2023/24 entry
BA (Hons) Human Resource Management with Foundation Year
Why study Human Resource Management with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Emphasis on real-world case studies and role play (skills practice) to enhance essential practical and academic skills
- Diverse range of career opportunities, including HR business partner, recruitment consultant, training and development, employment relations adviser, coaching and mentoring, HR pay and benefit support, online HR practitioner services and equality advisor
- International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme - visit LJMU's International Study Centre to find out more
About your course
The BA (Hons) Human Resource Management at Liverpool John Moores University is taught by academics with direct professional experience of working in HRM roles.
Other study options:
"This course is excellent for individuals seeking to pursue a career in Human Resources or in Business Management. The modules cover many different areas of Human Resources and equip you in applying the knowledge and course content to real life situations. Most importantly, the support and guidance provided by the Lecturers was invaluable. The Teaching Team were very encouraging and helped me to achieve the best grade I could."
Professional accreditation/links
On successful completion of the Foundation year (NQF3) students are enrolled onto the CIPD approved BA (Hons) Human Resource Management programme (NQF4-6). Students complete the BA (Hons) Human Resource Management programme as student members and on graduation are eligible for Associate Membership of CIPD.
You will be enrolled as a student member of CIPD at the end of Level 5, with your fees being paid by LJMU for both your placement year and Level 6 (final year).
We have excellent links with the CIPD, both nationally and locally, which enable us to maintain our high standards of teaching, learning and assessment. Prizes are awarded annually from CIPD Liverpool Group and local employers to students who excel in both the academic and the practitioner elements of the programme.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Employability
Career prospects in Human Resource Management related roles remain strong and our students do well even in a tough economic environment
Liverpool Business School has historically had an excellent employment record with graduates securing graduate-level positions with leading employers in public and private sectors. These include Everton Football Club, Kellogg company, Santander and Deloitte. In the last Destination of Leavers in HE survey (2015/16 data), 96.7% of our graduates had secured employment or were in further study within 6 months of graduating.
The skills in communication, self-motivation, adaptability and persuasiveness that you will acquire through this course open up a diverse range of careers in this popular field. They range from consultancy, general human resource or personnel management, training, learning and development, recruitment, talent and resourcing, online and phone-based HR support, equal opportunities and diversity, reward, pay and benefits, employment law advice, coaching and mentoring services, performance management, health, safety and wellbeing, welfare and employment policies, communication systems, information systems for HRM, and work psychology.
Recent graduates have enjoyed considerable success despite the recession, gaining HR roles in companies as diverse as London Underground, Toyota, Wirral University Teaching Hospital, Siemens and Morrisons.
We also have progression routes to postgraduate study so that your knowledge can develop as your career progresses. The MA Human Resource Management at LJMU develops the professional knowledge and skills to support Chartered Membership of CIPD.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
News and views
Browse through the latest stories and updates from the University and beyond
What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
To ensure this course maintains its high standards and relevancy it is currently undergoing a review, which may impact the advertised modules. Any changes will be communicated to interested parties to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules may also be included to provide you with an element of choice within the programme. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 3
Core modules
Developing Skills for Business
20 credits
This module aims to facilitate your development of personal, academic and professional skills as a foundation for your current and future studies in Business related subjects. It will equip you with the tools to become confident and independent learners at university.
Understanding Business Organisations and Operations
20 credits
This module provides you with an introduction to the world of business, the types of business and structures, the functional areas, and management theories and challenges faced by business in today's commercial world.
Essentials of Management
20 credits
This module introduces you to management theory. This foundation module will develop your appreciation, understanding and application of management and professionalism in different career pathways and specialist areas.
Introduction to Marketing and PR Communications
20 credits
This module gives you an understanding of the key concepts and terminology used in marketing and public relations. It also gives you a knowledge and understanding of your role within organisations and explores the factors that can influence consumer behaviour.
Data Analysis Techniques for Business
20 credits
This module equips you with the technical skills to be able to design and produce Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for business use, and to facilitate the development of basic analytical skills.
Programme Case Study
20 credits
This module develops your independent learning and expertise in an area of business relating to your target programme. Through a co-creation process your subject interests will be harnessed to enable you to develop your knowledge in a self-selected topic area. The module aims to be flexible to enable you to explore an area of interest to you and you will be assessed in a manner that supports this.
