Home Courses Business School BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management
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Explore the exciting world of managing people at work in today’s business and HRM environment

UCAS LogoUCAS Logo
NN16
3 years Full Time | 4 years Full Time with sandwich placement
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)

Top 10

University in the South East

Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021

12th

in the UK for Business

National Student Survey 2021

100%

student satisfaction for Business Studies

National Student Survey 2022

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Overview

Study the key aspects of business and specialise in human resource management

Our BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management programme develops your knowledge of the crucial factors within the business sector and the skills you will need to recruit, manage, and develop the most talented staff to compete in an ever-changing business environment.

Gain the knowledge and skills employers need

Many of the jobs you will hold in the future don’t exist yet and this degree will teach you management fundamentals to deal with today’s complex and changing business landscape.

The course will also develop your people management focus should you decide to progress your career in HRM and extend your studies further to gain full Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) accreditation.

Explore a range of topics such as:

  • Human resource management (HRM)
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Finance
  • Operations management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market research

Work on live projects

You will have opportunities to work on live business projects with real-world clients, as you apply your knowledge to produce creative solutions and develop your confidence, business knowledge, critical thinking, and HR knowledge to prepare you for your future career.

Dedicated work placement options

Our varied work placement opportunities help develop your confidence, experience, and your ability to stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market.

These placements will improve your employability further and act as a fantastic way to put theory into practice.

Small and interactive classes

Our small interactive seminars mean you are seen as an individual, not just another face in the crowd, as our lecturers get to know you and how best to support your academic and personal development.

This approach provides you with opportunities to develop and express your opinions relating to today’s business issues and inspire curiosity into the business world.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited

Our Business Management degrees are accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a professional management body who are the only organisation that can award Chartered Manager status – the ultimate management accolade.

This means your degree matches what employers are currently looking for in aspiring managers.

CMI logo

You could also be eligible for the additional Level 5 Diploma in Management at no extra cost or assignment work. With a good degree accredited by CMI, plus this professional management qualification, your chances of securing employability increase, and you can accelerate your entry into management.

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) accredited

This course is awaiting accreditation by the CIPD, meaning that your degree will be accredited by the most recognised HR professional organisation, and particularly useful if you decide to pursue a career in people management.

During your studies, you will be eligible for CIPD student membership and a range of HR specific resources.

On graduation, you will also be eligible for Associate CIPD membership to kick-start your career as an HR specialist.

CIPD approved centre logo

 

On this course you will:

  • Complete projects with real clients.
  • Explore various business, management leadership topics and the strategies, challenges, and solutions businesses face.
  • Have the option to complete a 1-year or short placement (20 weeks).
  • Develop valuable soft skills like confidence, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, time management and resilience.
  • Have the opportunity to take part in events and activities including trips, events, and business guest speakers.

The Course

Gain an in-depth insight into the worlds of business and people management

Year One

Your first year focuses on understanding the fundamentals of business management, how decisions are made, how they and affect other business areas.

During this year, you will develop your employability, enterprise awareness and build a foundation of business knowledge for the rest of your degree through key subject areas such as HRM, employee development/relations, management, operations, and leadership.

Year Two

In your second year, you will further develop your knowledge in human resource management and start to build your own specialism through optional modules.

During this year you will consider whether to go on a one-year placement or study exchange at the end of year two; or continue straight to year three.

Year Three

Your final year sees you focus on your research dissertation which acts as the culmination of your learning throughout your degree.

In addition, you will continue to study more advanced aspects of business and human resource management that fit in with your interests. You will also have the opportunity to complete a 20-week part-time work placement.

Freedom to move over to a single honours course

Most of our business degrees share core modules during the first year, which means that you may choose to move from a joint honours degree to a single honours option at the end of year one if you find another subject you are particularly interested in.

Indicative modules

You will study a selection of core and optional modules in each year. Each module is worth a number of credits and is delivered differently depending on its content and focus of study.

This list is indicative and subject to change.

Select a year

Management and Organisations

This module is an excellent gateway to the world of management and organisational behaviour! By encouraging exploratory learning, it offers you a chance to develop not only academic knowledge but also self-awareness and interpersonal skills. Such an approach is vital for preparing you for the complexities of the modern workplace and can inspire a lifelong curiosity in the subject.

Assessment:
Individual 3,000-word report

Technology for Business

This module is designed to introduce you to the use of technology, primarily information systems, and how organisations adapt and leverage digital technology solutions to gain a competitive advantage.

