Business with Human Resource Management with Foundation Year
Full-time
With placement
Four year
Five year
September 2025
In a nutshell
Regardless of sector, the Human Resources professional who can motivate employees, whilst protecting the organisation from non-compliance, is highly sought after.
Our BSc Business with Human Resource Management degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development. This shows that the course reflects the CIPD’s national framework; it is also highly practical, reflective of HR best practice and the current needs of employers. You will study at our University of Salford campus close to Manchester city centre.
BE INDUSTRY READY
This degree sets Human Resource Management (HRM) within the wider business context; right from year one, you will start to develop an understanding of how organisations run while covering the key aspects of HRM such as employee engagement, awareness of organisational culture, effective communication and employment law. You will also build your personal portfolio of professional evidence which will enhance your CV and help you in job applications and interviews.
There is an emphasis on ethical and sustainable business practices as well as the technical tools you need so you develop as a rounded HR professional. We have worked with industry partners to make sure the programme is highly practical, career-focused and industry-informed to prepare you for a successful management career. We are proud to work with our student panel to ensure our teaching is relevant, inclusive and respectful for all.
The lecturers who deliver this programme have a wealth of academic and professional expertise. Throughout the course, you’ll benefit from their support, experience and industry connections to help you prepare for your future career.
As part of this course, you will learn:
Body swap technology, LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Excel – LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft PowerPoint – LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Word – LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Project – LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Outlook – LinkedIn Learning, iDea Bronze Award, Microsoft Specialist - Microsoft 365, Power BI
Wondering if Human Resource Management is for you? Read about Hatty's experience and how she felt the course and extra opportunities available have helped her future career.
During your degree, you will have the option to participate in the Study Abroad programme. The programmes allows you the chance to spend your second year studying on an international exchange with one of our global partner institutions in Europe, the US or the rest of the world.
Want to find out more about our Business courses? Sign-up to an undergraduate Open Day.
"There’s a big emphasis on career services at Salford. I attended workshops to help me with CV writing and employability skills" - Perle Esmail, BSc Human Resource Management (now called BSc Business with Human Resource Management)
You will:
- Develop the core HR skills you need to manage people effectively
- Study in a supportive environment where you are a name, not a number
- Build your own personal portfolio to enhance your CV and demonstrate your knowledge and skills to future employers
- Study on a programme accredited by CIPD, the leading association for human resource management professionals (subject to approval)
options available
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
You understand the importance of managing people resources to a business
You are looking to develop the key business skills that will make you highly employable with opportunities such as work placement and study abroad
You aim to learn both theoretical and practical aspects of HRM
All about the course
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) so you know it is reflective of HR best practice.
CAREER FOCUSSED, HANDS ON LEARNING
This course will begin by developing your knowledge and understanding of key business management concepts along with the fundamental principles of HRM. By working on live projects and business simulations, you will develop your core skills such as problem-solving, leadership, communication and data analysis. In this way, you will learn to find creative, sustainable and ethical solutions to HR problems. Throughout your time with us, you will build your own portfolio of professional evidence which you will be able to use to help you get a rewarding job when you graduate.
- In your first year, you will start to develop an understanding of how organisations work and the role of HR in them. You will look at the key skills you need as an HR professional and how these support the organisation’s culture.
- In your first year, you will start to develop an understanding of how organisations work and the role of HR along with the opportunity to try out subjects you haven’t studied before and learn how they integrate with Human Resource Management.
- The second year is all about exploring more specialised HRM theories and learning skills that will be transferable across multiple business functions. With core and optional modules, you can start to shape your own learning. The Professional Development module is designed for you to practise the skills you need – CV writing, being interviewed, assessment centres - to apply for and get a placement year and, ultimately, your dream job on graduation.
- By your final year, you are becoming an HR professional, developing the skills needed for responsible leadership and understanding how to think strategically. Core modules increase your in depth knowledge and continue your career development while optional modules allow you to specialise in your areas of interest. You will have the opportunity to work on a real-life organisational HR issue. Through our partnership with Salford City Council, you will work on a brief provided by them and present your proposal to a joint University and council panel. Students with the most compelling proposals can even go on to secure a year-long work placement with Salford City Council. Read about Georgiana Matoianu's experience winning a work placement and working with Salford City Council.
