This course forms part of our suite of business courses. Compared to the core Business and Management course, it has a greater focus on the skills and knowledge needed for the Human Resources function in modern organisations. This course is highly relevant to the workplace and it is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Sunderland is a great place for studying business. Our Faculty of Business and Law inspires a 92% student satisfaction rate, according to the Student Experience Survey 2010. In addition, 85% of business graduates from Sunderland enter employment or further study within six months of graduating, based on figures from the Destination of Higher Education Leavers Survey 2010. Sunderland is one of the first universities in the UK to introduce employability modules across all years of an undergraduate degree. These help you strengthen the six key attributes of being capable, enquiring, creative, enterprising, ethical and global in outlook. The modules also help you identify your strengths and aspirations, and plan for personal development. Specialist modules in this course, compared to Business and Management BA (Hons), include: Contemporary Developments in HR; Coaching and Mentoring; Exploring Equality and Diversity; Contemporary Employment Relations; Learning and Development. We encourage our students to undertake a year-long placement between the second and final years, although it is not compulsory. It’s a great opportunity to get paid to put your learning into practice and to extend your experience.

Skills for employment: As part of your course you will take three employability modules specifically designed for self-development. The modules are called: ‘Employability Skills’, ‘Developing Career Prospects’ and ‘Applying Critical Reflective Practice’. These represent 60 credits out of the total of 360 credits for the programme. The employability modules complement the broader skills that you’ll gain in understanding how businesses create success, how to manage business operations, how to make informed decisions and how to lead change in organisations. Career destinations: 85% of business graduates enter employment or further study within six months of graduating (2010 Destination of Higher Education Leavers Survey). Examples of companies that have recruited students from Sunderland include leading names in IT (Microsoft, IBM), consumer goods (P&G, Nike, Adidas), banking (Lloyds TSB), hospitality (Marriott Hotels, Starbucks), and the public sector (NHS). The average salary of a HR officer is £24,000 and experienced managers. CIPD-accredited qualifications can significantly enhance your career opportunities. Guest speakers: Our invitations to guest speakers allow you to listen to people who are already in the type of management position that you may one day hold. Examples of past speakers include Divine Chocolate’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Sunderland Football Club’s CEO, and representatives from a number of our region’s largest employers. Visiting speakers help you relate academic learning to the real experience of people who have already progressed in their careers. It’s all part of broadening your learning so that you’re prepared not just for exams but for life. Placements: To further enhance employability we encourage you to undertake a 48-week placement between your second and final year. It effectively becomes a third year of a four year course. Placements are paid, with an average salary of £14,000-£18,000 a year depending on your location. Placements are an excellent opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. The contacts made during placements can also be valuable for future job offers. The University supports student-led initiatives that help you gain practical experience of management. The Business Student Society organises events and guest speakers, as well as attending tours of various companies. With its professional approach, it’s a great way to put into practice the lessons about how to make organisations function effectively. There is something for every student who is studying a subject related to business. Student jobs, volunteering and paid projects (earn while you learn) Our Careers & Employability Service (CES) advertises a variety of opportunities to earn money while you study. Volunteering positions in local organisations, charities and community groups can help you to help other people while learning about your strengths and what you can offer. Past opportunities have included working with children and the elderly, conservation work and sporting activities. CES also advertises details of paid part-time and vacation work in areas from call centre and retail work through to telesales and marketing and promotion and more. Opportunities to work with companies on flexible, paid, part-time projects in areas such as IT, design, law, media, HR and event management, to name a few, are available too. These projects are a great chance to gain valuable work experience.