Assessment:
3,000-word Report

Introductory Law for Managers

This module aims to introduce you to the subject of law relevant to the commercial world. The module looks to provide you with sufficient understanding of the law so that, as managers, you can recognise and understand its relevance and application within a commercial context.

Assessment:
1.5 Hour Exam
1.5 Hour Exam

Academic & Professional Skills

This module is designed to facilitate a smooth transition when entering university, fostering both academic and professional skill development. It places a strong emphasis on personal growth, encouraging you to reflect on your development while also valuing the contributions of your peers. With a focus on academic skills and personal development, the module aims to equip you with the tools necessary for success in both your academic pursuits and future professional endeavours.

Assessment:
3,000-word Portfolio

Entrepreneurial Mindset

This module is an exciting opportunity for you to not only understand entrepreneurship but also apply it in a real-world context. By engaging with real clients and tackling genuine problems or opportunities, you can develop a practical understanding of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Working collaboratively in small groups fosters teamwork and diverse perspectives, while also allowing room for individual creativity and initiative. The emphasis on delivering value to the client and showcasing an entrepreneurial mindset through practical implementation and strategic recommendations ensures a holistic learning experience.

Assessment:
15-minute Presentation
1,800-word Report

Marketing Principles & Practice

This marketing module offers a comprehensive exploration of marketing’s significance in today’s business landscape, covering essential tools and concepts. You will delve into the extended services mix, buyer behaviour, segmentation, and market research, while also examining broader business facets like contemporary society, digital advancements, and disruptive business models. Through real-world examples, interactive discussions, and engaging activities, you will gain a practical understanding of marketing principles and their application in various contexts.

Assessment:
3,000-word Report

Introduction to Sustainability

Collaborative exploration of sustainability not only fosters deeper understanding but also cultivates vital skills like ethical reasoning and effective communication. Encouraging you to examine sustainability within specific sectors or industries can lead to insightful discussions and innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

Assessment:
10-minute Poster Presentation – can work individually, in a pair or trio.

Perspectives on Psychology

This module aims to introduce the background and work of prominent figures who influenced the development of modern psychology and encourage you to begin to explore for yourself key thinkers in Psychology, focusing on how key thinkers design and conduct research in their field.

Assessment:
3,000-word Essay

Project Management

Optional

This module introduces you to the world of project management, a subject that is highly sought after whether the organisation is an SME or a multinational.

The content is based on the Association of Project Management (APM) Body of Knowledge (Bok). This is the leading association for project management in the UK and provides a holistic and generic approach to the wide range of skills necessary to manage projects efficiently and effectively.

Assessment:
3,000-word Report

Operations Management

Optional

Operations management is the backbone of how organisations create and deliver their goods and services. While the concept seems straightforward – input, operations, output – the reality is often much more intricate due to the complexities of business processes.

This module seeks to give you a deep understanding of how organizations navigate these complexities to efficiently manage their resources, facilities, and assets. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure consistent quality in delivering goods and services that meet customer needs effectively.

Assessment:
20-minute Presentation with 10-minute Q&A

Key HR Practices

This module provides you with a deep dive into essential aspects of effective people management. By covering theories, practices, and contemporary issues, it equips you with a holistic understanding of HR within diverse organizational landscapes.

The focus on workforce planning, performance management, and talent retention reflects the evolving needs of modern businesses. Integrating literature and practical tasks ensures you can apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios, both nationally and internationally. Overall, it seems like a robust foundation for future HR professionals.

Assessments:
1,500-word Portfolio
1.15-hour Examination

Digital Marketing

Optional

This module aims to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of digital marketing by integrating emerging media and mobile technologies with traditional communication channels.

Through real-world examples and hands-on experience, you will develop marketing campaigns that leverage online and offline mediums.

By critically analysing contemporary issues and advancements in the marketing industry, you will gain valuable insights into digital tools, models, and concepts, preparing you for the dynamic landscape of modern marketing.

Assessment
3,000-word Briefing

A Sustainable Economy

Optional

Sustainability in business is essential, aligning with global goals like the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. It spans various dimensions, from societal and environmental concerns to economic and ethical considerations.

As climate change and resource limitations become more pressing, companies must prioritize sustainability to reduce carbon emissions and address inequality. Moreover, heightened societal awareness demands greater corporate social responsibility and ethical values.

This module will delve into sustainable practices, highlighting their benefits for both businesses and consumers and how effective operations and strategies can manage sustainability challenges through best practices.

