College

You could do a college course like:

• Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and Human Resources
• Level 5 Diploma In Applied Human Resources
• Level 5 Diploma In Human Resource Management

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

University

You'll need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:

• Human resources management
• Psychology
• Business with languages

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course.
• 
  

Apprenticeships

You can get into this role through a HR consultant or partner higher apprenticeship. Employers will set their own entry requirements. To view apprenticeship vacancies click here.

Work

You could start as an assistant in a human resources department and work your way up through training and promotion.

Some companies also have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.

Ideally you'll need knowledge or experience in the following:

• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• leadership skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• business management skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• you will be expected to use a computer confidently as part of this job.

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• leading an organisation’s HR team
• supporting managers in getting the best out of their staff
• planning staff policies
• designing and advising on company benefits packages
• training and developing staff
• handling complicated HR issues
• working to improve employee relations
• managing budgets

You could work from home or in an office.

College

Employers may prefer you to have relevant qualifications like those offered by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). You can study qualifications like:

• CIPD Level 5 Award in Human Resources
• CIPD Level 5 Certificate/Diploma in Human Resources Management
• Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and Human Resources

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

University

You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:

• human resources management
• a combined degree such as business management and human resources
• a related subject

Some companies have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.

Postgraduate qualifications in human resource management are also available.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
• 
  

Apprenticeships

You can get into this role through a HR consultant. Employers will set their own entry requirements. To view apprenticeship vacancies click here.

Work

You could start as a business administrator in a company's HR department, and work your way up through training and promotion.

Some companies also have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.

Ideally you'll need knowledge or experience in the following:

• administration skills
• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• dealing with complaints and discipline procedures
• assisting in the recruitment of new employees
• working with other managers, improving employees' experiences of the workplace
• keeping employee records
• helping people get training and development
• making sure employees have the right pay and benefits
• arranging employee services such as welfare and counselling
• promoting equality, and health and safety
• advising on matters like pay negotiations, redundancy and employment law
• developing HR policies and procedures
• recording and analysing confidential information
• writing employee handbooks
• dealing with staff at all levels

You could work from home or in an office.