BA Hons Business and Human Resource Management

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Sunderland

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management at the University of Sunderland blends foundational business education with a deep dive into modern HR. It’s designed for students who not only want to understand how companies operate but also want to master how to lead, develop, and motivate people.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In the first year, students build a broad base in business: they study Business Organisations & Society to understand how digital technology shapes modern working life and reflect on the cultural, ethical, and societal aspects of work. Through Business Management Skills Development, they gain key employability and professional identity skills by exploring dynamic organisations. Students also take Understanding Markets & Marketing, learning how markets function, and Fundamentals of Financial Decision Making, which introduces basic accounting and investment decision-making techniques.

Year 2
The second year focuses more on both people and processes. In Managing Self and Others, students study the psychology and challenges of workplace behaviour, conflict, performance, and engagement. Delivering Projects for Organisational Success teaches how to plan and manage projects, including human aspects of project management. Cognitive & Creative Learning and Development hones creative problem-solving, while Contemporary Human Resource Management critically examines HR issues like equality, wellbeing, reward, diversity, and employee engagement.
There is also an optional 48-week placement where students work in a real organisation, identify a business issue, and apply what they’ve learned under academic and industry supervision.

Year 3
In the final year, students focus on leadership and strategic thinking. Strategic Leadership & Collaboration explores leadership theories, teamwork, and stakeholder management. Managing Business Continuity & Resilience covers crisis management, contingency planning, and how businesses stay resilient under pressure. The Business Consultancy Project is a hands-on module where students design and deliver a consultancy for real businesses. Finally, Professional Human Resource Skills equips students with core HR tools like interviewing, negotiation, conflict resolution, and managing disciplinary procedures.

Focus Areas:
Business management, strategic leadership, project delivery, organisational behaviour, employee engagement, diversity & inclusion, HR operations, consultancy, and resilience.

Learning Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to apply business theory to real-world contexts, lead strategic initiatives, manage people ethically and effectively, address HR challenges (e.g., conflict, diversity), and translate HR strategy into practice using professional HR tools.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
This degree is accredited by CIPD (the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), aligning with the CIPD Professional Map.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

The University of Sunderland was shortlisted for Business School of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024.
Its business and management courses rank 6th in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025).
Sunderland is recognised for strong graduate employability and student satisfaction, with practical experience built into the curriculum.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From day one, this course is designed not just to teach theory, but to embed students in real-world HR and business environments. Students develop practical skills through group work, live business scenarios, and placements, using high-quality learning spaces:

The curriculum features live projects where students work with real organisations, applying HR theory to practical challenges.
There is an optional 48-week (sandwich) placement, supported by the university’s career team, giving real work experience and a salary.
Students engage in problem-based learning, collaborating in teams to explore business issues, debate solutions, and reflect on decisions.
Learning is enriched by guest speakers from industry, including HR leaders and senior business figures.
Assessment goes beyond exams, using e-portfolios, case studies, blogs, podcasts, digital storyboards, and videos.
In the final year, students complete a Business Consultancy Project, researching, planning, and delivering solutions to real business problems.
The course includes Professional Human Resource Skills, covering negotiation, conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, and investigative interviewing.
The programme is CIPD-accredited, aligning learning with professional HR standards.
Students can join the HR Society, participating in networking, mentoring, and shadowing opportunities with professionals.

Facilities & Tools

The University of Sunderland provides excellent infrastructure to support this practical learning:

Courses are primarily based in the Reg Vardy Centre at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus (St Peter’s), purpose-built for Business, Law, and Tourism.
St Peter’s Library houses over 31,000 books on business, HR, marketing, and strategy, plus online journals.
Murray Library offers an extensive collection of over 430,000 books with inter-library loans.
The David Goldman Technology Centre provides high-tech PCs, Macs, and a dedicated helpdesk team.
Campus-wide Wi-Fi allows students to work flexibly from classrooms, libraries, or tech labs.
The Centre for Graduate Prospects supports students with placements, career advice, CV preparation, and interview coaching.
The Marketing Hub in the Reg Vardy Centre offers a collaborative space for creative business work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this program typically move into roles like HR Officer, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Training & Development Coordinator, or People & Organisational Development Consultant. Thanks to practical placement experience and CIPD-aligned training, many go on to lead HR initiatives in medium-to-large organisations with confidence.

Why This Programme Is a Smart Choice

University Services & Support
- The faculty-based employability team helps you secure an optional paid placement (a “sandwich year”) between your second and final year.
- The university’s Careers & Skills Coaches provide one-on-one help with CVs, interview prep, and career planning.
- There’s an HR Society which gives you networking opportunities — monthly meetings, mentorship, and access to the local CIPD branch.
Employment Statistics & Earning Potential
- Three years after graduation, Sunderland Business & Management graduates (including HR specialization) report an average salary of ~£21,000.
- Approximately 85% of students are employed or studying 15 months after graduation.
- On placement (during the sandwich year), students typically earn £14,000–£18,000, depending on location.
University–Industry Partnerships
- The curriculum was developed in consultation with employers such as CDC Wealth Management, Caterpillar, Nissan, Network Rail, NHS, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and more.
- Regular guest speakers from senior leaders in business bring real-world insights into the classroom.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value
- The program is CIPD-accredited, aligning with the CIPD Professional Map — this gives your degree professional legitimacy in HR.
- With CIPD accreditation, you’re better placed for future professional HR membership, which is highly respected in the HR field.
Hands-on Learning & Graduate Outcomes
- You'll learn key HR skills: conflict resolution, negotiation, investigation interviewing, strategic leadership, and more.
- Through a business consultancy project in your final year, you apply your learning in real business scenarios.
- Optional placement year helps you build contacts, gain experience, and potentially secure job offers before you even graduate.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BA (Hons), you could continue your journey in a few ways:

MSc Human Resource Management (CIPD Accredited) at Sunderland — for deeper expertise and to meet CIPD membership requirements.
PgCert or PgDip in HR Management — focused on people management and professional development.
Alternatively, you could pursue a more business‑general master’s (like an MBA) or other specialised master’s (e.g. Organisational Development, Talent Management) depending on your interests.