Course Overview
Course summary
Career-focused, our degree incorporates general business management as well as the tools, techniques and specialist knowledge to manage human resources (HR) effectively. You will put theory into practice coaching other students, designing assessments, conducting interviews and more. This provides valuable experience and a genuine appreciation of how HR fits within the broader business landscape, preparing you to make a positive impact for your employer from the get-go.
How an organisation manages its people has a direct impact on both their mindset and productivity, making HR Management (HRM) a core function in every business. This course will equip you with the breadth of knowledge, skills and capabilities to develop positive working cultures and respond proactively and creatively to contemporary business issues and challenges, such as change management.
Our emphasis is very much on experiential learning. You will be taught by staff who are or have been HR professionals, bringing their real-life case work into the classroom, showing you how the HR theories, tools and techniques you are learning can be put into practice. You will also hear direct from industry practitioners, such as experienced HR Directors, Heads of HR and HR Consultants. Where possible, we also take you on field trips to see HR strategy in action at a range of different organisations.
Your learning is fully informed by current professional practice and you will be encouraged to act as an HR professional from day one. We will introduce contemporary tools and techniques and give you the chance to gain the practical experience you would in work – sometimes several years into a career – while you study. For example, you will experiment with psychometric tests such as Myers Briggs Type Indicator, participate in mock disciplinary hearings, interview panels, act as a mentor and receive mentoring yourself. In doing so, you also develop valuable transferable skills, such as communicating effectively, team-working and problem-solving skills, thereby enhancing your employability.
Past graduates have found successful employment as an HR advisor, HR operations assistant, career consultant, professional development and training advisor and employee service advisor. They work for major employers including Accenture, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Trainline, The Body Shop, Waitrose, the Metropolitan Police and the NHS.
Top reasons to study with us
- Study at one of London’s leading centres for business education based in the heart of London and its political, media and financial services scene
- Our partnership with Lumina Spark gives you access and use of its next generation psychometric tools
- Guest speakers have previously come from a range of sectors and industries, including coaching, HR management and infrastructure
- Optional modules – covering everything from organisational psychology to coaching and mentoring in the workplace – allow you to tailor your studies
- Exposure to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development practice and have access to their events such as conferences
- Employability embedded across the curriculum, with dedicated specialist modules at every level
- Optional placement year to gain valuable work experience – previous students on this degree have worked for the NHS, JP Morgan and SThree
- Programmes are delivered by a multicultural and international teaching body, who come from professional practice and/or regularly publish in top international journals
Course structure
This degree aims to provide an excellent platform for career success as a capable, confident and business-savvy HR professional. It will help you develop skills across a number of business disciplines so that you understand what makes a business tick and how to drive a business to succeed through its workforce. In each year of study, you will take a combination of core and optional modules.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
You are introduced to the functions of business organisations, the broader business environment, and key management skills and competences, including information gathering and analysis, accounting, economics, marketing and organisational behaviour. We consider business organisations – their purposes, structures and governance in a global context, together with cultural differences and ethical constraints.
Subjects of study include:
- Global Business Environment
- Business Analytics
- Fundamentals of Organisational Behaviour
- Accounting and Finance Fundamentals
- Marketing in Practice
You will also have the opportunity to take an option module that broadens your skills or helps you gain more in-depth knowledge of your specialist area. Your option module may be a foreign language.
Credit Level 4
You will investigate and learn how businesses operate, looking at how people are managed, how you manage business operations and how managers make key decisions. We analyse business operations from both traditional and digital perspectives: the business process; systems integration; and the management of information, quality, demand, capacity and resources. You will begin to evaluate the different approaches to managing people; the skills of performance management and the link between people handling and performance. This year has much more of a specialist HRM focus.
Subjects of study include:
- Digital Business and Operations Management
- Managing and Leading People
- Management Decision Making
- HRM Essentials
You can also choose two options from: Work and Organisational Psychology within the HR context, Sociology of Work and Industry, or other areas of business. You will also have the opportunity to study a module from other parts of the University, including a foreign language.
