Cardiff University

BSc Business Management (Human Resource Management)

This is a three-year full-time programme, consisting of 120 credits a year. All Students, regardless of route, take a common Year 1, which does not count towards the final degree classification. At the end of Year 1, you have the option to either stay with the BSc Business Management (Human Resource Management) degree or to move to one of the other Business Management programmes if you have developed an interest in another area.

In Years 2 and 3, compulsory modules are determined by the choice of route but you also choose optional modules from an approved list enabling you to further tailor the degree to your interests.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed before the 2024/2025 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2024.

Year One

Get to grips with the fundamentals of our universal business management first year.

We’ll introduce you to disciplines including accounting, technology and economics alongside classmates from our marketing, international management and logistics and operations pathways.

Core Modules for Year One

• Society and Economy
• Operations Management
• Introduction to Accounting
• Management: Theory and Evidence
• Marketing
• People in Organisations
• Technology and the Digital Age

Year Two

Combine theory and practice as your understanding of the basics grow.

You’ll discover how the study of people management intersects with finance, marketing and strategy while building a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary business landscape.

Complement your human resource toolkit with specialist modules in multiculturalism, purchasing and supply chain management.

Core Modules for Year Two

• Challenges in Managing and Leading Organizations
• Performance and Financial Management
• Employment Relations
• Marketing and Strategy
• Managing People

Optional Modules for Year Two

• Purchasing and Supply Management
• Excellence in Managing Operations
• Logistics Networks
• Project Management
• Inferential Statistics, Statistical Modelling and Survey Methods
• Business, Government and Society
• Managing Multicultural Organisations
• Buyer Behaviour
• International Management
• Marketing Research

Year Three

Put your knowledge to the test as you encounter real-world issues in work and employment.

Modules in strategy, analysis and change will preface opportunities to tailor your degree to your career ambitions.

Core Modules for Year Three

• Critical Perspectives for Contemporary Managers
• Strategic Management

Optional Modules for Year Three

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is because some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

How Will I Be Assessed?

Assessment methods vary from module to module but, across your degree scheme as a whole, you can expect a mixture of exams, coursework, essays, practical work, presentations, and individual and group projects.

What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?

Knowledge & Understanding

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Understanding of the internal aspects of the structure, governance, functions and processes of organisations.
• An appreciation of the dynamic interaction between organisations and the social and economic business environment within which they operate.
• Knowledge of various processes, procedures and practices for the effective and responsible management of organisations.
• An appreciation of the importance to organisations of understanding and managing their markets.
• Understanding of how people interact within organisations and how they can be led, managed and developed.
• Knowledge of different systems and processes for the effective management of operations within and between organisations.
• Awareness of appropriate policies and strategies to meet stakeholder interests, manage risk and maximise achievement of strategic objectives.
• An appreciation of how organisations can create social as well as economic improvement.
• An appreciation of the factors that influence the management of people at work.
• Understanding of policy making in Human Resource Management and the factors that need to be considered in designing work and organisational systems.
• Knowledge of Human Resource processes including methods of resourcing, development, reward, and employee involvement.

Intellectual Skills

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Critical capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesise information.
• Ability to solve problems.
• Competence in exhibiting balanced and informed critical arguments.
• Capability to apply relevant theories and approaches to practice.

Professional Practical Skills

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Skills in People Management.
• An ability to use research to take an evidence-based approach to management.
• Commercial acumen.
• Innovation, creativity and enterprise.

Transferable/Key Skills

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Effective self-management and a propensity for personal development.
• An ability to communicate effectively through a variety of media, and to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• A capacity to exercise cooperation skills and work effectively with others

We are committed to helping you achieve your professional ambitions, and providing you with the skills, curiosity and confidence to make your mark in a competitive job market. Whether you have a clear idea of what you’d like to do after university or no idea at all, we have the tools and support to guide you.

Our graduates go on to a range of industries and professions including banking and finance management, logistics and supply chain management, UK Government and Civil Service, and data analysis.

Within the Business School, we have a dedicated Careers Centre offering bespoke business-specific support, including industry placements, internships, work experience and insights.

You’ll benefit from career consultations, interview and CV writing workshops, industry-specific events specialist psychometric assessment and broad skills training.

Graduate Careers

• Accountant
• Business Analyst
• Economist
• HR Manager
• Lecturer
• Marketing Executive
• Production Manager
• Stockbroker