Program Overview

People are the most important asset of any business. The effective management of Human Resources is key to an organisation’s success. Core Human Resource Management (HRM) functions, which include hiring, training and developing employees, are a component of all organisations. People are managed by line managers, and HRM specialists support and guide that management.

In your first year, you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to manage and lead in a variety of organisational settings. You will be introduced to theories of management approaches and leadership styles designed to promote a culture of mutual trust, respect, and support within the workplace.  In the second year, you will study the theoretical foundations of HRM, balanced with the practical application of a variety of topics including the ‘Employment Life Cycle’ (e.g. how to attract suitable candidates through to options for career development). Successful completion of all three HRM-specific modules allows students to join the prestigious professional body for HRM in the UK, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), as an Associate Member (this is an entry level job requirement for HR roles). You will also benefit from studying alongside other professional students who are currently working in HR roles which will give you invaluable insights into a career as an HR manager.  In your final year you will develop further understanding of strategic HRM and gain a Level 5 qualification in managing equality, diversity, and inclusion from the Chartered Management Institute (of benefit for a general management or a specialist HR career).

The following themes underpin our approach to teaching and learning through:

• Authentic in-class challenges that engage you with real businesses and develop your ongoing personal and professional development
• Active learning designed to engage you in a range of learning activities, in addition to lectures, tutorials, seminars, and group exercises, making full use of real-live case challenges, industry guest lectures, live projects, and business pitches.
• The use of a range of learning enhancement digital technologies; a blended online and face-to-face approach to teaching is designed to maximize your opportunities for learning.
• Computer-based simulations that model real-life situations, enabling you to apply your knowledge, adapt to changing scenarios, and to think out-of-the-box in dealing with simulation examples.
• Lecturers with business practitioner experience to add ‘colour’ to explaining business concepts in sessions.
• The “sustainability” theme that is embedded within modules across every level, that requires you to think about broader issues that relate to communities and the environment.
• Assessments that are related to real work performed in business.