BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management is highly relevant to the workplace and it is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Compared to the core Business and Management course, it has a greater focus on the skills and knowledge needed for the Human Resources function in modern organisations.

Sunderland is one of the first universities in the UK to introduce employability modules across all years of an undergraduate degree. These help you strengthen the six key attributes of being capable, enquiring, creative, enterprising, ethical and global in outlook.

Why us?

• ‚World-leading’ research in Business, according to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF)
• 91.7% of our BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers)
• 83.2% of our BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management graduates are in graduate-level employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers)
• Places HRM in a business and management context to allow better understanding of the role of HRM within the organisation
• Integrates both the personal and academic development of students to create highly independent actors
• Available as a sandwich year course where you can engage in a one-year industrial placement
• Our Business courses were ranked 3rd overall in the UK in the 2018 UK Engagement Survey
• Our Business courses were ranked 4th in the UK for Assessment and, 2nd in the UK for Retention and Progression, and 3rd in the UK for Employability in the 2018 UK Engagement Survey

Course structure

Throughout the course the focus is on innovative teaching and learning by doing and reflecting.

One technique is problem-based learning, where you’ll work within a small team to explore issues or decide how to manage a situation. This helps you to dissect, challenge and debate issues. Other learning techniques include company visits, guest speakers and cutting-edge e-learning technologies. These are in addition to a combination of lectures, seminars, debates, tutorials and workshops.

Your progress will be assessed with coursework, case studies, business simulations, presentations, reports, essays, tests and time-constrained assessments.

Facilities

You’ll be based at The Reg Vardy Centre, on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. It’s a modern building with great views of the River Wear, and just a few minutes’ walk from the coast.

Employment

Sunderland is one of the first universities in the UK to introduce employability modules across all years of an undergraduate degree. The modules complement the broader skills that you’ll gain in understanding how businesses create success, how to manage business operations, how to make informed decisions and how to lead change in organisations.

HR officers are always in demand. The average salary of a HR officer is between £18,000 and £25,000 and HR managers can earn between £25,000 and £50,000 a year or more (source: National Careers Service). CIPD-accredited qualifications can significantly enhance your career opportunities.

Skills for employment

As part of your course, you’ll take three employability modules specifically designed for self-development. The modules are called: ‘Employability Skills’, ‘Developing Career Prospects’ and ‘Applying Critical Reflective Practice’, all of the which will complement your learning and increase your employability.

Career destinations

Examples of companies that have recruited students from Sunderland include leading names in IT (Microsoft, IBM), consumer goods (P&G, Nike, Adidas), banking (Lloyds TSB), hospitality (Marriott Hotels, Starbucks), and the public sector (NHS).

Student Business Society

The University supports student-led initiatives that help you gain practical experience of management. The Business Student Society organises events and guest speakers, as well as attending tours of various companies. With its professional approach, it’s a great way to put into practice the lessons about how to make organisations function effectively. There is something for every student who is studying a subject related to business.