Course content

During your studies, you will examine how organisations function within their wider political and economic environment; how they develop and deploy management, and how they plan strategies to address future goals that are essential for becoming the business leaders of tomorrow. The programme explores the formal and informal ways of regulating the employment relationship in the public, private and voluntary sectors. 

Accreditations

Keele is an approved Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and the BA Human Resource Management programme is approved by the CIPD, having met the CIPD Quality Assurance Standards at intermediate level.  Successful completion of the Keele BA Human Resource Management programme will allow you to gain CIPD Associate membership. It means that successful graduates who maintain membership with the CIPD following graduation, can use the designatory letters Assoc CIPD after their name and will be eligible to upgrade to either Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow at a later date providing they are able to demonstrate the relevant skills and behaviours in accordance with the membership criteria for these levels by having accrued the relevant work experience in their subsequent workplaces. (It is important to note, that the CIPD is currently redeveloping their qualifications and membership levels, and we are working with the CIPD in adopting our programmes to their new standards.)

STRENGTHENING YOUR EMPLOYABILITY

Work Placement Year

The Work Placement Year is a great opportunity to gain industry standard experience between Year 2 and Year 3, before returning for your final year of study. This mix of theory and practical experience allows an understanding of the workplace in your chosen sector/industry. You will receive support from our Student Placement Officer and Careers and Employability team throughout your placement search which you will be responsible for securing. This year aims to set you apart from the crowd and increase your employment opportunities. Take a look at some of our student experiences and frequently asked questions.

Visa restrictions apply. Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake. For more information about visa's please click here.

Entrepreneurship Year

Eligible for UK students only, this module allows you to showcase your innovative abilities and ideas to develop your business aspirations. Whether you’ve always wanted to create your own start up or are inspired by your studies, this module will allow you to develop your knowledge and skills as well as graduate attributes. The module will take place between Year 2 and Year 3, therefore you will be unable to opt for the Work Placement Year or International Year if you choose this option. You can find more information, here.

International Year

Broaden your horizons at one of our partner universities by studying an International Year between Year 2 and Year 3. You will have the opportunity to spend the two semesters of the international year at one partner university or one semester at one university and the second semester at another. On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with a degree title ‘with International Year’. You can find more information here.

Teaching and Assessment

Whilst we make use of some more conventional assessment types, such as essay-based course assignments or exams (either paper or increasingly computer based), we may also utilise a range of other types of assessment options including, for example, presentations, reflective diaries, portfolios of learning activities, group exercises, and an Individual Study Project report. Some modules might combine different forms of assessment, whilst others might be assessed using a single piece of assessment. 

Staff

Our staff in Keele Business School are active researchers in core areas such as accounting, finance, economics, marketing and management and their academic work will inform your learning, incorporating recent theories and current themes to open discussion in your subject area. There are also professional support staff on hand to answer any queries you may have during your undergraduate studies at Keele. 

Other courses you may be interested in:

• Accounting and Business Management
• Business Management and Finance
• International Business and Marketing
• International Business Management
• Law with Business
• Marketing and Business Management
• Pharmaceutical Science with Business

Business can also be studied as a Combined Honours degree in the following combinations:

• Business and Data Science
• Business and Geography
• Business and Media
• Business and Music Production
• Business and Psychology

Facilities

Keele Business School

Keele Business School is located in a state-of-the-art, multi-million pound facility complete with 220-seat lecture theatre, a ‘think lab’ study space, data laboratory, cafe and business lounge. Home to our accounting, business management, economics, finance, HRM, international business, management and marketing programmes, Keele Business School is the first to be located on a Science Park.

As well as new teaching spaces, our building is unique in that it is also home to the Smart Innovation Hub, a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which includes space and support programmes for innovation-led businesses, providing opportunities for students and staff to work collaboratively with entrepreneurs and business owners, gaining invaluable networks and experience.

Our computer laboratories are equipped with industry-leading software such as Bloomberg, STATA, Thomson Reuters and Sage Accounting Software, providing you with an opportunity to gain valuable practical IT experience. You may also be able to complement this practical experience, by opting for a placement year, an international year or an entrepreneurship year, between your second and third year of study. 

Keele Bloomberg Finance Lab

At Keele Business School we have a dedicated computer laboratory, the Bloomberg Finance Lab, which provides access to the Bloomberg Professional Service, also known as the Terminal. The Bloomberg Professional Service is a widely used platform of economic, financial and business information in the financial industry, government and beyond. KBS students have free access to the Bloomberg Professional Service, which is integrated into the teaching of a number of modules in economics, finance, accounting and business management. Students can also use the terminals in their own time to obtain data and information to use in their essays and projects.

The Bloomberg Terminal provides privileged access to economic, financial and business real-time data, world news, analyses and reports from the world’s biggest financial organisations. It has become a standard tool for traders, market analysts, financial institutions, and researchers. Practical knowledge of how to use the Terminal is a very much sought after skill by employers in the financial industry including retail and investment banking, audit, accountancy, insurance and actuarial science.

In the event of social distancing restrictions, students may have remote access to the Bloomberg Terminal via the internet.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

Our curriculum and extra curriculum activities are designed to enable our students to gain a variety of practical skills that will be instrumental for developing a successful career in the future. This includes communication and negotiation skills that will help future HR professionals and future managers meet requirements to form good working relationships. Key transferable skills such as written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, time management skills, as well as commercial awareness and information technology skills all form integral elements of our curriculum and learning activities. We have established close relationships with the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire CIPD Branch, providing our CIPD student members with access to its 1,600-strong membership, professional networking events and workshops. In addition, CIPD Midlands Area Partnership activities bring 10 local CIPD branches in the area together, providing additional opportunities to access events, including student centred activities, such as induction and networking events. A member of our teaching staff is currently a Committee Member of the local North Staffordshire and South Cheshire CIPD branch further cementing the important links between Keele Business School and the professional body for HR professionals

Previous employers

• Avecto
• B&Q
• Capita
• Lloyds Bank
• Santander
• Nationwide Building Society
• Jaguar Landrover
• Mercedes Benz
• NHS
• Price Waterhouse Cooper
• BMP Parabus
• Dimension Data
• Pets At Home
• Marks and Spencer
• Matalan
• Müller
• National Crime Agency
• New Look
• Marriot Group
• Merlin Entertainments

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Management Consultant
• Chartered Management Accountant
• IT Consultant
• Sales Executive
• Logistics Manager
• Banker
• Investment Analyst
• Operational Researcher

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.