Human Resource Management (Top-up)

BSc (Single Honours)

Entry tariff:

240 credits

UCAS code:

N610

Start date(s):

September 2026

Our Human Resource Management (Top-up) degree is ideal if you already have a foundation degree (FdA / FdSC), Higher National Diploma (HND), years 1 and 2 of an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject at a different institution, or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject.

On this top-up course you will gain the professional skills necessary to gain credibility and influence, so you can positively impact sustainable leadership for the future of work

You will develop a skill set founded on strategic management theory that will allow you to become an active participant in the strategy process that organisations deploy to ensure their long-term success. You will gain insights on organisational culture and employee relations from different perspectives. You will reflect on the role of culture in attracting and retaining talent, and its impact on employees’ engagement, job satisfaction and productivity. 

In the transformation capstone module, you will have the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting, where you will develop strategic solutions to real-world business challenges.

Modules

 

30 credits

In an ever-changing world, organisations must make strategic choices based on solid analyses and decision-making processes. This module adopts an innovative teaching approach to illustrate how strategic management theories and models can be applied in different contexts and how they inform decision-making. 

You will develop a skill set founded on strategic management theory that will allow you to become an active participant in the strategy process that organisations deploy to ensure their long-term success.

This module will give you a clear understanding of what strategy is all about and how organisations develop it. You will learn how to apply the essential concepts and tools of strategy that will be useful in their business career whichever sector they choose.

Main topics revolve around the strategic position of organisations, the concept of competitive advantage (how to gain competitive advantage and/or sustain it for longer), and evaluation of business strategies. After a closer look at business and corporate levels of strategy, the module ends with selected aspects of implementation. 

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through lectures and workshops that involve a range of learning and teaching approaches, which includes online support and employability-related activities. 

Seminars will involve critical analysis of real-life cases to address a range of strategic problems. In this way, you will develop commercial awareness and recognise drivers for business success. You will also have the opportunity to work with others and communicate your views.

Assessment

This module will be assessed through a strategic analysis report (50%) and a recommendation report (50%). Using insights from Assessment 1, you will produce a strategic options report using the relevant frameworks. 

30 credits

You will gain insights on organisational culture and employee relations from different perspectives. You will reflect on the role of culture in attracting and retaining talent, and its impact on employees’ engagement, job satisfaction and productivity. 

We will ask if it is possible to create fairer, more diverse, more inclusive, and more sustainable workplaces, where employees feel valued and respected. While discussing meaningful work, we will reflect how it happens that employees who are the most passionate about their work and find it the most meaningful end up doing the most unpaid labour. We will also reflect on the role of technology in fostering collaboration and flexibility, and finally, what is the impact of work on our physical and mental health. 

You will be encouraged to look at theories as useful tools for thinking and analysis.You will learn how to interpret theory and empirical data, and how to evaluate them critically, and how to use them to feed professional practice. You will be invited to look at culture and employee relations from different perspectives, and to see how they are interlinked, in order to navigate them with more confidence.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through lectures and workshops that involve a range of learning and teaching approaches, which includes online support and employability-related activities. 

Lectures will cover core employee relations concepts, cultural frameworks, and organisational behaviour theories, while workshops will engage you in solving practical workplace challenges and employee engagement scenarios aimed at supporting and consolidating your learning.

The module will offer research-based teaching and learning where the lecturer’s own research, combined with other relevant studies in the field, provides the theoretical and empirical basis for discussions, critical reflection, and further exploration.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a class debate (50%) and an individual report (50%).

30 credits 

This intensive six-week taught module is designed to equip you with the essential competencies needed for professional consultancy practice. 

This module serves as the skills-based foundation for the concurrent Roehampton Live Project, providing you with theoretical frameworks, practical tools, and professional capabilities required to deliver high-quality consultancy services to real clients.

Delivered as a professional bootcamp in a blocked format, this module creates an immersive learning environment where you will develop expertise in consultancy methodologies, client relationship management, strategic problem-solving, and professional communication. The intensive structure enables you to build confidence and competence before engaging with live client projects.

You will learn to integrate ethical considerations, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability into your consultancy approach, ensuring that your professional practice contributes to broader societal wellbeing.