BUILD YOUR CV
When you study a business programme at Salford Business School, you will have access to opportunities that will help increase your practical experience, employability and entrepreneurial skills.
- Take a placement year, where you will learn on the job whilst being paid for your time
- Internship opportunities
- Mock assessment centres
- Professional presentations
- Business challenges
- Business simulations
- Launch@Salford
- Mock interviews and practice networking
WORK PLACEMENTS / STUDY ABROAD
We strongly encourage you to develop your personal skills and your confidence by taking a year-long work placement in your third year and/or studying abroad for a term or a year.
- A work placement really enhances your CV and shows future employers that you can apply the skills, knowledge and understanding you have learned. You will not pay fees to the University and will earn a salary for the work that you do.
- Find out more about the range of International Opportunities such as Erasmus, Turing Scheme and International study exchanges.
LAUNCH@SALFORD
Interested in starting your own business? At Salford Business School we value entrepreneurial minds and aim to provide the support and resources needed for anyone wishing to build on a great business idea. Launch@ Salford is the incubation centre for business start ups providing a reception area, hot desk office space, private meeting rooms – and a networking lounge where you can grab a coffee and make those business connections. Launch@Salford also provides specialist support in the runnings of a start-up as well as opportunities to receive financial support
All Set? Apply Now
Foundations of Business
This module will introduce you to key concepts of business and management, looking at what business is (and isn’t). You will be encouraged to draw on real-life examples found in the businesses you use in your every day life. You will develop an understanding of the key functions used within contemporary businesses and learn about the tools and techniques used in business for analysis and planning.
Academic and Personal Skills
Academic and Personal Skills is delivered with your future in mind. This module takes you through how to get to grips with the technology you need to succeed, as well as using the library, how to reference and how to produce the different styles of academic writing.
It also helps you to develop yourself; you will create a CV, learn how to write a cover letter and find out what your learning style is. The module has guest speakers who share their expert knowledge and experience with you. All the skills covered in this module will help you to succeed in your chosen degree.
Sustainable Business Development
This module looks at what’s involved in starting up a sustainable business. You will discover what is needed for long term business success. We’ll look at financing and funding, business formation, planning, business ethics and sustainability along with other core aspects of start-ups. You will work closely with industry partners to gain insight into the world of start-ups. If you are interested in starting a business, this module will really help you to discover what is involved. You also gain key knowledge which your degree will build upon.
Digital Business
This module will explain the importance and key elements of digital business. You will explore how digital business ideas drive technology choices and how those technologies support the development of the business.
Business Project
This module is studied in term 2 of the foundation year and brings together everything that you have learnt so far on the foundation year. This is your opportunity to put your knowledge into practice. You will work as part of a team to develop a business idea; you will work through the process of setting up the business. As a team you will pitch your idea to a panel to gain investment in your start-up. You will then start the business and create an event with the profits being donated to a local charity of your choice. Whatever your chosen business discipline this module will give you the opportunity to demonstrate and develop your skills.
Employability for Life
The module aims to acquire and develop an understanding of the employability skills required to succeed in your chosen industry. This is a practical module which will help you create and develop a professional CV and will develop your understanding of the recruitment and selection process. You will learn essential life-long skills to help you succeed in job applications whether they are for part-time work whilst you are a student or for your future graduate career.
Introduction to Human Resources
This module introduces the distinct contribution that Human Resource Management (HRM) policy and practice makes to both employee and organisation performance and success. By looking at different companies working in the UK, you will grow your knowledge and understanding of the role of HRM in the wider organisational context. Using “real life” examples, you'll develop an understanding of the inter-relationship between the dynamic nature of social relationships within a range of organisations, the broader external environment, and the effective management of employees and employment relations.
Digital and Business Skills
The Digital and Business Skills module introduces a range of digital tools for academia and the workplace. Important business skills such as management, collaboration and teamwork are fundamental to the module. Regular engagement with online platforms provides tasks to improve digital competency. Also, co creation work presents self-reflection and confidence building opportunities. Gaining the inspiring digital enterprise award (iDEA), completing LinkedIn learning assessments for Microsoft software applications, and completing collaborative video creation tasks will increase your digital and business skills as you progress towards the completion of this module. Digital Business is here to stay, so it is vital to improve these 21st century skills.
