BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
Boost your career prospects and make your impact on business with a degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Stirling.
Key facts
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2023, January 2024
- Duration 48 months or 36 months
- Mode of study full time, part time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code N600
- Study abroad opportunities
Accreditations
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
Overview
Human Resource Management (HRM) is a vital part of every business, and impacts everyone from junior members of staff to CEOs. With a CIPD accredited HR degree from the University of Stirling, you’ll gain far-reaching expertise in organisational success and unlock a wealth of professional opportunities.
The course will prepare you to make an impact on key areas of business such as recruitment methods, staff development, performance management and career progression. You’ll also be equipped to enhance an organisation’s adaptability by broadening the skills of its workforce and understanding its broader social and economic environments.
When you study HRM at Stirling, everything you’ll learn is rooted in research and contemporary developments in the business world. The course reflects the rapid changes in employment practices, markets, technology and law – ensuring you graduate with the front-line knowledge you need to succeed.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB – by the end of S5
AABBB – by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
35
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Advanced entry students will not be eligible for CIPD associate membership on completion of the degree.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
You can study Human Resource Management as a four-year single honours degree or take it in conjunction with one of six other subjects to earn a combined honours degree and broaden your career opportunities. The first two semesters of your course are designed to give you a solid grounding in the general principles of business, management, marketing, HR and more. You’ll also have a chance to take modules from other courses that compliment your HR studies – including Business Law and Sociology.
From Year 2 onwards you’ll focus in on specialist modules that cover the wider labour market, the latest changes in Human Resource Management, employment relations and how Human Resource Management impacts on individuals. Every step of the way, your course will be delivered by expert teaching staff who understand the rapidly-shifting nature of business and the broad range of factors that impact on the evolution of Human Resource Management.
The CIPD accreditation only applies to the single honours degree.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
We encourage you to think critically and examine organisational policies, as well as claims made about employment and the labour market more widely. As such, HR “best practice” is questioned throughout the course. Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars and practical work. In the advanced modules there is more opportunity for group work, case study analysis and skills development.
Assessment
Assessment is by a combination of coursework and formal examinations. You’ll also complete a dissertation in your final year on a topic of your choice – strengthening and testing your research, communication and critical-thinking skills.
Work placement opportunities
An internship is an opportunity offered by an employer to students over a fixed, limited period of time, which lets you gain practical experience. Our Careers and Employability Service has details of internships available around the world with large private sector organisations, as well as opportunities with smaller local businesses which are promoted through the Third Sector Internship Scheme, the Saltire Foundation, and our very own Stirling Internship Programme.
Six reasons why you should consider an internship:
- Boost your CV and stand out from the crowd in order to have an edge in the graduate job market
- Make professional connections which may lead to the offer of a job upon graduation
- Test your career choices – internships can ease your transition into future careers
- ‘Real world’ business experience, letting you put theory into practice
- Develop transferable skills such as communication, team working, problem solving, decision-making, initiative and creativity
- Help fund your studies by earning a full-time salary during the vacation periods
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820 * |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| European Union students | £15,900 | £16,400 |
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £15,900 | £16,400 |
Scottish students
* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Undergraduate Scholarship, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students from the Republic of Ireland should see the fee and funding information under England, Wales, NI and Republic of Ireland.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding opportunities
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
Use our scholarship finder to find funding opportunities for Scottish-domiciled students.
EU students
Eligible students will automatically receive our automatic scholarship of up to £30k, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Choice Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
Students domiciled overseas
The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
What jobs can you get with a Human Resources degree?
When you complete your studies you’ll be well qualified for specialist careers in both Human Resource Management and general management. Focusing on understanding employment in the widest sense, this course also enables graduates to take up roles in trade unions, employment-related charities, government departments, non-governmental organisations and employment research bodies. As you study, we seek to prepare you for the job market with our range of specialist career services.
Find out more about how we prepare you for the world of work.
- Graduate with a combined degree to tailored to your career ambitions.
- Human Resource Management graduates from Stirling have gone on to work at the BBC, ASOS, IBM and other leading companies worldwide.
Human Resource Management graduates from Stirling are playing their part in shaping businesses around the globe. Recent Stirling graduates have started their careers in some of the following roles:
- HR Administrator, Capita HR Solutions
- Recruitment Consultant, Recruitair Ltd
- Resource Assistant, Hyde Group Engineering
- Researcher, Experis Manpower Group
Other graduates have forged careers in the following positions:
- HR Business Partner, BBC
- Expertise Management Leader, IBM
- Performance Improvement, PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Leadership Development, National Australia Group
Employability skills
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market. Our overall focus on personal and professional development is designed to help you achieve your career ambitions.
You also have the opportunity to take our Professional Development and Practice module, which helps you develop the 'softer skills' that are sought by employers.
Your course will equip you with skills in the following, plus much more:
- Teamwork
- Communication and presentation
- Independent learning
- Critical evaluation
- Research methods
- Problem solving and analytical thinking
Discover Uni
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What our students said
BA(Hons) Human Resource Management
Read Kristy's storyI graduated in 2017 and I am currently working as a Learning and Development Manager at Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd. My responsibilities are to lead, motivate, and mentor a multi-site training team to design and deliver professional development programmes for a vertically integrated seafood company with 650 employees.
Scotland
BA (Hons) Human Resource Management and Marketing
Read Jenny's storyThe academic staff and the teaching at Stirling are second to none. Staff are supportive and encouraging and give you an environment to flourish in.
Sweden
BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
Read Linda's storyI love being surrounded by nature, so the campus drew me to Stirling initially. But it was the course flexibility, the opportunity to go on a study abroad placement and student feedback that made the decision easy for me.
Flexible study
Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.
| Course name | UCAS code |
|---|---|
| Business Studies | UCAS code for this combination: NN16 |
| French | UCAS code for this combination: NRP1 |
| Law | UCAS code for this combination: MN16 |
| Marketing | UCAS code for this combination: NN65 |
| Psychology | UCAS code for this combination: NC68 |
| Spanish and Latin American Studies | UCAS code for this combination: NR64 |
For a combined Honours degree where the two subjects have different entry requirements, you will usually be asked to meet the higher entry requirement.
Find out more about degree flexibility and how you can take combined courses.