Business and Management (Human Resource Management)

We’ll help you develop as a person to achieve your potential through teaching you about human resource management and how it works. You’ll graduate with potential for employment in different businesses; this could be an organisation, the private or public sector, a charity or possibly your own business. We aim to give you the skills to apply your knowledge in a wide range of situations in any sector.

Following our human resource pathway, you’ll develop specialist skills. You’ll 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 can also bring in modules from areas outside the human resource management pathway if you want to explore issues around a particular "theme", such as sustainability or global affairs.

Year one
Gain a broad understanding of today’s business environment – from the context that organisations operate in 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 include a key module in creativity and innovation in human resource management, a compulsory module in financial accounting and a required module in human resource management.

Optional topics include: information and operations management; the marketing business; and international business. At the end of the year, you can choose to embark on a ten-month business placement or a 10-week summer placement – applying what you’ve learnt 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. You’ll also have a chance 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; and tourism: contemporary issues.

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

We offer variety in the way we teach: sometimes we will set you problems so you can find the answers for yourself, sometimes we will lecture. Most modules use a mix of lectures and small group seminars. There is a good blend of online activities using our Virtual Learning Environment, Minerva. We invite business leaders in to talk about their experience 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 are a friendly team of academics who are committed to helping students achieve their goals.

You’ll have the opportunity to study in a wide range of locations around the world. Our students have completed Erasmus+ and Exchange programs in a variety of countries including Holland, Belgium and China.

We give you the opportunity to work with regional and national businesses in and around Bath. 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.

BA (Hons) Business and Management (all pathways)

• AQUIROS Prince2 ® Project Management (Last confirmed: 2017)

PRINCE2 (an acronym for Projects in Controlled Environments) is a process-based method for effective project management. Used extensively by the UK Government, PRINCE2 is also widely recognised and used in the private sector, both in the UK and internationally. 

People Cert has officially Accredited Bath Spa University on behalf of ACQUIROS, as an Accredited Training Organization (ATO) for delivery of the PRINCE2 ® Foundation Certifications. Students who take the Level 5 Operations and Project Management will have the option of taking the AQUIROS online test to achieve the Prince2® Foundation Certificate.

• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) (Last confirmed: 2016)

The CIM is the world’s leading professional marketing body with over 28,000 members worldwide, and a Royal Charter. Our BA (Hons) Business and Management students can gain exemption from the marketing module of the CIM Level 4 Professional Certificate in Marketing.

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) (Last confirmed: 2016, Renewal date: 2022) 

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), founded in 1919, is the world’s leading and largest professional body of management accountants. Bath Business School have secured professional body recognition of the BA (Hons) Business and Management which provides graduates with exemptions from the following:

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting: 

CIMA Operational Level: 

- E1 Organisational Management 

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)/SAGE (Last confirmed: 2016)

Bath Business School has partnered with CIMA / SAGE who produce the UK's market leading accounting software, to offer a new training qualification that will offer an excellent grounding in computerised accounting. The qualification will offer benchmarked skills that will enhance employability and put control into a business.

Students who take the core Level 4 Managing Data module to have the option of taking the online test to achieve the CIMA accredited SAGE foundation certificate.  

BA (Hons) Business and Management (Festivals and Events) and BA (Hons) Business and Management (Tourism Management)

• Institute of Hospitality (IoH) (Last confirmed: 2017, Renewal date: 2022)

The IoH is an international hospitality professional membership body for managers and aspiring managers who work and study in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries. Established in 1938, the IoH helps more than 10,000 hospitality professionals in 100 countries grow their knowledge, professional profile and expertise by offering a wide range of high quality membership services.

Graduates are eligible to apply for the Associate (AIH) grade of membership, and following an assessment may also meet requirements for the member (MIH) grade.

• Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) (Last confirmed: 2017)

CABS holds a Royal Charter, and is the voice of the UK’s business and management education sector. CABS support members to maintain world-class standards of teaching and research, and help shape policy and create opportunities through dialogue with business and government.

Bath Business School are members of CABS, and the Dean of Bath Business School, Professor Georgina Andrews is the Vice Chair of CABS Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee.

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. Students have also gone into roles including Business Analyst, IT Services Analyst, Project Officer, Business Development Manager, Account Executive and Brand Planner.

You'll have access to excellent facilities on Newton Park campus. These include:

• Commons building
• Newton Park library

Our library offers a wide range of business materials. There is also a wealth of material available via electronic sources. These include Business Source Complete, Mintel, Newsbank and an increasing range of e-books. This online material can be accessed on and off campus enabling you to work at times that suit you.  

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.