Understanding Organisations
This module provides you with an introduction to the key functions of business and is an opportunity to see how they work. You will get an understanding of functions including people management, accounting, marketing and operations, and how they underpin business success. This is illustrated through the lens of some of the successful businesses from across the Greater Manchester region that Salford Business School work with: we will look at a range of businesses including startups, family businesses and large scale enterprises and multinationals from different industry sectors. It is a first opportunity to see what makes businesses tick and will help you think about your future learning and employment journeys.
HR Business Skills
On this module you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills connected with culture and communications within organisations. You will develop your soft skills and your understanding of the wider context and the role and importance of culture and communication within an organisation. The module adopts a holistic view of communication to ensure that you develop your skills in terms of communication at all levels both inside and outside the organisation. The module concentrates on the use of technology and looks specifically at social media as a communication tool.
Data Analysis for Business
In this module you will be introduced to a variety of data analysis methods, which will be practiced on real world data sets. Regular formative assessment will be set for practice, with timely feedback given to aid learning and personal development.
You will have an opportunity to formulate your own research questions before analysing data to draw reasonable conclusions. The module will predominantly utilise real data and include a mixture of computer-based questions, calculations, interpretation and drawing conclusions.
The Future of Business
What are the opportunities for business in the future? Starting with a grounding in the business context you will gain an understanding of economics and the digital environment, including the role of the digital economy. We will explore some of the key challenges that are on the horizon such as the impact of massive digitisation and industry 4.0, inclusive growth, food security and the climate emergency, and look at the opportunities for business to provide responsible and sustainable solutions
Professional Development
This module will enable you to plan and carry out appropriate professional development activities to increase your employability and performance. These include self-presentation, professional networking, project planning and implementation, team working, influencing and multimedia communication. You will gain all the necessary experience required to take advantage of global employment opportunities.
Managing and Coordinating Human Resources
This module aims to offer you a holistic view of the Human Resource Management function and an introduction to managing and coordinating its key functions. It also establishes the aims and objectives of HR departments in contemporary organisations.
Analysis for HRM
Analysing and understanding data is at the heart of business decision making. In this module you will build on the data analysis skills that you learned in your first year and get practical experience of using data to inform HR management decisions. You will work with data types specific to the HRM pathway, helping you to develop the skills you will need for your future career.
The decision making techniques introduced in the module can be applied to a wide range of settings, such as interpreting market performance, forecasting growth, make or buy decisions and optimisation of scarce resources.
Employee Relations
The purpose of the module is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the employment relationship and how it is regulated and contested within a variety of contrasting organisations (business, public and voluntary) in both a UK and international comparative context. We will examine the roles, interests and objectives of the different actors involved (government, employers, managers, employees, trade unions, and the state), and the interpersonal and organisational processes and outcomes. You will develop your understanding of interrelationships between the dynamic nature of employment relations, the broader external context (local, national and global), and the effective management of human resources and employment relations.
Project Management
During this module we take a detailed look at various aspects of Project Management through a variety of means such as lectures and practical seminars informed by research and industrial collaborations. We will focus on theoretical approaches, tools and techniques of planning and controlling projects.
We will discuss project management as an important and integral part of a business whether this is product or service based.
Employment Law for Business
You will gain an appreciation of how Employment Law is formulated, identifying those aspects of Employment Law that impact critically upon business practice. These include employment status, the employment contract and health and safety as well as discrimination, discipline and dismissal, and trade union matters. You will look at those aspects of Employment Law which provide the legal framework for employment relationships and regulate the working environment and develop the ability to apply the rules of Employment Law to solve problems in business practice.
Live Project in HRM
This module gives you the opportunity to choose and carry out a piece of independent research within your chosen field of HRM. By learning to use the information available to you, you will enhance your research skills, selecting appropriate research methods to explore an HR-related topic in depth. By the time you complete the module, you will be able to prepare and present a viable and realistic business case for improvement based on sound work-based research and an understanding of what is considered good practice.
Professional Placement
You have the option to do a professional placement year, taking a year in industry to learn in a real-life environment whilst earning a salary and paying no tuition fees.
This is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of and we will help you find out about vacancies and make the right connections with high profile employers through regular events and presentations.
For more information, please visit the placement and internships page.
Business Ethics and Sustainability
This module equips you with an appreciation and in-depth understanding of the implications of Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability within national and international organisations. This module will also develop your knowledge with respect to the importance of the balance between shareholders, stakeholders and the purpose and values of the organisation. It will explore the roles of social and technological innovation in global ethical organisations in order to prepare you for future employability.
