Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons), sandwich with work placement

People are a vital business asset — and getting the human side of business right leads to a competitive advantage in industry.

This BA (Hons) Business and HRM degree prepares you for a successful career in human resources. As a human resources manager you'll formulate policies that address modern workplace issues like flexible working, remote working and equality and diversity, and lead on strategies to recruit and retain the right workforce.

Human resource management covers the strategic approach to the employment, development and wellbeing of people in business. On this degree you'll build your HRM knowledge and develop your understanding of human resources in the context of business, as well as discovering the core business disciplines that make organisations successful.

You’ll apply your learning through real-world scenarios and learning projects, with opportunities including paid industry placements throughout your studies. If you take on a Business Consultancy Project you'll work on a live client project with a local business in your final year.

By taking an industry placement year before or after your third year, you’ll graduate with a year of experience in the workplace as well as your degree. Our Placements team will support you during your placement search and while you’re on placement.

You'll graduate from this course with a head start in the job market, and be able to apply for Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) — something that is often only available after postgraduate study.

As a human resource manager you can work in any sector that you're passionate about, whether that's sport, charities, manufacturing, or maybe the arts; all sorts of different businesses need effective workforce management. It's also a role that could take you overseas.

Best of all is that this qualification opens up many possible career routes. You might want to specialise in workplace training and development, become an expert in employment law, or lead on business development. As you progress you'll be able to map a career to your interests.

Your CIPD accreditation means you're likely to earn more money and have more job options than your non-accredited peers (Reed UK). CIPD Associate membership is highly-valued by employers and it therefore provides a valuable employability advantage when looking for your first job. Please note membership is subject to the payment of a membership fee.

Previous graduates of this course have secured jobs at companies such as:

• Peninsula Group Ltd HR Consultancy
• Santander
• Ministry of Defence
• Aldingbourne Trust
• JRL Construction
• Wartsila (Marine and Energy) UK Ltd
• Henkel
• UK Atomic Energy Authority
• Finsbury Foods

Graduates of this course have secured jobs as:

• HR executive
• learning and development coordinator
• human resources business partner
• HR and employment law consultant
• internal auditor
• project manager
• police officer
• buyer

(Data sourced from HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey.)

Business Consultancy Project

Work for a client on a real brief in this optional Business Consultancy module. 

Students work in teams of 3-4 to bid for a business project from local organisations, before working directly with the organisation to execute the project. 

Clients range from small to medium sized organisations who could be from the private, public or third sector (such as charities, not-for-profits and community organisations). 

Each project is different, but the tasks you compete could include: 

• Using marketing theory to develop social media strategies
• Conducting competitor analysis
• Drafting sustainable business plans based on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
• Conducting staff interviews
• Evaluating customer feedback

You’ll give your client regular updates on the project, and get feedback from them, other students and staff as you progress. 

Past students have worked with Santander, local facilities management firm Inovolt, the Instant Kitchen Company startup, Solent Recovery College, and local radio station Express FM.

At the end of your project, you'll be invited to a celebratory event where you can network with representatives from the client organisations.

You could also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level, or set up your own business with help and support from the University.

Why study Business and Human Resource Management?

Discover why studying Business and Human Resource Management will give you a head start in your career.

Read the blog

Work placement year

You can boost your employability by taking an optional paid placement after your second or third year of study.

Previous students on this course have had placements in organisations such as:

• IBM
• Samsung

Many of our students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employers.

The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law. It could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.

You could also set up your own business with support from us.

Ways to enrich your study

Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)

We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.

"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."

Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith

Study abroad year

Between your second and third year, you can choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America. All classes are delivered in English and you'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant.

 

"Students that go abroad are more likely to obtain first-class honours [and] more likely to be in graduate employment than their non-mobile peers."

 

Universities UK International: 'Gone International, Rising Aspirations', 2019