Management and Human Resources (Industry)

BSc Management and Human Resources (Industry) looks critically at the key management ideas and practices that shape the modern workplace. This is a rigorous programme of study accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the leading professional body for Human Resource (HR) practitioners in the UK and internationally.

Course overview Studying Management and Human Resources at Lancaster will help you understand many current and critical questions about the changing nature of organisations, work, and people management practices. You will be taught by academics who are tackling the big questions of the day related to employment relations, wellbeing, managing diversity, business ethics, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and the implications of technology in society.

Human resources are crucial to an organisation’s success. This degree focuses on understanding people in workplaces – the way we work, how we shape organisations and how we are, in turn, shaped by them – primarily through social and psychological perspectives. Our teaching approach blends academic material with practical insight and exercises.

In your first year, you study Management and Organisational Behaviour, alongside selecting a subject from the wider Management School.

In your second year, you study Human Resource Management and deepen your understanding by choosing from topics such as Organisational Psychology or Business Ethics.

Your third year is spent in industry. Our Careers and Internships teams will support you in securing a placement. Past students have worked across all aspects of industry, and students returning from a year in industry invariably have an enhanced motivation for their final year. Previous students have enjoyed placements with companies including Morgan Stanley, Hilton and the Sony Corporation.

The final year sees you selecting from options such as Work and Employment Relations and Organising in a Digital Age.

CIPD accreditation During your first year of study, you can opt into the CIPD-accredited route through the degree. This route is more structured, covering the knowledge required to enable you to become an Associate Member. If you follow this route, you will also benefit from studying three professional development modules that will enhance your HR skills. The non-accredited route offers flexibility, with a range of second and final-year modules to choose from, meaning you can build a degree that makes the most of your strengths and interests.

Key facts The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development, allowing you to become a student member and enjoy the benefits and resources CIPD provides. On graduation, you can become an Associate Member of CIPD, enhancing your employability in the HR field.

Throughout your studies, you will have support from our careers team to help with internships, placements and graduate employment. We will supply training in CV writing, interview assessment centres, and telephone interviews, helping you with your future career ambitions.

The University will use all reasonable effort to support you in finding a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all placement roles offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills.

If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you can transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year. The University offers a range of shorter placement and internship opportunities for which you would be welcome to apply.