Program Overview

BA(Hons) Business and Human Resource Management (with Foundation Year)

Overview

The BA(Hons) Business and Human Resource Management degree is a practice-based course that develops specialist knowledge of how organisations manage people at work. The course benefits from embedded opportunities to gain practical experience and engage with industry professionals, enhancing employability.

Why Study Business and Human Resource Management?

People are the most important asset in any organisation, and it is increasingly important for businesses to understand and effectively manage their employees to succeed in a competitive, global economy. This course covers the main disciplines and operational areas of business, with a specialist focus on Human Resource Management (HRM).

Why UWE Bristol?

The curriculum challenges thinking and develops specialist knowledge of people at work, covering learning and professional development, advances in HRM, and sustainable management of organisations. Students engage with staff having significant industry experience and industry professionals through fieldwork, pitches, and guest lectures. From day one, students engage in real-world learning experiences through the embedded Professional Practice Stream, supporting development and enabling students to work closely with their Group Mentor and Personal Tutor to develop a portfolio of practice for potential employers.

Career Opportunities

This degree opens doors to broad career opportunities in general HR or business management, or specialist areas such as recruitment or consultancy. Graduates achieve a qualification key to early career progress in HR and have secured HR specialist roles at leading companies, including IBM and the NHS, and positions on HR graduate programmes across both public and private sectors.

Entry

Typical Offers

• GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
• Tariff points: 48
• Contextual tariff: See the contextual offers page.
• English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent).
• A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
• Access: No specific subjects required.
• Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required. The university accepts the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
• Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
• Welsh Baccalaureate: The university accepts tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
• Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required.
• T Levels: No specific subjects required.

Structure

Content

The course structure includes:

• Year zero (foundation year): Compulsory modules including Foundational Concepts in Business and Law, and Foundations in Professional and Personal Development Planning.
• Year one: Modules such as Entrepreneurial Decision Making, Human Resource Economics, Principles of Marketing, Professional Knowledge: Workforce and Organisational Behaviour, and Using Financial Information for Business.
• Year two: Modules including Equality, Diversity and Employment Relations, HR Information Systems, HR Operations, Professional Skills: Evidence-based, and Workforce Resource Planning.
• Placement year (if applicable): A year away from the University on a work or study placement after year two, completing either the Practice-Based Learning Year or Study Year Abroad Learning module.
• Final year: Modules such as Professional Development: Strategic Human Resource Management, Stakeholder Engagement and Talent Development, Sustainable International HRM, and optional modules like Cross-Cultural Learning, Work Integrated Learning (Business and Management), Coaching and Mentoring in Organisations, Project Management with Data Analytics, or Transformation of Work.

Learning and Teaching

Learning and teaching on this course emphasize active participation and learning by doing, supporting students to gradually become more independent in their learning as they progress through the course. Each module is inspired and informed by a learning and teaching approach that enables students to prepare for and participate in classes and practice their skills.

Study Time

In a typical week, students could expect to be timetabled with academic staff for an average of 12 hours. Students will also engage with a range of additional academic and professional development activities and work on practice and assessment tasks through independent self-study for 28 hours per week on average.

Assessment

The assessment strategy focuses on developing subject knowledge, practical skills, and professional attributes within key business environments, including the chosen area of specialism. Assessments are broad and include written assignments, presentations, posters, projects, case studies, reports, examinations, and set exercises. Students also complete a professional practice portfolio of evidence and a reflective workbook to document personal development.

Fees

Full-time; Sandwich

• Home Annual Fee Foundation Year: ｣5,760
• Home Module Fee (15 Credit) Foundation Year: ｣720
• Home Annual (Per Year) Fee: ｣9,535
• Home Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year: ｣9,535
• Home Module Fee (15 Credit): ｣1,192
• Home Placement Year Fee: ｣1,192
• Home Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year: ｣8,343
• International Annual (Per Year) Fee: ｣17,000
• International Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year: ｣17,000
• International Module Fee (15 Credit): ｣2,125
• International Placement Year Fee: ｣2,125
• International Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year: ｣14,875

Indicative Additional Costs

• Additional Course Costs Indicative Maximum Cost Per Year: ｣100

Features

Professional Accreditation

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Placements

Students are encouraged to do a paid sandwich placement after Year two, which can be in the UK or abroad. The placement is valuable for gaining real-world experience and skills that increase employability.

Study Year Abroad

Students also have opportunities to study overseas on courses taught in English and relevant to their degree. The study year abroad is not a paid placement and is selected through a competitive process.

Study Facilities

The ｣55 million Bristol Business School provides the latest facilities, collaborating with Future Space on Frenchay Campus to support startups in robotics, biosciences, and biomedicine, offering practical experience. The building includes individual and group study areas, conference rooms, and spaces for collaboration between students and businesses.

Careers

Careers / Further Study

The BA(Hons) Business and Human Resource Management offers broad career options, with practical experience embedded into the curriculum. This includes modules for the sandwich year placement, the study year abroad module, and a work-based learning module for students in employment. Students develop a diversified skillset, including technical skills, digital literacy, critical thinking, ethical values, collaboration, enterprise, presentation, communication, problem-solving, and project management. Graduates can progress to further study in a related business area or secure roles in HRM contextual areas.