BA Human Resource Management and Business Law

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Strathclyde

Program Overview

This degree joins two powerful fields: you’ll learn the people management side through Human Resource Management, and also understanding of the legal environment in which businesses and organisations operate via Business Law. It’s perfect if you are interested both in managing teams, recruitment and development, and in how law shapes contracts, rights, compliance, and business obligations.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1
Your first year gives you a broad business foundation while introducing your two main subjects. You’ll take Managing People to see how HRM works in practice, alongside core business modules (such as business analysis, marketing, or introduction to economics) and the Management Development Programme (where you begin to build teamwork, communication, decision-making skills). Business Law in Year 1 introduces you to fundamentals like contract law and negligence, helping you understand basic legal principles that affect business operations.

Years 2 & 3
In these middle years you dive deeper. For HRM, modules cover recruitment & selection, training & development, workplace behaviour, employee relations, conflict, equality & diversity, etc. This is where you see how theory plays out in people-centred strategies in organisations. In Business Law, you’ll select from elective law modules—corporate/commercial law, perhaps competition law, human rights law or other areas—building up your understanding of how law interacts with businesses, responsibilities, liabilities, and governance. The Management Development Programme continues, integrating real‐business problem projects and developing skills employers want.

Final Year (Honours / Year 4)
Your final year allows you to specialise and undertake larger independent work. For HRM you may study advanced topics or strategic people management issues. In Business Law you can opt for deeper electives in specialised legal areas relevant to business. There will often be a dissertation or capstone project (especially in HRM) where you choose a topic of your own interest, developing research, critical thinking, and a strong piece of work you can showcase. You may also have opportunity to study abroad or take part in live business/law industry modules.

Focus areas:
“Recruitment & Selection; Training & Development; Workplace Behaviour; Conflict & Employee Relations; Equality & Diversity; Contract Law; Commercial Law; Company Law; Legal Compliance; Managing Organisational Strategy within Legal Frameworks; People-centred Management; Research & Project Work.”

Learning outcomes:
“You will finish able to understand both how people behave in workplace settings and how to manage them effectively; interpret and apply legal principles impacting business; handle recruitment, performance, conflict, and diversity issues ethically and strategically; conduct independent research; communicate well; and balance business goals with legal compliance and people care.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Strathclyde’s Business School is triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), underscoring quality of business education. The HRM part is delivered through a department with strong professional recognition (it is an accredited centre for HRM teaching, meaning it aligns with standards from bodies like CIPD). The law side does not lead directly to qualification for legal practice (that would require the LLB route), but gives solid legal knowledge valuable in many business, regulatory, compliance and consultancy roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re drawn to both the people-focused side of business and the structure of legal systems, the BA (Hons) Human Resource Management and Business Law at the University of Strathclyde offers a powerful combination. This joint degree is designed to prepare you for careers where understanding employment law, business regulation, and people management go hand in hand. You’ll not only explore theory — you’ll apply it through projects, presentations, and real-world case studies that mirror professional practice.

Students learn how HR and law intersect in areas like contracts, recruitment, ethics, and employee rights. The course also develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills through highly interactive, practice-based learning.

Here’s how experiential learning shapes your experience:

Experiential Learning Highlights

Management Development Programme (MDP) – Spanning the first three years, this programme lets you tackle real business challenges in teams, simulate consultancy work, and strengthen leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
Applied HRM Projects – Modules include practical assessments such as designing recruitment strategies, managing workplace conflict, or developing staff training initiatives based on real HR case studies.
Business Law Case Analysis – You’ll explore real legal scenarios in areas like contract law, company law, and employment law, practising how to interpret legislation and apply it to organisational contexts.
Guest Lectures and Employer Involvement – Industry experts and legal professionals contribute to workshops and lectures, giving insight into current business and employment challenges.
Study Abroad Opportunities – You can spend part of your degree studying overseas, gaining exposure to different legal systems and HR practices.
Honours Dissertation or Project – In your final year, you’ll conduct independent research in an area that interests you most — such as labour relations, corporate law, or organisational ethics.

Facilities and Digital Tools

Modern Learning Environments – Teaching takes place in interactive seminar rooms and collaborative learning spaces designed for teamwork and presentation practice.
Case-Based Teaching and Mooting Practice – Law modules often involve simulated legal arguments and problem-solving tasks, allowing you to test how legal principles apply in business situations.
Research and Data Access – You’ll use legal databases, HR resources, and academic journals through the university’s digital learning platforms and libraries.
Workshops and Tutorials – Small-group sessions focus on applying theory to practice, helping you develop both academic and professional competencies.
Student Societies and Networks – The HRM Society and Law Society provide opportunities to connect with peers, alumni, and employers, and to attend career-focused events.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the University of Strathclyde – BA Human Resource Management and Business Law gain a powerful combination of legal awareness and strategic people management skills. This dual expertise prepares them for careers that involve advising on employment law, managing organisational policies, and guiding workplace relations. Common job roles include:

Human Resources Manager or Advisor
Employment Relations Specialist
Legal and Compliance Officer
HR Policy and Governance Consultant

These roles suit graduates who enjoy applying legal reasoning and ethical thinking to improve workplace culture and support business success.

University support for employability:

The Strathclyde Careers and Employability Service provides tailored career advice, internship placements, and graduate recruitment opportunities.
The Business School Employability Hub offers professional mentoring, networking events, and employer presentations with firms across HR, legal, and consulting sectors.
Students benefit from career skills workshops that focus on interview preparation, professional communication, and CV enhancement.

Industry partnerships and practical experience:

The university has strong connections with organisations in HR, law, and business consultancy, ensuring that the course remains closely aligned with professional practice.
Students can undertake work placements or case-based projects through collaborations with industry partners, allowing them to apply their legal and HR knowledge in real scenarios.
Guest lectures and seminars from HR professionals, employment lawyers, and policy experts help bridge academic study with current industry trends.

Employment outcomes and salary:

Around 96% of graduates from Strathclyde’s business and law-related programs are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
Starting salaries typically range from £26,000–£30,000, with experienced graduates moving into mid- to senior-level roles earning £40,000–£50,000 or more.
Employers value the analytical, ethical, and problem-solving strengths developed through this combined degree.

Accreditation and long-term value:

The Human Resource Management component of the program is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), giving graduates eligibility for Associate Membership — a strong professional credential in HR careers.
The Business Law modules build an understanding of employment and contract law, enhancing credibility for roles that involve compliance, mediation, or corporate governance.
This combination of HR and legal training offers lasting career flexibility, whether in private firms, public institutions, or consultancy.

Graduate outcomes:
Graduates from this course often move into positions in HR strategy, legal compliance, or organisational development. Others join graduate schemes with law firms, public agencies, or multinational companies where they handle employee relations, policy implementation, and talent management.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students may continue to postgraduate study such as an MSc in Human Resource Management, LLM in Employment or Business Law, or an MBA in Strategic Leadership and Management. Those interested in research or academic pathways can pursue a PhD in Employment Law, Industrial Relations, or Organisational Studies. Graduates can also work toward Chartered CIPD Membership or pursue further professional qualifications in mediation, workplace investigations, or corporate law.