Human Resources (HR)
A people-focused field centred on recruitment, employee relations, and organisational development.
Education Pathways into HR
There are multiple routes into HR, depending on your interests and goals:
Education
GCSEs (Age 14–16)
Aim for 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4, including English and Maths.
Helpful subjects: Business Studies, Psychology, Sociology, ICT.
A-Levels (Age 16–18)
Choose subjects that support communication, analysis, and business understanding.
Recommended: Business Studies, Psychology, Law, English, Sociology.
Grades needed: Typically BBC to AAA, depending on university.
University Degree
Not always essential, but highly beneficial. Relevant degrees:
- Human Resource Management
- Business Administration
- Psychology
- Law
Look for CIPD-accredited programmes for professional recognition.
Further Training
CIPD Qualifications: (Most UK employers will ask for CIPD Membership)
Level 3: Foundation Certificate in People Practice
Level 5: Associate Diploma in People Management
Level 7: Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management [icslearn.co.uk]
Postgraduate & Career-Accelerating Courses
MSc in Human Resource Management (often CIPD-accredited)
MA in HRM with Advanced Research
MSc in HR & Organisational Analysis
Accreditations
CIPD Membership is highly valued:
- Foundation Member (Level 3)
- Associate Member (Level 5)
- Chartered Member (Level 7)
CIPD accreditation aligns with the CIPD Profession Map, a benchmark for HR excellence
School Prep & Early Exposure
Things to take part in:
- Business or Enterprise clubs
- Mock interviews or CV workshops
- Volunteering or part-time admin roles
- Online HR courses or webinars
Income Prospects
Role
Salary
HR Administrator
£26,000–£33,000
HR Advisor
£35,000–£50,000
HR Manager
£55,000–£70,000
HR Director
£90,000–£130,000
Chief People Officer
£120,000–£250,000
Working Hours & Flexibility
Typical hours: 37.5–40 per week
Increasing flexibility:
- Hybrid working
- Compressed hours
- Flexitime
- Remote options
91% of UK employers offer some form of flexible working
Day-to-Day Tasks in HR
- Recruitment & onboarding
- Payroll & benefits administration
- Employee relations & wellbeing
- Training & development
- Policy creation & compliance
- Performance management
- Workforce planning and analytics
- Business Partnering – strategy development
- Commercial Management
- Relationship Management
- Reward – compensation and salary planning
- Talent and succession planning
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Career Progression
Entry-level: HR Assistant
Mid-level: HR Advisor, HR Manager
Senior: HR Business Partner, Head of People
Executive: HR Director, Chief People Officer (CHRO)
Specialisations: L&D, Talent Acquisition, DEI, Employee Relations, Compensation and Benefits, Payroll, HRIS
Future Role of AI in HR
- AI is transforming HR through:
- Automated CV screening
- Predictive analytics
- Chatbots for employee queries
- Bias reduction in recruitment
- Learning and Development
- Automated workflows
HR professionals need digital fluency and ethical oversight
Where to Learn More
- CIPD Careers Hub [cipd.org]
- Prospects.ac.uk – HR Careers [prospects.ac.uk]
- National Careers Service – HR Officer [nationalca...ice.gov.uk]
Human Resources (HR)
A people-focused field centred on recruitment, employee relations, and organisational development.
Education Pathways into HR
There are multiple routes into HR, depending on your interests and goals:
Education
GCSEs (Age 14–16)
Aim for 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4, including English and Maths.
Helpful subjects: Business Studies, Psychology, Sociology, ICT.
A-Levels (Age 16–18)
Choose subjects that support communication, analysis, and business understanding.
Recommended: Business Studies, Psychology, Law, English, Sociology.
Grades needed: Typically BBC to AAA, depending on university.
University Degree
Not always essential, but highly beneficial. Relevant degrees:
- Human Resource Management
- Business Administration
- Psychology
- Law
Look for CIPD-accredited programmes for professional recognition.