Employee Engagement and Reward
On this module, you will learn to apply the theories relating to employee engagement in organisational settings. You will explore critical arguments and theory in relation to employee engagement strategies. The module also introduces the principles of and applications for high-performance working (HPW). You will learn to apply broad knowledge of pay and reward systems to the strategic plans of organisations. Finally you will explore and critically analyse the appropriateness of variations in pay and reward systems in UK organisations.
Leadership and Management in HRM
This module will help you to develop your leadership skills and prepare you for your future career. You will explore theory, behaviour, people management and leadership within an HRM context.This is an opportunity to develop the skills you have gained in the early part of your degree and apply them to prepare you for the responsible and authentic leadership that future business requires.
Resourcing and Talent Management
Building on what you have learned in previous years, you will expand your knowledge and understanding of resourcing and talent management within an organisation. You will investigate developments in resourcing and talent planning within the business environment, developing your ability to evaluate and adopt a strategic approach to HRM policy and practice. We'll look at contemporary topics and challenges for organisations wishing to manage their employee talent pool in the internal and external labour markets. You will also develop the critical knowledge of how to manage dismissal, redundancy and retirement effectively and lawfully.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Employers tell us that they are looking for employees with an entrepreneurial mindset. Or perhaps you're thinking of setting up your own business.
In this module you have the opportunity to undertake an enterprise project for an internal or external sponsor on a topic of common interest. Alternatively, you can use this opportunity to undertake in-depth research for your own project, for example, a business plan if you are wanting to start up a company after you graduate. The nature of the project will be negotiated by yourself, the module leader and the sponsoring company.
Strategic Management
This module will provide a detailed understanding of business strategy, so that you acquire an organisation-wide perspective through exploring strategy techniques and processes within the global environment. You will draw together your knowledge from across the Business with HRM programme, and apply this to real world organisational problems, deploying accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry, some of which are at the forefront of strategic research and practice. Working on industry problems drawn from HRM situations, you will prepare for a career in HR management.
Enhancing Professional Practice
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Frequently asked questions
What is BSc Business with Human Resource Management?
Business with Human Resource Management combines the theory and practice of business management with the study of human resource management. Not only will you learn business skills such as management, digital skills and data analysis, but you will also practice HRM such asemployee relations, resourcing and talent management.
How is human resource management used in business?
Human resource management is essential to the successful running of a business as it deals with a business’s most valuable asset – its employees. The employee or team in charge of HR will manage aspects such as recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training and developing employees as well as ensuring compliance with labour laws and managing employee benefits and compensation. The HR team will also deal with employee relations, grievances and performance management.
What can you do with BSc Business with Human Resource Management?
With a background in Business with Human Resource Management, you can pursue various career paths such as HR Manager, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Training and Development Manager, Compensation and Benefits Manager, Employee Relations Specialist and HR Consultant. These roles involve managing employee relations, recruitment, training, performance management, and strategic planning to enhance organisational effectiveness.
Be part of our Business school community
Salford Business School aims to be the most industry-informed and relevant business school in the UK. We are integrated into the local business community as a hub for knowledge creation and exchange. We are proud that our industry collaborations and partnerships benefit students, businesses and the community.
Our goal is to prepare you for a fulfilling life and professional career. Along the way, you’ll learn to be curious, adaptable and confident, ready to meet the digital, ethical and sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
Where will I learn?
Salford Business School is located in the Maxwell building overlooking the University’s beautiful Peel Park campus and just minutes from Manchester city centre. Teaching facilities include Lady Hale and Chapman buildings, which offer stylish modern spaces with lecture theatres equipped with the very latest technology and large screen displays. Lady Hale is also the home for the mock courtroom where the mooting team hone their skills in case presentation and debate.
A dedicated Employability team will help you with work placements and access to work skills.
Throughout campus, there is a choice of individual study areas, communal learning and breakout spaces, plus a selection of food outlets.
Business in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a dynamic business hub and centre for the northern powerhouse. With a wide range of business – small, medium, large – based around the region, students have access to a huge number of opportunities for networking and work experience. It is particularly a centre for finance, retail and digital businesses.
