Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Human Resource Management, University of Plymouth, UK

The programme is intended to: 

1. Develop the knowledge and skills base which will enable effective performance as a practicing HR practitioner;
2. Produce graduates who are enterprising, readily employable and well equipped for lifelong learning and the professional world;
3. Develop graduates possessing a broad range of key personal, cognitive/intellectual, transferable, practical and employment skills who could be considered a “competent professional”;
4. Develop graduates with a broad understanding of the complex, diverse, dynamic business and enterprise environment and the implications for HRM;
5. Facilitate recognition of the effects of HRM within longer timescales and in relation to a broad range of stakeholders;
6. Enable an understanding of the international dimensions of HRM;
7. Develop knowledge and understanding of the ethical and moral responsibilities of HR managers and leaders.

Target Student Group

1. HR practitioners, line managers and Higher Diploma/Associate Degree holders wishing to gain a bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management and further their knowledge in strategic human resource management, particularly those wishing to have a global perspective of HRM.

2. Graduates from Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management & Workplace Psychology with relevant work experience in people management.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion graduates should have developed:

A. Knowledge and understanding 

1. An understanding of knowledge in the area of HRM in a business context, including generalist HRM, international and comparative HRM, managing change and equality and diversity; 
2. An awareness and understanding of current issues in management that both contextualise and inform HRM;   
2. An understanding that enables the student to critically reflect upon and evaluate current research and HRM professional practice. 

 

B. Cognitive and intellectual skills    

4. Evaluate evidence critically, reach conclusions and present findings to improve the management of people;  
5. Problem solve within the context of the business environment and with emphasis on the management of people; 
6. Apply knowledge and understanding to respond to complex issues in the study and/or practice of HRM. 

 

C. Key and transferable skills  

7. Interact and work effectively, negotiating and handling conflict as appropriate, to achieve an objective;  
7. Access and utilise a wide range of learning resources and manage own learning;  
9. Communicate effectively in writing and orally using a range of methods;  
10. Demonstrate autonomy in taking responsibility for own work and development.  

 

D. Employment related skills  

11. Successfully manage and deliver a project on time;  
12. Choose and utilise a range of appropriate skills and techniques relevant to the management of people, to include, recruitment, selection, reward, retention and learning and development of people;  
13. Reflect upon and evaluate own actions and performance with a view to enhancing self-management and devising plans for enhancing personal and career development;  
14. Demonstrate awareness of ethical and sustainability issues in their work. 

 

E. Practical skills  

15. Write reports for commercial and academic audiences;  
16. Select and apply appropriate skills and techniques and work with minimal supervision.

Overview

The BA (Hons) HRM is a newly revamped programme by the University of Plymouth with updated syllabus focusing on the more strategic aspects of Human Resources. This is an advancement programme with focus on strategic human resource management, both from a local and a global perspective. 

Programme Duration and Teaching Mode

The minimum time needed to complete the BA is 1.5 years and the maximum duration is 5 years.

Modules 1 and 2 are taught by UoP-endorsed HKU SPACE teachers, while modules 3 to 7 are co-taught by UoP and HKU SPACE teachers.

Module Focus

1) Managing People, Productivity and Operations

The module aims to provide students with the knowledge of how major themes of operations and human resource management interlink to influence organisational decision-making and aspects of organisational and individual performance.

The module provides students with an understanding of the managerial challenges of delivering services and goods, and the policies, procedures and techniques that can be deployed by different stakeholders to address those challenges by influencing organisational and individual performance

2) Managing Change

This module considers the importance of change management and how it can be achieved and sustained. Students will examine how change affects organisations and the individuals who work within them. Students will go on to evaluate the means by which change can be analysed and implemented, considering the interactions between strategy, policy, human resources, and the organisational environment.

3) Contemporary HRM

This module aims to examine and critically explore theoretical models in the management of human resources, given the strategic imperatives of different organisations.

It explores the full range of people practices needed to be an effective people professional through examination of the role of the human resource (HR) manager, and the opportunities and challenges facing HR, now and in the future. Within this exploration the role of HR in managing change is investigated, alongside analysis of the role that both analytics and technology play within contemporary HRM.

4) Human Resource Management in a Global Context

This module introduces students to the consequences of globalisation for workers and how they are managed, the particular people management issues confronted by multinational corporations (MNCs) and the human resource management systems adopted in different national contexts.

5) Equality and Diversity in the Modern Organisation

This module will provide students with a broad understanding of equality and diversity in the workplace. Students will consider the paradigms underpinning regulation and voluntarism, organisational equality and diversity at the levels of strategy and operational practice, and how group and individual identities are constructed in the workplace.

6) Employment Relations and Employment Law

In this module, students will explore and evaluate the organisational approaches, practices and tools to manage and enhance the employee relationships to create better working lives. Students will also investigate the significant impact this can have on organisational performance.

7) Researching for Business

This module will empower students to understand the practical relevance of research methods for managing businesses by bringing the theory, philosophy and techniques of research to life. It will provide students with a comprehensive overview of research approaches in business to use when planning or undertaking a qualitative and/or quantitative research report.

