Graduate Apprenticeship Business Management with HR Management

Business success depends on people as much as it does strategy. Effective organisations need professionals who understand both how a business operates and how to lead, support and develop the people within it.

Our BA (Hons) Graduate Apprenticeship in Business Management with Human Resource Management allows you to develop this expertise while applying what you learn directly in your workplace. You’ll work towards an honours degree while remaining in paid employment, with the support of your employer.

The course combines a broad understanding of business management with in-depth knowledge of human resource management and people management.

Develop your knowledge across areas including:

• human resource management and people management
• talent development
• diversity and inclusion
• employment rights
• strategy and leadership
• marketing
• finance
• operations and project management.

You’ll explore how effective people management supports wider organisational goals, and how people, performance and strategy connect. Your studies will also consider contemporary challenges facing organisations, including sustainability, employee wellbeing, digital transformation and AI.

Your day-to-day work is an important part of your learning. You’ll apply HR and business thinking to real workplace situations, developing your ability to make informed decisions, manage teams and support organisational change.

Responsible management is embedded throughout the degree. As the University for the Common Good, we’ll encourage you to consider the wider impact of business decisions and develop the skills to lead responsibly and ethically.

The course content is aligned to Chartered Management Institute (CMI) professional standards, helping you develop management capabilities that reflect professional practice and providing a pathway towards Chartered Manager status.

The course has also been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and successful completion of the programme leads to an Associate Membership of the professional body. By graduation, you’ll have combined academic knowledge with several years of workplace experience, developing both the commercial understanding and specialist people management expertise to take on greater responsibility within your organisation.

What is a Graduate Apprenticeship?

A Graduate Apprenticeship combines university study with paid employment, allowing you to work towards a degree while continuing to develop in your role.

Graduate Apprenticeships are fully funded by the Scottish Funding Council, so there are no tuition fees for you or your employer. You’ll continue earning your salary while working towards your degree.

To take a Graduate Apprenticeship, you must live and work in Scotland in a role related to your course.

If you’re already working in a suitable role, you can apply with the support of your employer.

If you’re not currently in a relevant role, you can search and apply for Graduate Apprenticeship job opportunities through Apprenticeships Scotland. Once you secure a suitable role, you can apply for the degree with your employer’s support.

Find out more about how the Graduate Apprenticeship works in the Additional Information section below.

Employer benefits

Supporting a Graduate Apprentice allows you to develop business and people management capability within your organisation while investing in an existing employee.

Your employee will apply their learning throughout the degree, developing knowledge and skills across human resource management, leadership, strategy and wider business functions. They can bring this learning directly into their role and apply it to people, business and organisational challenges within your workplace.

As their knowledge and workplace experience develop, they’ll be equipped to take on greater responsibility for managing and developing people, supporting organisational change and contributing to wider business objectives.