*** NEW for September 2024 ***
BA(Hons) People Management
Our Professional Part-time Route
Join our exciting Programme for Professionals
The BA(Hons) People Management is a highly specialist degree programme and has been specifically developed for professionals who are currently holding Human Resource and/or People Management responsibilities. The programme is, therefore, designed as a professional part-time route, allowing for flexibility around your full-time job.
As the degree programme requires current employment in HR and/or People Management, it assumes advanced entry (level 8 / 2nd year) and leads to an Honours degree, as well as a CIPD Associate membership.
Professional Accreditation
The University of the West of Scotland was the first Scottish Institution offering an HRM Undergraduate Programme with professional accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) — and continues to do so — ensuring that our education meets the highest professional standards within HRM.
The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and its design is driven by the CIPD Core Knowledge and Core Behaviour, in line with the CIPD CPD Map, as outlined below:
Core knowledge: People Practice; Culture and Behaviour; Business Acumen; Analytics and Creating Value; Digital Working; and Change.
Core behaviour: Ethical Practice; Professional Courage and Influence; Valuing People; Working Inclusively; Passion for Learning; Insights Focused; and Situational Decision Making; Commercial Drive.
Upon successful completion of the Honours Degree (Year Four), you will also obtain the CIPD Associate Membership of the CIPD automatically.
Additional Costs occur as CIPD Student Membership is required (click HERE for more information)
Meet the Programme Leader
Dr. Silvio Hofmann, Programme Leader for the BA(Hons) HR & People Management (p/t), provides a brief overview of the programme in the video below.
Dr. Silvio Hofmann, Programme Leader, and the HRM teaching team are looking forward to welcoming you to the programme.
Why study with us?
We are here for our Students
Here at UWS, we pride ourselves on our engaging & supportive teaching staff from many disciplines, including a team of enthusiastic HRM lecturers, to support you on your university journey (find our more HERE);
At UWS, we are here for our students - this is also reflected in the various support mechanisms we have in place - from funding advice to councilling to Personal Tutoring (click HERE for more information);
The whole teaching team aims at developing an engaging and supportive learning environment, where you can explore the programme and module content in a deep and meaningful manner, while also receiving the learning support YOU need.
Our Degree Programme is fully blended
We have designed the programme with professionals in mind, meaning that is fully adopts the university's blended approach to learning and teaching:
UWS Hybrid Learning.mp4Programme Structure
The BA (Hons) People Management is a unique, highly specialised, professional part-time degree programme specifically developed for profe currently workissionalsng in Human Resources/People Management, allowing for flexibility around the students’ full-time jobs. The degree programme offers multiple entry points (at levels 8 and 9) but requires the student to be in employment in HR and/or People Management.
The programme also enables students to work towards an Honours degree and the CIPD Associate membership (pending accreditation). This unique programme has been designed to deliver up-to-date practical and professional skills, underpinned by appropriate academic theory. This is fostered by a comprehensive learning journey, with 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 — in line with the UWS Curriculum Framework 2023, aimed at delivering simple, coherent, linear and authentic education:
Year 1: Introducing HR & People Management
Purpose of Year One:
Year one 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.
Term 1:
Organisational Behaviour (20 Credits - Core)
Term 1-2:
The HR Function (20 Credits - Core)
Term 2-3:
Work-based Learning Two (40 Credits - Core)
Year 2: Operationalising People Management
Purpose of Year Two:
Year two places a strong emphasis on ideas around People Management in the wider context through the exploration of sustainability and the international dimension. Further, year two also explores fundamental concepts around performance, reward, talent management and HR systems and data.
Term 1:
People, Planet and Profit (20 Credits - Core)
Managing Performance & Reward (20 Credits - Core)
Term 2:
Talent Management (20 Credits - Core)
Critical Issues in International HRM (20 Credits - Core)
Term 3:
HR Systems & Analytics (20 Credits - Core)
Year 3: Managing the HR Function in Organisations
Purpose of Year Three:
Year three 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.
Term 1:
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (20 Credits - Core)
Term 1-2:
Critical Employment Relations (20 Credits - Core)
Term 2-3:
People Management Practice 3 (40 Credits - Core)
Term 3:
HR Policy & Practice (20 Credits - Core)
Year 4: Specialism in People Management
Purpose of Year Four:
Year four 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.
Term 1:
Transformational HRM (20 Credits - Core)
HRM Research Design (20 Credits - Core)
Term 2-3:
People Management Practice 4 (40 Credits - Core)
People Management Practice
As a unique feature, the programme has been developed around a ‘spine’ of work-based learning modules, namely, People Management Practice 2-4, enabling 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.
