Business Management with Human Resource Management BA (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queen Margaret University

Program Overview

This programme combines core business management skills with specialist knowledge in human resource management, helping students understand how to align organisational strategy with people, culture, and values. It is ideal for those who want to manage business operations while driving talent development and organisational effectiveness.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

The first year builds a strong foundation in business and professional skills. Modules include Introduction to Management and Leadership, Development of Professional Skills in Business and Management, Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Introduction to Finance and Accounting, Digital Business and Innovation, and Data Management. These modules provide analytical, digital, and leadership skills essential for future HR-focused study.

Year 2

In year two, students begin to specialise in HR and operational management. Modules include Human Resource Management, Operations Management, Economics, Financial Institutions and Markets, Digital Marketing and E‑Commerce Management, Business Law, and Ethics, Social Justice and Sustainability. These teach students about managing talent, organisational processes, and responsible, ethical business practices.

Year 3

The third year emphasizes strategic and practical learning. Students study Project Management, Employment Law, and Social and Developmental Psychology to understand leadership, compliance, and human behaviour. They also complete Research Methods (Online) and choose an “experience semester,” which may include a placement, semester abroad, business plan project, or web-based application development.

Year 4

In the final year, students focus on strategic decision-making, organisational change, and a major independent project. Modules include Strategy, Negotiation Theory and Practice, Organisational Behaviour, Leading and Managing Change, and a capstone Dissertation or Consultancy Project. Students consolidate their learning to address complex business and HR challenges.

Focus Areas

Strategic business management, human resource strategy, leadership and change, organisational behaviour, ethics and sustainability, and project consultancy.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to design HR strategies aligned with business goals, lead organisational change initiatives, analyse economic and operational contexts, apply project management techniques, and conduct independent strategic research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

QMU’s Business School is a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools and partners with professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The course also embeds principles of responsible management through QMU’s commitment to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).

Reputation (Employability)

QMU reports very high student satisfaction in business management courses.
The structured “experience semester” (placement, study abroad, business plan, or web-app development) provides real-world business exposure.
Graduates pursue careers in HR, management, consultancy, operations, and entrepreneurship, offering strong employability prospects.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On QMU’s Business Management with HRM BA (Hons), students gain practical skills through placements, project work, and interaction with industry:

Workplace Experience: A dedicated “experience semester” in the third year allows you to do an organisational placement, study abroad, create a business plan, or develop a web-based application.
Industry Connections: Guest speakers from organisations such as Google, Edinburgh Airport, and Skyscanner provide insights into real-world business and HR practice.
Varied Teaching & Assessment: Learning occurs through lectures, seminars, and practical workshops. Assessment methods include written exams, reports, business plans, live pitches, group work, and negotiation role-play.
Research & Project Work: Final-year honours dissertation or consultancy project allows you to research a business-HR problem, analyse data, and propose real interventions.
Professional Development: You develop leadership, negotiation, change management, and other essential business and HR skills throughout the degree.

Facilities & Support

QMU offers strong academic and student support to help you succeed:

Small Class Sizes: Close mentoring due to smaller tutor-to-student ratios.
Business School with Industry Orientation: Curriculum designed in consultation with business leaders to ensure relevance.
Guest Lecturer Access: Regular talks and workshops from practitioners provide exposure to real-world HR and business challenges.
Academic Development: Structured support for research skills, assignment writing, referencing, and presentations.
Global Exposure: Exchange opportunities with partner universities abroad for understanding international business and HR practices.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this degree are well equipped to take on roles that combine business leadership with people‑management, such as:

Human Resources Business Partner
HR Advisor / HR Officer
Organisational Development Specialist
Project or Change Manager in business settings

These roles reflect the strategic HR knowledge and solid business management foundation you will gain through this programme.

Why This Program Is Valuable: Key Strengths & Employment Support

University Services & Support
- QMU provides an “experience semester” (in Year 3) in which you can take a placement, study abroad, or build your own business plan — giving you real-world exposure before you graduate.
- You receive close support from faculty, thanks to smaller class sizes, plus help choosing the right dissertation or consultancy project.
- Academic Development (AD) support is embedded — you have access to one-on-one or small-group academic mentoring throughout your degree.
Employment Statistics & Salary
- QMU reports that 95% of its Business Management students go on to work or further study within 15 months of graduation.
- While exact average salaries for this specific pathway are not publicly listed, business management graduates typically progress into well-paid roles in management, HR, or project leadership, especially when combined with relevant work experience from placements.
University–Industry Partnerships & Accreditation
- The programme is delivered by the Queen Margaret Business School, which invites industry speakers from well-known companies — giving you valuable insights and networking opportunities.
- QMU is a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), and is a partner of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) — enhancing the business credibility of your degree.
- The university is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), reflecting a commitment to ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible business education.
Long-Term Value & Accreditation
- The combined business-management and HR focus makes you highly versatile: you can work in pure HR roles or in business leadership, strategy, and operations.
- The experience semester (placement, exchange, or enterprise) helps you build a strong professional network and real-world experience, giving you a competitive edge.
- The emphasis on ethical business and responsible leadership equips you for long-term roles in organisations that value sustainability and ethical practice.
Graduation Outcomes
- In your final year, you complete either a dissertation or a consultancy project, applying your learning to a real business problem.
- You develop a full range of management and leadership skills: strategic thinking, negotiation, change management, conflict resolution, and organisational behaviour.
- You will graduate with a robust understanding of business fundamentals (finance, marketing, operations) plus specialist HR knowledge (employment law, personnel psychology, organisational behaviour).

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this BA, students have strong options for further study, for example:

MSc International Management & Leadership — to build strategic, global business leadership skills.
MSc International Marketing — if they want to combine their business knowledge with specialised marketing expertise.
MSc Business Analytics — for students interested in data-driven decision-making and business intelligence.
Other postgraduate routes in accounting and finance are also available.