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Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)
Study level: Undergraduate
This degree course aims to develop your expertise in broader-based business management and the more specific function of human resource (HR) management. This course focuses on how every organisation’s success depends on its ability to recruit, motivate and retain high-quality staff.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Condensed first year available
UCAS codes
N600
Start date
September 2025
January 2026 - condensed
Course overview
This course aims to provide you with a distinctive insight into the challenges of managing people at work, and how these can be addressed in a world of fast-paced technological change and increased internationalisation.
The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.
Rated Gold Overall
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2025Why you should study this course
- Practice your skills – develop your business skills through a variety of international case studies, problem-based learning, simulated business and human resources activities in our Business Simulation Suite4. The simulation suite is equipped with modern technology, from inter-communication, built-in mics, cameras and the use of virtual reality headsets.
- Real-world exposure – industry field trips2 to organisations within a range of sectors and diversified HR functions, past visits include Jaguar Land Rover, Ironbridge, Warwick Castle, Cadbury’s and Coventry City Council. You might also be able to attend events to build your professional network2.
- Industry insight and professional network development – learn from experienced staff, whose consultancy, training and research links with organisations are deep and wide-ranging (staff are subject to change).
- Lecturers at the forefront of HR developments – our research-active staff aim to be able to share the latest thinking, new developments and specific challenges of a changing work environment. We have lecturers who focus on areas such as new ways of working, diversity management, multi-cultural teams, identity, HR professionalisation, the organisation of change and the changing nature of management, social network analysis, shared perceptions, organisational psychology and organisational behaviour (staff subject to change).
- Career ready – upon graduation, you should be well prepared to begin your career in HR or to pursue further professional human resource management (HRM) or human resource development (HRD) qualifications, such as the Advanced Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) Level 7 or an MA/MSc in Human Resource Management.
If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.
Accreditation and professional recognition
The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:
This course is accredited at Level 5 of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications framework for the 2025/26 intake1. The CIPD is one of the largest HRM professional bodies. Successful graduates of this course will be awarded CIPD Associate Membership (subject to CIPD’s application criteria and approval). This is a globally recognised accreditation and provides you with the opportunity to develop industry standard knowledge, understanding and skills to drive organisational performance. CIPD membership also has an international dimension, as Associate members can benefit from several mutual recognition agreements between the CIPD and other Global HRM professional bodies. For more information, please visit the CIPD website.
Memberships
What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
We want you to take an active role in your learning, not simply sit in a lecture theatre. You will have opportunities to take part in or observe role-play activities in recruitment and selection, negotiations, mock tribunals, problem-solving, managing change issues, and working on the implications for HRM with regards to changes in legislation, policy and employment trends.
Workshops, designed with the CIPD Profession Map of behaviours and skills in mind, aim to provide guided exposure to academic works, with specialist inputs from industry and team-based projects.
If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.
Teaching contact hours
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours:
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Guided and independent study:
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.
Online learning:
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods may include:
- phase tests
- essays
- group coursework
- individual and group presentations
- reports
- projects
- video pitches
- simulations
- critical reflections
- role play.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
International experience opportunities
You will have the opportunity2 to take part in an overseas study trip, or a full year abroad.
This course aims to attract a diverse student and staff body. We also have dedicated teams to help promote and support internship, study and work abroad planning; you are encouraged to consider these opportunities2 from the moment you join our programmes.
Coventry Business School currently has a number of links with multinational organisations and where possible, we aim to include representatives from these organisations in the teaching and learning of this course. You will also be supported in applying to undertake HRM placement opportunities in a number of countries, for example China, United Arab Emirates, India, Nigeria and the USA.
Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed2.
Entry requirements
Typical entry requirements:
Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.
Fees and funding
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,535 per year | Not available |
| EU | £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary** £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
| International | £16,800 per year | Not available |
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
Condensed course – January start date
If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.
If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**EU Support Bursary
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
Facilities
At Coventry Business School, our facilities and technology aim to replicate what you would expect in real-world business environments.
Business Simulation Suite
Offering skill-based training that uses simulation games, role-play activities and scenario-based learning, the business simulation suite is an all-encompassing space for experimental business learning and training.
The Library
The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.
Careers and employability
Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
Careers and opportunities
The course aims to equip you with varied business knowledge and associated expertise, enabling you to be an effective HR manager and leader in public, private or voluntary organisations, and to pursue an international management career in an HRM or business role.
Upon successful completion, you will:
- have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the function of and context in which Human Resource Management operates
- understand best practice approaches, contemporary theories and empirical evidence concerning the effective management of people within a business environment
- have the ability to evaluate and present reasoned arguments for adopting different approaches to effectively manage people within various business contexts
- be able to design a range of human resource processes and procedures e.g. recruitment and selection, performance appraisal, grievance and disciplinary
- have experience in conducting a range of interviews associated with managing people, including selection, appraisal, counselling, grievance, and exit interviews
- have developed a broad range of transferrable professional skills, e.g. Individual initiative and enterprise, effective performance within a team environment and interpersonal skills of effective listening, negotiating, persuasion and presentation
- demonstrate intellectual independence including addressing and resolving legal and related questions, identifying gaps in your own knowledge and acquiring new knowledge, tolerating ambiguity and engaging in critical analysis and evaluation.
This degree aims to provide you with a critical and reflective understanding of HRM and its relationship with the wider international business environment. It could lead to specialist careers in HRM, human resource development and workplace psychology, as well as more general business roles in business analysis, project management or marketing.
Where our graduates work
Our graduates have gone on to work with high-profile organisations such as Virgin Media, Jaguar-Land Rover, Amway, Adecco, Business Launchpad, Encore personnel, Hays, NHS England, Brunel University, Warwick University, 7IM, Travis Perkins, Nissan Westway, KClearHR, Ricoh Europe, Shell Energy, Handelsbanken, Sellafield and KPMG.
Further study
You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the International Human Resource Management MSc. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.
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