UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of ManagementProgramme/course title: BSc Human Resource Management
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal award: / BSc (Honours)
Programme title: / Human Resource Management
Duration: / 3 or 4 years full-time
UCAS code: / N600 BSc/HRM (three-year programme)
N601 BSc/HRM4 (four-year programme)
Subject benchmark statement: / General Business
Date produced: / March 2011
Last updated : / November 2012
Introduction
The University of Bradford’s Corporate Strategy ‘Making Knowledge Work’ 2009-2014 states that one of its corporate objectives is to deliver a first-class learning experience within an inspiring physical, intellectual and virtual environment which is underpinned by the concepts and practice of diversity, employability, enterprise and sustainable development across the curricula. To fulfil this aim, the School of Management has a good offering to undergraduates of all backgrounds and invites prospective students to engage with three and four year courses which are both generalist (e.g. BSc Business and Management Studies) and specific (e.g. BSc Human Resource Management) in nature.
The Human Resource Management (HRM) degree offers the opportunity to develop a systematic and detailed knowledge of work, employment and HRM regulations and practice and to study human resource management topics in the broader context of business and management. The programme not only highlights micro and macro level policies and theoretical concept of power, it also addresses HRM solutions in an international and comparative context. A specific objective of the programme is to foster and improve student skills in respect of communication, negotiation, leadership and teamwork and as such the learning experience and assessment criteria have been specifically designed to reflect this. Some of the key modules covered within the HRM degree include organisational behaviour, human resource management, management of change, international human resource management, employee relations, organisational development, organisational analysis, theories of the firm and human resource development (full list and levels presented below).
Three years or four?
You will also have the opportunity to do a one year work placement, if you opt for the 4 year degree. You are responsible for finding a placement but we have a dedicated team who will help you with finding and applying for a placement, helping you with your CV and preparing for your time in work. There are regular visits by representatives of both local and national companies, looking to recruit graduates. There are also great opportunities for students to do shorter internships (6 or 8 weeks) or in-company projects and many of these specifically seek human resource management students. In the past year we have had students undertaking human resource management jobs for a number of local firms. All of these opportunities give you good exposure to human resource management in practice, and add a valuable (and valued) dimension to your CV. Should you choose a work placement year you can undertake a 20 credit bearing module in work-based learning. This module requires students to apply taught concepts from the programme to real work based experiences. The module credits will count towards your final year of study and thereby reduce the amount of studying you have to undertake towards the end of your degree.
You can also opt for a semester studying abroad in one of over 20 partner institutions, ranging from Canada and the USA to Holland, France, Spain, Sweden, India, Oman and more. You will be taught in English and your credits transferred to your degree credits here.
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
· Develop an understanding of the nature of work, particularly the asymmetries of power between employees and employers
· Provide an understanding of how organisations locate, recruit, assess and then train and develop their staff
· Enable the student to develop personal transferable and managerial skills fundamental for career development and future progression within the area of HRM
· Locate HRM practices within the wider international commercial context
· Foster an understanding of the nature of the HRM function in its historical and organisational context
· Link HRM policy and practice to all key stakeholders including trade unions, employers’ associations and the influence of the State (Legislation) so as to comment more broadly on its impact upon society and locate it within wider political debates
· Locate the strategic contribution of HRM to organisational effectiveness
· Evaluate current and developing HRM practice given different political and national systems
Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
LO1. Describe and evaluate a detailed knowledge of work, employment and HRM regulations and located then within the broader theoretical context
LO2. Describe the role of human resource management strategies within the broader context of business and management and organisational performance
LO3. Analyse and evaluate the practical implications of ‘HRM’ issues and evaluate alternative courses of action in order to solve typical practitioner problems
LO4. Demonstrate competence in relevant employability skills, including written and oral communication, negotiation, leadership and teamwork
LO5. Apply the professional knowledge, understanding and skills in human resource management and its underpinning disciplines, required of an effective practitioner
LO6. Think strategically and creatively about human resource issues in the wider business and social context
LO7. Reflect upon and evaluate the impact of your performance and interventions and manage your own professional development
LO8. Critically analyse various human resource issues and use and critically evaluate relevant research
LO9. Demonstrate a competent and ethical approach in your professional role, being able to reflect on the ethical implications of your actions and encourage this in others
LO10 Make business decisions, taking into account the complexity of the sustainability agenda in its broadest sense.