Level 4
Core modules
Academic and Digital Literacy
20 credits
This module prepares students for
academic life at university by teaching them how to apply academic and digital
skills. Students will develop an
awareness of the internal and external business environments. Economic factors influencing business and HR
decisions will be explored. Students
will also learn how to conduct HR financial planning.
Professional People Management
20 credits
Students will develop the core knowledge of a range of people practices across the entire employee lifecycle. This module aligns with the CIPD's professional map, which underpins the core knowledge that all professional people managers require. This module also helps students develop skills related to team working and stakeholder management.
Management Functions and Practice
20 credits
This module provides insights into the broader business environment and
offers awareness of the interconnected and cross-functional perspectives that
exist in organisational settings. Students will develop an insight into the
value that each function of a business brings to the organisation as a
whole.
HR in the Business Context
20 credits
Learning and Development: Theory and Practice
20 credits
This module will enable students
to build knowledge of learning, including how others facilitate and support
their own learning. Different learning
styles will be explored, particularly in relation to training and development
interventions in organisations. Students
will come to know how learning takes place at individual and organisational
levels.
Work Psychology and Interpersonal Skills
20 credits
This module provides a comprehensive foundation for theoretical and practical applications relevant to the psychology of behaviour in the workplace as well as interpersonal skills development. The module is designed for students to actively learn and apply these concepts with others. Communication, learning, and reflective skills will also be developed.
Level 5
Core modules
Ethical Practice and Behaviours
20 credits
Professional Behaviours and Valuing People
20 credits
In this module, students will explore and develop the application of core HR professional behaviours to build positive working relationships and support employee voice and well-being. Students will also consider how to develop and master new professional behaviours, and how these impact employee performance in the workplace.
Employability
20 credits
This module aims to provide students with the practical skills necessary to secure employment. There is a focus on securing a paid undergraduate placement or summer internship, but extends to graduate employment and further career advancement.
Reward for Performance and Contribution
20 credits
Students will explore the theoretical underpinnings of reward practices and performance management in the workplace. Internal and external business factors and their influence on reward strategies and policies will also be explored. Students will be prepared to support line managers in the application of all elements of performance management.
Evidence-based practice: Research and Data Analysis
20 credits
Advanced Assessment Techniques
20 credits
In this module, students will design, develop, and deliverassessment centre activities. Studentswill learn to measure candidates performance in relation to core competencies,provide effective feedback, and be able to implement assessment centres inexisting organisational settings.
Optional modules
Sandwich Year - HRM
120 credits
To provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment. This extended placement forms a key part of a sandwich degree. All placements need to be assessed and approved prior to commencement in line with LJMU Placement Learning Code of Practice. The Code of Practice requires students to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner during the placement - failure to do so may lead to the placement being terminated prematurely. Placements are normally for one calendar year on a full-time basis. Split placements or shorter durations may be permissible. There is an expectation that a minimum of 1200hrs will be spent in the workplace
Study Year Abroad HRM
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will compliment their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.
Level 6
Core modules
Developing Organisational Change
20 credits
This module will enable students to build a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the theory and practice of change management and organisational development. Students will also develop the knowledge and skills necessary to influence and seek to align theory with organisational development and improvement.
Contemporary Employment Relations
20 credits
Students will be able to analyse the development of
approaches, practices, and tools to manage and enhance the employee
relationship. The tensions between
creating better working lives and improving organisational performance will
also be explored.
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
20 credits
Students will critically evaluate how adapting leadership
styles to manage, monitor and report on equality and diversity is essential for
inclusive practice and legislation.
Students will explore how promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce
and culture can improve organisational performance, as well as meet the needs
of employees and customers more effectively.
Conflict management – Legal Framework
20 credits
Students will develop practical knowledge of contemporary HR
policies and practices on dealing with workplace conflict. Students will explore various challenges when
handling conflict through dispute resolution, conducting investigations,
grievances, disciplinaries, and employment tribunals.
Developing HR Strategy and Culture
20 credits
Students will explore the connections between organisational
structure and the wider world of work, which impact on business strategy and
effective workforce planning. Students
will also explore how to develop diverse talent pools, recognise the influence
of culture, employee well-being, and behaviour in delivering business and HR
strategy.
HR Impact Project
20 credits
Students will produce an impact project that investigates a Human Resource Management of their choice. Students will engage with a range of contemporary knowledge and sources in considering the impact their research can have in an organisational setting.
