You'll gain subject expertise in human resource (HR) management, alongside a grounding in contemporary business issues, such as: change management, talent development, globalisation, workforce diversity, the gig economy and ethical leadership.
of our business and management graduates are in work or further study after 15 months
in the UK for Quality Education
Accreditation
You will be awarded a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership, in addition to your degree, upon the successful completion of the course.
First for jobs
The University of Worcester is first in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, five years after graduation (excluding specialist institutions) - Longitudinal Educational Outcomes Survey 2024.
Overview
By studying human resources, you'll develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to make an immediate impact in the business sector. You'll also be able to become an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
In your first year, you’ll gain knowledge and skills in marketing, digital business, data-driven decision-making, and financial management. You’ll then be able to shape the course around your interests and career goals. There are lots of options to choose from in your second and third years, with specialist modules in areas including responsible business, customer relationship management, intercultural business perspectives, and public relations.
At Worcester Business School, you’ll join a community of students from all over the world, all based together on the same campus. With plenty of opportunities for experience sharing and collaboration, you’ll learn from your course mates, as well as guest speakers and our expert academic team.
In addition to our traditional three-year degree, you can choose a four-year course option with either a built-in placement year or a year studying abroad. Whichever route you choose, live client projects, internships, paid work opportunities, networking and mentoring are all part of our applied approach to teaching.
Placements
On this course, there are different ways to gain valuable work experience. You’ll have the opportunity to do a short, paid placement, a year-long internship, or part-time work with a local business.
Our dedicated placement team offer one-to-one support – helping you find internships, make your application, and prepare for interviews. You could choose to do your placement locally, making the most of connections with employers in the region, or you could choose to move another city or country.
Recent students have completed placements with Rolls Royce, Worcester Bosch, and Deloitte.
Course content
Each year you will study a mix of mandatory and optional modules. This flexible course lets you explore different subjects and career paths in business and human resource management before choosing to specialise in your final year.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Optional modules
Careers
You’ll be treated like a future business professional from day one, as you develop the skills and experience to succeed in the dynamic, global business world.
You’ll build a portfolio of relevant experience through a one-year paid placement, internships, consultancy projects and company visits. On top of this, we’ll support you with job hunting, CV writing and interview preparation.
Business and Human Resource Management careers
This degree could be the first step toward your career as a:
- Human resources officer
- Office manager
- Business advisor
- Training and development officer
- Business analyst
- Project manager
- Market researcher
- Public relations officer
Start your own business
If your goal is to be your own boss, our entrepreneurship modules will guide you through the process of planning and setting up your own business. You’ll also have access to start-up support and our network of business mentors.
Other options
You could choose to progress onto a postgraduate degree to take your learning even further. For example our Master of Business Administration (MBA), Marketing MSc or Human Resources MSc.
You could also train to teach with a one-year Primary or Secondary PGCE at Worcester.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
Our course has been designed by academics and industry specialists to prepare you for a career in business. You’ll be taught through a combination of practical activities, seminars, lectures and one-to-one tutoring.
Our highly practical assessment methods include presentations, portfolios and consultancy projects - preparing you for the work you’ll be doing when you graduate.
Teaching and assessment contents
You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures, seminars, laboratory practical sessions, fieldwork, practical activities, etc. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures, and laboratory practical sessions are focused on developing subject specific skills and applied individual and group project work.
In addition, meetings (both individual and group) with personal academic tutors are scheduled throughout the academic year. There is an opportunity to undertake a year-long placement in the third year of the course, supervised by a work-based mentor and a University tutor. Depending upon the course, there may be an opportunity to study abroad at one of the exchange partner universities.
Meet the Team
Get to know a few of our Worcester Business School lecturers.
Dr Barbara Menara
Barbara is Senior lecturer in HRM and Organisational Behaviour and holds a PhD in Applied Social and Economic Research (University of Essex). She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with over 10-years teaching and research experience at different UK universities.
Professor Lynn Nichol
Lynn is Professor of Human Resource Development at Worcester Business School and Staff Researcher Development Lead for the University of Worcester. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a recognised Research Supervisor by the UK Council for Graduate Education. She has supervised nine PhDs, one DBA and one MRes to completion.
Dr Catharine Ross
Catharine teaches subjects related to people management and ethics in the Business School. Catharine has a particular interest in teaching and research concerning diversity in the workplace. She is currently involved in research on trade unions; men in female-dominated occupations; and management learning.
Catharine is the diversity coordinator for the business school and also research degrees coordinator.
Dr Barbara Menara
Barbara is Senior lecturer in HRM and Organisational Behaviour and holds a PhD in Applied Social and Economic Research (University of Essex). She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with over 10-years teaching and research experience at different UK universities.
Professor Lynn Nichol
Lynn is Professor of Human Resource Development at Worcester Business School and Staff Researcher Development Lead for the University of Worcester. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a recognised Research Supervisor by the UK Council for Graduate Education. She has supervised nine PhDs, one DBA and one MRes to completion.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 112
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | BBC |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DMM |
| T-level | Merit |
We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year for new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
Graduate Case Studies
Sabina Zikmundová
“I chose Worcester because I really liked the size of the University and the town, as well as a combination of study areas I was interested in: Business,” she said. “In particular, I’m proud of completing one semester in Belgium via the Erasmus program, as well as my placement year in HR at Airbus, a world leader in aviation manufacturing.”
“In the long term, I aspire to combine psychology and education within the workplace so I’d like to gain some more experience from a teaching environment whilst travelling and enjoying the freedom I have.
“Perhaps one day I could settle down with a people-centric job within the Learning & Development field where all my passions for travelling, psychology, education and business will be met.”
Sabina Zikmundová
“I chose Worcester because I really liked the size of the University and the town, as well as a combination of study areas I was interested in: Business,” she said. “In particular, I’m proud of completing one semester in Belgium via the Erasmus program, as well as my placement year in HR at Airbus, a world leader in aviation manufacturing.”
“In the long term, I aspire to combine psychology and education within the workplace so I’d like to gain some more experience from a teaching environment whilst travelling and enjoying the freedom I have.
“Perhaps one day I could settle down with a people-centric job within the Learning & Development field where all my passions for travelling, psychology, education and business will be met.”
Sabina Zikmundová
“I chose Worcester because I really liked the size of the University and the town, as well as a combination of study areas I was interested in: Business,” she said. “In particular, I’m proud of completing one semester in Belgium via the Erasmus program, as well as my placement year in HR at Airbus, a world leader in aviation manufacturing.”
“In the long term, I aspire to combine psychology and education within the workplace so I’d like to gain some more experience from a teaching environment whilst travelling and enjoying the freedom I have.
“Perhaps one day I could settle down with a people-centric job within the Learning & Development field where all my passions for travelling, psychology, education and business will be met.”
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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