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.
CONTENTS
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What’s Human Resources Management?
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What Human Resources Management degrees can you study?
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What do you need to get onto a Human Resources Management degree?
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What topics does a Human Resources Management degree cover?
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How will you be assessed?
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Why study Human Resources Management?
- Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Human Resources Management degree?
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What do Human Resources Management graduates earn?
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What jobs can you get as a Human Resources Management graduate?
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What are the postgraduate opportunities?
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Similar subjects to Human Resources Management
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Have any questions?
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:
Most options include a year abroad or placement year as part of the course.
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)
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 £25,000–£27,500.
Salaries for HR managers in the UK range from £42,000–£95,500, depending on your experience, seniority, and the size of the company you work for. HR directors can earn more than £200,000.
Read more about what graduates do and earn.
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:
- Human resources officer
- Office manager
- Payroll specialist
- Training coordinator
- Project manager
- Marketing director
- HR consultant
- Compensation and benefits manager
- Occupational psychologist
- Business development manager
- Customer success manager
- Growth executive
- Recruitment consultant
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Examples of postgraduate courses available at universities in the UK:
- Human Resources Management MLitt
- Human Resources Management and Consulting MA
- Human Resources and Organisations MSc
Similar subjects to Human Resources Management
Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:
Have any questions?
Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!
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