Business and Management (Human Resource Management)

Develop specialist skills and graduate with:

• The ability to evaluate and challenge human resource management practices and policies
• In-depth knowledge of a current and relevant topic within the human resource management field
• An awareness of how the business environment shapes the management of people in today's organisations.

You'll graduate with a solid understanding of HR, and the potential for employment in a range of different businesses – whether in private, public or charitable sector organisations, or your own business. We'll give you a toolkit of business skills that will allow you to enter any business with a strong grasp of what makes it tick.

You can also bring in modules from areas outside the human resource management pathway if you want to explore issues around a particular area of interest, such as sustainability or global affairs.

Year one
Gain a broad understanding of today's business environment, from the contexts in which organisations operate through to trends in economic thinking and the importance of data in business. Modules will cover topics such as:

• organisations and the business environment
• economics and globalisation
• managing data.

Year two
Focus on the inner workings of businesses. Use business techniques to solve problems and start developing the skills that employers look for. Modules cover key themes including creativity and innovation in business. At the end of the year, you can choose to embark on a ten-month business placement or a ten-week summer placement –  applying what you've learned so far in the real world.

Year three
Develop and explore your business learning, focusing on strategic human resource management. Undertake an in-depth business research project in human resource management. We'll support you to set up a business on your own or with fellow students. Other topics to explore include: 

• managing sustainability
• organisational strategy
• new trends in management
• cross cultural management in international business
• tourism: contemporary issues.

You're assessed in a range of ways that test your business knowledge and management skills. These could include presentations, work-related projects, group work, computer based simulations, podcasts, exams, essays, videos and business reports.

We offer variety in the way we teach: sometimes we set you problems so that you can find the answers for yourself; sometimes we lecture. Most modules use a mix of lectures and small group seminars. There's a good blend of online activities using our Virtual Learning Environment, Ultra. We invite business leaders to talk about their experiences, and we arrange visits to local businesses. All of our teaching methods facilitate your development as a self-directed learner.

You’ll be given personal support in your study – we're a friendly team of academics who are committed to helping students achieve their goals.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

We give you the opportunity to work with regional and national businesses. You’ll be working on live project briefs, helping organisations find creative solutions to their business issues.

Depending on your pathway and the modules you study, you can gain accreditation by professional bodies and get exemption from professional exams.

In addition to the business community projects, you’ll have fantastic opportunities to work closely with business and industry through placements, projects and internships.

Employers such as Logica, NHS, Liberty, Ocado, IBM, Marks and Spencer, American Express, Sky and Numatic International have recruited graduates from this course. After completing this course, graduates will be ready for roles and areas such as:

• HR manager
• Strategic HR support
• HR administrator
• Inclusivity and diversity coordinator
• Inclusivity consultant
• Learning and development specialist
• Life coach
• Business consultant
• Recruitment consultant
• Team leader.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

You'll have access to excellent facilities at our Newton Park campus and city centre studios as well as online resources. These include:

• Commons building
• Newton Park library
• Academic Skills support (ASk)
• Specialist resources and subject librarian
• Our Virtual Learning Environment
• Free access to courses via LinkedIn Learning
• Support from the English Language Unit if English isn't your first language
• The Studio in Bath

Our libraries offer a wide range of business resources, including a wealth of online material that can be accessed on- and off-campus, enabling you to work at times that suit you.