Human Resource Management and Psychology, BA (Hons)

Human Resource Management (HRM) focuses on managing an organisation’s workforce to drive success through effective recruitment, selection, motivation, rewards, training, development, grievance handling, discipline, performance management, and career progression. Lecturers, often nominated for Students’ Union RATE awards, bring diverse academic and professional perspectives. Their research on employee ownership, social networking in workplaces, employability, and skills in sectors like banking and software appears in leading journals and textbooks. HRM enhances organisational adaptability by broadening workforce skills, requiring HR specialists to understand labour markets and broader socio-economic-political contexts. The course extends to public, non-profit, community, and employee-owned organisations.Psychology scientifically examines the mind and behaviour, exploring why humans and animals act as they do across brain function, perception, and social dynamics. Stirling’s research-informed teaching covers introductory modules in developmental, brain and behaviour, language, animal behaviour, clinical/abnormal, social, and cognitive psychology, plus advanced topics like research methods, individual differences, cognition, and health psychology. Single Honours students undertake an independent real-world research project, electives, placements, and fieldwork, fostering employability and interdisciplinary links with biology, philosophy, sociology, business, marketing, and HRM.