Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources

From driving decisions about hiring, to revolutionising the creation of policies, contracts and job descriptions, the implementation of AI in the field of Human Resource Management means it is an exciting time to develop as a graduate at the forefront of this new technology.

The modern HR toolkit utilises AI for interview insights, personality assessments, analysing employee performance, employee engagement and talent development. The growth in this field means graduates that can combine the traditional aspects of Human Resource management with emerging technologies will be in high demand.

Human Resource Management is an industry with people at its heart, so you will not only explore the growing opportunities automation and computer-based intelligence offers, but also the ethics and challenges of balancing this with the real world and real people.

Build expert knowledge

On this degree, you will study the mathematical and programming foundations of AI, as well as the practical analysis of the data generated by AI tools. You can understand how to use and manipulate current AI tools and explore contemporary issues in the AI application.

You will cover vital themes including the recruitment, management and retention of employees; discrimination, equality and diversity; development of effective management and leadership; the role of HR in high performance working; and the contemporary issues shaping the HR landscape in modern organisations.

This degree will combine skills and knowledge that will help you to make decisions in the modern working world and boost business efficiency, enabling you to offer significant value to an organisation.

Gain hands-on experience

We have strong connections with industry that allow you to develop the skills you learn at university and apply them to real world situations. This is something which potential employers are always looking for. We encourage you to gain experience in industry to ensure you graduate with confidence.

You can also test your ideas through business simulations, topical case studies and employer-led projects that show how academic knowledge can be translated into management practice in the workplace.

You will be able to attend guest lectures, mentor workshops and be given case study scenarios to supplement your teaching.

On this course you will:

• Discover key concepts of Organisational Behaviour (OB) theory and research and analyse the causes of behaviour in the workplace
• Identify the differing nature of customer needs and wants within a chosen marketing environment
• Explore principles and theories underpinning recruitment, selection, management and training of staff in organisations and be able to identify how the various human resource management tools support good and productive working environments
• Learn about contemporary labour market conditions, trends and legislation and their significance for workforce planning within a range of business contexts
• Evaluate a range of employee development methods and barriers to effective learning within organisations
• Compare and analyse differing employment policy, process and practice when managing HR across international boundaries and discuss different methods of leadership and management development

Hands-on experiences

To help enhance your skills, we will support you to find work experiences through internships and placements.

You have the option to take a placement year between years two and three. This will give you substantial experience as well as insight into the careers available to you once you graduate. You may also gain confidence and improve your success and progression in jobs.

Expert teaching

You will be taught by a highly qualified team with an impressive track record for research and a national reputation for excellence. The team has extensive contacts in the HR community, as well as local and national companies like Rolls-Royce, JCB, Alstrom and Toyota, and you can draw on those connections for inspiration and insight.

Exciting facilities

You will be taught in a range of creative spaces including our:

• Computer Lab - home to our specialist hardware facilities and software access, including Python, Visual Studio, Unreal Engine, Unity, Apache, PHP, MySQL, Azure Cloud Services and DirectX/OpenGL, as well as our data cave and Virtual Reality Suite
• The Cavendish Building - a superb new International Business School that is full of creative learning spaces

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Our teaching methods consist of:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical sessions
• group working
• visits to exhibitions, trade fairs and companies
• research projects
• internships and/or placements
• case studies, briefs, projects or scenarios from real workplaces

How you will be assessed

Modules are normally assessed through a mixture of:

• assignments
• examinations
• workshops
• class tests
• practical labs
• coursework
• portfolios
• assignments
• case studies
• oral and graphic presentations
• teamwork projects
• computer testing
• examinations

On the Individual Project module, you will be encouraged to use and apply research and innovation tools and approaches in a practical context.

As employers and companies identify that they need to expand their efforts in Artificial Intelligence and it use, it places you in a great position to offer support and guidance in this emerging field.

There are many different jobs that sit with human resources and developing careers in AI. Some of the roles include:

• AI research
• human resources specialist
• human resources manager
• recruitment manager
• human resources analyst

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.