Key areas of focus include consultancy frameworks and methodologies, client engagement and relationship management, evidence-based research and analysis techniques, strategic thinking and recommendation development, professional communication and presentation skills, and ethical consultancy practice and sustainability integration.

You will engage in real case studies and simulated client scenarios, working individually and in teams to apply learned concepts. The module incorporates guest speakers from industry, practical workshops, and reflective exercises to bridge theory and practice effectively. 

This module prepares you for immediate application of skills in your concurrent Live Project module, where you will work with real clients as part of the ‘Roehampton Business Advice Centre’.

Teaching and learning

The module employs intensive blocked delivery with high contact hours to create an immersive professional development experience. Teaching methods include interactive workshops, case study analysis, simulation exercises, guest speaker sessions, and peer learning activities. 

You will have 22 hours of lectures and 33 hours of workshops over six weeks. Lectures and workshops will be interactive in nature providing an environment for sharing business ideas, problem space mapping and evaluation opportunities and carrying business scoping exercise.

Assessment

This module will be assessed through consultancy toolkit portfolio coursework (50%) and a consultancy bid presentation (50%).

30 credits 

This transformative capstone module is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice. You will have the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting, developing strategic solutions to real-world business challenges.

You will work in consultancy teams as part of the Roehampton Business Advice Service, collaborating with a diverse range of external clients, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organisations, social enterprises, and larger companies. Global engagement projects will also be sought with partners outside of the UK, or projects that can have an influence on communities globally.

Each team will engage with a client to diagnose business problems, conduct in-depth research, and formulate evidence-based recommendations. By making an impact through real-world projects, you will enhance your ability to navigate complexity, synthesise information, and communicate your insights effectively to senior stakeholders.

While teamwork is a core aspect of this module, you will also undertake substantial individual work, ensuring that your personal contributions are critically assessed and aligned with your professional aspirations. The module is structured to simulate a professional consultancy environment, equipping you with the practical skills, commercial awareness, and adaptability needed for leadership roles in business and beyond.

You will be encouraged to develop ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable business solutions, ensuring that your recommendations contribute not only to organisational success but also to broader societal and environmental wellbeing.

Through a combination of practical experience, academic rigor, and reflective work-based learning, you will be empowered to become a strategic thinker, problem solver, and an influential professional. The module is designed to be a stepping stone into a range of career paths, with projects aligned with your own career goals. By the end of this module, you will have built a portfolio of high-quality work that demonstrates your analytical, decision-making, and communication skills.

Teaching and learning

Each consultancy team will be assigned an academic supervisor who will provide structured guidance, feedback, and oversight throughout the project. 

You will have scheduled supervision meetings, including meetings with your supervisor at key milestones during the project to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps. Supervisors will support you in managing client relationships and ensure professionalism in communications.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a consultancy report (50%) and a live presentation (50%).

These are the current planned modules on this course and may be subject to change.

Careers

We’ll ensure you explore, shape and achieve your professional ambitions. 

You’ll be ready for a professional career in leadership and the management of human resources. You’ll have the knowledge and skills to operate effectively in careers in the sector. You could take on roles such as:

  • Recruitment and Selection Specialist
  • Employee Relations or Personnel Manager
  • Training and Development Advisor
  • Diversity and Equal Opportunity Advisor
  • Performance Management Specialist

The Student Futures team is here to support you throughout your time at Roehampton and beyond.

They offer services tailored to your needs, helping you take confident steps towards your future.

You’ll have access to a wide range of career workshops and events, where you can engage with employers and develop the skills you need to succeed in the workplace.

These opportunities will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and connect with successful Roehampton graduates who are thriving in their careers. You’ll also be able to engage with our partners across London and beyond.

Wherever you want to go in the future, you'll be preparing for the world of work from your very first day.

Find out more

Learning & assessment

This course is built on an inclusive, research-based, experiential learning to enhance your academic, professional, and personal skills. It incorporates seminal theories, practical applications, critical analysis, case-based learning, experiential work-based learning and reflection on learning.

You will have plenty of opportunities to test your knowledge by analysing and solving realistic, real-world scenarios that reflect contemporary challenges faced by managers, business and policy makers. These cases are often based on real events, encouraging you to apply theoretical concepts to practical situations.