Assessment:
3,000-word report

Employee Development

This module expands on prior knowledge about management, organizations, and HR practices, focusing on cultivating a skilled and talented workforce. It delves into the advantages of having such a workforce, examines the factors shaping workforce development, and assesses the breadth of learning and development within talent management strategies.

Additionally, it evaluates various methodologies and frameworks for gauging the efficacy of workforce development initiatives.

Assessment:
1,200-word essay
1,800-word Report or 1,800-word equivalent presentation

Leadership

This module invites you to explore the challenges of leadership in organisations through a critical examination of theory, practice, and possible future directions. It encourages you to avoid simplified prescriptions for effective leadership and encourages you to expand your thinking on alternative strategies as you look forward to your future role as potential leaders in organisations.

Assessment:
10-minute Presentation
2,100-word Written Submission

Finance for Managers

Optional

This module aims to introduce and develop essential financial concepts and tools necessary for understanding and evaluating business performance from a primarily financial perspective.

It assumes minimal prior accounting knowledge and targets those who aren’t necessarily pursuing an Accounting and Finance degree.

Assessment:
3,000-word Coursework

The Professional Graduate

This module integrates practical elements to enhance career progression, emphasizing the significance of professionalism in the workplace for graduates. It promotes personal and professional development through activities such as career planning, professional placements, and projects.

Reflective practice is highlighted as a key tool for fostering continuous growth and the acquisition of relevant competencies.

Assessment:
3,000-word Assessment Portfolio

Data Driven Decision Making

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the concept of data and market research for decision making.

Assessment
2,250-word Leaflet, Brochure, Poster
750-word Explanation Document

Economics for Business

Optional

This module aims to equip you with a foundational grasp of applied economics, crucial for informed decision-making as future leaders. Focusing on macroeconomics, it delves into economic history, assessing various schools of thought shaping today’s markets. Through abstract models and case studies, you will gain insights into business strategy and governmental economic policies, enhancing your ability to navigate the complex dynamics of the marketplace.

Assessment:
3,000-word Report

Social Media Marketing

This module is designed to introduce you to social media from a business and professional perspective. It is framed within the context of the marketing mix but explores trends and current ideas around the concept of digital consumers and engaging brand experiences.

You will explore the history, development and future of social media as well as looking at tools to manage roles, teams, and campaigns.

Assessment:
Individual Report

Research Project

The module offers you a chance to delve into a specific area of interest within various organisational contexts, fostering both professional and intellectual growth.

Under the guidance of a supervisor, you will undertake independent research, showcasing your ability for critical thinking and analysis. The chosen topic typically revolves around management issues in either public or private sectors, with a focus on generating findings applicable beyond specific cases.

There are optional routes – Short Work Placement, Consultancy Placement, and Entrepreneurship – each tailored to align with career goals and academic pursuits.

Assessment:
At the end of stage 2, you will submit a final version of your research project. This will look like the following, depending on the option chosen:

  • Completed dissertation which is structured and presented according to the module guidelines (9,000 words)
  • Completed consultancy report which is structured and presented according to the guidelines (9,000 words)
    If a Computing Systems Development option has been chosen, this can be structured as a 6,000-word report and 3,000-word equivalent presentation
  • Completed portfolio which is structured and presented according to guidelines for live projects e.g. event management, marketing project (9,000 words)
  • Entrepreneurship growth strategy and professional discussion around key findings on the viability of the business idea from the experience of starting up the business (6,000-word report and 3,000-word equivalent presentation

Strategic and International HRM

The module focuses on the integrative nature of Strategic Human Resource Management with business strategy, organisational culture and design and how it can be put into operation with a range of management tools and techniques.

The importance of the subject area is maintained through the identification of current HRM themes, developments and issues in both the national and international context for organisations and the practical application and consequences of such developments.

Assessment:
1,800-word report
1.15-hour Examination

Professional Practice

This module offers you a chance to gain 270 hours of experience in an organisation, building on your work in the Professional Development module. You will secure a placement and develop your Personal Development Planning for future career goals and better employability.

Typically paired with the Research Project, it allows you to focus on personal development within your work placement, enhancing skills for your chosen careers and gaining practical and research expertise in your field. You can choose from options like a Short Work Placement, a Consultancy Project (remote), or Entrepreneurship (requiring Entrepreneurship in semester one).

Assessment:
Assessment 1: 1,800-word Personal Portfolio
Assessment 2: 3,000-word Learning Logs
Assessment 3: 10 minute Personal Presentation

Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

Optional

This module introduces you to a range of ethical issues, concepts, theories and techniques that affect people and organisations that you can reflect on in relation to your own values and ethics.

