Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)

What makes Business and Human Resource Management at Worcester special?

Prepare to move into a career in business human resource management and development, recruitment & selection, or general management. Our Human Resources degree gives you access to our network of specialist academic staff, practitioners and business leaders. You'll also be able to become an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

You'll gain subject expertise in human resource (HR) management, alongside a grounding in contemporary business issues (such as change management, talent development, globalisation, workforce diversity, the gig economy and ethical leadership). You'll be able to demonstrate your business knowledge and management skills through active experience, such as applied projects, placements, internships and study abroad. This active experience will show that you are a capable, people-oriented and commercially-focused graduate with a broad range of skills that are valued by employers.

Overview

Key features

Gain Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and Chartered Management Institute – there will be a charge for membership of the professional bodies
Work with HR specialists and academics who have extensive experience in management and consultancy
Enhance your employability through internships, consultancy projects, a one-year paid placement and coaching
Experience international cultures and develop a global mindset through options to work and study abroad

Accreditation

This course has been mapped for dual accreditation with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Upon successful completion of specific modules and your course, you will be awarded a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership, in addition to your degree. During your studies, you will also benefit from associate membership to the CMI (at no extra cost), inclusive of an interactive induction session hosted by the CMI, as well as access to the CMI's digital library, resources, and employability skills audit.

“Research has indicated that with a CMI Dual Accredited Degree, graduates have the key skills required by 97% of employers. CMI Dual Accreditation also offers a 7%-point employability boost 15 months after graduation, with earnings on average 8% more than non-accredited graduates”.

City Campus home of Worcester Business School

Accommodation building with grass in front

Register your interest

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Sabina Zikmundová

“I chose Worcester because I really liked the size of the University and the town, as well as a combination of study areas I was interested in: Business,” she said. “In particular, I’m proud of completing one semester in Belgium via the Erasmus program, as well as my placement year in HR at Airbus, a world leader in aviation manufacturing.”

“In the long term, I aspire to combine psychology and education within the workplace so I’d like to gain some more experience from a teaching environment whilst travelling and enjoying the freedom I have.

“Perhaps one day I could settle down with a people-centric job within the Learning & Development field where all my passions for travelling, psychology, education and business will be met.”

"I feel very lucky to have had so many truly inspirational lecturers. I hope that they know how truly appreciated they are."

Danielle Lightbourn, Business and Human Resource Management graduate, originally from Bermuda.

Entry requirements

112

UCAS tariff points

Entry requirements

112 UCAS tariff points (for example, BBC at A Level), plus GCSE English and Maths at Grade C / 4 or above.

Applicants with no formal qualifications may be considered for Mature Student Entry Routes.

T Levels may be used to meet the entry tariff requirements for this course. Find out more about T levels as UCAS tariff points here.

Other information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from the UCAS website.

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

Year 1	Mandatory Fundamentals of Personal Development Customer Insight and Marketing Financial Management Generation Digital Introduction to Business Management	Optional Data Driven Decisions Optional modules offered by the Centre for Academic English and Skills
Year 2	Mandatory Creating a High Performance Workforce Management in Organisational Contexts Leadership Theory & Practice Developing Employee Talent	Optional Integrated Marketing Communications Life-Style Marketing Market Insight Essential PR PR & Campaigning Value Chain Management Fundamentals of Management Accounting Fundamentals of Financial Accounting Financial Markets and Investments The Global Economy: Institutions, Trade, and FDI Micro Economics Macro Economics Managing Successful Projects Selling & Sales Management Responsible Business Digital Content Systems and Ecommerce Social Commerce Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset New Venture Formation Consultancy and Research Methods Optional modules offered by the the Centre for Academic English and Skills/Institute of Education
Optional Placement Year or Year Abroad	Virtually all of our full-time Single Honours degrees in Business or Computing, you have the option to convert your degree to a 4-year sandwich degree by opting for a placement year or third year abroad between your second and final year. You will be able to apply to spend your placement year at an organisation of your choice, in the UK or abroad (subject to any visa restrictions). If you wish to undertake a third year abroad, you have the option to study at one of our partner universities in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, or the USA (subject to any visa restrictions). To find out more about where you can study and the bursaries and travel grants available to support you, please visit our Study Abroad pages.	Optional Work Placement Overseas Work Placement Third Year Abroad
Year 3	Mandatory International Business Strategy Strategic Challenges for HRM	Optional Digital & Social Media Marketing Brand Management International Marketing Customer Relationship Management Spin Doctors, Lobbyists and Other Influencers Advertising and Digital Communications Strategic Financial Management International Banking and Finance Taxation Applied Economics The Dark Side of Management Rethinking Organisational Value Intercultural Business Perspectives Digital Business The Next Big Thing Business Intelligence and Analysis Research Project Consultancy Project Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Intrapreneurship

