Human Resource Management BSc (Hons)

The BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management with Foundation Year at the University of East London is ideal for students who want to build a successful career in managing people, culture, and performance within organisations. The program combines business fundamentals with specialised HR knowledge, preparing you to understand how effective people management supports business growth and employee wellbeing. Whether you’re new to higher education or returning to study, the foundation route provides the perfect starting point to build confidence and key academic skills before progressing into the main degree.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year: Preparing for University Success
The foundation year helps you develop the academic and practical skills needed for university-level study while introducing you to the world of business and management. You’ll study modules such as Academic Development, Digital Business Environment, and Introduction to Business and Management. These modules strengthen your writing, research, and communication skills while exploring how businesses operate in today’s digital world. By the end of this year, you’ll be fully prepared to progress confidently into the main degree program.

Year 1: Building the Business Foundation
In your first year, you’ll gain a broad understanding of business operations and how people contribute to organisational success. Modules such as Fundamentals of Economics, Business Statistics and Data Analysis, and Foundations of Marketing provide essential business literacy and analytical insight. The People and Organisations module introduces you to key HR principles, leadership styles, and workplace behaviour, helping you appreciate the strategic importance of managing people effectively. This year ensures you have a strong grounding in both business and people management.

Year 2: Developing HR Expertise
The second year focuses on the practical aspects of human resource management. You’ll study Managing and Coordinating the HR Function and Resourcing and Talent Management to understand how HR supports recruitment, retention, and workforce planning. Modules like Employment Law and Reward Management deepen your understanding of legal and ethical considerations in employee relations. You can also choose to explore areas such as Learning and Development or International HRM, giving you the flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests and career goals. This year is all about applying HR theory to real organisational contexts.

Year 3: Strategic and Applied HRM
Your final year encourages you to think like a strategic HR leader. Modules such as Strategic HRM & Leadership in Organisations and Employee Engagement & Employment Relations challenge you to design people strategies that align with wider business objectives. You’ll also study Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) to learn how technology and data are transforming the HR landscape. The highlight of your final year is the Applied HR Project, where you’ll research a current HR issue and propose actionable solutions—demonstrating your readiness for professional practice.

Focus areas: People management, employment law, talent & reward strategies, HR information systems, strategic leadership
Learning outcomes: Graduates will be able to design and implement HR strategies aligned with business goals, manage complex employee relations, analyse HR data effectively, and lead positive change in diverse organisational settings.
Professional alignment (accreditation): Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), ensuring that your degree meets professional standards and supports future membership pathways.
Reputation (employability rankings): UEL was named University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2025 by The Times & Sunday Times and ranked 33rd in the Guardian University Guide 2026, reflecting its growing academic reputation and strong student outcomes.