Business Management and the Human Resource BA

Course overview

You’ll study your Business Management and the Human Resource degree at our world-renowned Leeds University Business School. This industry-accredited degree combines strategic business management with a specialist focus on Human Resource Management (HRM), preparing you for a range of exciting management careers.

You'll graduate with eligibility to gain associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), an accolade that is highly sought after by graduate employers in the HR sector.

You’ll gain a thorough knowledge of key topics in management and HRM, such as organisational behaviour, industrial relations, business and society, marketing, and the economic environment for businesses.

Shape your learning with pathways

This course offers pathways from year 2, which allow you to tailor your course to your specific interests or professional aspirations. The pathways provide modules that can be taken in particular areas and can be followed through to your final year. This unique level of personalisation and self-direction provides you with flexibility to meet your career goals, whilst helping you stand out from the crowd when you graduate.

The pathways available on this course are: 

• Finance
• Ethics and Sustainability
• Enterprise and Innovation

Course highlights

• Choose to take an optional year in industry to gain valuable practical experience, or immerse yourself in a new culture by spending a year studying in a different country at one of our many partner universities across the world.
• A dedicated Personal Tutor will support your academic and personal development throughout your degree. In your first year they’ll help you adjust to university learning and make the most of your time at Leeds.
• Build your knowledge of the main functions of management, ranging from accounting to marketing and strategic management.
• Develop your understanding of the skills and aptitudes employers are looking for and the practical skills needed to gain work placements or internships.
• Learn about the latest real-world HRM issues, with teaching informed by our Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change, to prepare you for a successful career in the sector.

Supporting your personal development

Throughout your studies, you'll benefit from the support of your Academic Personal Tutor who will work in partnership with you to maximise your personal and professional development.

You’ll also have access to support from the Business School’s Employability and Opportunity team who will help you explore opportunities to develop your professional network and gain work experience.

Read more about personal development support within the Business School.

Accreditation

Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS

We’re proud to be one of a select number of universities to hold professional accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), meaning you'll graduate with the eligibility to become an associate member of the CIPD. You'll be able to demonstrate to employers that you have the skills, relevant knowledge and professional commitment to deliver on today’s business needs.

Please note, reaccreditation from CIPD is due in 2024/25.

Course details

Our degrees have a modular structure. This means that the theoretical and applied content within our compulsory modules provide you with the core knowledge and skills that you need. 

Alongside these compulsory modules, you’ll also have the opportunity to shape your course through optional, pathway and discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out in a competitive graduate job market. 

• Optional modules are related to the field of business management and the human resource enabling you to deepen your knowledge and skills within this area. 

• Pathways are optional modules which you can study in your second and final year. These are themed around key business disciplines, designed to complement your core knowledge and skills in business management and the human resource and broaden your expertise. You can choose to study modules from up to two pathways during each year, with the opportunity to continue, choose a different pathway* or return your focus to optional business management and the human resource modules as you progress between years. 

• Discovery modules give you opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside your subject area. They are categorised into Discovery Themes ranging from arts to sciences, and from theory to practice.  

Whether you choose optional, pathway or discovery modules, you’ll be shaping your course to suit your personal interests and career aspirations. In all years, you will be able to choose from a selection of modules that reflect the research interests and expertise of staff at Leeds. 

*Subject to prerequisites in year 2.

Year 1

Compulsory modules in your first year will give you the broad foundation you need to study business management, and specifically HRM at degree level. Through compulsory modules you’ll gain an understanding of the economic environment, organisational behaviour and the environment in which contemporary businesses operate, as well as examine the relationships between business and societies. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the theory and practice of setting up a business of your own and basic accounting practices through optional business management and human resource modules. You’ll also have the option to select discovery modules.

Year 2

Through compulsory modules you’ll examine how the theories of organisational behaviour relate to real-world situations and learn more about the research and analytical methods used in HRM research. At the same time, you’ll study contemporary developments in human resource management and industrial relations, together with business topics such as the legal environment for business.

Optional business management and human resource modules will allow you to focus on topics such as marketing or to develop knowledge of the skills employers are looking for in our ‘From Study To Work’ module. You’ll also have the opportunity to study pathway modules covering topics such as corporate social responsibility and financial management. A choice of discovery modules will also be offered. 

