HR9535 - HR Analytics and the Labour Market

What will I learn on this module?

HR Analytics and the Labour Market will introduce you to key theories in labour market analysis by understanding how equilibrium is achieved between the supply of and demand for labour through the dynamic interplay of wage structures and levels, employment levels and workforce utilisation. You will develop your knowledge of both macro and micro economic theory including the role of governments in labour market regulation, the comparative influence of trade unions, comparative analyses of the distribution of income and wealth and of global workforce mobility.

Within this context, you will develop your skills of critical and analytical thinking which are central to all graduate employability, enterprise and entrepreneurial activity and with specific relevance to HR and people management. Your learning will be research-informed, focusing on understanding the gathering, organisation, analysis and modelling of macro labour market data and firm level HR data such as attendance, turnover, salaries, productivity, and performance, to examine the contribution such analyses and models can make to the strategic management of organisations. You will also become familiar with Workforce Planning and other Management Information used inside organisations alongside labour market data from government and other sources.

This module therefore builds upon analysis undertaken at level 4. You will develop graduate skills in interpreting trends and potential causation in order to demonstrate impact, support evidence-based decision-making and inform strategy. The module therefore represents a shift from the ‘what’ of HR and people management, to the ‘how’ it can be done. You will also learn how to communicate data in meaningful and accessible ways in order to gain trust and management buy-in to HR proposals.

How will I learn on this module?

Your learning is supported through tutor-led and learner-led session activities, also through tutor-directed and self-directed independent study.
Tutor-led research-informed sessions will help you to develop your conceptual and theoretical understanding of the topic areas. Tutor-supported activities will allow you to actively and critically engage with that content and cultivate the necessary analytical skills and professional values. Your learning is also supported by appropriate learning technologies that include extensive and carefully curated learning resources from the worlds’ leading HR researchers and practitioners, to enable your self-directed learning.
Your independent self-directed learning will involve you self-identifying learning activities, such as further academic reading, to gain a deeper and broader knowledge of the subject.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The tutor-supported activities are organised in groups of around 20-30 learners working in smaller teams. This approach provides a closer, more personal academic support.
Academics will support you through the led sessions and in planning the types of activities you should be engaging in during your independent study time. They are also available upon request to support you outside of formal session time by responding to questions or concerns that you might have either via email or via individually pre-arranged appointments and/or drop-in sessions.
Academic support is also provided through the provision of a range of University learning support services. A wide range of online support materials is also available thought the virtual learning environment. These materials include recordings, webcasts, pre-recorded sessions, key academic skills, also an electronic reading list including RSS feeds that showcase the application of various practices presented in the module.

To support you in your academic progress, you will receive both formative and summative feedback on your work through the course of each academic year. Regular formative feedback on class activities provides you with the necessary guidance to scaffold your knowledge and understanding of the key concept and principles of the subject to enable your success in the final summative assessment. Summative feedback/feed-forward will be provided on your work after it has been assessed and graded. You should use all feedback that you receive to identify areas of strength and areas for future study and improvement

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

• To understand the nature of external labour markets including the key elements of labour markets [MLO 1]

• To understand the nature of internal labour markets including, analysing key HR data [MLO 2]

To understand workforce planning including the principles of modelling, analysis and projection [MLO 3]

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

To develop capabilities to source and analyse external labour market data and organisations’ own HR data [MLO 4]

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

To cultivate professional HR values of critical and creative thinking while prioritising fairness, inclusivity, and sustainability in managing a diverse workforce in leading high-performance, participative work regimes [MLO 5]

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment:
Throughout the module you should actively participate in scheduled and self-directed activities and should engage in discussions and feedback exercises to challenge your own thinking and that of your peers. Face-to-face sessions will provide you with the opportunity to self-assess your knowledge and understanding through applying the different aspects/topics examined. You will work through small groups activities that will enable you to secure on-going feedback from your peers.

Summative assessment
Element one (MLO 1; 4)
1,500 word (equivalent) labour market report

Element Two (MLO 2; 3; 5)
1,500 word (equivalent) workforce plan



Feedback will be provided by tutors in the form of a grading rubric and narrative comments on papers with an emphasis on formative feed-forward for the subsequent assignment or subsequent modules and levels of study

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

Shifting from the ‘what’ of HR and people management to the ‘how’, this module introduces you to key theories in labour market analysis. You’ll
understand how equilibrium is achieved between the supply of and demand for labour through the interplay of wage structures and levels, employment
levels and workforce utilisation. You’ll develop your knowledge of both macro and micro economic theories including the role of governments in labour
market regulation, the comparative influence of trades unions, comparative analyses of the distribution of income and wealth and of global workforce
mobility.

Course info

UCAS Code N205

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Newcastle Business School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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