Business Management (Human Resource Management) (BSc)
Our practice-focused programme equips you with specialist tools and techniques to make a difference in your HR career.
Course overview
Effective, enthusiastic and empathetic HR professionals are central to the success of contemporary organisations. So you’ll be in high demand for roles in the public, private and third sectors with competitive salaries and excellent prospects for career progression.
This means you’ll be in high demand for roles in the public, private and third sectors with competitive salaries and excellent prospects for career progression.
Our BSc Business Management (Human Resource Management) focuses on organisations of all kinds from multinational corporations to social enterprises and charities. This holistic approach ensures you develop the skills to respond to the evolving needs of all businesses, irrespective of sector.
You’ll develop people management expertise from our team of international researchers and HR practitioners. They’ll introduce you to roles and relations in employment and the practices of managing people in multicultural organisations, strategy, analysis and effecting change.
With their support, you’ll build a skill set to respond to contemporary issues in work and employment, while preparing to launch your HR career or pursue further postgraduate study and research.
Distinctive features
- The opportunity to study in a School that was ranked 6th in the UK for research quality and joint 1st for research environment in the 2014 Research Excellent Framework (REF).
- The involvement of research-active staff in teaching.
- An emphasis on independent learning in a research-led environment.
- A wide variety of modules available in a School committed to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship.
- Progression through core and specialist option modules.
- The opportunity to study abroad with or without a language component.
Accreditations
| UCAS code | NN26 |
|---|---|
| Next intake | September 2020 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Mode | Full time |
| Typical places available | The school typically has 425 places available. |
| Typical applications received | The school typically receives 2850 applications. |
Contact
Ask a questionEntry requirements
AAB-ABB. Please note, General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies will not be accepted.
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
DDD-DDM in Business
IB 34-32, or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.
Alternative qualifications may be accepted. For further information on entry requirements, see the Cardiff Business School admissions criteria pages.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-score.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
62 with a minimum of 51 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
GCSE Maths grade B or 6. GCSE English Language Grade C or 4.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2020/21)
Please see our fee amounts page for the latest information.
Students from outside the EU (2020/21)
Please see our fee amounts page for the latest information.
Additional costs
There are no additional costs
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
This is a three-year full-time programme, consisting 120 credits a year. All Students, regardless of route, take a common Year 1, which does not count towards the final degree classification. At the end of Year 1, you have the option to either stay with the BSc Business Management (Human Resource Management) degree or to move to one of the other Business Management programmes if you have developed an interest in another area.
In Years 2 and 3, compulsory modules are determined by the choice of route but you also choose optional modules from an approved list enabling you to further tailor the degree to your interests.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2020/21 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2020.
Year one
You will study seven compulsory modules in your first year which provide a solid grounding the disciplines necessary for a Business Management graduate. All students on the Business Management programmes pursue the same first year modules which provide a common basis from which the specialised routes develop in the second and final years and allow you to experience a range of different subject specialisms prior to entering your second year.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Society and Economy | BS1001 | 20 credits |
| Operations Management | BS1002 | 10 credits |
| Introduction to Accounting | BS1503 | 20 credits |
| Management: Theory and Evidence | BS1511 | 20 credits |
| Marketing | BS1528 | 20 credits |
| People in Organisations | BS1529 | 20 credits |
| Technology and the Digital Age | BS1532 | 10 credits |
Year two
In Year two you will take five compulsory double modules and either one double module or two single modules from the optional list.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Challenges in Managing and Leading Organizations | BS2002 | 20 credits |
| Performance and Financial Management | BS2517 | 20 credits |
| Employment Relations | BS2534 | 20 credits |
| Marketing and Strategy | BS2540 | 20 credits |
| Managing People | BS2542 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Purchasing and Supply Management | BS2001 | 20 credits |
| Excellence in Managing Operations | BS2003 | 20 credits |
| Logistics Networks | BS2004 | 10 credits |
| Project Management | BS2005 | 10 credits |
| Inferential Statistics, Statistical Modelling and Survey Methods | BS2506 | 20 credits |
| Business, Government and Society | BS2518 | 20 credits |
| Marketing and Society | BS2519 | 20 credits |
| Employment Relations | BS2534 | 20 credits |
| Buyer Behaviour | BS2535 | 20 credits |
| International Management | BS2537 | 20 credits |
| Marketing Research | BS2539 | 20 credits |
Year three
In the final year you will undertake two core double modules. The remainder of the programme is made up of optional modules (either double or single) at least half of which you will be required to select from the group of Human Resource Management modules. This gives you a degree of flexibility and allows you to tailor your studies to your interests.