Credit Level 5
Optional work placement/study abroad year
Between Years 2 and 3, you can take an optional work placement or study year abroad. The work placement year is a one-year full-time business work placement.
Past students have completed placements in a variety of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and prestigious organisations, including Barclays Bank, British Airways, Disney UK, IBM and the NHS.
The study abroad year allows you to follow a programme of study at one of our partner institutions, giving you an opportunity to experiment life in another country and learn Business from a different cultural viewpoint.
You can also choose to split your year abroad into a first semester exchange and a second semester work placement, both conducted overseas.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
You will learn to apply critical and reflective approaches to help explore the challenges facing organisations at a strategic level and from an organisational perspective. We consider contemporary HR issues and how to handle conflict or change at work, often referring to real-life examples, case studies and news, such as the impact for employers of Brexit or COVID-19. Developing your specialist knowledge further, as an example, you have a unique opportunity to design and develop your own recruitment and retention strategies. You will learn about the social science behind interviews and development and assessment centres, something that would not usually happen in the early stages of an HR career, but which better prepares you for graduate roles. You will undertake research into a strategic management issue of your choice, for example, examining the role of HRM in strategic success or investigating talent management and the future of work.
Subjects of study include:
- Strategic Perspectives
- Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management
- Leadership and Professional Practice
- Employment Law
You can also choose two options from Assessing and Developing Talent, Cultural Differences and People Management, Coaching and Mentoring in the Workplace or other areas of business. You have the opportunity to study one module from across the University, including a foreign language.
Credit Level 6
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
This course is designed to prepare you to become a business leader, an entrepreneur or seek employment in SMEs, blue-chip organisations, the public, private or third sector. The highly vocational focus of our course, in terms of input from current practitioners and the significant practical experience you yourself gain, will allow you to start contributing to your employer’s organisation quickly and effectively.
Past graduates have found successful employment as a career consultant, professional development and training advisor, employee service advisor, HR advisor and HR operations assistant. They are employed by local and central government, the European Parliament, the national emergency, education and health services, as well as a diverse range of companies spanning consultancy, tourism, hospitality and retail. Many of our students also go on to postgraduate study here and at a range of other universities.
The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills
Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills in The Big Idea competition, sponsored by Santander.
Kickstart your career
Learn how to use social media in your job hunt or LinkedIn to kickstart your career.
Develop your CQ
Develop your cultural intelligence – or ‘CQ’ – studying alongside students and staff representing more than 100 nationalities.
Industry links
Staff who currently teach on this course have extensive professional experience in areas such as performance management, reward, recruitment and employment law, learning and development, with many maintaining links with industry through consultancy and training. We are a Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) Approved Centre and recognised by a range of professional bodies including the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). We have excellent links with industry, including a partnership with Lumina Spark, which provides state-of-the-art professional development tools supporting individuals, teams and organisations to work more effectively and improve bottom line. This means our students get to access the Spark psychometric testing resources.
Job roles
The course will prepare you for a wide variety of roles in business. Examples of these from our recent graduates are:
- Human resources officer
- Management consultant
- Office manager
- Recruitment consultant
- Training and development officer
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- AXA Insurance
- Bucks (Buckinghamshire) Healthcare
- EY
- H&M
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts
- Hitachi Rail Europe
- Martin McColl’s
- Metropolitan Police
- Next
- NHS
- Primark
- SKF Engineering
- Sports Direct
- Toys R Us
- Tui Group
- University of Law
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Simon Richardson
Senior Lecturer
I have been a been a Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster since 2016 teaching HR, strategy and leadership modules with a particular interest in developing employability and authentic assessment within the curriculum.
Prior to a university career, my own experience of entrepreneurship began as a founder member of the Total Reward Group which was sold to Gallagher insurance in 2017. I am a Fellow of the CIPD as well as a past Chair of the CIPD central London branch. I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and hold a Masters in Higher Education with distinction from the University of Middlesex with research interests in authentic assessment and international HR issues.
