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BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management

The most valuable resource in any organisation is people. This course integrates people management studies with key business disciplines such as finance, marketing, and strategy enabling you to see the bigger picture and drive value from people.

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The perfect course for a people person looking to succeed in business

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Eligible to apply for associate membership of CIPD on graduation

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3rd in the East of England for Business and Management Studies (Complete University Guide, 2024)

Course overview

The pandemic and other larger social developments have changed the world of work, including people's expectations of the employee experience.

Employees today are looking for companies that can provide them with a comprehensive value proposition that includes career growth, personal development, a sense of community as well as competitive pay and benefits.

If you love people and enjoy solving problems, you’ll thrive on this course exploring the employee experience and managing organisational processes.

Learn key business disciplines such as finance, marketing, and strategy providing a fully rounded course. Develop key transferrable skills to drive businesses in all sectors forward, by focusing on the human element of business.

Understand what it takes to run a successful business in our modern and changing world, getting to the heart of challenges such as sustainability, leadership, innovation and organisation psychology.

Explore the delights and challenges of managing people, through fun, engaging and proactive materials studying the real impact of effective management in business. Discover why understanding the human side of business gives you a competitive advantage.

Develop a personal toolkit of HR and business knowledge and skills, backed up by practical experience. All are taught by a range of experts and specialist practitioners.

Enhance your employability as you develop skills useful in all aspects of business including teamwork, communication, presenting, problem-solving, planning and mindset management

Define your own strategies for success, with a supportive team committed to helping you find your path, and assisting you by providing several learning options, one-on-one tutoring, and other resources.

Why choose this course?

As a future Human Resource (HR) professional, deepen your understanding of why people are the heart and soul of businesses, and how to recruit and retain the right workforce.

Discuss the issues facing the modern workplace, including flexible and remote working, equality, diversity and inclusion and the employee value proposition.

Explore hot topics such as employer brand, the importance of culture and how HR policies in areas such as redundancy, maternity leave and rewards support strategic decision-making.

We live in a technological age and there are several specific digital modules ensuring you are equipped to capitalise on how technology impacts business and the people within them.

Develop your professional skillset, learn how to communicate, present and work with people, build your confidence and improve your CV.

We maintain good connections with professional organisations and businesses. Come to on-campus events and meet entrepreneurs-in-residence, business ambassadors, and industry leaders. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you are encouraged to enter the ‘Flare Ignite’ annual competition with winners getting support, training and funding to help make their ideas a reality.

Recent NSS results were focused on how well-organised the programme was, as well as how the lecturers listened to students, resulting in high levels of engagement.

The course also offers flexibility, and you can move into one of our other business courses at the end of the first year.

Professional accreditations

Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD)
Our BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management degree is accredited by the highly respected Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD). You can be confident it’s giving you the high-quality skills today’s employers are looking for.

Once you graduate, you can become an associate member of the CIPD, able to access its professional networks and resources.

Your future career

94% of our students are in employment (Graduate Outcomes, 2019-20) with our game-changing course. Stand out in the people management marketplace with a well-rounded skillset backed by practical experience and assessments.

Possible roles of employment include:

  • HR manager
  • People manager
  • HR advisor
  • HR consultant
  • Recruiter
  • Employee relations officer

Join an impressive alumni network who have gone on to prestigious organisations such as Hilton, NHS, University of Hertfordshire, Roche, Amazon, Haleon, Paramount, Dunster House, Tesco and Infosys.

With a passion for people and openness to new ideas, you will graduate with enhanced professional skills, the ability to collaborate successfully, and a firm understanding of how to ensure people make a difference to the organisations you go on to.

What you'll study

There are four modules in each semester. Each module has a good mix of theoretical knowledge and useful, transferrable, skills.

Expect to be on campus for at least eight hours a week and undertake further self-study using online materials and recommended resources.

In your first year, you’ll study a range of foundational business modules including marketing, organisational behaviour and technology as well as an introduction to human resources.

In your second year, delve deeper into HR, tackling important topics such as resourcing, performance and reward. Study ways to enhance your employability as you get ready for work.

In your final year, tackle topics such as leadership, ethics and global HR management. You also undertake a business project, bringing all your learnings together in a real-world context.

There are also opportunities to further enrich your personal development through our GoHerts program, placements, internships, study-abroad and Future Success team events.

We actively support you to go out on an industry placement, study abroad or do an internship (including the latest online bite-sized digital experiences) to help you find your direction and boost your CV to secure your first graduate role.

What if I need support?

You'll benefit from an academic support team, wellbeing team and a personal tutor to help you adjust to the demands of university learning and living.

Additional support is available from our Student Success team focused on inclusive learning and our dedicated Future Success network who will help you with work experience, placements and graduate jobs.

