BSc Business and Management (Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour) with Year Abroad

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Reading

Program Overview

The BSc Business and Management (Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour) with Year Abroad at the University of Reading lets you gain a strong foundation in business while specialising in managing people — from leadership and organisational behaviour to HR strategy. Over four years, you’ll also spend an international year studying at one of Reading’s partner universities, broadening both your academic and cultural perspectives.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a solid base in general management disciplines — learning the fundamentals of economics, accounting, data analytics, and psychology — through core modules like Business in Practice: Accounting for Managers and Management Debates: Ways of Thinking about Business. You’ll also engage in seminars and workshops that develop your analytical and problem‑solving mindset, preparing you for more specialised work later.

Year 2
During year two, you begin to focus more on HR and organisational behaviour. You’ll take modules such as International Human Resource Management, Strategic Human Resource Management, Leadership, and Organisational Behaviour. Through these, you’ll explore how companies operate, how people are motivated, and how leadership dynamics work in various contexts. You’ll also undertake a guided social‑responsibility project where you apply these concepts to real-world community work, building both your practical skills and your professional maturity.

Year 3 (Year Abroad)
In your third year, you’ll spend a full academic year at one of University of Reading’s overseas partner universities as part of the integrated study abroad programme. While abroad, you continue to take business-management courses (often at the partner institution), but you’ll likely also access specialised HR/OB classes depending on their offerings. This is not only about academics — it's an opportunity to develop cross-cultural competence, global networks, and an international mindset.

Year 4 (Final Year)
When you return for your final year, you’ll deepen your expertise in HR management and organisational behaviour. You’ll revisit core themes like strategic HR, international business, and leadership while tailoring your optional modules to your career interests (for example, in change management, analytics, or operations). You will also work on self-development and professional skills to prepare for graduate-level roles.

Focus Areas

Human resource management, organisational behaviour, leadership, international business, strategic management, employee development, people-centred change

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to critically analyse people-management issues, apply global HR strategies, lead teams through change, evaluate organisational behaviour theories, and integrate cross-disciplinary business knowledge (economics, accounting, psychology) in problem-solving.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This programme is offered by Henley Business School, which holds triple-accreditation (AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB).

Reputation (Employability)

• Henley Business School is globally respected, with a strong alumni network and international reach.
• For this particular programme, 92% of recent Business & Management graduates from the University of Reading were in work or further study 15 months after graduating.
• Student satisfaction is also very strong: 87% positive on academic support, 83% on organisation & management, and 86% on learning resources.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Reading, this BSc isn’t just about theory. You’ll gain hands-on experience through workshops, projects, and real-world interaction — all supported by excellent facilities.

In your first two years, you’ll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops, diving deep into topics like international HR management, organisational behaviour, and leadership. In the second year, there’s a guided project on social responsibility in action, where you collaborate with local communities, applying your academic learning to genuine business‑societal challenges.

During your third year abroad, you don’t just study in another country — you adapt to different business cultures and management practices, supported by the university with partner-university choices, application help, and ongoing guidance.

In your final (fourth) year, you can deepen your expertise through specialist modules and even choose to do a dissertation in HR or Organisational Behaviour.

Here’s a clearer breakdown of how the experiential side works:

Year 2 Guided Project: A structured, socially responsible project where you work with local communities and apply business concepts in a real-world context.
International Study (Year 3): Full year abroad at one of Reading’s partner universities, gaining global exposure to business practices and HR in different contexts.
Specialist Modules & Dissertation (Year 4): Choose advanced HR and Organisational Behaviour courses, with the option to complete a dissertation on a topic you care about.
Teaching Methods: Mix of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and self-guided study — ensures you don’t just absorb theory, but apply it.
Career Preparation: The curriculum embeds employability skills (teamwork, leadership, ethics) from day one.
Support System: Dedicated careers service (Henley Careers) offers one-on-one guidance, CV/interview help, and directed support for internships or placements.

Facilities & Tools That Empower You

Your learning is supported by top-class infrastructure at the University of Reading, specifically at the Whiteknights campus:

Henley Business School Building: Purpose-built with modern lecture theatres and seminar rooms equipped with up-to-date technology.
Dedicated Business Library: A space just for business students, with resources (both print and digital) and quiet zones for both group discussions and individual study.
Student Support & Collaboration Spaces: Easily accessible academic staff, support services, and spaces to brainstorm and work with peers.
Green Campus: The Whiteknights campus is expansive, peaceful, and award-winning, making it a great environment for learning and reflection.

Progression & Future Opportunities

In just a few years after graduating, you could be working in roles such as HR Business Partner, Organisational Development Consultant, Talent Acquisition Manager, or Management Consultant. With this degree, you’ll understand how people operate in organisations — not just the business strategy side — which is highly valued by employers.

Here’s how Reading supports this path and why the programme is especially powerful:

University Services & Employability Support
- The Henley Careers team provides one-on-one support, mock interviews, CV/cover letter workshops, and guidance on placement or graduate roles.
- You’ll be engaged in guided projects during your second year, including social responsibility initiatives, so you apply skills practically and gain experience.
- As part of a year abroad, you’ll expand your global network, which strengthens your employability in international roles.
Employment Stats & Salary Figures
- Approximately 86% of business and management graduates from Reading go on to work or study within 15 months.
- Average earnings 15 months after graduation are around £30,000, and after 3 years, they rise to about £37,000, with a typical range of £28,000–£45,000.
- Long-term earnings (after 5 years) can go up to £46,000.
- Around 82% are in highly skilled work (15 months after graduation), including roles in management, business, finance, and IT.
University–Industry & Accreditation Strengths
- Henley Business School is triple-accredited — AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA — a mark of excellence recognized by employers around the world.
- The course curriculum is carefully designed in collaboration with industry-relevant thinking: modules include International HR Management, Strategic HR, Leadership, and Organisational Behaviour.
- Through the year abroad and project work, students often engage with real business environments, preparing them for global and cross-cultural roles.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value
- The programme holds AACSB and EQUIS accreditation, ensuring a high-quality education and strong global recognition.
Graduation Outcomes
- Graduates go on to work in varied functions: human resources, management, operations, finance, consultancy, IT, and more.
- Employers who have hired Reading graduates include big names like Deloitte, EY, IBM, Capgemini, and Vodafone.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this BSc, you’re well-positioned to pursue a master’s degree, for example:

MSc Human Resource Management — deepen your HR expertise, especially in strategy, leadership, and employee development.
MSc Organisational Psychology / Behaviour — if you’re more interested in the behavioural side of organisations.
MBA (with HR specialisation) — if you want to combine broader business leadership with HR expertise.