This course prepares students for their own professional roles linked to business development, innovation and creativity through developing an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate their way through the challenges of the global business environment.
Course Team
- Dr Mona Abdelhady - Lecturer
- Dr Caroline Bolam - Assistant Head of School
- Catarina Cardoso - Senior Lecturer
- Gayani Fernando - Lecturer
- Ailu Hiew - Senior Lecturer
- Darrell Kofkin - Senior Lecturer
- Georgia Markoudi - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Tantawy Moussa - Senior Lecturer in Accounting
- Fiona O'Connor - Lecturer
- Sia Rajabi - Senior Lecturer
- Sobia Razzaq - Senior Lecturer
- Deborah Rose - Lecturer
- Dr Iwona Wilkowska - Senior Lecturer
Business and Management Courses
Learn more about Westminster's Business and Management courses from our students. Find out about their experience studying at Westminster, including what it's like to study at the University's Marylebone campus in the heart of central London.
Why study this course?
Link theory to global practice through real-life case studies, guest lectures, field trips and insight from one of the world’s largest financial databases.
Professional software
Gain hands-on experience of psychometric testing packages Strengthscope and Lumina Spark.
Build connections
Build connections with peers and future business leaders.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels – BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 112 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 112 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
- BTEC Diploma – D*D*
- Access – 112 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
- International Baccalaureate – 112 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate and International Year One courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English Language Requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
What our students say
Jaber Hussain
Business Management (Human Resource Management) BA Honours - 2018
HR placement | UCLH NHS Foundation Trust
During my placement, I worked across different teams and I was responsible for the delivery of a recruitment service for the Surgery and Cancer, Medicine, Specialist Hospital and Corporate board. The placement has gone really well - I have been awarded many team player of the week awards, and also employee of the year! The School's Business Experience team have been constantly supporting me before and throughout my placement year.
Halima Patel
Business Management (Human Resources Management) BA - 2023
I knew that Westminster Business School was one of the largest Business Schools in London. I was looking for a university that not only contributed to my academic studies but also gave me a sense of community.
Lovina Nulliah
Business Management (Human Resources Management) BA - 2023
My experience was amazing. I had my two course leaders Sangeetha Srinivasan and Simon Richardson who have always been here for me.
Learn new skills
Develop your creativity
Develop your creativity to think outside the box.
Learn to critically evaluate
Learn to critically evaluate the strategies that managers use to help organisations adapt in an uncertain or complex environment.
Improve your problem-solving skills
Improve your problem-solving skills to better understand and tackle people management issues.
Westminster Business School blog
Read our blog and get an insight into life and studies at Westminster Business School.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Student work
You will learn by doing with the chance to gain the practical experience you would in work – sometimes several years into a career – while you study. For example, you will experiment with psychometric tests such as Myers Briggs Type Indicator, participate in mock disciplinary hearings, interview panels, act as a mentor and receive mentoring yourself. Our partnership with Lumina Spark gives you access and use of its next generation psychometric tools.
Founded in 1995, Westminster Business Consultants is a student-run consultancy service affiliated to the University of Westminster, which offers management and strategic consultancy, specialising in HR, market research, market analysis, brand strategy, feasibility studies, business development, performance improvement and product development. It works with a diverse clientele of emerging start-ups, SMEs and large corporations at home and overseas, giving students opportunities to gain extensive knowledge and experience in various industries.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Facilities
The Learning Platform
Lecture theatres
Library
Bloomberg Financial Market Suite
Digital Marketing Lab
Meeting spaces
Cafe
Course Location
Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million-pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to Westminster Business School and our award-winning Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.
Westminster Business School
Based in the heart of London's political, media and financial services, Westminster Business School has excellent industry links and a strong commitment to social enterprise.
Our courses are accredited by professional bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Our practical teaching relates learning to the real world, and we develop graduates who are ready to respond to contemporary business challenges.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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