when the active and passive voices are appropriate in academic writing, and much more. -
Does Harvard hurt your head? Does APA make your eyes ache? Are you shy about Chicago? And what does ALWD even mean? We’ll soothe all your referencing woes with our extended guide to some of the major citation styles, as well as some not-so-well-known ones.
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Module 11: Creative Writing And The Publishing Industry
Learn how to work with authors and publishers as we guide you through how to proofread creative writing. This module looks at both fiction and non-fiction, as well as non-standard English, authorial voice, and proofreading dialogue. After completing the lessons, you will be primed to proofread a range of different writing styles and document types common in the publishing world, including book manuscripts, screenplays, and PDF page proofs. -
Module 12: Proofreading Business Writing
Here, we teach you how to proofread for different business clients. We take you through working with brand voices and understanding how grammatical point of view works in different types of business writing. After completing this module, you will know how to proofread many document types and formats common to business writing, including formal reports, website copy, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and Google Docs. -
Module 13: Finding Work And The Final Assignment
Drum roll, please! It’s time to show off what you have learned! In this final part of the course, you’ll discover how to find work as a freelance proofreader. We’ll also guide you through top review areas and give you a practice mock assignment. Then you’ll take two proofreading tests, which we’ll provide detailed tutor feedback on. If you score 80% or above on this and the final assignment in Becoming An Editor, we’ll offer you the opportunity to undertake a paid trial as a freelance proofreader and editor with Proofed.
Our Learners’ Real Reviews From Trustpilot
They took a leap of faith and transformed their careers – gaining flexibility, extra income, and, often, a sense of purpose by helping others with their writing.
How Our Course Works
Here’s what you can expect after starting the course:
Complete the course and take the final assignment
Work through the lessons at your own pace, and complete the try-it-yourself exercises and interactive quizzes to test out your new knowledge and developing skills. If you have any questions, you can contact the tutor team at any time. In the last module, you’ll come to the final assignment. This is an open-book exam, and you can take as long as you need to complete it.
Get detailed feedback and receive your CPD-accredited certificate
Your final assignment will be graded by one of the tutor team, and you’ll receive your score, detailed feedback, and a course completion certificate. You’ll also have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one call with a tutor to discuss your assignment and tips for honing your skills.
Explore job opportunities with our course bundle
Our work guarantee is available for graduates of both Becoming An Editor and Becoming A Proofreader. If you score 80% or more in the final assignment for each of these courses, we’ll offer you a 10-document paid work trial with our partner company, Proofed.
As a working mom, it gave me the confidence to start a career later in life and the feeling that I could do it.
“Out of all the different courses out there that I took, this one gave me the fundamentals that prepared me to work in the proofreading industry.”
Now I can work around my family schedule and organize work around life, not the other way around.
“After taking the course, a pool of options opened up to me. Proofreading is a nice add-on and a security blanket that brings me the extra income and flexibility I need.”
I used to do a job anyone could do. Now I have something unique to offer which led to increased self-esteem.
“I thought I might pass the test and then receive some email explaining why I was wrong for thinking I’d get to work for Proofed. Those worries were groundless though; I’ve worked for Proofed for ten months now.”
Working with Proofed, I get to read student work and help people at the start of their careers, which feels quite satisfying.
“It’s a flexible, informative and well-thought-out course. Gives you insights into what’s expected of you in this job. I’m happy to have found a new way to make money to supplement my retirement. Now I can travel and eat out with my wife feeling like I deserve it”.
Meet Our Friendly Tutors
They were once where you are now, and they’re here to give you the confidence that you can do it too.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Proofreading Course
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Guaranteed work sounds great, but surely there’s a catch?
There are no hidden surprises with our guaranteed work offer.
If you pass Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with a distinction score (at least 80%) in each final assignment, we’ll offer you the chance to take up a 10-document work trial with our partner company, Proofed – one of the world’s leading proofreading and editing services. If you successfully pass this paid trial, you’ll gain access to the wider Proofed platform and be able to accept bigger and better-paying documents. As you build confidence and experience, you may also be invited to take on specialist work with business clients, further boosting your earning potential.
And if you don’t score 80% first time, it’s no problem. You can purchase additional attempts, and you’ll receive ample support from our friendly tutor team along the way.
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With AI assistants, such as ChatGPT, do we still need proofreaders?
The short answer is yes! While it’s easy to think that AI tools would render proofreaders unnecessary, this isn’t the case.
We’ve even experimented with asking ChatGPT to correct a document, and the result would not have met a client’s expectations!
AI is very handy for pulling together information on a subject, but it can’t see the big picture and can make logical errors. The output of a typical AI prompt tends to be dry, repetitive, and basic (funnily enough, it needs a good editor!). And in the same way that Word’s grammar checker often gets things wrong, there are too many rules at play in a long, complex sentence for an AI model to pick apart and evaluate the different elements; furthermore, you’d never catch it using semicolons.
