History and Human Resource Management

History and human resource management is a degree that combines the study of the human past with the professional field of how organisations attract, develop, and manage their people. History, as the University of Strathclyde notes, develops your knowledge of the past and gives you a better understanding of the present, cultivating the capacity for critical thinking, careful argument, and the ability to interpret complex sources and situations. Human resource management addresses the organisational and interpersonal dimensions of work: recruitment, performance management, employee relations, training and development, equality and diversity, and the legal and ethical frameworks that govern employment.

At the University of Strathclyde, this four-year programme develops both strands with real depth. The history component will take you across a range of periods, themes, and methods, developing your analytical and research skills and your ability to construct well-evidenced arguments about how and why events unfolded as they did. The HR management component provides the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to operate as a professional in this field, covering both the strategic dimensions of workforce planning and the operational skills of day-to-day HR practice.

The programme runs over four years and includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to engage with different educational, cultural, and professional environments, which broadens your perspective on both history and the international dimensions of human resources practice.

Graduates from history and human resource management degrees move into a wide range of careers. Many pursue HR and people management roles in organisations across all sectors, and some go on to pursue professional qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. The historical and critical thinking skills also transfer well to roles in the civil service, policy, research, education, and management consultancy.

Postgraduate study in human resource management, organisational psychology, or history is available for those who wish to develop their expertise further.