The BA (Hons) People Management is a unique, highly specialised, professional part-time degree programme, utilising a work-based learning approach.
It has been specifically developed for professionals who are currently working in Human Resources/People Management, allowing for flexibility around the students’ full-time jobs. It provides students with the opportunity to bring their work experience into the degree through our People Management Practice modules.
The programme also enables students to work towards an Honours degree as well as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Associate membership. This unique programme has been designed to deliver up-to-date practical and professional skills, underpinned by appropriate academic theory.
Like all of our HRM provisions at UWS, this new, unique programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). It therefore meets the highest standards in the profession of People/Human Resource Management.
The programme is driven by the CIPD Core Knowledge and Core Behaviour, in line with the CIPD Profession Map, as outlined below:
On successful completion of the Honours degree (Level 10), students will automatically obtain the Associate Membership from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). This, however, requires student membership during their studies. Additional cost occurs. For more details visit CIPD Membership fees.
As a unique feature, the programme has been developed around a ‘spine’ of work-based learning modules. Namely, People Management Practice 2-4.
This enables students to bring their work experience into their education, while also developing a fundamental understanding of the HRM profession, utilising the CIPD Profession Map.
Students and their employers are supported through a collaborative approach, enabling the transfer of learning between the degree and practice.
This will be achieved through the implementation of People Management Practice Mentors, who will support students in identifying suitable projects and guide them through the evaluation and implementation of such.
Enabling the transfer of learning between the degree and practice
People Management Practice Mentors support students in identifying suitable projects
Hear from our Programme Leader and discover more about our accredited BA (Hons) People Management, which has been specifically developed for professionals who are currently working in Human Resources/People Management.
“The programme has been professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the CIPD, which means that our educational provision meets the highest standards within the HR profession.”
Silvio Hofmann, Programme Leader, BA (Hons) People Management
Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework.
The following entry routes are available to the programme:
All applicants are required to be in relevant work at the commencement of the programme. For example, HR Administrator, People Manager, or equivalent. Relevance and suitability are to be determined at the Programme Leader/team’s discretion.
The professional part-time programme is primarily aimed at home students with relevant work experience in Human Resource/People Management, joining at Level 8.
To allow for advanced entry based on work experience and, therefore, compensate for 120 credits at SCQF Level 7, we utilise the University’s regulations around Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). We have developed an APEL assessment specifically for the BA (Hons) People Management.
The assessment aligns with the first year HRM learning outcomes, asking applicants to reflect on their professional experience. The key areas for reflection are as follows:
Applicants holding a CIPD Foundation/Level 3 Qualification, which should normally not be older than 5 years to ensure currency of knowledge and learning, and with relevant work experience may also qualify for entry into the programme. They can do this without having to complete the APEL assessment (assuming sufficient work experience).
Applicants holding a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Business or equivalent may be eligible for entry into the programme at Level 8.
To qualify for advanced/direct entry into second year (Level 8), HNC students will have successfully completed a number of HRM-related college units (or equivalent):
and/or
Support arrangements are in place to assist the integration of those students joining the programme through an advanced entry route.
Please note: advance entry (Level 9) is not available in September 2024
For third-year (Level 9) entry, applicants holding HND, DipHE or other equivalent qualifications will have successfully completed an appropriate amount of HRM-related programme content (units/modules) at their previous institution.
To qualify for advanced/direct entry into Level 9, applicants will have successfully completed several HRM-related college units (or equivalent):
and
and
Support arrangements are in place to assist the integration of those students joining the programme through an advanced entry route.
This unique programme has been designed to deliver up-to-date practical and professional skills, fostered by a comprehensive learning journey.
There is a clear focus on overarching themes for each year, from more fundamental knowledge in Year 1 to advanced and specialist knowledge in Year 4. This is supported by a clear programme structure:
Year 1 is designed for the provision of fundamental knowledge of People Management and the wider business context through the learning of Organisational Behaviour and the HR Function.
This is nurtured by the incorporation of the People Management Practice 2 module, enabling students to bring their work experience into the academic degree programme.
Year 2 places a strong emphasis on ideas around People Management in the wider context through the exploration of sustainability and the international dimension.
Year 2 also explores fundamental concepts around performance, reward, talent management and HR systems and data.
Year 3 takes a more practical approach to People Management by exploring equality, diversity and inclusion, employment relations and HR policies — enabling students to develop a deep understanding of the overarching role of HRM in organisations.
This is nurtured by the incorporation of the People Management Practice 3 module, enabling students to bring their work experience into the degree programme.
Year 4 enables students to explore contemporary issues in People Management through both the Transformational HRM module and through the completion of People Management Practice 4.
This enables students to reflect on their learning as well as practical experience and devise a thorough investigation into an organisational issue, supported by the HRM Research Design module.
The CIPD suggests that HR and talent management roles are some of the fastest growing in the UK labour market, providing potential career paths for students completing the BA (Hons) People Management.
The programme is designed to support individuals to up-skill, while maintaining their full-time employment. This will equip students with career development and opportunities, either with their current employers or through new employment.
UWS offers various postgraduate qualifications, which can help graduates further develop their knowledge and understanding of people management.
MSc HRM & Pathways, MSc International Management, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) are only a few of the options available to graduates of the BA(Hons) People Management programme.
Graduates looking to pursue research or education may wish to consider an academic career and apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree.
The degree programme is offered on a work-based learning basis. It provides a flexible, student-centred and inclusive approach to learning and teaching. This is supported by several underlying principles for module design and delivery.
This new programme consists of the use of timetabled, on-site learning activities and engaging digital learning content. It consists of the following key elements:
This design enables participants to self-direct and self-pace their learning, while engaging in deeper discussions with their peers in a meaningful way.
The BA (Hons) People Management utilises a range of learning, teaching and assessment methods to enable learning outcomes to be achieved.
The approaches taken expose students to a wide range of learning, teaching and assessment methods to assist in the development of a variety of skills within students and to achieve a wide range of learning outcomes.
Given the nature of the programme, a meaningful balance between academic knowledge and employability-focused skills within its assessment strategy has been developed. This includes the use of written assignments, presentations, assessment centres/in-trays, role plays, and vivas, among others.
£305 per module (20 credits)
Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like more information about our BA(Hons) People Management programme. Contact Dr Silvio Hofmann, the Programme Leader with your query: silvio.hofmann@uws.ac.uk
To apply directly to the University for this programme you need to be in relevant work at the commencement of the programme. For example, HR Administrator, People Manager, or equivalent. Relevance and suitability are to be determined at the Programme Leader/team’s discretion.
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.