Assessment

	Module Name	Assessment components	Weighting
1	Managing People, Productivity and Operations	1. Case Report (3,000 words)    2. Annotated Meeting Minutes (1,500 words)	65%   35%
2	Managing Change	Report (3,000 words)	100%
3	Contemporary HRM	1. Case Study: Email to CEO (1,000 words)   2. Case Study: Report to CEO (3,000 words)	20%   80%
4	Human Resource Management in a Global Context	1. Individual Essay (1,600 words)   2. Individual Report (2,400 words)	40%   60%
5	Equality and Diversity in the Modern Organisation	1. Individual Essay (Max 2,000 words)   2. Individual Podcast (8-10 mins with transcript and reference list) or PowerPoint (1,900-2,100 words and reference list)	50%   50%
6	Employment Relations and Employment Law	1. Employment Law (20 multiple-choice questions)   2. Case study report and recommendations (written report or PowerPoint) (2,500 words)	30%   70%
7	Researching for Business	1. Individual Assignment: Qualitative findings and discussion report (3,600 words) 2. Individual Assignment: Quantitative  findings and discussion report (3,600 words)	50% 50%

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Award

On successful completion and passing of all 7 modules totalling 180 credits, students will be awarded the “Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Human Resource Management” conferred by the University of Plymouth.

Students must attempt all 7 modules (180 modules). However, under extenuating circumstances, students may be awarded with the ordinary degree “Bachelor of Arts Human Resource Management” if they complete 140 credits (40 credits at FHEQ Level 5 and 100 credits at FHEQ Level 6; or 60 credits at FHEQ Level 5 and 80 credits at FHEQ Level 6).

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Venue

Admiralty Learning Centre/ United Learning Centre/ Fortress Tower Learning Centre/ Island East Campus

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FAQs

1.	What is the ranking of The University of Plymouth?
	The University of Plymouth is ranked #41 in the Guardian UK University Guide 2022, and in the top 5 Young UK Universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings Guide 2022.
2.	Will there be face-to-face classes?
	Modules 1 and 2 are taught by UoP-endorsed HKU SPACE teachers, while modules 3 to 7 are co-taught by UoP and HKU SPACE teachers. The teaching of these modules will be conducted in face-to-face mode or via virtual teaching if travelling is not feasible due to uncontrollable circumstances such as the pandemic.
3.	What is the normal period of time to complete the BA (HONS) HRM programme?
	The normal period of time is 24 months and the maximum duration is 5 years.
4.	Is there a separate exam for each module?
	There is no examination. All modules are assessed by case reports/ annotated meeting minutes/ case studies/ individual essays/ individual reports/ individual podcasts/ PowerPoints/ in-class tests/ qualitative findings and discussion reports/ quantitative findings and discussion reports.
5.	How can I join the CIPD membership and how much does it cost?
	Students can join CIPD as student members upon successful application of the MA HRM programme. For details of student member fees, please visit the link.

Application Code	2245-HR140A	-

Days / Time

• Tue, Thu, Sat, -

Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

The School is applying for exemption under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which these courses may lead.

Modules	Credits
1. Managing People, Productivity and Operations	40
2. Managing Change	20
3. Contemporary HRM	20
4. Human Resource Management in a Global Context	20
5. Equality and Diversity in the Modern Organisation	20
6. Employment Relations and Employment Law	20
7. Researching for Business	40

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Professional accreditation has been attained from the CIPD for the BA (HONS) HRM so that upon successful completion of the programme, and dependent on students being in active CIPD Student membership (students can join CIPD as student members upon successful application of the BA (HONS) HRM programme), students will gain Associate membership on completion. They will then be eligible to upgrade to Chartered or Fellow membership (depending upon their level of HR experience).

Application Fee

HK$200 (non-refundable) as initial handling fee

Course Fee

• HK$110,250 (in 3 instalments, all fees are subject to change without prior notice.)

Applicants shall:

• hold a Higher Diploma/ Associate Degree in the discipline of human resource management or business management awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE, or other equivalent qualifications granted by recognised institutions; OR
• (i) hold an Advanced Diploma in the discipline of human resource management or business management awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE, or other equivalent qualifications granted by recognised institutions;

AND

• (ii) have 2 years full-time work experience or 4 years part-time work experience.

If the above academic qualification is from an institution where the language of teaching and assessment is not English, applicants shall provide evidence of English proficiency such as:

• an overall band of 6.0 in the IELTS (with minimum component scores of 5.5 in all four components: listening, reading, speaking and writing); or
• an overall score 76 or above in the TOEFL iBT (with minimum component scores of listening 17, reading 18, speaking 20, writing 18).

Applicants may be required to take and pass additional module(s), based on individual merit, before the start of the programme.

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method

Applicants are required to complete and return the application form with a non-refundable application fee of HK$200 to any of our enrolment centres. Applicants should bring along the following documents:

1. Original and photocopy of your Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID);
2. One set of certified true colour copy* of certificates and transcripts;
3. Testimonials or other documentary proof of the applicant’s working experience;

* Original certificates and transcripts together with the copies are required to be presented to any HKU SPACE Learning Centre for verification.

Payment Method

• Application fee can be paid by cash / EPS / VISA / MASTER / Cheque in any of HKU SPACE enrolment centres.
• For the payment method of other administrative fees, such as Delivery fee for hardcopy of course text, Examination fee and Exemption fee, please contact the programme team at plymouthbahrm@hkuspace.hku.hk. 

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH

The University of Plymouth (UoP) is one of the UK's most prominent and dynamic universities with an educational history dating back to 1862. Their vision is to be “a broad-based, research-intensive university, open to all who can benefit from a University of Plymouth education, and delivering excellent interdisciplinary research, experiential education and civic engagement.

The University of Plymouth is #5 in the UK for Top Young Universities under the THE World University Rankings, and #41 in the Guardian UK University Guide 2022.