Enter OTP
This degree gives you a strong grounding in how organisations manage people — from recruitment, training & development to employee relations, performance and reward. It’s designed for students who want to build both theoretical insight and real-world skills in HR, preparing you for HR roles in business, the public sector or non-profits.
Curriculum structure
Here’s how the learning unfolds year by year:
First Year
In your first year you’ll cover core foundations: Introduction to Human Resource Management, Fundamentals of Business, Introduction to Data Analytics and AI, People & Organisations, Finance for Managers and Entrepreneurial Thinking. These modules help you understand how businesses operate, how people behave in organisations, how data & tech are changing things, and how HR fits into broader business strategy.
Second Year
The second year goes deeper into HR functions: Recruitment and Selection Strategies, Performance and Reward Management, Adding Value through Human Resource Management, Employment Law in Context are all core. You’ll also have optional modules such as Data Analytics & AI in Practice, Leadership in Global Context, Entrepreneurial Feasibility or Introduction to Consultancy. This lets you start specialising and seeing HR’s role in legal, ethical, leadership and analytics contexts.
Professional Placement (Optional)
After Year 2, there's an optional full year working with an employer. This gives you hands-on HR experience in the field, helps build your CV, networks, and often gives you clarity about which HR area you prefer.
Final Year
Year 3 (if you don’t take the placement) packs in advanced modules: Employee Retention & Engagement, Work & Organisational Psychology, Management Project, Coaching & Development are core. Optional modules include things like International Human Resource Management, Practical Application of AI in Business, Business Models for Digital Economy. You’ll finish with a major project to show you can apply what you've learnt in a substantial piece of work.
Focus areas
“Recruitment & Selection; Training & Development; Performance, Reward & Retention; Employment Law; HR Analytics & Strategic HRM; Organisational Behaviour & Psychology; Coaching & Development; International HR”
Learning outcomes
“Students will be able to understand how HR functions alongside strategic business goals; apply legal, ethical and analytics-based approaches to people management; design and lead interventions for employee engagement, development, and organisational change; and graduate ready to take on HR roles, often with real industry experience”
Professional alignment (accreditation)
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). That means you’re learning to professional standards recognised across the HR sector.
Reputation (employability rankings)
Birmingham City University's BA (Hons) Human Resource Management degree is designed to equip you with the practical skills and professional insights needed to excel in the dynamic field of HR. This program offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, ensuring you're well-prepared for the challenges of modern workplaces.
One of the standout features of this course is the opportunity to undertake a year-long professional placement. This optional placement allows you to gain real-world experience, enhancing your employability and providing a deeper understanding of HR practices in various organizational settings. Additionally, the course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a testament to its quality and relevance in the HR industry.
Throughout the program, you'll engage in interactive workshops, field trips, and projects that simulate real HR scenarios. These experiences are complemented by the use of digital and immersive technologies, including virtual reality, to explore areas such as people analytics, recruitment, and performance management.
Experiential learning opportunities include:
These experiential learning components are designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of HR practices, preparing you for a successful career in human resource management.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Human Resource Management program at Birmingham City University are well-prepared for dynamic careers in people management. With 90% of graduates employed or pursuing further study within 15 months of completing the course, they often secure roles such as HR Advisor, Recruitment Consultant, Learning and Development Coordinator, or Employee Relations Specialist.
Key Highlights:
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BA (Hons) Human Resource Management, you can further enhance your expertise by pursuing:
Embarking on this degree at BCU not only sets you on a path toward a rewarding HR career but also offers opportunities for continuous professional development and specialization in the field.
CBSE (India): Students must have completed the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (Standard XII) with at least 55% overall, though some courses may require higher grades.AMERICAN (GPA/AP): Applicants need a High School Diploma with a GPA of 2.6 (75%), including a C grade (70%) in English and Maths if required, plus ACT 21+ or SAT 1100/1600.IB (International Baccalaureate): A minimum of 28 IB points overall is required, with relevant subjects suited to the chosen course.A-LEVEL: Students must achieve 112 UCAS Tariff points, typically equivalent to BBC at A-Level or an equivalent qualification.IELTS: An overall score of 6.0 with no band below 5.5 is required to meet English language entry standards.GCSE: GCSEs are not required for this course; A-Level, BTEC, or Level 3 qualifications will be considered instead.UCAS: Applications should be submitted through UCAS, requiring a total of 112 UCAS points for eligibility.HR AssistantHR CoordinatorRecruitment ConsultantTalent Acquisition SpecialistHR AdministratorTraining and Development OfficerEmployee Relations AdvisorPayroll AssistantHR Data AnalystCompensation and Benefits AnalystHR Compliance OfficerDiversity and Inclusion CoordinatorLearning and Development CoordinatorHR GeneralistPeople Operations CoordinatorHR Project AssistantWorkforce Planning AnalystGraduate HR TraineeOrganizational Development AssistantHR Support Officer
Embark on your educational journey with confidence! Our team of admission experts is here to guide you through the process. Book a free session now to receive personalized advice, assistance with applications, and insights into your dream school. Whether you're applying to college, graduate school, or specialized programs, we're here to help you succeed.
Birmingham City University
