Overview
Human Resource Management is a vital part of every business, and impacts everyone from junior members of staff to CEOs. With a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) accredited HRM degree from the University of Stirling, you’ll gain far-reaching expertise in organisational success and unlock a wealth of professional opportunities.
The course will prepare you to make an impact on key areas of business such as recruitment methods, staff development, performance management and career progression. You’ll also be equipped to enhance an organisation’s adaptability by broadening the skills of its workforce and understanding its broader social and economic environments.
When you study HRM at Stirling, everything you’ll learn is rooted in research and contemporary developments in the business world. The course reflects the rapid changes in employment practices, markets, technology and law – ensuring you graduate with the front-line knowledge you need to succeed.
We are AACSB accredited
The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education. This puts the University of Stirling Management School among the top 6% of business schools globally.
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.
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 University of Stirling Management School’s Advisory Board members and a contributing lecturer on the course. A Stirling 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
SQA Highers
AABB
GCE 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.
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling 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
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.
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.
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.
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.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
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, our partner INTO University of Stirling 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
You can study Human Resource Management as a four-year single honours degree or take it in conjunction with one of our complementary subjects to earn a combined honours degree and broaden your career opportunities. The first two semesters of your course are designed to give you a solid grounding in the general principles of business, management, marketing, HR and more. You’ll also have a chance to take modules from other courses that compliment your HR studies – including Business Studies, Law and Psychology.
From Year 2 onwards you’ll focus on specialist modules that cover the wider labour market, the latest changes in Human Resource Management, employment relations and how Human Resource Management impacts individuals. Every step of the way, your course will be delivered by expert teaching staff who understand the rapidly-shifting nature of business and the broad range of factors that impact on the evolution of Human Resource Management.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
We encourage 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 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.
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 Stirling 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.
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Fees and funding
Scottish students
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 Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition 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.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
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 Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more 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 and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
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.
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 automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
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.
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
Preparing you for the world of work
As you study, we seek to prepare you for the job market with our range of specialist career services.
Human Resource Management graduates from Stirling have gone on to work at the BBC, ASOS, IBM and other leading companies worldwide, with recent Stirling graduates starting their careers in some of the following roles:
- HR Administrator, Capita HR Solutions
- Recruitment Consultant, Recruitair Ltd
- Resource Assistant, Hyde Group Engineering
- Researcher, Experis Manpower Group
Other graduates have forged careers in the following positions:
- HR Business Partner, BBC
- Expertise Management Leader, IBM
- Performance Improvement, PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Leadership Development, National Australia Group
As part of this course, you will have the opportunity to take our Professional Development and Practice module, which helps you develop the 'softer skills' that are sought by employers.
Find out more about how we prepare you for the world of work.
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