BA (Hons) Graduate Apprenticeship Business Management with HR Management

Overview

Launches September 2024 - subject to approval

Aligning people management with long-term business goals

Our BA (Hons) Business Management Graduate Apprenticeship with HR Management (subject to approval) is a specialized route within our Business Management programme. This specialized programme attracts a diverse range of applicants, including established staff members with experience in people management roles, eager to professionalise their skills; newcomers to the HR-sector; and individuals transitioning into management roles.

Human Resources Management (HRM) plays a pivotal role in aligning people management with long-term business goals. In today's competitive and rapidly evolving business environment, there is no one-size-fits-all HRM strategy. Organisations must tailor their approach to fit their broader business objectives - HRM professionals and those with HR skills and knowledge are instrumental in this process.

Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning, apprentices in our HR Management specialism will hone their analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. They will learn to navigate real-world HR challenges effectively and sensitively, preparing them to be trusted leaders in their field. Covering key areas such as HR practices, strategic management, ethical leadership and sustainability management.

The course offers a comprehensive approach to management and will be mapped to and accredited (subject to approval) by the Chartered Institute of People and Development (CIPD).

Projects relating directly to challenges in the workplace instil a sense of responsibility and empower apprentices to take ownership of their business's vision and objectives. Our curriculum is continuously updated to reflect the latest trends and developments in the HR profession, ensuring that apprentices graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a people-focused role.

Please indicate on your application which specialism you are interested in.

What you
will study

Course
Information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
BA (Hons)	Blended learning	4 years	Sep 24	Glasgow	Enquire Apply

All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Standard entry

For new employees applying directly from school:

All applicants must be working in full-time employment in a role commensurate to the programme of study. Applicants should also have the support of their employer.

UCAS Tariff: 114

Scottish Higher: ABBB or equivalent

Foundation Apprenticeships

We accept selected Foundation Apprenticeships, in combination with SQA Highers, for entry to our degree programmes. Your Foundation Apprenticeship will take the place of one SQA Higher qualification for our standard entry requirements and will be treated as equivalent to a B grade at Higher.

Modern Apprenticeships

If you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF level 6 in a relevant discipline this would be equivalent to two Highers at B.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

For applicants with prior work experience and professional qualifications, there is a possibility to be considered through the university’s flexible entry system through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

This process allows prospective graduate apprentices to claim credit(s) against previously assessed and certificated learning, including informal learning, to be considered and recognised for academic purposes and credit within their course.

Advanced entry may also be granted through RPL. Skills, knowledge, academic qualifications and experience will all be used to inform which year of the degree you will enter into.

Additional requirements

Candidates must be employed in the same field as the course of study and must supply a supporting letter from their employer as part of the admissions process.

You must be living and working in Scotland in the same field as the Graduate Apprenticeship course you are applying to.

Assessment methods

A Graduate Apprenticeship is a work based degree course, where learning is applied and assessed in the workplace. You will be responsible for your own learning and assessment but supported by workplace mentors.

This course has no exams - assessments for each of the 6 modules per level will consist of course work, projects and assignments. This varied approach complements our combination of academic education and practical work experience, providing a comprehensive assessment of apprentices through various means.

The course is delivered via blended learning, (online and face to face). All reading material, tutor discussions, assignment setting, marking and feedback, timelines and key dates are located online in the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), GCU Learn. You will also have access to the University’s award-winning library.

In the final year of the course, you will work with your mentor and employer to identify a suitable work-based project which will form part of the assessment for honours level study.

Student experience

In the 2022 National Student Survey, this course received an overall satisfaction level of 84% – an outstanding recommendation provided by final year students on the quality of teaching and learning on this programme.

Why GCU?

Increasingly, society is looking to business owners and managers to lead the way in creating a fairer, more sustainable world. Social responsibility, ethics and sustainability are at the top of our agenda. We are the first Scottish university to join the UN Global Compact. This is the world’s biggest voluntary corporate responsibility partnership. We are committed to the UN’s Global Goals. This is a calling for future leaders who want to build an inclusive and sustainable global economy.

As we are the University for the Common Good, our business management degree is focused on social responsibility in business. We are members of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)network. As such, we prepare future leaders and managers to deal with some of the complex challenges facing business and society.

Work based learning

Graduate Apprenticeships are co-designed by GCU and industry partners. GCU invites a diverse range of guest lecturers - dependent on relevant subject areas, current industry news and course needs - to share their expertise in every subject area.

Graduate success

This Graduate Apprenticeship is suited to candidates in roles ranging from team leader, supervisor, managers in operations, customer service, HR, procurement, supply chain and a broad range of management roles in the public, private, or not-for-profit sectors.

The programme is adaptable to the needs of those in mid-career pathway as well as those in senior roles seeking to catch up on academic and professional qualifications.

This programme is designed to meet the Chartered Management Institute benchmark statements for the Chartered Manager qualification; successful candidates are eligible to apply to gain this additional qualification.

The application process

Complete GCU online application - you should ensure a complete application includes a letter of support from your employer, your highest education certificate and proof of residency where applicable
Your GCU application will be reviewed by the programme leader and you will receive a decision letter by email along with SAAS application instruction and an SDS learner registration form
You should complete your SAAS application and return SAAS funding confirmation and your SDS learner registration form to us by email
Finally, you will receive a registry request which can be completed via the GCU portal

Previous study

Candidates will also qualify for GA funding even if they hold a degree or master level qualification, as long as it’s not in the same subject area.

For example, someone who holds a degree in Business Management can still apply for a Graduate Apprenticeship in Software Development.

Compliance documentation

All new graduate apprentices are required to complete an SDS learner registration and an equality form. This is completed by the apprentice and signed by the apprentice and their employer before returning to the GCU GA team.

After completion of each academic year, apprentices are required to complete an SDS progress review form. This form will be sent out by GCU.

Eligibility

Anyone can become a graduate apprentice as long as they meet the following criteria:

Have the support of their employer
Have a workplace mentor, assigned by the employer
Are working in the same field as the Graduate Apprenticeship course they are applying to.
Living and Working in Scotland*
*To meet residency conditions, apprentices must have settled status and, for the three years immediately before the start of your course, been living in:

The United Kingdom (UK).
The Channel Islands.
The Isle of Man.

Apprentices must also be living (ordinarily resident) in Scotland on the day their course starts. Where ‘ordinarily resident’ means to have 'habitual and normal residence in one place'. The Scottish Government expects someone who is ordinarily resident in Scotland to have made their home in Scotland with the intention of staying and living here, and not just to undertake the apprenticeship programme.

Research-led teaching

Business and management studies research

* Two-thirds of research impact for business and management studies rated as outstanding or very considerable (REF2021)

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