You will engage with live projects, simulated policy implementations, and applied research activities.

You will undertake a capstone project, where you will choose from a range of pathways from research to sustainability-focused interventions.

We will facilitate your learning through reflective dialogue, structured feedback, and mentoring that will enhance your personal growth and academic independence. You’ll gain key skills in resilience, adaptability and professional self-awareness and put yourself in a confidence place for future study or employment.

Educational resources and case studies present varied viewpoints, ensuring a comprehension of human resource management from multiple stakeholder perspectives within distinct socio-cultural and economic frameworks.

You will be encouraged to investigate sustainability responsibilities for organisations. The curriculum includes various aspects of environmental, social and governance, and you will actively confront sustainability issues by employing problem-based learning and case study analysis, cultivating the mentality and competencies necessary to promote sustainable organisational practices.

You will engage with case studies that relate to global challenges, and be introduced to differences in compensation, benefits and employment laws. Guest lecturers will illustrate these differences. 

The course integrates digital analytics, AI simulations, and learning management systems to facilitate self-directed and interactive learning. You will acquire practical exposure to human resource information systems, digital recruitment platforms, and workforce management tools.

How you’ll be assessed

Assessments focus on developing the key skills required for you to make an immediate contribution.

You will put your learning into action through case-based scenarios, financial simulations, and real-world, professional-standard projects. You’ll take part in weekly workshop activities and formative assessments designed to provide constructive feedforward, helping you develop and excel.

Programme Leader

Dr Paul Aldrich

DBA, MSc, MBS, BA, FCIPD, FHEA

Paul has an extensive track record of successfully delivering business projects for CEOs, global and regional executives and strategy teams across EMEA and APAC. These have included talent management, pre- and post-merger organisation design, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, people systems and analytics, internal communications and employer branding. 

Paul started his career at Price Waterhouse in London, worked for the Chase Manhattan Bank in London and Hong Kong and is currently a Partner and Global Head of People, Performance at Pemberton Asset Management. 

He has a doctorate in business from Durham University which focused on the role and influence of human resource management and talent portfolio/people risk management. Also, an MBA from Durham, where he is a Visiting Fellow at the Business School, and an MSc in Coaching and Behavioural Change from Henley.

Paul co-authored a book, Building an Outstanding Workforce, and his current research interests include organizational development, leadership development, sustainability in alternative credit management, and social mobility in the financial services sector. 

Paul is a Fellow of the CIPD, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, member of the Guild of HR Professionals, and member of the British Academy of Management. He is also a British Psychological Society qualified occupational test user, qualified executive coach and member of the International Coaching Federation.

Opportunities & facilities

At Roehampton, you will become part of a values-led, globally conscious academic community where innovation, sustainability, and inclusive leadership are central to how we teach, learn and build the future.

World-class library

Home to hundreds of thousands of books, over 1,000 seats, and modern, collaborative and silent study spaces. You'll also have access to a vast range of online resources, like e-books, journals, and databases whenever you want.

Read more about our library

Open days

Get a real taste of our campus, community and what it’s like to study at Roehampton

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS.

Entry tariff

Looking to work out your UCAS points or find out about our entry requirements? Find out more.

When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements. Find out more about our Contextual Offer scheme.

Specific entry requirements

  • 240 credits from a Higher National Diploma (HND), a foundation degree (FdA/ FdSc) or equivalent international qualification in a relevant subject
  • 240 credits from years 1 and 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc) in a relevant subject at a different institution

September 2026 entry tuition fees

TBC

We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.

International undergraduate students apply through our direct application system.

Entry tariff

Looking to work out your UCAS points or find out about our entry requirements? Find out more.

When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements. Find out more about our Contextual Offer scheme.

Specific entry requirements

  • 240 credits from a Higher National Diploma (HND), a foundation degree (FdA/ FdSc) or equivalent international qualification in a relevant subject
  • 240 credits from years 1 and 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc) in a relevant subject at a different institution

September 2026 entry tuition fees

TBC

We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.

Need help or advice before applying?

Business and Law

Be part of a diverse learning community that values excellence, reflection, inclusivity, ethics and collaboration. 

1 / 3