Plymouth Business School

BA (Hons) Human Resource Management

UCAS course code N604
Institution code P60
Duration 1 year
Course type Full-time
Location Plymouth
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Apply via UCASo

This course enables you to gain an in-depth practical understanding of the role of human resource management (HRM) in today's businesses, which sets you apart in the world of graduate employment. The course involves extensive involvement from guest speakers, as well as a range of practical activities, role play and case studies, enabling you to apply your knowledge of HR to real-life scenarios.

You’ll be taught by staff that have a considerable depth of human resource management experience from large employers such as the NHS and have undertaken research for professional bodies such as CIPD and ACAS. You will also be supported in your study by subject tutors and receive individual support for your academic and personal development from your personal tutor. You will acquire improved competences that will significantly enhance your employability in an HR role.

Human Resource Management

Careers with this subject
Undertaking a degree in human resource management will deepen your understanding around recruiting, motivating, enhancing and supporting people within the context of the workplace. You will develop a number of skills attractive to potential employers including: effective communication and interpersonal skills, time management, research and analytical skills and an awareness and sensitivity to the diversity of people and cultures.What can you do with a human resource management degree? 


Real experience every step of the way


As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity.
We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month.
We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.



Careers service


The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.
Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.
We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.
Discover our careers service

Key features
  • Benefit from the extensive use of guest speakers. This enhances the practitioner and practical focus elements of the programme and brings an added dimension of current practice and organisational issues directly to the classroom.
  • Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and graduate with Associate Membership of the CIPD. We place significant emphasis on the employability and skills development in the area of human resource management to help students develop as a professional.
  • Our staff underpin their teaching with a range of scholarly activities and work based professional practice and consultancy. Staff have undertaken research for the CIPD, ACAS and large employers providing students with an excellent quality of teaching and awareness of current issues in organisations. 
  • Undertake a range of practical activities to enhance the application of your learning to HR and managerial roles in an organisational context; this will include role play and case study activities. Evaluate actions and performance to enhance self-management, and devise plans to enhance personal and career development.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • This course enables you to gain an in-depth practical understanding of the role of human resource management (HRM) in today's business environment, which sets you apart in the world of graduate employment. The course comprises extensive involvement from guest speakers, as well as a range of practical activities, role play and case studies, enabling you to apply your knowledge of HR to real-life scenarios.

    Core modules

    • Contemporary HRM (HRL6002)

      In this module, you will focus on exploring the management of human resources in modern organisations operating in complex environments.

    • Human Resource Management in a Global Context (HRL6003)

      This module introduces you to the consequences of globalisation for workers and how they are managed, the particular people management issues confronted by multinational corporations (MNCs) and the human resource management systems adopted in different national contexts.

    • Equality and Diversity in the Modern Organisation (HRL6007)

      This module will provide you with a broad understanding of equality and diversity in the workplace. You will consider the paradigms underpinning regulation and voluntarism, organisational equality and diversity at the levels of strategy and operational practice, and how group and individual identities are constructed in the workplace.

    • Researching for Business (STO6008)

      This module will empower you to understand the practical relevance of research methods for managing businesses by bringing the theory, philosophy and techniques of research to life. It will provide you with a comprehensive overview of research approaches in business to use when planning or undertaking a qualitative and/or quantitative research report.

    • Employment Relations and Employment Law (HRL6011)

      In this module, you will explore and evaluate the organisational approaches, practices and tools to manage and enhance the employment relationship to create better working lives. You will develop your understanding of employment law and the benefits and constraints imposed by legal regulation. You will also investigate the significant impact effective management of the employment relationship can have on organisational performance.

    Optional modules

    • Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Final Year Students (DEAS300)

      This module focuses on the study skills required for the study of business in UK HE for international direct entry final year students, it provides generic skills for students who are new to UK HE, such as information literacy, criticality, different types of assessment, assignment briefs, preparation and planning, and marking rubrics.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA Human Resource Management top up Programme Specification Sep22 7069

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements
Applicants should possess a commensurate Level 5 business qualification and satisfy Plymouth Business School IELTS requirements which are IELTS of 6.0 or equivalent English qualification (with a minimum of 5.5 in listening, reading, speaking and writing). Applicants with IELTS of 5.5 or 5.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) may also be offered a place subject to satisfactory completion of an eight or twelve week English language summer school at Plymouth University.
Applicants with other equivalent qualifications will be considered on their merits.
University procedures and policies with effect to APEL, APCL and DS will be complied with.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
English language requirements
Please contact the Admissions Team with any queries.

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £16,300 £17,100
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Undergraduate scholarships for international students

To reward outstanding achievement the University of Plymouth offers scholarship schemes to help towards funding your studies.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Meet our experts

  • Lecturer in Human Resource Studies/Leadership
    Extensive industry and research experience
  • Lecturer in Human Resource Studies/Leadership
    More than 25 years experience of working, teaching and researching HRM
  • Associate Lecturer
    Expert in employment relations and diversity subject areas
  • Lecturer in Human Resources and Leadership
    Research interests include innovation and change from a HRM perspective
  • Lecturer in Human Resources Management

Oluwadara Odetoyinbo

BA (Hons) Human Resource Management has helped Oluwadara gain vital skills to pursue his dream job as a HR officer in the British Army.

"I learnt from staff that have a considerable depth of human resource management experience from large employers such as the NHS and have undertaken research for professional bodies such as CIPD and ACAS. A unique feature of the course is that I graduated with a CIPD accreditation, which is not common to other universities that offer HRM courses. Now I have a greater understanding and I’m better positioned to apply various theories that affect employees in an organisation be it local or international. The degree has also helped boost my confidence in handling HR related issues and life in general."

Oluwadara Odetoyinbo

Plymouth Business School

  • ?Committed to social, economic and environmental responsibility

  • ?Supporting the internationally recognised focus on sustainability and social purpose of the University

  • ?Leading business ready graduates onto a successful career and happy life

  • ?Supporting graduates to make informed choices based on current economic and market trends

  • ?Building students resilience and confidence

  • ?Promoting practical skills development