Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

Man in suit sitting opposite man in t-shirt

Build your understanding of business management with a focus on human resource (HR) practices. This course explores how effective recruitment, motivation and staff retention strategies can contribute to organisational success.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

N600

Start date

September 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

This course aims to offer insight into the challenges of managing people at work and how these may be approached in a context of rapid technological change and growing internationalisation.

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 2026

Why 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 a variety of teaching environments. 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: benefit from IPD professional networking events and practitioner speakers to build your professional network.² Previous students visited Jaguar Land Rover, Ironbridge, Warwick Castle, Cadbury’s and Coventry City Council.
Industry insight and professional network development: learn from experienced staff whose consultancy, training and research links with organisations are deep and wide-ranging.
Lecturers at the forefront of HR developments: our research-active staff aim to share the latest thinking, new developments and challenges of a changing work environment. Our lecturers focus on new ways of working, diversity management, multicultural teams, identity, HR professionalisation, the organisation of change and the changing nature of management, social network analysis, shared perceptions, organisational psychology and organisational behaviour.
Career ready: after you graduate, 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. Many graduates go on to programmes such as the Advanced Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) Level 7 or an MA/MSc degree in Human Resource Management, though entry to these is subject to the respective course requirements, application, availability and additional costs.

Memberships

AACSB- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the world’s largest network of business schools and organisations committed to advancing business education and making a lasting, positive impact on society to create next generation of great leaders.

AEME- Association for Events Management Education

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Association for Events Management Education (AEME). AEME is committed to raising profile of events discipline.

BGA - Business Graduates Association

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA). BGA’s student and graduate benefits have been crafted to enhance your learning experience, providing a range of tools to support professional and personal development.

Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers, and supports its members in maintaining world-class standards of teaching and research.

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development, a global membership organisation dedicated to management development, covering over 900 members across 91 countries.

PRME - The Principles for Responsible Management Education

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). PRME is a United Nations-supported initiative founded in 2007 that aims to raise the profile of sustainability in their classrooms through seven principles focused on serving society and safeguarding our planet.

SBC - Small Business Charter

Coventry Business School is a recipient of the Small Business Charter (SBC) Award. The award is a mark of excellence for business schools, recognising their expertise in supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and effective engagement in the local economy.

Memberships are reviewed on an annual basis and are not guaranteed. Applicants and students will be informed of any changes as soon as possible.

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

Advertising and Digital Marketing BA (Hons)
Business Administration BBA (Hons)
Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)
Business and Marketing BA (Hons)
Business Management BA (Hons)
Events Management BA (Hons)
International Business Management BSc (Hons)
Marketing BA (Hons)
Sport Business Management BA (Hons)

Modules

Marketing, Digital and Social Media – 30 credits

This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts in marketing, including digital and social media. Develop an understanding of the role of marketing within an organisation, and the influence of factors in the external environment on marketing decisions including ethics, social responsibility and sustainability. Also develop an understanding of key marketing theories, approaches and strategies related to areas such as buyer behaviour, segmentation, targeting and positioning, branding, digital and social media marketing.

Compulsory

People and Organisations – 30 credits

This module aims to provide a holistic view of management and organisation theories and practices, exploring how people interact with each other in the workplace and the role that leaders and managers play in the organisation. Organisational culture, structure and type are examined to consider the impact they have on human behaviour, interactions and organisational outcomes. Examine the role of people management practices and how this affects individual behaviour in the workplace. By introducing concepts such as motivation, engagement and commitment, the module will explore how people work together as a team, and how leaders and managers can understand emotional and psychological responses to work.

Compulsory

Analytics for Decision-Making – 30 credits

Whether qualitative or quantitative, financial or non-financial, data is everywhere and plays a crucial role in informing decision-making. This module introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of business finance and data analytics, and how they can be applied to measure and analyse organisational and functional performance, and support decision-making. Data analytics is a skill set that is becoming increasingly important for finding actionable insights from data and guiding strategic business decisions. This module is designed to help deepen your analytical mindset, develop your understanding of financial information, and prepare you to use relevant financial management and data analytic tools, techniques, and methods to assist the decision-making process both in the short and long terms.

Compulsory

Responsible Management, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship – 30 credits

This module aims to enable you to engage critically with sustainability and entrepreneurship in the context of management theory and practice. Explore the relationships between organisations and societies and the impact of significant societal change on different types of organisations. Drawing on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), examine how organisations respond by altering their practices through innovation and entrepreneurial activities. Ethical business practices and sustainability are further explored, requiring you to reflect on your approaches to ideation in creating social and organisational value.

