Study Human Resources Management, why & how to study

Human Resources Management, or HR, is all about effectively managing people in an organisation. Use our subject guide to decide if the study of HR is for you.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 26 Oct 2022

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What’s Human Resources Management?
What Human Resources Management degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto a Human Resources Management degree?
What topics does a Human Resources Management degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Human Resources Management?
Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Human Resources Management degree?
What do Human Resources Management graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as a Human Resources Management graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Human Resources Management
Have any questions?

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What’s Human Resources Management?

A degree in Human Resources Management (often known as HR) will give you the skills needed to succeed in business management roles.

You’ll learn how to understand people and manage them effectively, study the latest management theories and research, and gain a critical awareness of how people are organised in different kinds of companies.

What Human Resources Management degrees can you study?

Undergraduate Human Resources Management degrees on offer in the UK include:

Business with Human Resources Management MA
Human Resources Management BA
Management with Human Resources BSc

Most options include a year abroad or placement year as part of the course.

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Find a Human Resources Management degree
Types of undergraduate degrees

What do you need to get onto a Human Resources Management degree?

Must have

Most undergraduate Human Resources Management courses ask for around 112–153 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below:

A Levels: AAB–BBC
BTECs: DDM–DMM
Scottish Highers: AAABB–BBBB
International Baccalaureate: 34–26

Good to have

Studied business, mathematics, economics, information technology, psychology or sociology at A Level or equivalent
Had work experience in an office environment, ideally in an operational or admin role
Held a role of responsibility in a student group or organisation

What topics does a Human Resources Management degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

Managing people
Organisational behaviour
Developing talent
Business ethics
Employment relations
Strategic management

How will you be assessed?

Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:

Exams
Reports
Portfolios
Presentations
Essays
Coursework
Final year project

Why study Human Resources Management?

Career-specific skills:

Management
Marketing
Organisation
Analytical
Quantitative
Computing
Cultural and commercial awareness
Employment law

Transferable skills:

Interpersonal
Problem-solving
Project management
Sensitivity
Leadership
Strategic thinking
Numeracy

Professional accreditations:

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Human Resources Management degree?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

What do Human Resources Management graduates earn?

When starting as a graduate human resources officer, you can expect an entry-level salary of around £23,000.

The average salary for an HR manager in the UK is around £35,000. Salaries can be higher than £50,000 for those with lots of experience in high-level positions.

What jobs can you get as a Human Resources Management graduate?

Most businesses have people to manage, so Human Resources Management graduates go into a wide range of industries and sectors such as insurance, retail, manufacturing and recruitment. Examples of graduates opportunities include: