How to Become an HR Manager in the UK

Think about the people who hired you, sorted your pay when it went wrong, or helped when you needed time off. That is HR. HR stands for human resources, and it is the part of a business that looks after staff.

An HR manager runs that work. It is a steady, well paid job, and you find it in almost every kind of organisation.

This guide explains how to become an HR manager in the UK. It covers what the job involves, what it pays, what qualifications you need, and how a business HND can help you get there.

What does an HR manager do?

In short, they help a business find good people, keep them and treat them fairly.

Most weeks include a mix of these tasks.

• Hiring new staff, from writing the job advert to running interviews.
• Welcoming new starters and making sure they are trained.
• Handling problems, like complaints, lateness or staff who are unhappy.
• Keeping the business within the law on pay, contracts and holidays.
• Helping managers deal with sickness and time off.
• Planning pay rises, reviews and staff training.
• Working on the feel of the workplace, so people want to stay.

A lot of the job is talking and listening. Some of it is careful paperwork. And some of it is hard, like telling someone their job is at risk.

Is HR a good career?

For many people, it is. There are a few good reasons.

Every business with staff needs HR, so there are jobs in shops, hotels, hospitals, charities, councils, tech firms and more.

The work is often office based with regular hours. That suits people who want a break from shifts.

There is a clear ladder. You can move from HR assistant to HR adviser, then HR manager, then head of HR or HR director.

The downside is that you deal with people at their worst moments. Conflicts, illness and job losses all land on your desk. You need to stay calm and keep things private.

How much does an HR manager earn in the UK?

Pay depends on the size of the business, the sector and where you live. London usually pays more.

HR assistant and HR administrator roles are the usual way in. These often start in the mid to high twenties in thousands of pounds. HR advisers commonly earn in the thirties. HR managers often earn from the forties into the fifties, and senior roles can go well past that.

These are rough guides, not promises. Check live job adverts near you to see what local employers really pay. Our post on HND Business jobs and salaries gives a wider picture of pay in business roles.

Do you need a degree to become an HR manager?

Not always. Lots of HR managers started as receptionists, admin assistants or team leaders, and moved across.

But qualifications matter more in HR than in many jobs. That is because HR deals with the law. Employers want to trust that you know the rules.

Two kinds of qualification help most.

The first is a general business qualification, like an HND or a degree. An HND, or Higher National Diploma, is a Level 5 qualification. Level 5 is the same standard as the second year of a university degree. Many HR adverts ask for a degree "or equivalent", and an HND with work experience often meets that. Our guide on whether an HND is equivalent to a degree explains this.

The second is a CIPD qualification. The CIPD is the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. It is the professional body for HR in the UK. Its courses come at different levels, and many HR manager jobs ask for one. Lots of people take a CIPD course after they already work in HR, often paid for by their employer.

What is the usual route into HR?

There is no one path, but this is a common one.

You start in any job where you deal with people. Retail, hospitality, care and office work all count.

You move into an HR assistant or HR administrator role. You handle letters, contracts, holiday records and new starter packs. You learn how the rules work.

You step up to HR adviser. Now you advise managers on problems, sit in on hard meetings and help with hiring.

You become an HR manager. You lead the HR work for a site or a whole business, and you may manage a small team.

Each step often takes a year or two. Studying alongside your job can make the gaps shorter.

How does an HND in Business help you get into HR?

An HND in Business gives you the base that HR is built on. On the HND in Business at LCK Academy, you study units such as these.

• Management of Human Resources, which covers hiring, training, pay and treating staff fairly.
• Organisational Behaviour Management, which looks at why people act the way they do at work.
• Leadership and Management, which helps you understand the managers you will support.
• The Contemporary Business Environment, which explains how businesses are set up and the laws around them.
• Accounting Principles, which helps you understand budgets for pay and training.

Our guide to every unit on an HND in Business explains each one in full.

The HND also builds the skills HR needs every day. You learn to write clearly, weigh up both sides of a problem and explain your decision. You also work in groups and give presentations, which is good practice for running meetings.

You can study it around a job. That matters, because the best way into HR is to get a foot in the door while you learn.

If you want to go further, you can add a one-year BA (Hons) top-up after the HND. Our post on what a top-up degree is explains how that works.

What skills should you build now?

You can start on these today, whatever job you are in.

Be the person others trust. HR deals with private things, so keeping a secret matters.

Learn the basics of UK employment rules. Read about holiday pay, sick pay and contracts on the GOV.UK website. It is free and written in plain words.

Offer to help with hiring. Ask your manager if you can sit in on an interview or help train a new starter.

Get good with spreadsheets and email. HR runs on records and clear messages.

Practise hard conversations. Next time there is a problem at work, notice how your manager handles it. Think about what you would do.

Can you move into HR from hospitality?

Yes, and it is a common move. Hotels and restaurants hire lots of people, often all year round. That means hospitality firms need busy HR teams.

If you already work in hospitality, you know the pressure of rotas, short staffing and high turnover. That is useful in an HR interview. Our post on strategic HR management in hospitality shows what HR looks like in that world.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become an HR manager?

From an entry level HR job, it often takes several years. A qualification can speed this up.

Can I get into HR with no experience?

Yes, at the bottom of the ladder. HR assistant and HR administrator roles often accept people with good admin and people skills.

Do I need a CIPD qualification?

Not to start. Many HR manager jobs ask for one, though, so most people take it once they work in HR.

Is an HND good for an HR career?

It is a strong start. It covers human resources, the law around business and people skills. Pair it with HR work experience and you are in a good spot.

Is HR a stressful job?

It can be at times. You deal with conflict and difficult news. Many people find it rewarding because they help staff through tough moments.

Ready to take the first step?

If you are good with people and want a career that is steady and respected, the HND in Business at LCK Academy is a practical place to begin. It covers human resources, leadership and how businesses work, and you can study it around your job.

• Email: admissions@lckacademy.org.uk
• Phone: 020 8161 3300

Get in touch and we will talk through where the course could take you.