Further Training
CIPD Qualifications: (Most UK employers will ask for CIPD Membership)
Level 3: Foundation Certificate in People Practice
Level 5: Associate Diploma in People Management
Level 7: Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management [icslearn.co.uk]
Postgraduate & Career-Accelerating Courses
MSc in Human Resource Management (often CIPD-accredited)
MA in HRM with Advanced Research
MSc in HR & Organisational Analysis
Accreditations
CIPD Membership is highly valued:
- Foundation Member (Level 3)
- Associate Member (Level 5)
- Chartered Member (Level 7)
CIPD accreditation aligns with the CIPD Profession Map, a benchmark for HR excellence
School Prep & Early Exposure
Things to take part in:
- Business or Enterprise clubs
- Mock interviews or CV workshops
- Volunteering or part-time admin roles
- Online HR courses or webinars
Income Prospects
Role
Salary
HR Administrator
£26,000–£33,000
HR Advisor
£35,000–£50,000
HR Manager
£55,000–£70,000
HR Director
£90,000–£130,000
Chief People Officer
£120,000–£250,000
Working Hours & Flexibility
Typical hours: 37.5–40 per week
Increasing flexibility:
- Hybrid working
- Compressed hours
- Flexitime
- Remote options
91% of UK employers offer some form of flexible working
Day-to-Day Tasks in HR
- Recruitment & onboarding
- Payroll & benefits administration
- Employee relations & wellbeing
- Training & development
- Policy creation & compliance
- Performance management
- Workforce planning and analytics
- Business Partnering – strategy development
- Commercial Management
- Relationship Management
- Reward – compensation and salary planning
- Talent and succession planning
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Career Progression
Entry-level: HR Assistant
Mid-level: HR Advisor, HR Manager
Senior: HR Business Partner, Head of People
Executive: HR Director, Chief People Officer (CHRO)
Specialisations: L&D, Talent Acquisition, DEI, Employee Relations, Compensation and Benefits, Payroll, HRIS
Human Resources (HR)
A people-focused field centred on recruitment, employee relations, and organisational development.
Education Pathways into HR
There are multiple routes into HR, depending on your interests and goals:
Education
GCSEs (Age 14–16)
Aim for 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4, including English and Maths.
Helpful subjects: Business Studies, Psychology, Sociology, ICT.
A-Levels (Age 16–18)
Choose subjects that support communication, analysis, and business understanding.
Recommended: Business Studies, Psychology, Law, English, Sociology.
Grades needed: Typically BBC to AAA, depending on university.
University Degree
Not always essential, but highly beneficial. Relevant degrees:
- Human Resource Management
- Business Administration
- Psychology
- Law
Look for CIPD-accredited programmes for professional recognition.
Further Training
CIPD Qualifications: (Most UK employers will ask for CIPD Membership)
Level 3: Foundation Certificate in People Practice
Level 5: Associate Diploma in People Management
Level 7: Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management [icslearn.co.uk]
Postgraduate & Career-Accelerating Courses
MSc in Human Resource Management (often CIPD-accredited)
MA in HRM with Advanced Research
MSc in HR & Organisational Analysis
Accreditations
CIPD Membership is highly valued:
- Foundation Member (Level 3)
- Associate Member (Level 5)
- Chartered Member (Level 7)
CIPD accreditation aligns with the CIPD Profession Map, a benchmark for HR excellence
School Prep & Early Exposure
Things to take part in:
- Business or Enterprise clubs
- Mock interviews or CV workshops
- Volunteering or part-time admin roles
- Online HR courses or webinars
Income Prospects
Role
Salary
HR Administrator
£26,000–£33,000
HR Advisor
£35,000–£50,000
HR Manager
£55,000–£70,000
HR Director
£90,000–£130,000
Chief People Officer
£120,000–£250,000
Working Hours & Flexibility
Typical hours: 37.5–40 per week
Increasing flexibility:
- Hybrid working
- Compressed hours
- Flexitime
- Remote options
91% of UK employers offer some form of flexible working
Day-to-Day Tasks in HR
- Recruitment & onboarding
- Payroll & benefits administration
- Employee relations & wellbeing
- Training & development
- Policy creation & compliance
- Performance management
- Workforce planning and analytics
- Business Partnering – strategy development
- Commercial Management
- Relationship Management
- Reward – compensation and salary planning
- Talent and succession planning
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Career Progression
Entry-level: HR Assistant
Mid-level: HR Advisor, HR Manager
Senior: HR Business Partner, Head of People
Executive: HR Director, Chief People Officer (CHRO)
Specialisations: L&D, Talent Acquisition, DEI, Employee Relations, Compensation and Benefits, Payroll, HRIS
Future Role of AI in HR
- AI is transforming HR through:
- Automated CV screening
- Predictive analytics
- Chatbots for employee queries
- Bias reduction in recruitment
- Learning and Development
- Automated workflows
HR professionals need digital fluency and ethical oversight
Where to Learn More
- CIPD Careers Hub [cipd.org]
- Prospects.ac.uk – HR Careers [prospects.ac.uk]
- National Careers Service – HR Officer [nationalca...ice.gov.uk]