HR Apprentice (Human Resources) University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Medicine - Headington
University of Oxford
Oxford (OX3 7BN)
Closes in 19 days (Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 25 September 2025
Contents
Summary
Do you want to join our busy, supportive and expanding HR team where you will be provided with the opportunity to develop full knowledge of the HR lifecycle? From planning recruitment and on-boarding new staff, to the end of fixed-term contracts and retirement planning, you'll also gain a CIPD Level 3 Diploma in Human Resources Practice. £25895pa.
- Wage
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£25,895 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
All apprentices at the University of Oxford start at apprentice grade 1A - currently £25,895.
- Training course
- HR support (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday–Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm. A 19-month apprenticeship within a 2-year fixed-term employment contract.
36 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 24 November 2025
- Duration
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1 year 7 months
- Positions available
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1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
This is a two-year fixed-term employment contract, and you will be based in Headington, OX3 7BN, which is a few miles to the east of Oxford city centre.
You will join our busy and supportive HR team, and you will be provided with the opportunity to develop full knowledge of the HR lifecycle, from planning recruitment and on-boarding new staff, to the end of fixed-term contracts and retirement planning. You will work to support the HR Team with induction and payroll, reward and recognition, employee relations, and engagement. You will regularly interact with all members of the Department and will learn to provide advice on university procedures and policies covering a range of issues such as employee welfare, maternity/paternity and absence management.
You will:
- Build strong, trusted relationships within the HR Team, colleagues, and wider stakeholders.
- Learn how to manage the HR inbox where required, dealing with appropriate queries or redirecting emails to other members of the team as appropriate.
- Learn how to use the University’s HR system, PeopleXD, to enter confidential, personal data, and assist with data entry into internal databases and spreadsheets.
- Develop skills and understanding that contribute to the development and continuous improvement of HR activities.
- Assist with maintaining personnel files, ensuring accurate records are kept, that they are complete and up-to-date.
- Learn about recruitment processes, assisting with the administration of recruitment exercises, for example, placing advertisements, generating letters to applicants and preparing shortlisting packs.
- Gather information for visa applications where necessary.
- Assist with the compilation of data for HESA returns, HR Data returns and run ad hoc reports from the HR database when required.
- Handle day-to-day queries and providing HR advice, whilst continually looking to improve, digitalise and streamline processes.
- Participate in and support the public engagement and widening access activities of the Department and the University. This is anticipated to be not more than 2 days per year.
- Undertake mandatory training as required by the University, Division and Department. The specific list of training courses may change from time-to-time, in response to both legal and internal university requirements.
Where you'll work
NDM Operations HR Centres for Excellence
Building for Genomic Medicine Old Road Campus Roosevelt Drive Headington
Oxford
OX3 7BN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Training course
HR support (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Service Delivery: Delivers excellent customer service on a range of HR queries and requirements, providing solutions, advice and support primarily to managers. Builds managers’ expertise in HR matters, improving their ability to handle repeated situations themselves where appropriate. Uses agreed systems and processes to deliver service to customers. Takes the initiative to meet agreed individual and team KPIs in line with company policy, values, standards. Plans and organises their work, often without direct supervision, to meet commitments and KPIs.
- Problem Solving: Uses sound questioning and active listening skills to understand requirements and establish root causes before developing HR solutions. Takes ownership through to resolution, escalating complex situations as appropriate.
- Communication & Interpersonal: Deals effectively with customers/colleagues, using sound interpersonal skills and communicating well through a range of media eg phone, face to face, email, internet. Adapts their style to their audience. Builds trust and sound relationships with customers. Handles conflict and sensitive HR situations professionally and confidentially.
- Teamwork: Consistently supports colleagues /collaborates within the team and HR to achieve results. Builds/maintains strong working relationships with others in the team and across HR where necessary.
- Process Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve HR performance and service; acts on them within the authority of their role. Supports implementation of HR changes/projects with the business.
- Managing HR Information: Maintains required HR records as part of services delivered. Prepares reports and management information from HR data, with interpretation as required.
- Personal Development: Keeps up to date with business changes and HR legal/policy/process changes relevant to their role. Seeks feedback and acts on it to improve their performance and overall capability.
Training schedule
Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship Standard:
Duration:
13 months practical training period, plus 6 months for End Point Assessment.
Delivery model:
- Work-based training with your employer.
- Day release during term time (approximately 1 day a week for 1 year at college - Abingdon or Witney Campus).
- Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required).
- Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work.
Qualifications included:
- Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths (if required).
- CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice.
- Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship.
End Point Assessment:
- Consultative project.
- Professional discussion.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Initiative
- MS Excel, Outlook and Word
- Supportive team member
- Interest in working in HR
- Work in confidential manner
- Displays honesty and integrity
Other requirements
Before applying, please visit the University of Oxford Job Vacancies page and read the full advert and job description VACANCY ID 182224. INTERVIEWS TO TAKE PLACE W/C 11th NOVEMBER 2025 with a start soon after in late November. Your application will be judged solely on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria stated in the job description. Please ensure you have included your maths and English (or equivalent) grades, or you may not be considered. As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by the Apprenticeship Training Provider and will be required to complete initial assessments in English and maths, provide an up-to-date CV with 2 referees, and book onto a short eligibility assessment telephone call where you can also find out more about the apprenticeship and ask any questions you may have. By applying for this vacancy, you are giving the Training Provider permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. The Training Provider for this apprenticeship is Abingdon & Witney College. If you would like to talk to them about the assessments, please call on 01235 216216. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.
About this employer
We are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with around 16,000 staff working in and around Oxford in a huge range of roles. Our apprentices are never on their own and will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team. You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the university. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region. We will provide you with a welcoming and inclusive workplace, offering support and development opportunities that will enable you to progress and do your best work. We recognise diversity as our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, and we aspire to build a truly diverse community, which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.
https://www.ndm.ox.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
You'll enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts and professional development opportunities. Free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at university museums.
After this apprenticeship
- Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their apprenticeship and that is just the start of their career.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Jane Phipps
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235 216216
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000343788.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
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