Final year

When you reach your final year, you’ll develop your management skills with compulsory modules in strategic human resource management and strategic management as well as gaining knowledge of employment law. Pathway modules allow you to explore topics such as business ethics, enterprise and entrepreneurship and behavioural finance. You may also choose to study Contemporary Management Consulting as an optional module which will give you the opportunity to register with the Chartered Management Institute. If you successfully complete the module after this, you’ll gain the CMI Level 5 Certificate in Professional Consulting.

The course culminates with your dissertation, an independently researched project that you submit in your final year, allowing you to apply your research and analysis skills to a topic of your choice.

Throughout your studies you’ll benefit from the latest academic research and professional practice embedded within your course content. You’ll be taught by experienced HR practitioners and teaching staff engaged in cutting-edge research, including those active in the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC).

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Business Management and the Human Resource BA in the course catalogue

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Personal Tutorials for HRM (20 credits)
• Economic Institutions: Labour (10 credits)
• Introduction to Finance (20 credits)
• Economic Institutions: Industry (10 credits)
• Business and Society: Combined (20 credits)
• Organisational Behaviour (20 credits)

Optional modules

• Starting Your Own Business (10 credits)
• Accounting for Managers (10 credits)
• Economics for Management (20 credits)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Contemporary Industrial Relations (10 credits)
• Contemporary Human Resource Management (20 credits)
• Organisational Behaviour in Practice (10 credits)
• Business and the Legal Environment (20 credits)
• HRM Research Practice and Personal Tutorials (20 credits)

Optional modules

• From Study to Work (10 credits)
• Marketing (20 credits)
• Labour Economics (10 credits)
• Management, Work and Organisations (10 credits)
• Experiencing the World of Work (10 credits)

Pathway modules

Ethics and Sustainability pathway

• Corporate Social Responsibility (10 credits)

Finance pathway

• Corporate Financial Management (20 credits)

Enterprise and Innovation pathway

• Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice (10 credits)
• Managing Innovation in Business (10 credits)
• Leading and Managing Small Businesses (10 credits)

Final year

Compulsory modules

• Strategic Management (20 credits)
• Human Resource Management Dissertation (40 credits)
• Strategic Human Resource Management (20 credits)
• Employment Law (20 credits)

Optional modules

• Global perspectives on HRM and Employment Relations (20 credits)
• Contemporary Management Consulting (20 credits)
• People Analytics: Strategy and Practice (20 credits)
• Gender and Equality at Work in Comparative Perspective (20 credits)
• Diversity Management (20 credits)

Pathway modules

Ethics and Sustainability pathway

• Business Ethics (20 credits)

Finance pathway

• Behavioural Finance (10 credits)

Enterprise and Innovation pathway

• Critical Perspective in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (20 credits)

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your course and modules.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop a range of transferable skills that you’ll need in professional life. These are likely to include coursework, exams, oral presentations, group reports and a dissertation.

Specialist facilities

At Leeds University Business School, you’ll have access to specialist facilities including state-of-the-art lecture theatres, collaborative learning and teaching spaces with the latest interactive technology and modern study spaces with dedicated computer clusters. Read more about our Business School facilities.

Explore our virtual campus tour.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or higher including Mathematics grade B/5 and English Language grade B/6 or equivalent, or an appropriate English language qualification.* *If you have a B/6 in GCSE English Literature we will accept a Grade B/5 or C/4 in GCSE English Language.

Other course specific tests:

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications for this course.

Alternative qualification

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer

A level: BBB

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or higher including Mathematics grade B/5 and English Language or English Literature grade C/4

Access to Leeds: Pass

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Read more about International Entry Requirements for Leeds University Business School on our Entry Requirements page.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: £28,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
In November 2024 the UK Government announced that the tuition fee cap may rise to £9,535 from £9,250.

The tuition fee cap for some foundation years may also reduce to £5,760 from £9,250.

This would start from the academic year 2025/26. However, this is subject to final confirmation from the Government. Once available, we’ll publish the fees for the 2025/26 academic year and individual offer letters shall be updated via email and post.