From an organisational perspective, you will consider ethical frameworks and decision making, for example in relation to corporate social responsibility and the UN Sustainability Goals. At a personal level, you will be encouraged to consider and reflect on your own ethical and moral stance and the impact this has on your future choices.

Assessment:
3,000-word Portfolio

Strategic Management

Optional

The module encourages you to think critically and creatively about strategic management from the formation of strategy through to frontline implementation. It is aimed at those that may have little or no personal experience of strategic management.

Assessment:
10-minute presentation
2,000 word Assignment

Contemporary Issues in HRM

The module provides the opportunity to select, research and critically assess a range of contemporary HR issues in organisational life such as new ways of working, AI and job design, Employee Wellbeing and mental health, Equality, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, Ethics and HR, HR Analytics and the Multi-generational work force. These change year on year depending on current hot topics and student interests.

The module explores the nature and implications of these issues and how the HR function contributes to effectively managing them.

Assessment:
Paper of 3,000 words on a topic of interest to the student.

Global Business Today

Optional

This module introduces you to current global issues relevant for organisations aiming to compete and thrive in a highly competitive global business landscape.

Weekly exploration of various global topics will utilise both quantitative and qualitative data from reliable sources commonly used by global decision-makers. This approach aims to give you a comprehensive grasp of the key responsibilities and challenges confronting diverse organisations, shedding light on the global dimensions of local and regional business issues.

Particularly appealing to those interested in understanding the intersection of world events and business, the module offers a diverse array of contemporary topics each week, emphasising their global ramifications and the diverse challenges faced by economies, countries, and organisational types.

Through analysis of organisation and country case studies, you will gain insights into business challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions.

Assessment:
20-minute conference presentation + 10-minute Q&A

Psychology in Context: Cultural Psychology

Optional

The module adopts an interdisciplinary approach to Psychology, covering key areas such as Biological, Cognition, Development, Emotions, Health, Individual Differences, Morality and Justice, Motivation, Relationships, and the Self, all within the context of a multicultural world.

While primarily focusing on psychological theories and research, it also draws insights from Anthropology, Biology, Geography, History, Sociology, and Zoology.

Emphasising the neglect of cultural perspectives in mainstream Psychology, the module aims to integrate insights from diverse cultures to provide a comprehensive understanding. It poses overarching questions such as how universalist assumptions have influenced Psychology’s knowledge, how culture intersects with Psychology, the similarities, and differences in psychological findings across cultures, the evidence supporting these findings, and how such insights can enhance health and well-being.

Assessment:
3,000-word Essay

Business Trips

In your first year you can take part in optional business trips to highlight the skills you will need in the workplace. You will meet people in their place of work, ask questions and learn about the industry and work environment of various businesses.

Teaching and Assessment

Feel the support of our expert and experienced staff

Teaching

You will learn through small interactive workshops, where you will join a close and supportive environment and develop a wide range of soft skills such as confidence, business acumen, teamwork, communication, initiative, and resilience.

The majority of the course is taught through practical tasks which apply theory and involve problem solving, developing ideas and implementing some of them.

Assessment

Our assessments are more aligned with an authentic workplace, where most of your assignments involve creating business reports, presentations, and portfolios, which develop your critical thinking skills and a solution-focused approach that is vital in the workplace.

Luke

Business student
"I chose to study a business degree at Chichester because the lectures are run a small workshop-style sessions with more 'facetime' with the lecturers, and I felt that I would learn more in the environment."

Experience

Discover a close student community, excellent facilities, and unique opportunities

Jamala

Business student
"I've met some great people, really enjoyed my university experience and being away from home. It was definitely the right choice to come here."

Stay updated

Follow the Business School on Instagram to see our latest updates or browse through our video collection on the Business School YouTube channel.

Work Placements

Gain practical experience within the industry

Work placements give you valuable work experience to add to your CV and help to prepare you for the workplace after you graduate.

During work placements you will develop your employability and apply your learning in practice, so you are ready to thrive in business after you leave university. You could even secure employment after you graduate with your placement employer.

Industrial Placements

There are two main types of placement on this course:

  • You may complete a year-long industrial placement between your second and third years of study.
  • A 20 week part-time placement during your final year – some students complete both placement options.

Most students secure placements in London and the South East but you could travel overseas. Past students have worked in Bahrain, India, Singapore, and Australia.

Many placement students continue to work for the companies they completed placements with after they graduate. Some students are even offered full time jobs before their results are published.

