Human Resource Management BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Our BA Human Resource Management course is approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development.

  This human resources degree is CIPD accredited in accordance with the latest CIPD professional framework and standards. The programme supports and encourages personal and professional development alongside new and exciting modules including Talent Management and Workplace Wellbeing.

  Upon successful completion of your human resources degree and the approved modules, you will be eligible for Associate membership of the CIPD (CIPD membership fee and criteria applies). Associate members can use the designatory letters ‘Assoc CIPD’ after their name.  For further information on the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, please visit the CIPD website.

  In addition to the modules you will study on the course, there are many other opportunities, provided by the University of Northampton, to develop your skills, to enhance your career outcomes, such as Employability Plus. There will also be opportunities to network with those already working in HR as well as attending CIPD branch events to enhance your professional network, personal knowledge and skills. For more information on local branch events, visit the Northampton CIPD branch websites.

  Optional Placement Year

  You are encouraged to undertake a year-long placement in between Stages Two and Three of your human resources degree. If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take up a placement year you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career.

  Whilst on your Optional Work Placement Year you will study a 40 credit module ‘The Placement Year Experience – Organisations in Context’.

  We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

  List of modules

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1
    • Future Focused Organisations (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM1037

      Status: Compulsory
      This module explores how organisations need to consider the influence of people on its ability to adapt to changing environment. Students consider how personalities and attitudes of employees infuence organisational performance and success. The module introduces students to key concepts around performance management and change.
    • Exploring Professional Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: HRM1038

      Status: Compulsory
      This module enables students to develop the required skills and behaviours of HR professionals and related occupations. Students assess their own strengths and limitations and identify a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan, based on the capabilities required for ethical, business-focused and interpersonal professional conduct.
    • Culture and Behaviour (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM1039

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to concepts, theories and approaches to understanding culture and human behaviour in organisations. Learners examine theory about organisational culture and behaviour, and then explore recent trends, considering how the relationship between the organisation and its environment affects organisational culture.
    • Employee Lifecycle (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM1040

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with an understanding of the employee experience in an organisation and the HR policies and practices that support the employee lifecycle. Students are introduced to specific aspects of HRM people practices and how these are implemented in a range or organisational contexts, including regulated and non-regulated environments.
    • Workplace Well-being (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM1041

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with an understanding of how the workplace affects well-being. Students explore a range of key concepts within workplace psychology, and considers dimensions such as workplace design, emotions at work, dispersed work, management styles and how these factors impact on well-being at work.
  • Stage 2
    • Evidenced-Based Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM2067

      Status: Compulsory
      This module enables learners to develop skills in the translation of evidence into practice through the review of research and the investigation of different types of organisational evidence. Learners compare, analyse and synthesise evidence, and then use the results to make informed decisions that have practical implications for organisational performance.
    • The Changing Organisation (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM2068

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is is to enable learners to identify importance of organisational change and the role of HRM in the implementation of change. Through this module learners will examine the internal and external drivers that influence the need for change and investigate approaches to adpating organisations to the external environment.
    • Value Creation in Human Resource Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM2069

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? understanding of different interpretations of value within an organisational context. Students explore the tools and technological advancements that support value creation, relating these to modern social and technological trends and their implications for people and organisations.
    • Developing Professional Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: HRM2070

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop and apply the skills and behaviours of HR professionals within a wider context. It will enable learners to assess their own personal and professional development and reflect on their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) whilst developing further their professional practice.
    • Talent Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM2071

      Status: Compulsory
      This module examines approaches to identifying and managing talent within the organisation. Students explore how development initiatives are developed to meet both individual and organisational requirements and how to develop a learning environment in an organisation
  • Stage 3
    • The Strategic Environment of HRM (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM3024

      Status: Compulsory
      This module enables learners to develop an in-depth understanding of the contextual and strategic environment within which organisations operate and practice HR, and the importance of strategic alignment between people and the organisation.
    • Sustainable and Ethical People Practices (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM3025

      Status: Compulsory
      This module enables learners to develop an in-depth understanding of ethical and sustainability issues in organisations and apply this knowledge to contemporary HR practices. Learners are prompted to reflect on their own ethical position and values in relation to their own developing professional identity.
    • Transition into the Workplace (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM3027

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to prepare the learner to make a successful transition from learning to fulfilling employment. The module will enable learners to reflect upon own career choices, and identify their preferred route from a range of specialist areas within HRM.
    • The Global Context of HRM (20 Credits)
      Module code: HRM3028

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will enable learners to analyse how internationlisation and globalisation influence HRM. Learners will explore the complexities and opportunities of operating in a global context and will undertake comparative analysis of different country approaches to a range of people management practices.
    • Human Resource Management Project (40 Credits)
      Module code: HRM4008

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable learners to identify, devise and carry out a project, that examines an aspect of HRM practice in depth. Through this module learners will select and apply research skills to address contemporary HRM issues/topics.

  Collapse
• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time BA Human Resource Management degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

  Collapse
• Integrated Foundation Year

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a HR degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for Human Resource Management we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year Human Resource Management programme which includes a Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

  Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.

  Collapse
• Optional Work Placement Year

  The optional placement year enables you to put into practice what you have learned on your degree and gain practical industry experience. Your Human Resource Management degree is extended to four years and the placement is undertaken at the end of your penultimate year, this is for one year (48 weeks) and paid. If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take up a placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career. We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

  Where have previous Human Resource Management students worked during their placement year?

  • Volkswagen Group Limited
  • AXA Manger Ltd
  • Volvo Car UK
  • BMW (UK) Mini Plant

  Hear from previous Human Resource Management students about their placement experience

  • Jess Johnson

  Collapse
• FAQs

  How will the HR degree be assessed?

  Throughout the human resources degree, you will be assessed using a variety of assessments that reflect ‘real world’ tasks therefore essays and exams are not included within the programme. The assessments are relevant and engaging and require students to demonstrate their own learning rather than pure subject knowledge.

  The programme has a strong emphasis on personal and professional growth and development, to ensure students are both capable and professional individuals within the workplace.

  Are there any special features on this course?

  • The BA HRM course is approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development.
  • Additional accreditation of the CIPD Intermediate Certificate in Human Resource Management is available, upon successful completion of the course and the approved modules
  • Opportunity to engage with Employability Related activities within the University of Northampton. For example, experiencing assessment centres and mock interviews, with real life employers.
  • Opportunity to attend the Career Planning and Development conference
  • Allocated Personal Tutor
  • Optional work placement year

  Collapse