BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management with Foundation Year

In today’s global economy, businesses are expected to do more than just make a profit—they must act responsibly and contribute to a sustainable future. This module introduces you to the principles and practices of responsible and sustainable business. You’ll explore how organisations respond to environmental, social, financial, and ethical challenges, and how they integrate sustainability into their strategies, operations, and culture. Through real-world case studies and interactive activities, you’ll examine topics such as ethical leadership, sustainable supply chain management, stakeholder engagement, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You will also have opportunities to work on practical projects that challenge you to think critically about how businesses can balance purpose and profit. Whether you’re passionate about climate action, social justice, or ethical entrepreneurship, this module will help you develop the knowledge and skills to become a responsible business leader in the future

This module introduces you to the foundations of enterprise and entrepreneurship, exploring what it means for individuals to think entrepreneurially and for businesses to act in an enterprising way. You will examine key theories and perspectives on creativity, innovation and enterprise, developing an understanding of how these ideas shape opportunities and drive success. You will be encouraged to question where ideas come from, how they are generated and the role of different people in turning ideas into reality. Through interactive activities and discussions, you will explore practical tools and approaches that help identify, develop and implement new ideas. By the end of the module, you will not only have gained knowledge of the essentials of enterprise and entrepreneurship but also gain confidence in applying them to your own studies, career ambitions and wider experiences. This will provide you with a solid foundation for further learning in entrepreneurship, innovation and business management at higher levels of study. The module uses globally relevant examples and activities so that students from a range of cultural and professional backgrounds can see the value and applicability of entrepreneurial thinking in their own contexts.

This module introduces you to the fast-moving world of digital business and how technology is transforming the way organisations operate, compete, and grow. You will explore key concepts such as digital transformation, innovation, and business models, and learn how digital capabilities like cloud computing, AI, and blockchain are reshaping industries. During the module you will gain insight into how businesses use digital tools to create value, improve customer experiences, and stay ahead of competitors. You will examine enterprise systems, information management, and understand how big data and business intelligence drive smarter decision-making. Legal, ethical, and regulatory issues will also be covered, helping you think critically about the risks and responsibilities of operating in a digital environment. This module blends theory with practical examples, giving you a strong foundation in digital business transformation, strategy and systems thinking. Whether you’re aiming for a career in business, marketing, technology, or entrepreneurship, you will leave with the skills and confidence to navigate the digital landscape and contribute to innovation in any organisation

This extended induction module supports your transition into university life and introduces you to the requirements of academic skills. It helps you build confidence, develop a strong academic identity, and understand the expectations of university study. You’ll explore key academic practices including independent learning, digital literacy, and ethical academic conduct—such as referencing, plagiarism awareness, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in line with university policy. You will also be introduced to some of the tools and databases relevant for your studies. The module is structured around seven themes identified by students as essential to their university experience: Ready to Study: Clear guidance on expectations, transitions, and workload planning. Academic Skills and Educational Gain: Development of foundational academic skills including time management, critical thinking, and digital fluency. Career Readiness and Professional Identity: Early exploration of career pathways, CV building, and professional behaviours. Personal Development and Belonging: Activities that foster confidence, inclusion, and identity within the university community. Social Engagement and Community Building: Opportunities to connect with peers, staff, and wider university life. Feedback and Reflective Practice: Structured opportunities to receive, apply, and reflect on feedback to support growth. Wellbeing and Student Support: Embedded access to holistic support services and strategies for success. This module lays the foundation for future development, including the Level 5 Professional Development module/embedded placement experiences.

This module provides a critical introduction to the principles, frameworks, and current developments in UK employment law and employee relations. You will explore how legislation and regulatory frameworks shape organisational practice, examining areas such as contracts of employment, equality and diversity, dispute resolution, and employee rights. By engaging with relevant case studies and recent developments, you will evaluate the impact of employment law on both employers and employees and consider how organisations adapt to changing legal requirements. A key focus of the module is on values and behaviours required to manage employment relationships responsibly. Emphasis is placed on trust, fairness, and accountability, helping you understand how HR professionals contribute to positive workplace cultures and ethical decision-making. By the end of the module, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate employment law confidently and support inclusive, legally sound HR practice in a way that balances organisational needs with employee wellbeing.

