Overview
Human Resource Management (HRM) is a vital part of every business, and impacts everyone from junior members of staff to CEOs. You can make a real change to people’s working lives for the better.
This is a superb course for learning how HR helps businesses grow by focussing on people. You’ll study key areas such as recruitment methods, staff development and performance management.
HRM never stops changing. You’ll learn not just about the rapid changes in employment practices, markets, technology and law. We’ll also show you how to deal with change itself.
CIPD accreditation
This human resource course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). It's aligned to the Profession Map – the international standard for HR. CIPD accreditation applies to the BA (Hons) Human Resource Management (single honours) degree only. Combined honours routes are not CIPD?accredited.
Practical learning and networking opportunities
Our focus on practical skills will prepare you for the job market.
- Gain practical skills through real-life case studies and collaborative projects with business.
- Hear from guest lectures, including representatives of CIPD.
- Develop personal skills such as communication, project management, leadership, confidence and time management. These skills are crucial for a role as a HR professional.
Learn the HR skills needed by businesses
Technology and workforce expectations are reshaping HR into a future-critical discipline. This course in HRM will give you the knowledge you need to succeed. You’ll learn about:
- data literacy and the latest technology
- change management
- how to produce clear effective communication
- ethical judgment, particularly in the use of AI and automation
- collaboration with leadership and finance
- workforce management and reward strategies
- employment law awareness
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The CIPD accreditation only applies to the single honours degree.
The university is also accredited by AACSB International.
Prizes or awards
The Abune Prize Award
A prize of £1500 is awarded to a 3rd-year-student with the best overall academic performance on the BA (Hons) Human Resource Management course.
The Abune Prize has been kindly funded by John (Jock) Scott, one of the Íæż½ã½ã Business School’s Advisory Board members and a contributing lecturer on the course. A Íæż½ã½ã graduate with 30 years of global experience in leadership and advisory roles within human resources, Jock is a CEDR-accredited mediator specialising in workplace and employment disputes.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry ¨C Four-year honours
Highers
AABB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry ¨C Three-year honours
Advanced Highers
ABB
A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
Íæż½ã½ã access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Advanced entry students will not be eligible for CIPD associate membership on completion of the degree.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, Íæż½ã½ã International Íæż½ã½ã Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore Íæż½ã½ã International Íæż½ã½ã Centre to see the routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, Íæż½ã½ã International Íæż½ã½ã Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
Develop your careers skills with our HeadStart Programme
We go beyond textbooks and lecture rooms to focus on your personal and professional development. HeadStart will help you develop practical career skills such as effective public or conflict management.
Íæż½ã½ã and careers support
You'll have a mentor who will guide you through your studies. The Careers Service provides support for CV design, interview skills and other career skills.
We are AACSB accredited
The Íæż½ã½ã is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is the world's largest global standard-setting body for business education. Only 6% of the world’s leading business schools achieve this accreditation. This recognises our excellence in business education and societal impact.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
Our HR degree encourages you to think critically and examine organisational policies, as well as claims made about employment and the labour market more widely. As such, HR “best practice” is questioned throughout the course. Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars and practical work. In the advanced modules there's more opportunity for group work, case study analysis and skills development.
Assessment
Assessment on this human management courses is conducted by a combination of coursework and formal examinations. You’ll also complete a dissertation in your final year on a topic of your choice – strengthening and testing your research, communication and critical-thinking skills.
Work placement opportunities
An internship is an opportunity offered by an employer to students over a fixed, limited period of time, which lets you gain practical experience. Our Careers Service has details of internships available around the world with large private sector organisations, as well as opportunities with smaller local businesses which are promoted through the Third Sector Internship Scheme, the Saltire Foundation, and our very own Íæż½ã½ã Internship Programme.
Six reasons why you should consider an internship:
- Boost your CV and stand out from the crowd in order to have an edge in the graduate job market.
- Make professional connections which may lead to a job offer upon graduation.
- Test your career choices – internships can ease your transition into future careers.
- ‘Real world’ business experience, letting you put theory into practice.
- Develop transferable skills such as communication, team working, problem-solving, decision-making, initiative and creativity.
- Help fund your studies by earning a full-time salary during the vacation periods.
Íæż½ã½ã abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Dr Ciarán McFadden, Course Director
Fees and funding
| Scottish students | ||
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This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change. Although you¡¯re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf. |
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| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | ||
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This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government. You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the (SAAS). We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information. | ||
| International students (including EU) | ||
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Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000–£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students. |
Fee information
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Íæż½ã½ã Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods—including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
A human resource management (HRM) degree is can be applied to almost any organisation in any sector. It will equip you to support, hire, train and develop people.
Human Resource Management graduates from Íæż½ã½ã are playing their part in shaping businesses around the globe.
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