Management

Human resource management sits at the centre of how organisations attract, develop, motivate and retain the people they depend on. It addresses the full employment relationship, from recruitment and selection through to performance management, learning and development, reward and wellbeing, and the management of organisational change. A management degree with a human resources specialism combines the conceptual foundations of business management with a focused understanding of employment policy and practice, making it highly relevant to anyone seeking a career in which understanding and working effectively with people is the central challenge.

At the University of Manchester this programme concentrates on the broad area of human resource management alongside employment policy and practice, industrial relations, organisational psychology and organisational analysis. You will engage with these fields at both the UK and international levels, developing an understanding of how employment systems and HR practices vary across national contexts and how global organisations manage diverse workforces. The programme runs full time over four years, reflecting the Manchester undergraduate degree structure.

You will develop skills in organisational analysis, research methods, policy evaluation, strategic thinking and professional communication. The programme combines academic rigour with applied relevance, preparing you both to think critically about organisations and to contribute practically in HR and management roles.

Graduates from management with human resources programmes move into careers as HR professionals, talent managers, recruitment specialists, training and development officers, employee relations practitioners, organisational development consultants and business partners in large organisations. Many also pursue generalist management roles where an understanding of the human dimensions of organisations is valuable. Postgraduate study in human resource management, organisational psychology or business administration is also a common route for those seeking senior roles or specialist expertise.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development provides professional qualification pathways for HR graduates.