This module will help you to build the practical skills and confidence needed to succeed as a people professional. Together, we will explore the key stages of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and selection, through induction and onboarding, learning and development and performance management, considering how each stage plays a vital role in supporting both employees and the wider organisation. We will connect theory with practice, using models and frameworks to show what effective HR looks like in real workplaces. You will also learn about the behaviours that make people professionals credible and trusted, such as ethical practice, inclusivity, and professional courage. Importantly, this module is not just about knowledge - it is about you. You will have the chance to reflect on your own skills, identify areas for growth, and think about how you can apply what you learn, to future roles. By the end, you will understand not only what HR professionals need to know and do, but also how to be the kind of practitioner who adds value and supports long-term organisational success.

This module builds on the foundational skills and reflective practices introduced in the Level 4 'Succeeding at University' module, supporting students to deepen their professional identity and career readiness. It is designed to support students in developing the knowledge, skills, and reflective practices essential for continuous professional growth in a dynamic and evolving workplace. Through a mix of practical experience and professional development sessions, this module will enable students to explore essential themes such as personal effectiveness, leadership, communication, ethical practice, and lifelong learning. Drawing directly from work experience and/or professional setting, students will reflect on their real-world experiences to deepen their understanding of what it means to grow and succeed in their chosen field. Students may draw on case studies or sector examples to connect theory to practice. Students will engage in self-assessment, goal setting, and action planning to identify their strengths and areas for development. The module emphasizes reflective practice as a tool for professional learning and encourages learners to critically evaluate their experiences and performance in real-world contexts. Specialist knowledge areas of the CIPD such as employee relations, talent management, resourcing and reward are considered in relation to potential career pathways, so that students can begin to align personal skills and behaviours with CIPD requirements. Formalised CPD planning (continuing professional development) will support students in taking ownership of their learning, helping to enhance professional practice and take meaningful steps towards employability.

This module explores how events and actions in the macro-environment impact on organisations, and the strategies used by leaders to respond or manage associated change. You will explore contemporary debates around new ways of working and communicating, including how to manage dispersed teams and collaborations across different contexts. We will also consider how organisations design learning and development strategies to meet evolving needs, and how leaders can create workplaces that are inclusive, psychologically safe, and sustainable. As an extension of your previous study, you will also engage with emerging topics in leadership and management, recognising how organisations adapt to shifting requirements and how this can impact on approaches to transition and change. By connecting theory with practice, you will gain insight into the challenges leaders face in today’s complex environments and develop confidence in applying strategies to real-world situations.

This module gives you the opportunity to explore the changing nature of business and human resources by considering people management in a global context. You will be supported to understand how international employment standards, sustainability, and future challenges are shaping the HR profession in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). You will critically evaluate and apply good practice solutions to real-world, international scenarios, including the integration of environmental management into HR management (‘green HRM’), global employment challenges, and the importance of effective cross-cultural communication in international business environments. The focus is on developing adaptive and inclusive people management strategies that respond to global trends, ethical considerations, and technological transformations. You will be encouraged to think about how HR can play a central role in building workplaces that are sustainable, fair, and future ready. Alongside this, you will engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that will help you identify your strengths, areas for improvement, and actions you can take to enhance your professional practice. By the end of the module, you will have a deeper awareness of sustainable employment practices and be well prepared to step into future roles as a responsible global manager or HR professional.

This ultimate module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent study that blends learning from previous subjects. It is designed to showcase individual strengths and apply advanced knowledge to a practical business context. Students will create a professional business project that demonstrates their ability to address real-world challenges or opportunities. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem-solving, research planning, data analysis and professional communication skills. By completing this module, students will demonstrate autonomy, innovation and the ability to integrate theory with practice - key attributes for advancing in professional and managerial roles.