This course develops HR professionals with the skills and expertise necessary to engage employees and contribute to organisational effectiveness.
Organisations need to be strategically managed if they are to survive conditions of global competition and continual environmental change. It is increasingly recognised that the quality of an organisation’s human resources and the way they are managed are major factors in its ability to gain and sustain competitive advantage.
The University regularly ‘refreshes’ courses to make sure they are as up-to-date as possible. The University calls this process 'academic revalidation’.
For the most up-to-date course and module information, please contact Mr Ian Smyth Course Director.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
This course meets the needs of those wishing to become human resource management (HRM) professionals and also provides a foundation for postgraduate study. You will undertake core management subjects as well as more specialist HRM modules. The main functions of HRM are explored throughout your four years on the degree programme, these being the recruitment and selection of employees, the training and professional development of employees, the relationship between employers and employees and the rewarding of employees. You will also study the ethical and legal dimensions of employing people in today’s environment. In addition, the course develops your skills in the communication of information and ideas and in the analysis of complex problems in managing people.
You will undertake seven compulsory modules in Year 1 and six in Year 2 of the programme. Year 3 comprises a professional placement in the area of HRM. In Year 4 you undertake five compulsory modules and one optional module. This allows you to tailor your final year studies.
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Duration: Normally four years, which includes the placement year.
Attendance: This is a full-time course where you will normally complete three modules each semester, with class contact time approximately three hours per week, per module. You will be expected to undertake independent study to supplement that contact of around 10 hours per week, per module. You will have 9-10 class contact hours per week on the Jordanstown campus.
A wide variety of assessment methods are utilised such as essays, group work, exams, class tests, role plays and professional discussions, and teaching and learning has a significant applied emphasis.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This module aims to provide an introduction to the study of leadership and management. Students will be provided with knowledge and gain an understanding of the internal dynamics of an organisation, and the roles and functions which managers play in ensuring that it fulfills its mission or purpose. The module is applied in nature using real businesses and real managers and leaders in the assessment and content. Throughout the module, students will also be encouraged to self-evaluate and reflect on their own management and leadership skills and competences.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces the student to the role of Human Resource Management and the application of, and responses to, people management activities by managers in contemporary organisations.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides students with the key foundational skills for their academic journey. It also develops students skills in their ability to analyse and organise quantitative data and an understanding of the core skills to communicate effectively with an emphasis on management and leadership / HRM issues.
Year: 1
Status: C
The overall aim of this module is to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the concepts related to the financial aspects of businesses and to the economic environments in which they operate.
Year: 1
Status: C
The supervised work placement for students is designed to enhance their understanding of the world of work within the area of Human Resource Management and to provide them with an opportunity to develop their personal and interpersonal skills. Therefore, this module provides a succinct background for students preparing to embark on industrial work experience. In addition, it introduces students to the possibility of designing a meaningful career in HRM.
Year: 1
Status: C
The importance of the relationship between employers, employees, unions and other statutory bodies and agencies is such that an outline knowledge of the context and aspects of the relevant substantive law is necessary for those involved in this area in any capacity. The module attempts to provide the basis for this knowledge and to put students in the position where they may not only have an understanding of the relevant law, but also be in a position to understand the need to use that knowledge in a practical manner in professional and commercial settings.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module is a placement-preparatory module, which aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to secure an industry placement in Year 3. This module will create opportunities for students to develop a range of transferable and profession-specific skills in practice so that they begin to flourish personally and professionally through reflection. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own development.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides knowledge and understanding of the essential elements of learning and development practice in contemporary organisations. An awareness of the strategic importance of human resource development to individual and team performance and overall organisational effectiveness and sustainability is emphasised. It explores the stages of learning and development design, delivery and evaluation alongside alternative modes of learning to encourage engagement and support the business. A range of teaching and assessment methods will be used to enhance the learning experience.
Year: 2
Status: C
Students will study, debate and develop a critical understanding of the issues involved in people management so that they are prepared themselves well for securing work placements on time, in the short term and flourish as effective HR professionals in work contexts, in the long term.
Year: 2
Status: C
Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour are essential prerequisites for effective and efficient people management.
This module will introduce students and encourage them to reflect on what is known about how people behave in organisational settings, the theories that inform this knowledge and the practical implications for managers.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module on business ethics and sustainability is crucial to those in the HR profession. Designed to both informative and applied in nature, the module boasts the latest resources and a related award for a local business that is created and belongs to the students.
Year: 2
Status: C
HR analytics is "a number of processes, enabled by technology, that use descriptive, visual and statistical methods to interpret people data and HR processes. These analytical processes are related to key ideas such as human capital, HR systems and processes, organisational performance, and also consider external benchmarking data." The module is designed to deepen students' understanding of the value of HR analytics; how to identify, gather, analyse and present data; to design measures and develop insights that improve work and working lives and begin to think about informing strategic decision-making in organisations.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides an opportunity to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland. Students will develop an enhanced understanding of the academic discipline whilst generating educational and cultural networks.