LO11 Use initiative and take personal responsibility and show resilience in complex and unpredictable situations;
Curriculum
Stage 1
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodMAN0101M / Business Economics / C / 10 / 1 / 1
MAN1061L / Introduction to Accounting and Finance / C / 20 / 1 / 1&2
MAN0112M / Organisational Behaviour / C / 10 / 1 / 1
TBA / The Sociology of Work / C / 10 / 1 / 2
MAN0111M / Quantitative Methods in Information Management / C / 10 / 1 / 1
MAN0116M / Student Self Development / C / 10 / 1 / 1
TBA / Introduction to Marketing / C / 20 / 1 / 1&2
MAN0110M / Foundations of Production/Operations Management / C / 10 / 1 / 2
MAN0117M / The Macroeconomic Environment of Business / C / 10 / 1 / 2
MAN0118M / Organisational Information Systems / C / 10 / 1 / 2
Stage 2
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodTBA / Business Law / C / 10 / 2 / 1
TBA / Contemporary Business/Management Issues / C / 10 / 2 / 1
MAN0225M / Employee Relations / C / 10 / 2 / 1
MAN0226M / Organisational Analysis / C / 10 / 2 / 2
MAN0801M / Organisational Design / C / 10 / 2 / 1
TBA / Employability and Enterprise Skills / C / 20 / 2 / 1&2
MAN0802M / Psychology at Work / C / 10 / 2 / 1
MAN0228M / The Transformation of Work / C / 10 / 2 / 2
Plus 4 optional modules
1
© University of Bradford
Stage 3
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodTBA / Work Based Learning (4 year course only) / C / 20 / 3 / 1&2
MAN0328M / European Employment Policy / C / 10 / 3 / 1
MAN0329M / Human Resource Development / C / 10 / 3 / 2
MAN0327L / Human Resource Management / C / 20 / 3 / 1&2
MAN0324M / International Comparative Employment Relations / C / 10 / 3 / 2
MAN0330M / Organisational Change / C / 10 / 3 / 2
Plus 4/6 optional modules
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies
Teaching within all modules within the HRM programme aims to integrate both theoretical and applied knowledge while linking these closely to the learning outcomes of each individual module. Theoretical, political and academic issues are addressed but these are subsequently related to practical issues and examples so as to give the student practitioner experience and improved employability. Teaching and assessment strategies vary between modules and link to desired outcomes. For most modules there will be 12 lectures and at least six tutorials (smaller groups). Stage (Year) one provides a foundation in management subjects. The student will acquire knowledge of the functional areas of business and management and the theoretical underpinning of these. In Stages two and three you will specialise in Human Resource Management and can continue to develop your knowledge and skills in the broad functional areas of business and management.
Methods of assessment are varied and linked to learning requirements of each individual module. They will include closed book examinations, assessed essays, coursework, case studies, practical exercises, group work, learning logs and presentations. Usually the assessed elements of each module will be either exam or assessed essay - formative feedback (comments) are provided for assessed essays. Lecture slides, other learning aids, announcements and a forum are provided prior to lectures through ‘blackboard’ – the University’s intranet. As highlighted above in the learning objectives, throughout the course, you will acquire personal transferable skills such as teamwork, improved communication, presentation, problem-solving and leadership that will be of great value in whatever career you choose.
One of the School’s main aims is to address major challenges for business and society such as global responsibility and sustainable development. Accordingly, the School seeks to prepare students who are able to contribute in an effective manner to debates about sustainable development and critically appraise the relationship(s) between the social, economic and environmental dimensions. Our intention is to nurture students who can apply the principles of sustainable development in their professional capacity. Whilst there are a number of individual modules that focus specifically on sustainability issues (e.g. Sustainable Operations Management, Ethics in Business and Society), awareness of the importance and principles of sustainability is emphasised in many others.
Similarly, whilst there are a number of modules specifically designed to develop those personal transferable skills which will increase your attractiveness to future employers (e.g. Student Self Development, Employability and Enterprise and Work Based Learning), employability is an over-arching theme across the programme and many of the modules will develop your employability skills in different ways.
Assessment Regulations
This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the following link: http://www.bradfors.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_HBK/Undergrad_Regs_.html
Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.
Normal requirements are:
A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS scheme would be 320 points with GCSE English and Maths at level C or above. Students wishing to join the programme for whom English is not their first language, must have IELTS at 6 or above, or TOEFL or other recognised language equivalent.
Applications are welcome from mature students (those over 21 years of age on entry) and candidates with non-standard qualifications, for example, HND, Scottish Higher or Irish Leaving Certificates, International Baccalaureate and others. Those who lack academic qualifications but who have significant relevant experience can also be considered. On completion of a UCAS form you will be invited to the School for an Open Day when you will have the opportunity to meet staff, view the facilities and discuss “the Bradford experience” with current students.
Learning Resources
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist libraries in the School of Health Studies and the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignments, and will help you organise your references properly.
Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and course-related materials this way.
Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.
The School of Management has excellent new facilities on site at our Emm Lane location. These include dedicated PC clusters, new social spaces and a food court, 3 lecture theatres and numerous teaching and meeting rooms. The library holds management and law texts, as well as many relevant business, marketing and law journals. Many of these are available on-line and there are dedicated library staff to help you find what you need. There is an inter-library book service and many of the core texts are also available at the city campus library.