Salford is the fastest growing economy within Greater Manchester and is home to almost 12,000 businesses employing 120,200 people. Salford’s business community is predominately made up of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) which account for 99% of the business base though a number of large firms have also made Salford its home. The University of Salford is proud to be at the heart of this community and works in close partnership with Salford City Council to support the community.
We hold a Small Business Charter mark, one of the first universities to receive this accreditation, and continue to work to enhance growth and productivity in SMEs.
Student Support
We want you to enjoy your time studying here, but we understand that there may be times you need a little extra support to help you. The Business School student progression team is here to help you progress through your courses as smoothly as possible.
University-wide, askUS is at the core of our student support service, offering information and advice on matters such as finance, wellbeing and counselling, accommodation and more. If you have any worries, concerns, or need advice on a particular topic, visit askUS on campus.
Find out more about Student Support Services at Salford.
Getting Here
If you’re planning on commuting, both our MediaCityUK and Peel Park campuses are perfectly placed. Whether by bus, rail, bike or car, we’re easily accessed from all over Greater Manchester, Lancashire and beyond.
Get more information about your options for commuting, or hear about the experience from current students.
What about after uni?
FURTHER STUDY
A postgraduate degree is a great option if you want to take your knowledge and skills to the next level. Salford graduates and alumni also receive a significant fees discount.
Learn about our postgraduate courses
EMPLOYMENT
Our focus on this course is to give you the skills, knowledge and resources you need so you have good job opportunities after you graduate. We have used our close links with industry partners to make sure the programme is highly practical, career-focused and industry-informed so you are ready for a successful management career.
Not only will you learn the practical HR skills and knowledge, you will also develop the team working, project management, communication and interpersonal skills that will make you highly employable.
We asked our industry contacts what they look for when employing graduates. Here’s some of the advice they gave:
“Soft skills – the communication, the listening, the team working - are really, really key. Graduates need to demonstrate how they’ve acquired some soft skills whether that’s been undertaking a project or demonstrating time management.” Vivine Cameron, Education Partnerships Executive, The Chartered Insurance Institute
With opportunities to take part in a year-long paid work placement, support from the University’s careers team and our Launch entrepreneurship experts, we ensure you are equipped with the skills and experience employers are looking for.
Graduates of this course have gone on to enjoy careers at organisations of all shapes and sizes, including Thomson Holidays, BT, DTS Logistics, Greater Manchester Police and the NHS.
Career Links
Our course team maintains excellent relations with local and national human resource organisations, commentators and employers.
Our teaching is industry-led, inspired by contemporary practice and developed in partnership with business leaders. Our academics are experts in their field and work closely with industry to ensure that our courses reflect the needs of business and provide you with that extra edge when it comes to securing a job.
We teach the skills that employers need and as a result, our graduates enjoy excellent international career prospects.
The curriculum across our undergraduate courses balances academic teaching and professional experience, allowing you to apply theory in practice in a way that has been proven to produce highly employable, articulate business professionals who have forged the contacts that will help develop their future careers.
What you need to know
This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.
APPLICANT PROFILE
This course offers excellent scope for any student wanting to start a career in HR, management, recruitment and a variety of other different business areas. Knowledge and expertise in HR are highly sought after by employers across a wide variety of sectors. This course will appeal to a range of applicants and there is no need to have studied these subjects before to be successful.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0, with no element below 5.5, is proof of this.
GCSE
Maths and English at grade C or grade 4 or above (applicants who do not have the equivalent of grade C or above, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English will be considered on a case by case basis).
UCAS Tariff points
64 UCAS Tariff points
A level
72 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of one A2 pass.
BTEC National Diploma
MMP (BTEC Extended Diploma)
T levels
Pass (D or E in the core subject)
Access to HE
A minimum of 72 UCAS Tariff points from a QAA Approved Level 3 Access to HE Diploma to contain a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2 to total 60 credits overall for the full award.
International Baccalaureate
26 points, including a grade 5 in standard level maths and grade 6 in standard level English or grade 4 in higher level maths and grade 5 in higher level English.
Scottish Highers
72 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of one Advanced Higher.
Irish Leaving Certificate
72 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of one Higher Level subject.
European Baccalaureate
72 UCAS Tariff points
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2025/26 | £8,250.00 for Foundation Year and £9,250.00 for subsequent years. |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All set? Let's apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0) 161 295 4545
Enrolment dates
UCAS information
Course ID N1N7
Institution S03