In meeting the PMP aspirations, the modules will utilise on-campus workshops at the beginning of each delivery, allowing us to ensure the alignment of their projects to the programme requirements, while also supporting students in the development of reflective practice. In doing so, the key CIPD mapping criteria will be implemented into the assessment, where students will be asked to reflect on their experience, learning and future development.
Programme Design
This new programme is designed as blended in nature which is about the use of timetabled, on-site learning activities in addition to the required engagement in digital learning content, and consists of the following key elements:
Meaningful Assessments:
The team has worked towards providing a meaningful balance between academic knowledge and employability-focused skills within its assessment strategy. This includes the use of written assignments, presentations, assessment centres/in-trays, role plays, and vivas, among others.
Online Drop-in Support Sessions:
During those weeks student are not attending on-campus workshops, the team will deliver synchronous online seminars, enabling students to explore relevant topical areas further, ask questions and discuss their assessment with their tutor.
Self-study Material and Learning Support Quizzes:
The team is cognisant of the nature of the programme and has, therefore, developed meaning online content, such a reading materials, videos, quizzes, etc., enabling self-direct/-paced learning. This is supported by the weekly online seminars and on-campus workshops.
On-campus Workshops (e.g. in Weeks 1, 4, 8, 12).:
During each term (Term 1: Sept.-Dec.; Term 2: Jan.-April; Term 3: May-Aug.), students will attend three-hour workshops on each of their modules. These workshops are designed to create engaging learning environments, enabled by activities, discussions, etc..
The programme is, therefore, designed around a meaningful balance between online and on-campus activities. Students will also have access to all university facilities, such as the library, open computer labs, etc. to support their learning.
Your Entry into the Professional Part-time Route
Overview of Entry Criteria
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 -- see below for details:
Professional Route (APEL) or CIPD Foundation/Level Qualification;
Higher National Certificate (HNC);
Advanced Entry (Level 9).
Professional Route (APEL) / CIPD Foundation/Level 3
CIPD Foundation / Level 3 Qualification:
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 relevant work experience may also qualifiy for entry into the programme, WITHOUT having to complete the APEL assessment (assuming sufficient work experience).
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL):
The professional part-time programme is primarily aimed at home students with relevant work experience in Human Resource/People Management, joining at level 8. In order 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), where 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:
Theoretical Knowledge and Understanding;
Applied Knowledge and Understanding;
Analytical & Interpersonal Skills.
Access the APEL Assessment HERE
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Applicants holding a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Business or equivalent may be eligible for entry into the programme at level 8. In order 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) -- see below:
Human Resource Management: Core Activities (H2W834)/
Human Resource Management: An Introduction (J2FH 34) (Option);
AND/OR
Managing People and Organisations (J4DL 34) (Core);
Any other HRM-related module (optional).
Support arrangements are in place to assist the integration of those students joining the programme through an advanced entry route.
Level 9 Advanced Entry (e.g. HND)
*** 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.
In order to qualify for advanced/direct entry into level 9, applicants will have successfully completed several HRM-related college units (or equivalent) -- see below:
Human Resource Management: Core Activities (H2W834)/
Human Resource Management: An Introduction (J2FH 34) (Option);
AND
Managing People and Organisations (J4DL 34) (Core);
AND
Business Culture and Strategy (J56D 35) (Core);
Any other HRM-related module (optional).
Support arrangements are in place to assist the integration of those students joining the programme through an advanced entry route.
⚠️ All students are required to be in relevant work at the commencement of the programme (e.g. HR Administrator, People Manager, or equivalent) — relevance and suitability are to be determined at the Programme Leader's discretion.
Unsure about what entry route works for you?
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information about our BA(Hons) People Management.
Fees & Funding
Part-time Tuition Fees:
There are a number of tution fee funding options available, including SAAS, Employer Sponsorship, etc. In supporting our students, we also offer payment plan option, allowing you to spread the costs. For more information, visit our tuition fees website.
Funding Opportunities:
Here at UWS, we have a number of funding support mechanisms in place, aimed at supporting our students through their time with us. These include scholarships, discretionary funds, among other.
Our Funding & Advice Team:
We appreciate that studying can be a challenging undertaking from a financial perspective. So, UWS offers a number of financial support and advice through a dedicated team.
Ready to join us? - Apply now!
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Photos by Perry Grone (Team) / Diego Jimenez (Support) on Unsplash