BA Hons English and Creative Writing & Human Resource Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Strathclyde

Program Overview

This BA (Hons) at Strathclyde uniquely combines creative literary study and writing with the practical, people-focused discipline of Human Resource Management. It’s ideal for students who are passionate about storytelling, critical thinking, and wish to build strong analytical and interpersonal skills that are highly valuable in the workplace.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In the first year, you’ll dive into English 1A & 1B, gaining a solid foundation in literary studies by reading novels, plays, poetry, and short stories, both classical and contemporary. In parallel, you’ll take Managing People in HRM, which introduces you to the dynamics of work, exploring how organisations operate and how people are managed within them.

Year 2
Your second year builds on this foundation: literary history becomes central, with modules covering everything from early drama to modern texts, and you may even explore Scottish literature or the more unusual “literature of humans and animals.” Meanwhile, in HRM, you’ll focus on workplace behavior—learning about recruitment and selection, team dynamics, employee engagement, and what really drives people to commit to their work.

Year 3
Year three brings creative writing to the fore: you’ll take modules in fiction and drama writing, working on your own pieces while refining your craft. At the same time, your HRM studies deepen: you’ll study power, authority, conflict and the employment relationship in organisations, drawing on sociology and organisational behaviour theory.

Year 4
In your final year, you have the opportunity to write a dissertation that could be a creative project (for instance, fiction, poetry, or drama) accompanied by a critical commentary — or to take advanced creative writing modules. On the HRM side, you’ll pick from specialist classes like Advanced Organisational Behaviour, HRM & Employment Relations in Public Services, or Human Resources in the Global Economy, depending on your interests.

Focus Areas

Creative writing (fiction, drama, poetry), literary analysis (from Renaissance to 21st-century literature), organisational behaviour, employment relations, HR strategy, recruitment and employer-employee dynamics.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be confident writers and critical thinkers, capable of producing original creative work and literary analysis, and equipped with practical HRM knowledge — understanding recruitment, conflict, rewards, and how to manage people in organisations.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

While the HRM side doesn’t explicitly mention a professional body in the course page, the structure and depth of topics (like employment relations and advanced organisational behaviour) align closely with competencies sought by HR professionals in business, public, and third sectors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Strathclyde is ranked 1st in the UK for Creative Writing.
It’s also in the Top 10 in the UK for English (The Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).
The university is known for “useful learning,” combining academic rigor with real-world relevance.
English graduates go into publishing, journalism, management, teaching, and more — while HRM graduates often go into HR roles in insurance, retail, recruitment consultancies, and the public sector.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Right from early in the degree, you’ll be doing more than just reading and writing — Strathclyde’s program makes sure you gain real-world, hands-on experience to complement your studies.

In the English & Creative Writing side, there’s an optional work placement module in Year 3. You can complete at least 60 hours in a role tied to your interests — for example, working with a publisher, a literary agency, or in communications roles where you apply your writing and critical thinking.

Meanwhile, on the HRM side, students engage in team-based projects using online teaching materials and support from industrial partners — giving you exposure to actual organizational practices.

This practical approach translates into multiple learning opportunities:

Work Placement (English & Creative Writing): Apply your writing, editing, and communication skills in a professional setting for a minimum of 60 hours.
Dissertation Option: Produce a creative dissertation (fiction, poetry, drama, etc.) with a critical commentary, working closely with a supervisor.
Team Projects (HRM): Participate in group-based assignments, collaborating, presenting, and problem-solving just like in a real workplace.
Industrial Partner Engagement: Engage with real business cases or employer input, linking theory to actual work situations.
Study Abroad Opportunities: Broaden your perspective and professional network by studying overseas.
Student Network – HRM Society: Connect with alumni, employers, and peers through a student-run society, enhancing both learning and career prospects.

Facilities & Academic Support

To support all this learning, Strathclyde provides:

Lord Hope Building: Hub for humanities students, including social areas, meeting rooms, and exhibition spaces for collaboration and creative brainstorming.
Andersonian Library: Extensive print and e-book collection, thousands of e-journals, networked computers, strong Wi-Fi, and access to specialized databases across HR, literature, and creative writing.
Tutorials and Seminars: Seminar-based classes in later years allow discussion, workshops, and critique in smaller groups for active learning.
Online Teaching Materials: HRM coursework and group work are supported by online platforms for collaboration and flexible access.

Progression & Future Opportunities

In a nutshell: graduates from this degree often move into roles that leverage both their creative-literary skills and people/business expertise. Typical career paths include recruitment or HR assistant roles, content creation or publishing, internal communications, or training and development. In the long term, you could even move into HR management, organisational development, or higher-level creative leadership.

Here’s how Strathclyde supports you and how your degree can pay off:

University Support & Employability Services
- The Careers & Employability Service offers one-to-one guidance, job-search support, employer events, and access to Strathclyde’s career portal.
- There's an Undergraduate Careers Module built into study, which helps you understand job markets, application processes, and career planning.
- Students can continue using Strathclyde’s Careers Service for up to five years after graduation, supporting early-career planning.
Graduate Employment & Salaries
- Around 92% of graduates are in work or further study within six months.
- Typical graduate salary ranges from £27,000–£30,000 per year.
- In HR-specific roles, experienced HR managers in Glasgow can earn £45,000‑£65,000, depending on experience.
Industry Connections & Accreditation
- The HRM component covers modern HR practices—recruitment, training, conflict management—relevant to real-world business.
- The Business School at Strathclyde is triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), adding professional credibility to management-related studies.
- Students can access placement opportunities in English & Creative Writing, gaining experience in literary agencies, publishers, or office environments.
Long-Term Value
- The degree balances creative and business disciplines, giving flexibility to pursue diverse career paths.
- The creative writing track builds a professional portfolio, while HRM opens doors in organisational and people-focused careers.
Graduate Outcomes
- English graduates have gone into publishing, journalism, creative writing, civil service, and teaching.
- HRM graduates find roles as HR trainees, HR assistants, recruitment consultants, and general admin/management across sectors like retail, manufacturing, and public services.

Further Academic Progression:

Graduates could continue into the MSc Human Resource Management, which is CIPD-aligned and allows graduates to become Associate Members of the CIPD.
Alternatively, a Master’s in Creative Writing, Literature, or Applied Gender Studies can deepen literary expertise.
For those interested in research, pursuing a PhD in either English or HRM opens doors to academic and thought-leadership roles.