Year 1

Mandatory

Fundamentals of Personal Development
Customer Insight and Marketing
Financial Management
Generation Digital
Introduction to Business Management

Optional

Data Driven Decisions
Optional modules offered by the Centre for Academic English and Skills

Year 2

Mandatory

Creating a High Performance Workforce
Management in Organisational Contexts
Leadership Theory & Practice
Developing Employee Talent

Optional

Integrated Marketing Communications
Life-Style Marketing
Market Insight
Essential PR
PR & Campaigning
Value Chain Management
Fundamentals of Management Accounting
Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
Financial Markets and Investments
The Global Economy: Institutions, Trade, and FDI
Micro Economics
Macro Economics
Managing Successful Projects
Selling & Sales Management
Responsible Business
Digital Content Systems and Ecommerce
Social Commerce
Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset
New Venture Formation
Consultancy and Research Methods
Optional modules offered by the the Centre for Academic English and Skills/Institute of Education

Optional Placement Year or Year Abroad

Virtually all of our full-time Single Honours degrees in Business or Computing, you have the option to convert your degree to a 4-year sandwich degree by opting for a placement year or third year abroad between your second and final year.

You will be able to apply to spend your placement year at an organisation of your choice, in the UK or abroad (subject to any visa restrictions).

If you wish to undertake a third year abroad, you have the option to study at one of our partner universities in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, or the USA (subject to any visa restrictions). To find out more about where you can study and the bursaries and travel grants available to support you, please visit our Study Abroad pages.

Optional

Work Placement
Overseas Work Placement
Third Year Abroad

Year 3

Mandatory

International Business Strategy
Strategic Challenges for HRM

Optional

Digital & Social Media Marketing
Brand Management
International Marketing
Customer Relationship Management
Spin Doctors, Lobbyists and Other Influencers
Advertising and Digital Communications
Strategic Financial Management
International Banking and Finance
Taxation
Applied Economics
The Dark Side of Management
Rethinking Organisational Value
Intercultural Business Perspectives
Digital Business
The Next Big Thing
Business Intelligence and Analysis
Research Project
Consultancy Project
Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Intrapreneurship

Teaching and assessment

The University places emphasis on enabling you to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching, academic support through integrated coaching and the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures, seminars, laboratory practical sessions, fieldwork, practical activities, etc. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures, and laboratory practical sessions are focused on developing subject specific skills and applied individual and group project work.

In addition, meetings (both individual and group) with personal academic tutors are scheduled throughout the academic year. There is an opportunity to undertake a year-long placement in the third year of the course, supervised by a work-based mentor and a University tutor. Depending upon the course, there may be an opportunity to study abroad at one of the exchange partner universities.

Contact time

In a typical week there will be at least 12 hours of timetabled teaching in lectures, seminars and small-group work. The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected. If the degree requires a Research or Consultancy Project, students will have guided supervision time with a Project Supervisor.

Typically class contact time will be structured around:

Information giving, facilitated discussions, small group work, presentations
Practical skills – the opportunity to practise group facilitation, presentation, communication and listening skills
Visiting speakers and opportunities to visit other settings are regular features of the course

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, full-time students are expected to undertake around 24 hours of personal self-study per week, plus additional preparation for assessments and examinations. Typically, this will involve meeting with individual tutors to discuss progress and feedback, completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and online. In addition to this, students will spend time sharing ideas with fellow students, taking part in extra-curricular learning activities and engaging with external employers.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources as well as our network of employers and entrepreneurs.

Assessment

The precise assessment requirements in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken. The assessment strategy has been designed so that:

All modules have both formative and summative assessment elements. Formative assessment allows tutors and students to recognise strengths and weaknesses in learning and to address those issues immediately. Summative assessments are graded and count towards the final module grade, and they are assessed against the specific module learning outcomes
Typically 15 credit/ one semester modules will have one assessment item; 30 credit/ two semester modules will have 2-3 assessments
Across each individual year and cumulatively across all three years the concept of continuous assessment and/or building up expertise in different assessment types applies. A variety of assessment types (reports, portfolios, presentations, essays and a final year research or consultancy project) are designed to suit different learning styles
There may be some specialisation by subject: e.g. exams are more common in Accounting, Finance and Economics modules because the professional bodies prefer this method of assessment for exemption/accreditation purposes and many of our modules are linked to those bodies in order to obtain such exemption/accreditation
Different types of employability skills are embedded in all modules

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal coursework assessments. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader.

Feedback is intended to support learning by indicating how you can improve in future assignments and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors to help support personal and academic development and enhance employability skills.