Year: 4
Status: C
Managing and leading change are increasingly important aspects of the manager's role. This module equips students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to recognise and understand the need for change and the nature of the change required, and to deploy a range of measures (tailored to the diagnosis) to ensure that the change process is managed and led effectively and efficiently.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module is designed to deepen our understanding of the debates around the field of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. Human resource professionals need to understand key developments in the theory and practice of equality, diversity and inclusion issues, both within and beyond the immediate organisational context. This module provides participants with the required knowledge and understanding in order to achieve this goal and allow them to critically evaluate and to synthesise relevant literature.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module encourages students to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and helps them to develop a range of transferable skills, which are pivotal to successful Human Resource Management practice. The module helps students enhance their future employability by providing them with the opportunity and ability to develop their knowledge of HRM, acquire skilful HR practices and to reflect upon their learning and progress in transferable skills development.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module equips students with an understanding of the complex issues associated with employment relationship management. There is a focus on the interventions that can be employed to address individual and organisational problems, or to find ways of improving existing systems policies and procedures. The module will examine a range of theoretical approaches that will be used to help analyse and evaluate employment relationships for improving individual and organisational performance.
The practical skill development side of the module introduces students to the skills of one-to-one dispute resolution, conflict coaching, and giving voice to values in HRM.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module is aimed at providing students with a thorough understanding of the research process and steps involved in producing an applied management project. Specifically, this means establishing manageable aims and objectives, the ability to conduct a critical literature review, choice of appropriate methodology and collecting, analysing and presenting primary data collected for the project, ultimately resulting in the production of an applied management project. Additionally, students will be provided with the opportunity for work based learning that aims to further develop employability and research skills.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module is designed to enable students to acquire knowledge and understanding of the principles of psychology at work. Students will develop a further awareness of both their own and others' behaviour and how to apply this awareness to maximise effective performance.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module equips students with an understanding of the coaching and mentoring interventions that can be employed to solve problems, consider options, set goals, self-reflect and to allow for enhancing one's personal brand. The module will examine a range of theoretical approaches that will be used to help analyse and evaluate coaching and mentoring for improving individual and organisational performance and will equip learners with the self-reflexive and practical life skills to purposefully seek out support from coaches and mentors, and to assume such roles in the future. Learners will be encouraged to be mindful of the strategies they can utilise in future individual goal setting and career planning.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
The A Level requirement for this course is BCC
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (inc. course if appropriate)/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma(inc. course if appropriate)(2012 Suite)
Award profile of DDM
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (inc. course if appropriate)/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma(inc. course if appropriate)(2016 Suite)
Award profile of DMM
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma (inc. course if appropriate) / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma(inc. course if appropriate) (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade B
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (inc. course if appropriate)/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma(inc. course if appropriate) (2016 Suite)
Award profile of MM plus A Level Grade C
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (inc. course if appropriate) / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma(inc. course if appropriate) (2012 Suite)
Award profile of M plus A Level Grades BC
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (inc. course if appropriate)/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate(inc. course if appropriate)(2016 Suite)
Award profile of M plus A Level Grades BC
104 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 4 subjects at Higher Level and 1 at Ordinary Level, including English and Maths at O4/H6 or above.
The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is BCCCC.
The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is CDD.
Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 24 points (12 at higher level).
Overall profile of 60% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course). To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.
Overall profile of 12 credits at distinction, 30 at merit and 3 at pass (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)
GCSE Profile to include Mathematics with a minimum Grade C.
GCSE Profile to include English Language with a minimum Grade C.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Most students enter Year 1. However, if you can provide evidence of previous relevant HRM study you may be considered for advanced entry to year 2.
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
The demands being placed upon organisations today have heightened the need for effective HR professionals. As a graduate of the BSc (Hons) HRM degree, you may take up a position in a variety of roles with the HR function in public, private sectors (including manufacturing and service organisations) and not for profit sectors. These roles include personnel, recruitment, training, employee relations and business improvement. Additionally, the skills and expertise of HR professionals are in demand within the fields of managerial consultancy and employment law. You might also proceed to a more general management career in business or in the public sector, or go on to postgraduate study in HRM.
Students will undertake a one year professional placement in an HRM related role. This professional placement year will allow you to utilise the skills you have learnt from Ulster University and apply them within the workplace. The professional placement year gives students opportunities to test a career path before graduating, to increase their confidence in the workplace and also to allow students to discover new opportunities they hadn’t previously considered in HRM. Successful completion of the placement gives students the award of Diploma in Professional Practice.
Students may as an alternative to doing placement elect to study abroad for the year. Successful completion of this gains them the Diploma in International Studies.
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2025/26 fees will be announced in due course.
See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2024/25 entry.
Year 1: Deans Award (for students averaging 70% or more).
Year 3: Lynas Award for Best Placement Student.
Year 4: Capita Prize for Best Final Year Student.
In the National Student Survey (NSS, 2014, 2015, 2017 & 2019) we were the highest ranked undergraduate HRM degree in the UK, in terms of student satisfaction.
In addition, students will be required to enrol and pay for annual student membership of the CIPD.
Current fee = £98 per annum for CIPD student membership.
(Fee correct at time of publication)
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
