BSc Management (Human Resources)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Manchester

Program Overview

The BSc Management (Human Resources) gives you a foundation in general management but then lets you specialise in how people are managed: employment policy & practice, industrial relations, organisational psychology, and analysis of organisations. It’s suited for students who enjoy understanding both the “soft” side of business (people, behaviour, law) and the strategic “big picture” in how organisations work.

Curriculum Structure

Here’s what you’d study year by year, including some module names, so you can see how the course builds up:

Year 1

Your first year is about building a broad base in business and management. You will take mandatory units such as Economic Principles: Microeconomics (BMAN10001), Principles of Marketing (BMAN10101), Introduction to Work Psychology (BMAN10872), Introduction to Management and Organisation Studies (BMAN10970), etc. These help you get a feel for management accounting, finance, sociology and psychology as they apply to organisations.

Year 2

In the second year you begin specialising. If you choose the Human Resources track, there are core units that you must take: Employment Relations and Human Resource Management (BMAN24332), Globalization & Employment (BMAN24271), Business Law (both Business Law 1 and Business Law 2) in some combination. You’ll also have a selection of optional modules (such as Consumer Behaviour, Financial Reporting and Accountability, etc.) to tailor your interests and broaden your skills.

Year 3

The final year gives you even more choice. You’ll pick at least half of your credits from HR-specialist options; the rest are optional across the management portfolio. You could also do in-depth modules like Business Data Analytics, International Finance, Advanced Corporate Finance (if you like), or more HR-oriented ones depending on what’s on offer. The focus is both on depth in HR and giving you flexibility to match your career interests.

Learning outcomes

You will become critically aware of how people are managed in organisations; understand legal, psychological, and policy factors in employment; develop skills in both analysing organisational systems and in the practice of HR (recruitment, labour relations, workplace behaviour, etc.); and gain transferable skills (communication, quantitative methods, analysing data, strategy, and leadership) that are useful beyond just HR.

Professional alignment (Accreditation)

The degree is offered by Alliance Manchester Business School, a triple-accredited business school (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS) which is a strong mark of quality in business education globally.
Some course units grant exemptions from professional exams.

Reputation (Employability rankings)

In terms of how well students do after graduating: 90% of students are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation for the Management (HR) course.
Manchester is very competitive and well-regarded: the Business School is highly ranked for several specialisms. For example, it is the 2nd most targeted by leading graduate employers in the UK according to High Fliers Research.
Also, the school is consistently ranked among the top UK business schools in various QS and Times Higher rankings in areas like marketing, accounting & finance etc.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the very start, this programme doesn’t just teach theory — you’ll regularly apply what you learn through workshops, group work, presentations, and project-based assessment. You’ll get exposure to real human resources issues, work in teams, and engage in authentic tasks. There’s also a version of the degree with Industrial / Professional Experience, meaning you’ll spend a whole year in a work placement (penultimate year) to experience HR in action in a company.

You’ll also benefit from personal development support, small-group teaching, learning how to manage people, and developing transferable skills like communication, research, and critical thinking.

Facilities, Tools & Learning Environments

Here are the concrete facilities, digital tools, software and learning structures they provide or use — how they help you learn HR management in a modern, applied way:

Libraries & Study Spaces:
You’ll have access to the University of Manchester Library system. This includes millions of printed volumes, 50,000+ e-journals, 800,000+ e-books, several hundred databases.
Also, the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons offers flexible learning spaces, group rooms, and 24/7 access so you can study when it suits you.
Specialist Business & Management Library Support:
There is the Eddie Davies Library, dedicated to students of Alliance Manchester Business School. This gives you materials closely aligned with management, HR, organisational behaviour etc.
Computer / Digital Resources:
Standard computing services are available in computing clusters across campus, plus halls of residence and in departmental buildings. There is free campus-WiFi. Reading material will heavily rely on e-journals and online resources.
Teaching Methods & Assessment:
The programme regularly uses group work and presentations (team-based), individual presentations, project reports and coursework. These mimic real HR tasks: communication, stakeholder management, report writing.
Work Placement / Industrial Experience Year:
If you choose the version “with Industrial/Professional Experience”, you spend one year working in a relevant organisation (penultimate year). This gives you direct exposure to HR functions in industry.
Academic Advising and Personal Development:
You’ll have an academic advisor from the Alliance Manchester Business School in your first year, and you’ll be guided in developing a Personal Development Plan (PDP) to track and grow both subject-specific and transferable skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the BSc Management (Human Resources) at the University of Manchester build successful careers in diverse sectors such as consulting, finance, retail, and technology. Many move into roles like HR Officer, Graduate Analyst, Talent or People Partner, or Management Trainee, with some progressing into HR consultancy, leadership development, or organisational change roles within a few years.

Here’s how Manchester helps you build a strong professional future:

Dedicated Career Support: The University of Manchester’s Careers Service supports you throughout your studies and for up to two years after graduation. You’ll get tailored guidance on CV writing, interview techniques, and direct access to top recruiters through fairs, employer events, and the university’s extensive alumni network.
Employment and Salary Outcomes: Within 15 months of graduation, around 90% of students from management and HR-related courses are employed or pursuing further study. The average starting salary for these graduates is approximately £26,000, highlighting the program’s ability to prepare you for competitive, high-quality roles.
Industry Links and Work Experience: Alliance Manchester Business School maintains strong partnerships with global employers including KPMG, Microsoft, Tesco, Balfour Beatty, and Deutsche Bank. The “with Industrial Experience” option gives students the chance to complete a professional placement year, gaining valuable real-world insight and industry connections before graduation.
Accreditation and Long-term Recognition: The program is delivered through Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), which holds the prestigious triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) — a status achieved by less than 1% of business schools worldwide. This international recognition adds strong long-term value to your degree.
Graduate Outcomes: Graduates leave with analytical, leadership, and people management skills that make them attractive to both public and private sector employers. Many go on to management graduate schemes, HR roles in multinational corporations, or start careers in consulting and organisational development.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing your degree, you could advance to postgraduate study in fields such as Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations, Organisational Psychology, or Business Administration. The University of Manchester’s own MSc Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations is a popular next step, offering a route toward professional accreditation with the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development). Some graduates also choose to pursue a PhD or research degree to explore academic and policy-oriented careers in HR and management studies.