Business and Human Resource Management

People are at the centre of every successful organisation, and the discipline of human resource management exists to understand how to recruit, develop, motivate, and retain them effectively. Combined with the broader study of business management, this degree gives you a dual perspective: the strategic and operational knowledge needed to run organisations well, and the specialist understanding of what it takes to get the people dimension right. In a competitive, global economy, the two are inseparable.

At the University of the West of England, Bristol, this three-year, full-time programme develops your understanding of how organisations function across areas such as strategy, finance, marketing, and operations, alongside in-depth study of employment law, organisational behaviour, learning and development, performance management, and the theory and practice of leading people. A sandwich placement year is embedded in the programme, giving you a substantial period of professional experience in a business or HR environment before you graduate. A year abroad option and work placement opportunities are also available, adding further dimensions to your development and giving you exposure to business practices and workplace cultures beyond the UK.

Bristol's strong connections with business and industry enrich the learning environment, and the programme is designed to develop not just knowledge but the professional skills that employers in HR and business functions look for: communication, analytical thinking, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage relationships and lead teams. Graduates go on to roles in human resources, people management, talent acquisition, learning and development, organisational design, and general business management across public and private sector organisations. Many continue to postgraduate study or professional qualifications in HR, building on the academic and practical foundation the degree provides.