Compulsory

Modules

Research and Insight – 30 credits

This module aims to develop your understanding of how well-designed investigations and research work. Develop your understanding of the research process, including literature review, research methodology and methods, data collection and analysis. This module provides you with the foundation for future research activity and the ability to design research to meet specific research objectives. Develop insight and the ability to understand and critique investigations and research undertaken by others. You will also have the opportunity to evaluate how conclusions are reached and analyse the methods used to get to those conclusions.

Compulsory

HR Analytics for Strategic Decision Making – 30 credits

This module will examine how analytics can help organisations to look forward in their decision-making, reducing errors and costs while increasing optimisation. HR analytics or predictive decision-making processes in human resources occur through the capture, storage, sharing, transfer and analysis of big data to study the trends of human resource management within organisations. It allows all strategic decisions on human resources, including recruitment, performance management, succession planning, training and talent management, to be viewed from a scientific and practical approach.

Compulsory

Reward and Performance Management – 30 credits

Gain an understanding of how performance management and reward strategies can interlink and drive sustained organisation performance, competitive advantage, employee engagement and employee well-being. The involvement and commitment of line managers in supporting a high-performance culture that promotes equality, diversity, inclusion, trust, enthusiasm and commitment will be explored. Look at how the business environment affects how a company manages performance and rewards its employees. This includes things like job market trends, changes in different industries and regions, differences in pay and how pay compares in other countries. You will consider a company’s financial situation, like its income, expenses, and how the cost of rewards (like salaries and bonuses) can affect a company’s finances. Equality implications of reward practices are examined, as well as international comparison of regulatory requirements (gender pay gap, ethnicity pay gap reporting).

Compulsory

Resourcing, Talent Planning and Employer Branding – 30 credits

A fundamental part of the human resource (HR) management role is concerned with the mobilisation of a workforce, taking responsibility for ensuring that the organisation can access the skills it needs at the time and in the places that it needs them to drive sustained organisation performance. This module introduces you to the key operational tools, techniques and practices that organisations use to resource their organisations effectively. These encompass employer branding, recruitment, selection, workforce, talent and succession planning, staff retention and their equality, diversity and inclusion implications. The module explores the way different organisations are managing these activities, and which are the most effective in the context of diverse and distributed locations across the globe.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Modules

Applied Project – 30 credits

This module provides you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world business issue. You may choose to undertake a research project, a consultancy-style investigation, or a management simulation. Through critical engagement with academic and industry literature, data analysis and reflective inquiry, develop evidence-based insights and propose realistic, practical recommendations. This module encourages independent thinking, problem-solving and analytical capabilities.

Compulsory

Employment Law – 30 credits

This module is designed to help you understand the key parts of employment law that are important for managing people fairly and responsibly in the workplace. Gain a critical understanding of the regulation by law of the management of workplace relationships and learn how to place the legal rules in their broader economic, socio-political and international context. This module will introduce you to the core legal principles, employment legislation and procedures that HR professionals need in practice, concentrating on the employment relationship from recruitment through to termination, including the impact of equality and discrimination laws on all aspects of the employment relationship.

Compulsory

Employment Relations – 30 credits

Examine how and who regulates work at the organisational and societal levels. Human resource (HR) professionals need to understand key developments in the theory and practice of employment relations, both within and beyond their immediate organisational context. Build on your knowledge and experience to develop the skills required to make informed and effective judgements about existing and emerging models, processes and practices of employment relations in local and international jurisdictions. Critically assess broader political, social and economic developments that influence the effective management of the employment relationship and the implications for equality, diversity and inclusion.

Compulsory

Managing Change in Organisations – 30 credits

The module critically examines how external factors such as technological, social and environmental developments are impacting organisational change. Explore the theories and frameworks underpinning organisational change to understand what change means, how it happens and how it is best managed. Organisational Development techniques and resistance to change in organisations will also be explored alongside ways in which organisations can develop a culture open to continuous improvement, innovation and change. The material covered draws heavily on real-world examples of change processes, encouraging you to apply the theory you have learned to these examples and discover alternative methods of reacting to situations.

Compulsory

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.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional 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 learned 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 emergingtechnologies. 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.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A level	BBC
GCSE	GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards
BTEC	DMM
IB Diploma	24 points
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation pathway. Upon successful completion this should provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year	Not available
EU	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £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).

*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?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

At Coventry Business School, our facilities and technology aim to replicate what you would expect in real-world business environments.

Female student using pen to point at screen with financial data on.

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.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

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.

Lecturer sat with student talking in EEC building.

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.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

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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Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

BA (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CBLU011

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and membershipsons

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

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 permit 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.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.