The foundation year courses affected are:
·         Business Studies with Foundation Year BSc
·         Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
·         Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
·         Social Science (foundation year) BA

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 and 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
 

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

An additional fee is payable to fulfil CIPD accreditation. Whilst studying the course you will have the option to join as a Student Member and once you have graduated you will be eligible for Associate Membership. CIPD membership is optional and you are not required to join in order to complete the course. Please visit the CIPD website for the most up-to-date fee information.

All students who choose to take the final year optional module Contemporary Management Consulting will have the opportunity to register with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). By paying this fee you will be registered with the CMI and if you successfully complete the module you will receive the CMI Level 5 Certificate in Professional Consulting.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Leeds University Business School awards a generous range of scholarships.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

The deadline for international students to apply to Leeds University Business School courses is 30 June.

Courses at Leeds University Business School receive a high volume of applications relative to the places available and this means that we cannot extend an offer to all applicants. We look for enthusiastic and talented students who have the potential to succeed in their studies and contribute to our community and make our offer decisions based on an overall review of your application. This includes predicted or achieved grades as well as the breadth of knowledge demonstrated through qualifications, the personal statement, extra-curricular and work experience, and contextual information.

We aim to make offer decisions as quickly as we can but sometimes we may need to put applications for a course on hold until after the UCAS January deadline. This ensures that we recruit a balanced student population with the greatest potential.

If we put your application on hold for review after the UCAS application deadline, we will let you know. Although in this case you may have to wait a little longer than usual to receive a decision, this does not impact on your other applications and other university offers will not change simply because you are waiting for our offer.

Please see our How to Apply page, under “Application decisions” for details.

International applicants

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

Contact us

Leeds University Business School Course Enquiries Office

Email: lubsugadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

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The University of Leeds is the 4th most targeted UK university by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2024 report, meaning our graduates are highly sought-after.

This degree is semi-vocational, as our CIPD accreditation ensures it will prepare you for a career in human resource management, and other management roles that demand an understanding of the human element of business. You’ll be eligible for Associate Membership of the CIPD, and should you choose to join the CIPD as a student member during your studies you’ll be able to use the designation Assoc. CIPD after you successfully graduate.

Where will your Business Management and the Human Resource degree take you?

Graduates from our Human Resource Management and broader Management degrees typically have gone into jobs such as a Human Resources Manager, Business Development Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Information Technology Risk Consultant, Sales Executive, and Marketing Assistant.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. Leeds University Business School is one of the few universities in the UK with a dedicated Employability and Opportunity team. You’ll be supported throughout your studies with one-to-one support, workshops and events from graduate employers, helping you develop the professional skills and experience that top employers are looking for. 

Find out more about the Business School’s Employability and Opportunity support.   

Nurturing Talent Mentor Scheme 

You’ll also have the opportunity to apply for our competitive Nurturing Talent Mentor Scheme, exclusive for Business School students. We’ll connect you with an industry professional who will support you on your career path as you are mentored on a one-to-one basis for one academic year.   

The Careers Service work with a large network of experienced professionals from companies such as Santander, M&S and KPMG, who volunteer as mentors on our Nurturing Talent Mentor Scheme.    

During your time at Leeds, you’ll have full access to the University Careers Service and Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Studies.   

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend an additional academic year studying abroad. The University has partnerships with more than 300 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include the USA, Canada, Australia, countries in Asia and countries in Europe.

You can also apply to take part in a short-course summer school at one of our overseas partner institutions. A summer school can be taken as part of a three-year degree, or in addition to a study year abroad or year in industry.

Read more about studying abroad.

Work placement

Work placements can help you decide on your career and improve your employability prospects. You’ll have the opportunity to put theory from your course into practice whilst gaining practical work experience and transferable skills sought after by graduate employers. 

On this course you have the option to apply to spend a year in industry working within an organisation in either the public, private or voluntary sector, in the UK or overseas. If you take this option, your degree will be extended to a four-year course with the third year spent on placement. 

Support to find shorter summer internships and part-time or voluntary work is also available. 

Learn more about work placements.