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Teaching is delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars, online activities, workshops, tutorials and individual support meetings, plus e-learning support and email surgeries with tutors. We also encourage you to use our virtual learning environment, Canvas, and networking opportunities provided through programme community meetings and Facebook.
As with any degree-level programme, private study is a significant and important part of your learning, as it will give you a wider perspective on your subject area as well developing the commitment to a life-long skill that will prove invaluable to your future career.
Professional practice and behaviours are part of the learning experience and you will have opportunities to get involved with CIPD events, support the management of events and master classes, and shadow Liverpool Group Committee roles. You will also be able to become a Friend of the Liverpool Group Committee, giving you access to a wide range of events and networking opportunities.
Work-related Learning
To give you a real taste of the world of HR, we strongly encourage you to spend a year on professional placement between your second and third years. This experience allows you to put into practice skills acquired on the course and conduct a piece of assessed research. If you acquire the appropriate employer-verified skills during your placement, you will be able to build your portfolio to upgrade your CIPD student membership to Associate member (Assoc CIPD).
If you choose not to take up the placement option, however, there will be the option of voluntary and intern opportunities and specialist modules to develop the skills and experience needed for CIPD membership.
This practical experience, together with CIPD membership, will prove invaluable when you first enter the highly competitive graduate job market.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
The Liverpool Business School is a supportive environment in which to study and the 'student-centred approach' of your tutors will ensure that you are given the support and guidance you need. During your studies you will also have the continual support of a personal tutor who will meet with you one-to-one to discuss assessments, monitor progress and help you to formulate your career plans. We also provide study support classes should you need extra help with assessments.
Networking is an effective way to make new contacts and improve your career prospects, and so the HR team at LJMU is currently bringing together a community of undergraduate and postgraduate HR students and practitioners who can learn from and support each other. We run a series of events throughout the year and invite all our students, from first year undergraduates to doctoral students.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
We understand that each student performs differently depending on the way they are assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. These include:
- reports
- essays
- exams
- case studies
- summaries of e-discussions
- group and individual presentations
- poster presentations of research
- practical assessments, such as mock interviews
- records of learning
Many of our modules use formative assessment providing informal opportunities for feedback before the assessment is submitted.
Your tutors will aim to provide assessment feedback within 15 working days, and will happily discuss it with you one-to-one. This is particularly important as it gives you a chance to identify your strengths as well as the areas that may need further attention. We adopt the ethos that assessments are an essential part of your learning experience. You demonstrate your progress and development to yourself and us. We have tutors and sessions in place to offer additional support in key areas if this is required.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Jason Bogh
Jason Bogh
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool 's growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, a café and a roof terrace with far reaching views of the cityscape and welsh hills. It is only a short walk from LJMU 's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies, and is open seven days a week.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Minimum points required from qualifications: 72
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
- Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
- NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
- Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
- Higher Diploma in Maths/English
- Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/English
- Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
- Welsh GCSE in Maths or Numeracy
- Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
A levels
- Minimum number of A Levels required: 2
- Is general studies acceptable? Yes
- Average A Level offer: DDD
- Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20
BTECs
- National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma subjects / grades required: DM if studied on its own or to the total of 72 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma subjects / grades required: MMP if studied on its own or to the total of 72 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications
Access awards
- Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Further information: At least 24 Merits and 21 Passes, or any other combination that equates to 72 UCAS Tariff points in a relevant subject
International Baccalaureate
- International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Additional information: 24 IB Diploma Points
Irish awards
- Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Grades / subjects required: 104 UCAS Tariff points with a maximum 20 UCAS Tariff points from Ordinary Level
Welsh awards
- Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
T levels
- T Level requirements: 72 UCAS points in a related subject
Alternative qualifications considered
Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants, who will be considered on an individual basis. These applicants may be required to submit an essay and/or attend an interview, and should demonstrate potential and motivation and/or have relevant experience.
International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.
Additional requirements
-
Interview required
Mature and non standard applicants may be invited to attend interview
International requirements
-
IELTS
6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.
Further information
-
Reduced offer scheme
As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold between 8 and 16 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has experience of living in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach programmes such as a summer university. Please contact course enquiries for further details.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
The following criteria are desirable but not essential. We will use them to rank applications. Please demonstrate your development of these attributes in the personal statement included in your application:
- A critical interest in how societies are constructed and the issues and challenges presented
- A questioning mind
- Good analytical skills
- Good reading and information retrieval skills - obtaining information from a range of sources and using it to support analysis
- The ability to construct and critically assess arguments
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.