So rather than AI being a threat to the industry, it may actually be a boon! With many companies using AI tools to draft content, there’s a real need for skilled professionals to review, refine, and correct that content to make it fit for purpose. And with Becoming A Proofreader, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be one of those essential professionals.
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How does this proofreading course work?
Becoming A Proofreader is made up of 13 comprehensive modules, each focusing on a different aspect of proofreading. You can progress through the course at your own pace and return to completed modules for a refresher whenever you like.
As well as informative written content, each module includes interactive elements such as videos, try-it-yourself exercises, and quizzes. These are designed for you to test your skills as you work your way through the course, and they help highlight any areas you might want to revisit. But don’t worry, none of these count toward your final grade!
When you reach the final module, we’ll guide you through some key revision areas and provide you with a mock assignment. This is a great opportunity for you to try out your skills and see the kinds of edits you should be making in a document. The mock test isn’t marked by a tutor, but it comes with our edited version and a set of notes so you can review your work.
When you’re ready, you can then progress to the final assignment! This consists of two proofreading tests, on which you’ll receive detailed tutor feedback. You can take as long as you need to complete the tests, and you are encouraged to refer back to the course while you work. If you score 80% or above for this course and Becoming An Editor, you’ll be offered the opportunity to undertake a 10-document paid work trial as a freelance proofreader with Proofed. And if you don’t pass the first time, don’t panic! You can purchase additional attempts.
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What kinds of writing does your proofreading course cover?
In Becoming A Proofreader, we cover the main subjects professional proofreaders are likely to work in. Creative, business, and academic writing are all included. If you’re just starting out, we recommend gaining experience in all areas before you decide to focus on a particular type of writing.
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Do you teach proofreading symbols or marks?
At Knowadays, our courses have always been based on the need for editing and proofreading in a digital world. We recognize that most clients work on a computer with internet access and need documents to be proofread immediately.
We don’t teach the use of proofreading symbols as most proofreaders today are unlikely to use them. There may be some customers who prefer the traditional methods of proofreading, but most work will be done digitally.
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How long will it take to complete the course? Can I start my proofreading course at any time?
One of the great things about learning with Knowadays is that you get to set the pace. When you buy one of our courses, you get lifetime access. This means you can get started whenever you want, and you can take as little or as much time as you need.
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Is there a UK and a US version of the proofreading course?
Yes, there are two versions of the course! You will be assigned the US version as standard, but if you would prefer the UK version instead, you can email us at [email protected] and we will make the switch for you. Both versions teach you the nuances of US and UK English so you’ll be able to proofread in either dialect.
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How do I know proofreading is the career for me?
Before making any kind of career change, we recommend asking yourself three questions:
What do I enjoy doing? What skills do I possess or would I be willing to learn? What would make me happy career-wise?
A career in proofreading might be for you if:
- You enjoy reading, writing, and learning about the English language
- You have great attention to detail and often spot errors in written material
- You have good time management, technology, and organizational skills (or would be willing to develop them!)
- You want a career that is flexible, rewarding, varied, and always teaching you new things
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With so many proofreading courses available, how do I know this is the right one?
We know there are a lot of different options out there, and weighing them up can be a daunting task.
One of the best ways to see if a course is right for you is to give it a go, which is precisely why you can take two lessons from the course for free. You can get a feel for learning with Knowadays by exploring our example modules, complete with interactive activities and quizzes.
It’s also worth asking yourself:
- Does the course cover the fundamentals?
- Does it include practical exercises to test your skills?
- Do you get access to learning support?
- Does the course have good reviews?
- Do you get a certification?
When you learn with Knowadays, the answer to all of these questions is yes! Plus we’ve been recognized as the Editorial Training Provider Of The Year (UK) in the 2023 Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards.
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What’s the difference between proofreading and copy editing?
If you think of the editing process as a timeline, copy editing happens toward the end – after developmental and line editing have been finished but before the final proofread:
Developmental editing ➜ Line/stylistic editing ➜ Copy editing ➜ Proofreading
A copy editor’s role is to ensure that words, sentences, and paragraphs work together to properly express the author’s ideas while maintaining the author’s voice.
A proofreader focuses on fixing mechanical errors, such as spelling mistakes or typos, grammatical issues, and misused or missing punctuation. You can read more about this in our blog.
Modern digital proofreading can touch upon some elements of copy writing because it’s no longer constrained by the limitations of the printing press. Some clients may not exactly know if they need a proofreader or a copy editor, but our course teaches you all about the remit of each role, plus how to establish the scope of the task before you start.
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What do I need to take the course? What will I need to study for this course?
There’s no need to study anything beforehand. To complete the course, you’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection and access to a full version of Microsoft Word (2016, 2019, 2021, or 365).
Although you can view the course on smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks, they use a limited version of Microsoft Word that doesn’t include all the necessary tools. Plus, a larger screen size is preferable for study.
