Importance of human resource management in career growth
Are you interested in working across cultures and creating positive change in organisations?
A degree in human resource management could be your ideal next step. As industries around the world grow and adapt, people who understand how to manage talent, culture and workplace wellbeing are in high demand. Whether you're passionate about recruitment, employee training, leadership or inclusion, human resource management gives you the tools to support people and businesses.
At the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, you’ll have access to excellent teaching and a supportive learning environment to help you progress towards your dream career. You’ll build a strong foundation in key areas such as employment law, organisational behaviour and strategic HR management – preparing you for your undergraduate or postgraduate degree. In this blog, you’ll discover the importance of human resource management, how it supports long-term career success and why you should study at the University of Strathclyde.
What is human resource management?
Human resource management is all about people. It involves hiring, training, supporting and developing employees across all types of organisations. As a human resource professional, your job is to help people succeed while supporting the business to achieve its goals.
When studying human resource management, you’ll learn how to create positive workplace cultures, design training programmes, manage performance, understand employment law and promote employee wellbeing. You’ll also contribute to your own professional growth, as well as supporting and others’ career development in human resource management.
Benefits of studying human resource management
There are many benefits of studying human resource management, especially if you're an international student interested in how people work and communicate across cultures.
This subject offers clear progression and the chance to make a real impact. You can start your career in a support role and grow into positions like talent manager, training specialist, diversity officer or director of human resources. There are also opportunities to move into business leadership or consultancy roles.
Because human resource management is always evolving, it’s a career full of continuous learning. You’ll need to stay up to date with modern tools and policies that support employee development. You’ll also help create inclusive and welcoming environments, where all people can succeed – something that’s especially valuable in today’s global workplaces.
The focus of career planning in human resource management helps businesses support employee goals, training and personal development. As a human resource leader, you'll help shape meaningful careers for others, while growing your own.
How human resource management contributes to career growth
The importance of human resource management in career growth comes from its direct impact on employee learning, workplace performance and professional development. Human resource professionals are involved in everything from helping new staff settle in to preparing future leaders through mentorship and succession planning.
In this role, you’ll help employees improve their skills, achieve their goals and feel recognised for their contributions. That makes career development in human resource management an essential part of any successful business strategy.
Human resource management also affects workplace culture and productivity. When people feel respected and supported, they’re more motivated and engaged, which leads to better results for the business. Whether you’re working in a local company or a global organisation, your knowledge of career planning in human resource management can help teams grow and thrive.
Hear from Aliza who studied International Year Two in Business and progressed to Marketing and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)
Why study human resource management at Strathclyde?
If you're wondering why study human resource management at the University of Strathclyde, there are many excellent reasons, from its rankings and reputation to its career-focused teaching approach.
The University of Strathclyde is ranked in the UK top 10 for Business, Management and Marketing and it’s also a top 15 UK university overall (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026). The Strathclyde Business School is triple-accredited, making it one of only 120 business schools in the world with this status (MBA Today News 2024). The University has also been awarded University of the Year by the Daily Mail University Guide 2026 and its home city of Glasgow is ranked the 3rd best student city in the UK (QS Best Student Cities 2026).
One of the standout features of studying human resource management at the University of Strathclyde is its focus on preparing you for the real world of work. The University’s unique Management Development Programme (MDP) runs for the first three years of your undergraduate degree. You’ll work in project teams to solve real business challenges, helping you apply your classroom knowledge in practical, career-focused ways. The programme evolves every year to meet the needs of modern employers.
You’ll also have the chance to join the Human Resource Management Society, a student-run group that brings together students across all year levels. Through this network, you can share ideas, prepare for your future career and connect with alumni and employers from across the UK.
Human resource management is really helpful in life. You learn how to treat people and how to manage working with different people from different cultures in the workplace. There's a subject called the Managing Development Programme. They [University of Strathclyde] brought a representative from Barclays in and he made us be familiar with the outsourcing that Barclays does and how Barclays operates around having many branches in the UK and around the world. There was also a representative from Morgan Stanley.
Ali from Oman
Studied Undergraduate Foundation Programme
Progressed to study Finance and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)
How to get started
The University of Strathclyde International Study Centre helps international students prepare for degree study in the UK. With tailored pathways, you’ll build academic knowledge, improve your English and gain the skills you need to progress confidently into your chosen degree course.
In 2024, 97% of students who completed their pathway programme at the International Study Centre progressed to a degree at the University of Strathclyde. Upon successful completion of the pathway programme, you’ll also study in an accredited centre for the teaching of human resource management, ensuring your education meets the latest academic and professional standards.
Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Business and Social Sciences
This pathway is ideal for international students looking to start a degree in business, humanities or social sciences at the University of Strathclyde. It bridges the gap between your home education system and UK university life. You’ll gain a strong foundation in academic English, develop your study skills and be introduced to key topics related to your future degree. Taught in a supportive environment, the programme prepares you to progress to the second year of an undergraduate degree (subject to meeting requirements), while helping you adapt to the Scottish education system.
International Year Two in Business
This two-semester course is equivalent to the second year of a Scottish undergraduate degree and allows you to progress directly into year three of a relevant degree at University of Strathclyde (some exceptions apply). The programme builds on your existing knowledge while strengthening your academic and English skills. You’ll explore a range of core business areas and be introduced to more advanced topics that align with your chosen specialism such as human resource management. Designed with input from Strathclyde Business School, this route supports your academic success and prepares you for future career opportunities in human resources.
Pre-Masters Programme in Business and Social Sciences
If you already hold an undergraduate degree and want to study a Master’s in the UK, this two-term programme offers the perfect preparation. It focuses on developing the academic, language and research skills needed for postgraduate study. You’ll also have the chance to explore content relevant to your future degree, whether in business or the social sciences. On successful completion of the pathway programme, you’ll be ready to progress to a postgraduate degree at the University of Strathclyde. English language support is also available if you need to boost your IELTS score to the required level before starting the Pre-Masters course.
We can help you every step of the way, from entry requirements and fees to visa information and building your career skills. Our friendly team is here to answer any questions and help you start your study journey.
FAQs
Why is human resource management important to your career?
The importance of human resource management lies in how it supports growth, learning, and fair opportunities in every industry. It helps you develop leadership skills and clear goals for your career.
What is the scope of human resource management in the UK?
There is strong demand in the UK for professionals with human resource expertise. You could work in talent acquisition, employee relations, diversity and inclusion, or organisational development.
Where can I study human resource management in the UK?
You can study at the University of Strathclyde, a UK top 10 university for Business, Management and Marketing (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026). The International Study Centre offers pathway programmes including the Undergraduate Foundation Programme, International Year Two, and Pre-Masters – all designed for international students who want to build a future in human resource management.