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BA (Honours) in Human Resource Management

Programme Overview

CAO Code: NC005

The most important part of any organisation is the people within it. Human resource professionals help to shape and develop winning teams. Human resource professionals oversee such diverse areas as recruitment, training and development, employee development and industrial relations. If you enjoy working with people, studying human resource management opens up a wide variety of exciting career possibilities.

As a graduate of this course you will:

  • Have a thorough understanding of human resource management.
  • Appreciate the strategic impact of human resources on the business.
  • Understand the linkages and integration required both within human resource management and between human resources and the rest of the business.
  • Develop your personal skills in teamwork, communication and research.

Course Structure and Award

This course is a three year honours degree programme. The course is run over 6 semesters with continuous assessment held throughout the course and examinations at the end of each semester. The course has a common first year with all the BA (Honours) Degrees in the School of Business. On completion you will receive a HETAC BA (Honours) Degree in Human Resource Management at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Work Experience

At the end of year two students are encouraged and supported to obtain a relevant work placement. Also in year 2, students have the option of taking a Service Learning Module, adding to their experience.

Career Prospects

Human resource professionals may operate in a generalist role or may specialise in areas like recruitment, training and development, employee relations or organisational development. National College of Ireland has a long established track record in human resource management and graduates are much sought after. Typical entry positions for graduates include HR officer, recruitment consultant, HR business partner and learning and development specialist.

Further Study

Options Upon successful completion of the BA (Honours) Degree in Human Resource Management, graduates can progress to postgraduate programmes at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications such as the Postgraduate Diploma or MA in HRM at National College of Ireland.

Professional Recognition

Graduates of the course are eligible for membership of the Irish Institute of Training and Development (IITD). This is an excellent foundation towards graduate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Who is the Programme for?

The course is for school leavers, mature students and graduates of FETAC level 5/6 programmes.

Entry Requirements

Minimum entry requirements are a grade C3 or above in two Higher level subjects, together with a D3 (Higher or Ordinary level) in four subjects. A minimum of grade D3 (Higher or Ordinary level) must be obtained in English. A minimum of grade D3 (Higher or Ordinary level) or a B2 or above in Foundation level must be obtained in Mathematics. Please check details of points awarded for foundation level subjects.

Mature applicants, applicants with a disability or those applying from Docklands or Area Based Partnership areas should consult further information for applicants.

Programme Fee

All courses qualify under the Free Fees Initiative, the Higher Education Grants Scheme and the VEC Scholarship Scheme.

Student Profile

Edel Whelan

EdelStudying HR is really interesting if you like dealing with people. You get great support from lecturers. The careers office is great which is important in your final year. The buddy system is brilliant and means everyone gets the chance to meet new people.


Fact File

Location Duration NFQ Level Assessment
IFSC, Dublin 1 Three years,
full-time
Level 8 End of semester exams
Continuous Assessments

* Please Note
A review of this programme, which is required under our quality assurance procedures every five years, is due to complete in December 2009 and is subject to HETAC approval. This may result in some changes to the programme as published.

Programme Modules

Year 1
Business Law Financial Accounting
Human Resource Management Macroeconomics
Marketing Micro Economics
Organisational Behaviour Quantitive and Qualitive Analysis
Year 2
Economics 2 Employment Law 1
Employment Law 2 Human Resource Development 1
Human Resource Management 2 Industrial Relations 1
Industrial Relations 2 Industrial Sociology 1
Industrial Sociology 2 Marketing
Organisational Behaviour 2 Research Methods 2
Year 3
Business Ethics ESP 1
ESP 2 Industrial Relation 3
International HRM Organisational Development
Strategic Human Resource Development 1 Strategic Human Resource Management 1
Strategic Human Resource Management 2 Strategic Management

Start Date

Tuesday 7th September 2010

Programme Location

IFSC Campus

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