Other than that, all you need is the ability to set aside some study time, a little self-discipline, and the desire to learn about all things proofreading!
If English is not your first language, you can still take the course, but please note that passing the final assignment calls for a high-level understanding of written English.
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Do I need any qualifications or previous experience to enroll in the course?
The simple answer is no!
Becoming A Proofreader is designed to cover everything you need to know to start work as a professional proofreader, so you don’t need any qualifications or previous experience. This course is your path from complete beginner to confident, trained professional.
That being said, lots of experienced professionals take Knowadays courses too! If you’re looking to brush up on your existing skills or find new avenues of work, our Becoming A Proofreader course can help you do just that.
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Is Becoming A Proofreader a certified course? Do I get a proofreading qualification?
Becoming A Proofreader is accredited by CPD – a professional body that certifies excellence in professional development training. CPD-certified courses are rigorously tested by industry experts, which makes them a valuable addition to your resume. When you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive a digital certificate via email. This is a great way to showcase your achievements, and it lets potential employers and clients know that your knowledge and skills are up to date.
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How much does the proofreading course cost?
Our course is $499 (which is cheaper than other proofreading courses out there!). If you’re also interested in learning how to edit, we offer a bundle of two courses for $849, saving you 15% and giving you the opportunity to work with Proofed. Learn more about the bundle here.
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Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes! Course purchases will be refunded in full if requested within 14 days of the purchase date (see our terms and conditions).
If you’d like to request a refund, all you need to do is email us at [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.
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Does it matter where I live?
You can be anywhere in the world! All you’ll need is a computer (PC or Mac), an internet connection, and a full version of Microsoft Word (2016 or later).
Please note that to work with Proofed, your country of residence must have a tax treaty with the United States Internal Revenue Service and use a currency that’s compatible with Proofed’s payment platform. These countries are listed here.
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If I successfully complete the Becoming A Proofreader course, am I guaranteed work with Proofed?
When you pass both our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses with distinction scores of 80% or higher, you’ll have the chance to begin a 10-document trial period with our partner company, Proofed. You can purchase the two courses together or separately, and the work offer still applies.
Completing only Becoming A Proofreader does not guarantee work with Proofed, but you can still launch an independent career as a professional proofreader!
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Is there a demand for proofreaders?
There is no shortage of demand for proofreaders!
From businesses to academic institutions, publishing houses to nonprofits, all sorts of organizations produce content that requires proofreading. Although some deal with this in-house, there is always a demand for professional freelance proofreaders who can get the job done to a high standard.
Webpages, blog posts, social media content, email newsletters, essays, novels, manuscripts, journal articles, legal documents, medical writing – there is a huge variety of proofreading work available (and that’s not even the full list!).
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How much money do proofreaders make?
The rates proofreaders charge can vary significantly based on factors such as:
- How experienced you are
- How complex the job is
- Whether you are working in a specialist subject area
- The type of client
The EFA (US) suggests a minimum hourly rate of $31–$45 (depending on the nature of the project). The CIEP (UK) suggests a minimum hourly rate of £28.65.
When you start out, it is likely you will be earning less than this, as you may need to market your services competitively in order to build up a client base (as well as your confidence and experience!). But as you gain practice and develop your skills, you also gain the ability to charge higher rates.
You can read more about setting rates as a proofreader in our blog.
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Can you make a living proofreading?
Definitely! There are lots of factors that influence how much a proofreader can charge, and figures on average income vary depending where you look. However, the figures all have something in common – they show it’s completely possible to make a living proofreading.
Hundreds of Knowadays graduates are doing just that, whether by working for Proofed, signing up with other agencies, or building their own freelance businesses.
As with any career, you have to be willing to put in the work to develop your skills, find clients, and gain experience. But if you do that, you’re sure to succeed!
Plus, as you gain experience, or complete additional training or accreditation, you can raise your rates accordingly.
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How do I get my first proofreading job?
If you pass your final assignment with a distinction score of 80% or above for this course and Becoming An Editor, you won’t need to worry about finding your first proofreading job. As part of our guaranteed work offer, you’ll have the chance to take up a 10-document paid work trial with our partner company, Proofed, soon after completing the course.
If you’d prefer to source your own clients, or you want to combine working with Proofed with working independently, there are a number of things you can do. Explore our blog to pick up freelance tips and read guidance on how to find proofreading work. And for the practical elements of setting up your own freelance business, check out our Becoming A Freelancer course.
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Who can I discuss my questions and doubts with?
We’re here to help you decide whether Becoming A Proofreader is right for you, and we’ll guide you through your journey if you take the course. Our tutors have been exactly where you are now, and they will make sure you feel taken care of at all times.
Email us your questions at [email protected], or get in touch to ask about scheduling a chat with one of the team.
- No sign up
- No payment info
- No hidden costs
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