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How to become a recruitment consultant

Recruitment consultants match people with jobs — finding and screening candidates, managing vacancies for client employers, and supporting both sides through interviews and offers.

You could work for a recruitment agency, often specialising in a sector such as IT, engineering or social care, or in an employer's in-house recruitment team.

There is no licence to work as a recruitment consultant. Many people start in an entry job or an apprenticeship and learn on the job.

  • Multiple routes
  • No licence needed
  • Earn while learning

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AApprenticeship

    Recruiter apprenticeship (Level 3)

    For those who want to learn recruitment on the job in an agency or in-house team, with a wage and training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own requirements
    • The National Careers Service says this apprenticeship usually asks for 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including English and maths
    • At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a Recruiter apprenticeship with an agency or an in-house recruitment team
    2. Learn to find candidates, manage vacancies and work with clients
    3. Complete the end-point assessment
    4. Work as a recruitment consultant; you could add the REC's CertRP later
    Estimated duration
    About 18 months
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Recruiter (Level 3) at a typical 18 months. The National Careers Service says up to 2 years.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £7,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BWork + study

    Entry job in recruitment, then the REC's CertRP

    For those — including career changers — who want to start in a recruitment agency and add a qualification once they have some experience.

    Starting requirements

    • An entry role such as recruitment administrator, resourcer or trainee consultant
    • Experience in sales, marketing, HR or a specialist industry can help — employers decide
    • The REC describes the CertRP as ideal for recruiters with over a year of experience

    Pathway outline

    1. Start as an administrator, resourcer or trainee consultant in a recruitment agency
    2. Learn on the job and build a track record
    3. After about a year, you could take the REC Level 3 Certificate in Recruitment Practice
    4. Progress to consultant, then senior or management roles
    Estimated duration
    About a year in the job, then around 12 weeks' study
    How we estimate this

    The REC describes the CertRP as ideal for recruiters with over a year of experience and recommends 12 weeks of distance learning before the exam.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £699 to £999Paid up front by you: £699 to £999Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From your first recruitment job.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CUniversity

    University degree, then a graduate recruitment role

    For those who want to go to university first. Most subjects are accepted.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements; the National Careers Service says 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, is usual for a degree
    • Some employers prefer subjects such as HR, marketing, public relations or business
    • Specialist agencies may expect a relevant degree or industry experience

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a degree in any subject
    2. Get work experience, an internship or temporary work to learn about recruitment
    3. Apply for graduate or trainee recruitment consultant roles
    4. Progress to consultant and senior roles
    Estimated duration
    About 3 years, then work
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £29,370Paid up front by you: £0Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students work part-time.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Questions people ask

Do I need a degree to become a recruitment consultant?

No. You could start through an apprenticeship or an entry job in an agency. Most degree subjects are accepted if you do go to university, and some specialist agencies value industry experience.

Can I move into recruitment from another job?

Yes. The National Careers Service says you can apply directly if you have experience in a similar field, such as HR or business development, and industry knowledge helps with specialist agencies.

Do I need the REC qualification?

No. The CertRP is optional. The REC suggests it for recruiters with over a year of experience.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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