You can also join and reach out to the Business School Student Voice community, a team of student representatives who regularly meet with staff to provide feedback and ensure teaching remains effective.

Our in-house Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE) is open to all Business School students, for extra support with academic writing, numeracy and referencing.

Optional sandwich year

At the end of your second year, you have the option to experience a year of working life with a placement, or a shorter internship, a huge CV booster!

Professional work experience is the biggest contributor to your future employability. It allows you to put your knowledge into action while learning how a business operates and making some handy professional connections.

We'll help you make the most of the experience, holding your hand from start to finish. You also get assistance with your CV, plus help preparing for interviews and presentations, at our groundbreaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.

Students have enhanced their careers with placements at a wide range of companies, including Amazon, Morgan Stanley, Nestlé,  John Sisk & Son, Eisai and SAP Ltd (UK).

You can take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your second year. Studying at one of our international partners is a huge personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.

More and more companies are now working internationally, the experience of living in another country will make a great impression on future employers. Put knowledge into action, learn how a business operates and make professional connections.

With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world really is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office advises you on your options, to help you make the most of this opportunity.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee, either to the partner university or us.

At the end of your second year, you have the option to experience a year of working life with a placement, or a shorter internship, a huge CV booster!

Professional work experience is the biggest contributor to your future employability. It allows you to put your knowledge into action while learning how a business operates and making some handy professional connections.

We'll help you make the most of the experience, holding your hand from start to finish. You also get assistance with your CV, plus help preparing for interviews and presentations, at our groundbreaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.

Students have enhanced their careers with placements at a wide range of companies, including Amazon, Morgan Stanley, Nestlé,  John Sisk & Son, Eisai and SAP Ltd (UK).

Find out more about work placements

You can take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your second year. Studying at one of our international partners is a huge personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.

More and more companies are now working internationally, the experience of living in another country will make a great impression on future employers. Put knowledge into action, learn how a business operates and make professional connections.

With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world really is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office advises you on your options, to help you make the most of this opportunity.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee, either to the partner university or us.

Find out more about study abroad options

Where you'll study

You'll be taught on our modern de Havilland Campus, with our 24/7 Learning Resources Centre, offering open and private study spaces. You also get online self-study materials to further support you.

There are dining options, a bar, and a recreational space on campus where you can shoot some pool or play video games. It also houses Hertfordshire Sports Village, featuring a gym, swimming pool, coffee shop and climbing wall.

Discover the Enterprise Hub, a vibrant destination where local firms and students work and learn in comfort.

The Student Union bar and additional facilities are only a 20 minute walk (or short bus ride) away at our second campus, on College Lane. Student housing is available at both campuses.

A train to central London takes just over 20 minutes, and you are also conveniently located on the A1(M) with access to the road network, making travel quick and convenient.

Who you'll learn from

Your enthusiastic teaching team, many of whom have first-hand industry experience and run their own consultancy practices, will guide and support you to develop practical skills and comprehensive knowledge.

Your teaching team is led by a Student Choice Awards winner with a keen interest in Female Leadership and an impressive commercial track record.

You will benefit from the knowledge of business-focused and qualified HR professionals, coaches and organisational development experts.

Researchers' interests include applying technology to address problems in key aspects of human resource management such as wellbeing, diversity and environmental management, social inclusion, organisational behaviour and the impact of policies and practices on employees' work.

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

Typical offer (UCAS points)112–120
Typical A Level offerBBC–BCC
Typical BTEC offerDMM–DDM
GCSEGrade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
Additional informationFind out more about our Undergraduate Entry Requirements.

English language

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

Additional information

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Typical offer (UCAS points)112–120
Typical A Level offerBBC–BBB
Typical IB offer112–120
Typical BTEC offerDMM–DDM
GCSEGrade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
Access courses112–120
Additional informationFind out more about our Undergraduate Entry Requirements.

English language

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

Additional information

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Ready to apply?

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
Start date Study typeApply
September 2023 Full time Apply via UCAS
Full time with placement year Apply via UCAS
Full time with study abroad year Apply via UCAS
Part time Apply with Herts
September 2024 Full time Apply via UCAS
Full time with placement year Apply via UCAS
Full time with study abroad year Apply via UCAS
Part time Apply with Herts

International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Fees and funding

At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.

 Study typeFees
UK studentsFull time£9,250 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time£1,155 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU studentsFull time£15,500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time£1,940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
International studentsFull time£15,500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time£1,940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year

Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

Scholarships, grants  and bursaries

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies.

Disabled Students' Allowance

The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.

Student loans

Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments.

Accommodation costs

We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

Additional course fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet.

More about the course

Course fact sheets
BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management Download PDF
Programme specifications
BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management Download PDF
Additional information

Applications open to international and EU students

Yes

Course length

Full Time, 3 Years Part Time, 6 Years Sandwich, 4 Years

Not ready to apply?