BA (Hons) Business Management (HRM) (Top-Up)

Course Overview

In this highly competitive time for businesses across all sectors, getting the best out of a workforce is vital for organisational success. Graduates who understand how human resource management can help an organisation grow are now well placed to enter successful careers.

The perfect choice for anyone who’s already completed a HND in business or an equivalent qualification, Arden BA (Hons) Business Management (HRM) (Top-Up) has been developed to bring traditional human resource management practices into the modern era. Through six carefully selected degree modules, you’ll explore subjects covering the development of high performance teams, talent management, rewarding performance, business transformation, and other key areas that you’ll find indispensable in the workplace.

The BA (Hons) Business Management (HRM) (Top-Up) has been developed with input from world-leading organisations and researchers, so that you are exposed to the latest developments happening in the field of human resources, people, and culture. This means you’ll be able to show future employers that you have what it takes to fill current skills gaps in the field.

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – Arden team is more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Arden BA (Hons) Business Management (HRM) (Top-Up) course, you must have:

A HND in Business or equivalent, provided that your prior learning is consistent with Level 5 of the functional areas of business such as finance, marketing, operations management, human resource management, etc.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£5500

UK Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

Arden also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (Arden recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

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Course details and modules

During your top up degree studies you’ll gain a wider understanding of HR functions, operations, and technologies. You’ll also develop new personal and professionals attributes in dedicated skills-related modules to help build your soft skills and decision-making abilities. Learning research and data analysis techniques using academic and industry focused texts, articles, and reports, you’ll gain a better understanding of contemporary human resources management and overall business functions, with the ability to analyse practical case studies drawn from a range of international organisations.

Using Arden business simulation software, you’ll be able to access a virtual business, manage people and run it as your own enterprise – managing activities such as marketing, sales, finances, people, product development, operations, and your supply chain. This will give you the chance to practice making critical decisions within a safe environment, helping you develop your ability to interpret commercial information and apply your learnings to generate a profit for your enterprise. You’ll also have access to Arden Enterprise Incubator throughout your course, which provides you with additional software and resources as well as real-world mentors and industry experts to draw knowledge from. The Arden Enterprise Incubator also gives you the chance to engage in social learning with your classmates, developing your collaborative skills and providing the opportunity for networking with fellow professionals.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Modules

You have 1-3 years to complete this top up degree course, which means you can study at a pace that works best for you.

Level 6 Modules

Business Transformation (20 credits)
Entrepreneurship and Innovation (20 credits)
Corporate Governance, Law & Ethics (20 credits)
Independent Study (20 credits)
Future Leaders & Talent Management (20 credits)
Reward & Performance (20 credits)

Career prospects

Perhaps you have a strong idea of where you want to go with your human resource management top up degree, or maybe you want to keep your career options open for now? Either way, don’t worry if you’re still a little unclear about what the future holds. The course will give you a range of in-demand and transferable skills that will help you understand how modern organisations work. This gives you the freedom to take your time deciding where in the business ecosystem you’ll fit best, be it as an entrepreneur, manager, or if you’re an experienced professional looking for a career change.

What can I do after Arden University?

Your top up bachelor’s degree in human resources, people, and culture will open up many opportunities across all aspects of the business sector. As you study with us you’ll have access to Arden dedicated career services portal, where you can access additional ‘bolt-on’ e-learning courses, employer presentations, and search for jobs worldwide. Of course, your course lecturers are always on-hand to provide advice and guidance when it come to your professional future. Just a few of the possible roles you might want to consider after graduation could include:

Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Consultant
Careers Adviser
Office Manager
Recruitment Consultant
Training and Development Officer

What will the BA (Hons) Business Management (HRM) (Top-Up) do for me?

As well as developing important soft skills, up-to-date knowledge of business functions, and career planning abilities, you’ll also be encouraged to develop a Personal Development Plan as you work through your degree. With support from Arden lecturers, this will help you track your progress and identify areas where you excel.

On the course, your assessments will be linked to real-world workplace issues and practices. Added to the benefits of Arden enterprise simulation software and Digital Business Hub, you’ll graduate with hands-on experience in problem solving and identifying areas for business growth – all highly desirable skills for today’s employers.

The BA (Hons) Business Management (HRM) (Top-Up) will also give you the chance to:

Understand and appreciate the importance of the key professional skills, behaviours, and competencies required to build and lead high performance teams.
Identify and evaluate the roles and contributions of the key business functions applicable to contemporary organisations.
Identify and apply a range of HRM approaches and theories to address strategic objectives in different organisational contexts.
Identify and evaluate the various organisational challenges to effective HR management, including complexity, plurality, and resistance to change.
Develop your research and analytical skills.

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BA (Hons) Business Management (HRM) (Top-Up) online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Arden online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and online library (which when used along with Arden supplementary library, Perlego, gives you access to almost half a million books and journals – yours for free while you study with us).
ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate Arden study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through AU Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. Arden have even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.