Feedback on formal course work assessments is normally provided within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience and business leaders and employers.

Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, and many lectures are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. Teaching is informed by the research and consultancy work carried out by staff and staff profiles can be viewed at the WBS Staff Profile Page.

Professor Lynn Nichol

Lynn is Professor of Human Resource Development at Worcester Business School and Staff Researcher Development Lead for the University of Worcester. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a recognised Research Supervisor by the UK Council for Graduate Education. She has supervised nine PhDs, one DBA and one MRes to completion.

Dr Catharine Ross

Catharine teaches subjects related to people management and ethics in the Business School. Catharine has a particular interest in teaching and research concerning diversity in the workplace. She is currently involved in research on trade unions; men in female-dominated occupations; and management learning.

Catharine is the diversity coordinator for the business school and also research degrees coordinator.

Dr Barbara Menara

Barbara is Senior lecturer in HRM and Organisational Behaviour and holds a PhD in Applied Social and Economic Research (University of Essex). She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with over 10-years teaching and research experience at different UK universities.

Careers

Employability

Benefit from integrated career coaching throughout your Human Resource Management degree, where we will support you with the preparation of your CV and interview technique
Develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to make an immediate impact in your chosen organisation
Develop strategic insight in your chosen specialism so that you can deliver long term value for your chosen organisation
Gain professional body accreditation, exemptions and recognition
Create a portfolio of direct experience through a one-year paid placement, internships, consultancy projects and company visits
Develop your own business idea through our start-up support and access to our network of business mentors
Build your own professional network in business human resources
Learn a foreign language and experience international cultures through opportunities to work and study abroad

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees	UK and EU students The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year. For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.	International students The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year. For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
Part-time tuition fees	UK and EU students The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £1,190.83 per 15-credit module, £1,587.77 per 20-credit module, £2,381.66 per 30-credit module, £3,175.55 per 40-credit module, £3,572.50 per 45-credit module and £4,763.32 per 60 credit module. For more details on course pages, please visit our course fees page.
Additional costs	Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses. If you decide to take up the optional placement year accommodation and travel costs may be incurred dependent on location of placement. As placements are paid by the employer, these costs can be covered by the student's wage. During this year you will pay 10% of normal academic fees to the University. You are provided with a placement tutor, and have access to the advice of the full placement team, as well as all University student support and services. You may need to pay for a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check for your placement. There are also occasional trips which may require you to incur travel costs. There will be a charge for membership of the professional bodies.
Accommodation	Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study. We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £131 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £228 per week (2025/26 prices). For full details visit our accommodation page.

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year.

For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.

For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £1,190.83 per 15-credit module, £1,587.77 per 20-credit module, £2,381.66 per 30-credit module, £3,175.55 per 40-credit module, £3,572.50 per 45-credit module and £4,763.32 per 60 credit module.

For more details on course pages, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If you decide to take up the optional placement year accommodation and travel costs may be incurred dependent on location of placement. As placements are paid by the employer, these costs can be covered by the student's wage. During this year you will pay 10% of normal academic fees to the University. You are provided with a placement tutor, and have access to the advice of the full placement team, as well as all University student support and services. You may need to pay for a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check for your placement.

There are also occasional trips which may require you to incur travel costs.

There will be a charge for membership of the professional bodies.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £131 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £228 per week (2025/26 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

How to apply

Applying through UCAS

Business & Human Resource Management BA (Hons) – N1N6
Business & Human Resource Management BA (Hons) – With Placement Year – NN16

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

UCAS code N1N6

Apply for BUSINESS & HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT via UCAS

UCAS code NN16

Apply for BUSINESS & HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (PLACEMENT YEAR) via UCAS

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Admissions Office

admissions@worc.ac.uk

01905 855111

Isabel Clarke

Admissions tutor

i.clarke@worc.ac.uk

01905 542837

Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)

What makes Business and Human Resource Management at Worcester special?

Overview

Key features

Accreditation

City Campus home of Worcester Business School

Register your interest

Sabina Zikmundová

Virtual Taster Event and Q&A

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Other information

Book your place at an Open Day

Course content

Year 1

Mandatory

Optional

Year 2

Mandatory

Optional

Optional Placement Year or Year Abroad

Optional

Year 3

Mandatory

Optional

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Contact time

Independent self-study

Assessment

Feedback

Programme specification

Meet the team

Professor Lynn Nichol

Dr Catharine Ross

Dr Barbara Menara

Careers

Employability

Careers and Employability

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

International students

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

Additional costs

Accommodation

How to apply

Applying through UCAS

Get in touch

Admissions Office

Isabel Clarke

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