About the course
Models of work are constantly evolving, but one thing does not change: people still need to be recruited, trained, motivated and paid to meet an organisation's requirements. If your interests lie in effective people management, this innovative course puts you on the right path.
This degree examines the key issues around production and the role of human resources in helping an organisation to achieve a competitive advantage. It examines at HR functions such as hiring, compensation, performance, safety, wellness, benefits, motivation and training. We aim to provide you with tools that will develop your skills and knowledge, and prepare you for the real world of work.
You begin your journey with a thorough grounding in business before exploring the many aspects of human resource management (HRM): professional practice; leadership and motivation; creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; business systems including international business; selection and recruitment; employee relations; and employment law.
Learn from expert tutors as you carry out practical projects that emulate working as a professional manager, and develop your practical experience with an optional year’s paid work placement in a HRM role.
In your final year, study strategic HRM, examining real firms with a view to solving people problems, and carry out an independent research project.
Why choose this course?
- Develop your understanding of how HRM works with other business disciplines, knowledge that will enable you to fit into numerous types of organisation in the future - private, public or not-for-profit
- Learn from experts in their field with practical business experience, active within the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and in both consultancy and research
- Challenge yourself with an optional sandwich year placement after your second year, offering the opportunity to turn theory into practice; work on real projects; build your CV; make contacts for the future; and fully understand the role of human resource personnel
- Equip yourself with a range of subject-specific and transferable skills suited to a career in specialist human management roles or professional business and management environments, both national and international
- On successful completion, you should have the skills to be a highly effective, creative human resource manager, operating in today’s changing business environments
“The University has offered me numerous opportunities to develop my skills and expand my network, and has constantly pushed me outside of my comfort zone, helping me become a real HR professional. My lecturers have always been supportive and understanding, and put great effort into communicating with us. All in all, these have been the most important three years of my life!”
Stefania-Alexandrea Tudorascu
BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management
Units
- Academic And Professional Skills For Business (BSS001-1) Compulsory
- Human Resource Management Foundations (SHR007-1) Compulsory
- Employment Relations, Reward And Law (SHR014-2) Compulsory
- Innovative Practice In Hrm And Hrd (SHR015-2) Compulsory
- People Resourcing And Development (SHR016-2) Compulsory
- Practice Weeks: Career Planning (BSS008-2) Compulsory
- Project Management (BSS011-2) Compulsory
- Research Skills (BSS010-2) Compulsory
- Strategic Thinking (BSS015-2) Compulsory
- The Strategic Context Of Human Resource Management (SHR017-2) Compulsory
- Business Practice Portfolio (BSS021-3) Compulsory
- Developing Professional Human Resource Management Practice (SHR011-3) Compulsory
- Dissertation In Human Resource Management (SHR012-3) Compulsory
- Practice Weeks: The Future You (BSS023-3) Compulsory
- Specialist Project In Human Resource Management (SHR015-3) Compulsory
- Strategy And Creativity (BSS040-3) Compulsory
In line with the Business School's commitment to practice-based education, a large part of the assessment will relate to your demonstration of your ability to do HRM in practice. We will want to see that you understand the theory and have developed critical thinking skills which help you evaluate the relevance of what you have learned. All of this comes together in being able to demonstrate rigorous human resources practice for an organisation.
To assess this range of integration of theory and skills into sound practice, we use a range of methods. You will encounter many different kinds, including the ones listed below, some of which are used in combination, for example a report might be required as an outcome of a time-limited assessment task. - Reports: you analyse a business problem and propose solutions. - Presentations: present proposals as if to your boss, a board or a client. - Time-limited tasks: on a set day, you will be given a task which you will need to complete in a set time, such as 48 hours or five days. - Academic writing: used to demonstrate clear, critical thinking, you might be asked to write an essay or a short summary of a theoretical debate. - Appraisals: just as in business, you use appraisals to assess your own learning and to set your personal and academic development objectives. - Projects: these are assessed in a number of ways depending on the task defined by our business partner.
Typically, you will need to prepare an analysis, report or presentation which is suitable for the business partner and a longer piece of work which sets out the -behind the scenes' work which underpinned the output for business. It is in the longer work that we expect to see explicitly your application of theory and critical thinking which underpin good HRM practice. You will usually also prepare a project review. - Project reviews: you analyse and evaluate the way you worked on a project and set out how you would work more effectively on a similar task in future. - Exams: as well as conventional exams using set questions and case studies, exams can be the outcome of a group task.
You might work on a large task together and then sit an exam to show your individual learning from the task. - Portfolio: you will plan and record your CPD activities using the CIPDs HR Profession Map as a guide to the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to develop to be ready to work in HR. For all assignments you will have an assignment brief which clearly sets out what is required and you will be given the criteria which your tutors will use to mark your work. All units have a form of non-graded formative assessment which feeds into the summative methods of assessment; this may come directly from tutors or from your peers and self-assessment. You will receive feedback on all your assessments. If you use this feedback, you will be able to improve your learning and your grades on future assignments.
Reasons to study in the Bedfordshire Business School
- A BSIS school - Business School Impact System
- Holder of the Bronze Award among 21 Business Schools in the country for start-up and business growth advice
- CIPD approved
- Professional body exemptions, ACCA, AIA
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
You will be equipped for starting a career as a HR professional, with all the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running in a HR practitioner role within a variety of organisational contexts. Equally, your skills would enable you to excel in a range of more generalist people-management roles.
A human resource management (HRM) degree can be applied to almost any organisation in any sector. It is a versatile qualification for dealing with hiring, training, development and general people skills
Careers directly related to your degree include:
- Human resources officer
- Office manager
- Occupational psychologist
- Training and development officer
Careers where your degree would be useful include:
- Business adviser
- Careers adviser
- Data scientist
- Higher education lecturer
- Life coach
- Management consultant
- Mediator
- Operational researcher
- Recruitment consultant
- Risk manager
- Sales executive
- Talent agent
- Trade union research officer
The careers listed here are for information and guidance purposes only. Many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject. By completing your degree, you have demonstrated skills which are transferable to a range of careers.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra Costs
The Business School facilities
We believe that our estate impacts how our students learn and engage. To support this belief we have invested heavily in our facilities to shape the physical and intellectual environment of learning.
Business Pods
Our specially created teaching spaces are designed like modern offices rather than a traditional classroom, including brain storming and boardroom areas, an IT suite and a social area.
Moot Court
Our Moot Court was opened in October 2009 after extensive refurbishment work and the installation of the latest electronic equipment. Reserved exclusively for use by law staff and students, the room routinely hosts lectures and seminars, and is designed to enable communication and group work in class.
Reuters Finance Room
The Thomson Reuters Eikon facility provides trading information for all listed companies around the world. It gathers the essential news, data, analytics, commentary and insights in one place.
Here we use it in making case studies on companies and for building students' portfolio of investment.
Luton Campus Library
The modern library at the Luton campus has everything you would expect from a world-class university – and more.
Opened in summer 2016, its seven storeys building is a landmark for the Luton campus, offering students silent-study rooms, group-work areas, presentation-practice rooms and a café.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