Placement Year

This one-year placement option takes place after your second year of study. You will have a paid position with a company and be an employee as well as a registered student. The company will introduce you to the workplace and provide a valuable learning experience to support and develop your understanding of business practice.

20 Week Work Placement

During your final year you will complete a 20-week work placement . This placement is part time, usually unpaid, and will be assessed as a double module for your degree. Your assessment will focus on employability and personal development.

You will focus on a management project during your placement. This project usually concerned with investigating management issues within the placement organisation.

Placement Office

The Business School has a dedicated placement office who will with you and relevant businesses to help you find your best placement match. We ensure that placements are at an appropriate level and suitable for your degree.

You are responsible for finding your own placement, but you can take advantage of the team’s business relationships and opportunities advertised by the placement office. Some businesses reach out to the office to re-advertise their placements each year.

Spencer

Spencer

Business student
"My placement has exposed me to the professional HR environment, and I believe this has given me a competitive advantage when seeking a graduate role. I know I have gained skills such as, adaptability, problem solving, teamwork which I have taken into my third year and will take on into my Professional career."

Students find placements in all types of businesses; some recent examples include:

  • Butlins Skyline Ltd (HRM)
  • Citizens Advice (HRM)
  • Condair (HRM)
  • Gatwick Diamond Initiative
  • Hays Recruitment (HRM)
  • Nissan Motorcars
  • PWC
  • Target Professional (HRM)
  • Rolls Royce
  • Montezuma's Chocolate
  • Goodwood

Business Trips

In your first year you can take part in optional business trips to highlight the skills you will need in the workplace. You will meet people in their place of work, ask questions and learn about the industry and work environment of various businesses.

Strategic and International HRM module field trip
Our students went on a field trip to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Goodwood, which included a guided tour and interview opportunity with the Rolls Royce Motorcars HR team.

Graduate Success

Join our community of successful alumni

Guest Speakers

Get a unique insight into the professional world

We also engage with local businesses who visit as guest speakers, deliver masterclasses, or set you genuine business challenges to solve.

These experiences help you bring theory to life, understand first-hand the challenges businesses face and techniques to overcome them.

Working with real clients and business on current commercial and business problems and projects provides the basis for some assessments and enable you to apply your learning to authentic commercial situations.

Study Abroad

Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad

As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.

Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.

You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to help ensure that you can get the best out of your time studying abroad.

Jen

Jen

Business School student who studied abroad in Finland for for a year
I would recommend to everyone to study abroad for a year. I’ve met so many wonderful people from all over the world who are now great friends that I will visit even now my year abroad has ended. Some highlights of my time here were visiting Santa in Lapland, spending a weekend in a traditional Finnish cottage in the lake region, having an outdoor BBQ in the middle of winter and going to many saunas. For those concerned about the financial aspect, there are additional student loans and grants, as well as more support options for lower income households. I have learned a lot about Finland, such as the beautiful nature, history and traditional food. I've also learned lots about myself and improved my skills in confidence and independence, and now I see the world from another perspective.

Careers

Excellent professional level graduate employment results

This multi-disciplinary BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management degree gives you the skills needed to succeed across a range of business industries and job roles.

Employers will value the breadth of your knowledge gained through the degree and your specific understanding of HRM and people management.

 

Where you could go after your studies

When you graduate you will be ready to make an immediate and on-going contribution to your workplace in the field of business and human resource management. You may decide to further your HR specialism by progressing in HR and obtaining CIPD status.

Previous graduates have secured jobs at companies including:

  • Google Europe
  • Shangri La Hotels
  • West Sussex Country Council
  • Vent Axia
  • R21 Media
  • St Martins in the Fields
  • Grange Hotels
  • Hays
  • The Goodwood Group

Further Study

You may decide to continue your studies to postgraduate level.

The Business School has a diverse range of postgraduate courses including:

  • MSc Digital Marketing
  • MSc Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour
  • MBA
  • PGCE
  • PhD Research

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,840

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Entry Requirements

Typical offers (individual offers may vary):

UCAS
104-120
tariff points from A levels or combination with AS / EPQ / BTEC/ Cambridge Technical.
A Levels
BBB-BCC
BTEC/Cambridge Technical
DDM-DMM
GCSEs
4/C or better
in English language and mathematics.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass
with at least 15 credits at Merit.
T Level
Merit (with C in the Core)
in Accounting, Finance, or Management and Administration.
IB
28 points
IELTS
6.0
with no element lower than 5.5.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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