A range of optional modules are offered each year but the specific modules on offer may change from year to year to allow the programme to remain up to date and relevant to current issues in business and management.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Issues in Work and Employment | BS3001 | 20 credits |
| Strategic Management | BS3543 | 20 credits |
| Organisational Analysis and Change | BS3735 | 20 credits |
| International Human Resource Management | BS3740 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Management Systems | BS3002 | 20 credits |
| Entrepreneurship and Business Start-Ups | BS3003 | 20 credits |
| Digital Marketing | BS3012 | 10 credits |
| Exploratory Data Analysis | BS3519 | 10 credits |
| Corporate Reporting and Finance | BS3593 | 20 credits |
| European Business Environment | BS3594 | 20 credits |
| Modelling in Management Science | BS3619 | 10 credits |
| Advertising and Marketing Communications Management | BS3725 | 20 credits |
| Ethics and Morality of Business | BS3728 | 20 credits |
| Advanced Operations Management | BS3739 | 20 credits |
| Services Marketing | BS3746 | 20 credits |
| Cultural Marketing | BS3747 | 10 credits |
| Business Design | BS3748 | 10 credits |
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
Our teaching is heavily informed by research and combines academic rigour with practical relevance. Internationally recognised faculty, who are at the forefront of knowledge within their field, bring the lessons learned from their most recent research into the classroom, giving you access to critical business thinking and contemporary real life examples and scenarios.
We will provide your teaching and learning resources, and will be responsive to your needs and views. For your part, you will need to put in the necessary amount of work both during and outside formal teaching sessions, and make good use of the facilities provided.
Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and small group teaching (called classes, seminars, workshops or tutorials).
Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop your own ideas. Seminars provide an opportunity for you to explore the ideas outlined in the lectures. Seminars may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small-group work and student-led presentations.
Year 1
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
22%
Guided independent study
78%
Placements
0%
Year 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
23%
Guided independent study
77%
Placements
0%
Year 3
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
23%
Guided independent study
78%
Placements
0%
How will I be supported?
You will be allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of your studies. Normally, your personal tutor will teach on your own degree course and you will keep the same personal tutor throughout your course.
Your personal tutor will be able to give you advice on academic issues, including module choice and assessment. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your personal tutor should always be your first point of contact; they will be able to put you in touch with the wide range of expert student support services provided by the University and the Students' Union as appropriate. You are required to meet with your personal tutor three points during each academic year but you are also encouraged to get in touch with them at any other point if you need help or advice.
For day-to-day information, the staff of our Undergraduate Student Hub are available, in person, by telephone or by email, from 8am to 6pm each weekday during term time to answer your questions.
You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.
The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment methods vary from module to module but, across your degree scheme as a whole, you can expect a mixture of exams, coursework, essays, practical work, presentations, and individual and group projects.
Feedback
We will provide you with regular feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback, personalised feedback on written work, and generic written feedback.
You will be given general feedback following each examination period and will be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor.
Assessment methods (2017/18 data)
Year 1
Written exams
90%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
10%
Year 2
Written exams
68%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
32%
Year 3
Written exams
60%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
40%
What skills will I practise and develop?
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Understanding of the internal aspects of the structure, governance, functions and processes of organisations.
- An appreciation of the dynamic interaction between organisations and the social and economic business environment within which they operate.
- Knowledge of various processes, procedures and practices for the effective and responsible management of organisations.
- An appreciation of the importance to organisations of understanding and managing their markets.
- Understanding of how people interact within organisations and how they can be led, managed and developed.
- Knowledge of different systems and processes for the effective management of operations within and between organisations.
- Awareness of appropriate policies and strategies to meet stakeholder interests, manage risk and maximise achievement of strategic objectives.
- An appreciation of how organisations can create social as well as economic improvement.
- An appreciation of the factors that influence the management of people at work.
- Understanding of policy making in Human Resource Management and the factors that need to be considered in designing work and organisational systems.
- Knowledge of Human Resource processes including methods of resourcing, development, reward, and employee involvement.
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Critical capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesise information.
- Ability to solve problems.
- Competence in exhibiting balanced and informed critical arguments.
- Capability to apply relevant theories and approaches to practice.
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Skills in People Management.
- An ability to use research to take an evidence-based approach to management.
- Commercial acumen.
- Innovation, creativity and enterprise.
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Effective self-management and a propensity for personal development.
- An ability to communicate effectively through a variety of media, and to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- A capacity to exercise co-operation skills and work effectively with others
Careers and placements
Career prospects
Our business degrees give students a broad range of skills which are valued by a range of employers in the private and public sectors. In 2016/17, 97% of our graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduation.
In addition to the central University Careers Service, you will benefit from a dedicated on-site Careers and Placements service to help you find internships, job opportunities and to access business-industry specific advice, training and guidance.
Jobs
- Accountant
- Business Analyst
- Economist
- HR Manager
- Lecturer
- Marketing Executive
- Production Manager
- Stockbroker
Placements
We recognise the importance of gaining work experience during your studies. Our dedicated Placement Manager offers advice on available work placements, internships, work experience and opportunities to enhance your CV and broaden your horizons. Support with job applications and interview techniques is also available from our in-house Careers Consultant.
On the BSc Business Management (Human Resource Management) programme there is the opportunity to undertake a year-long placement. If you decide you would like to take up this opportunity you can either apply for the four-year BSc Business Management (Human Resource Management) with a Professional Placement Year programme or transfer onto it at any time up until the end of your second year of study. The placement is undertaken in the third year of the four-year degree programme.
International Study
The programme provides the opportunity to spend a year of study abroad during year 3. We have exchange agreements with high ranking Business Schools and universities worldwide where you will study modules taught and assessed in English at the partner university. A list of partner institutions, all of which offer modules taught in English, can be found on our website.
Our Exchange team and the University Global Opportunity Centre work closely with you in preparation for and during your studies abroad.”
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