ObjectivesThe utilisation of human resources to create value for customers in a way that rival organisations cannot match is one of the most pressing issues for a modern enterprise. This programme assists current and future managers to advise and foster managerial styles which will enable high levels of performance by employees. This programme aims to develop knowledge and skills of evaluation, discussion and analysis on issues surrounding how managers are able to utilise human resources to create added-value for customers and to secure a competitive advantage for their organisation. There is an overriding objective of helping to improve the quality of management, leadership and business practice in organisations. An emphasis is placed on an international perspective to ensure relevance in today's global economy. In this context, non-UK students are particularly important for enriching the overall international learning experience. The Human Resource Management programme aims to develop a range of business knowledge and skills, together with the self-awareness and personal development appropriate to careers in this area. This includes the development of positive and critical attitudes towards leadership, change and enterprise, so as to reflect the dynamism and vibrancy of the business and management environment. The programme is designed around a central core of modules to give students a thorough grounding in the basic management disciplines, followed by specialist modules in particular aspects of human resource management. Thus, the programme is primarily differentiated through the academic content rather than through the skills acquisition. Typical entry requirements Applicants should usually hold a bachelors degree (UK Lower Second/2.2 or above) or equivalent qualification from a recognised British/overseas university in a subject related to this MSc or, alternatively, at least one year's relevant work experience. Every applicant is assessed individually on their own merit. Higher level professional qualifications may also be accepted. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will normally be required to have taken an English language test and achieved a score of either TOEFL 550 or above, IELTS 6.0 or above, or Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English Grade C or above. This test must have been taken within two years prior to the start of the programme you are applying for. The School also assists students whose first language is not English through close cooperation with the University's Language Centre.
Academic titleMSc/PGDip/PGCert in Human Resource Management
Course descriptionMSc/PGDip/PGCert in Human Resource Management Module overview
This programme consists of eight compulsory modules and a dissertation.
Management of Human Resources
This module provides a general perspective on human resource management and organisational behaviour. The topics covered include organisational structure and culture, motivation and performance management, labour markets and recruitment and selection, organisational learning and managing change.
Strategy
This module addresses the broader concepts of corporate and business strategy and provides the opportunity for students to identify where HR strategy integrates with higher level strategy. The module topics include force field analysis, marketing and total quality management.
Financial Management
The finance module introduces students to a range of finance systems and processes. The topics covered include profit and loss account, balance sheet, cash flow statement, financial analysis, and trend and ratio analysis.
Research Methods
This module is primarily for preparing students for the dissertation stage, but it also enables them to become competent in manipulating HR-related data for organisational decision making. The module provides tuition in both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Employment Law
This module exposes students to the legal framework which underpins and governs the employment relationship. The topics covered include common and statute law, contract formation, contract maintenance and termination, discrimination in employment, and health and safety in the workplace.
Industrial Relations
This module looks in depth at the employment relationship; the way in which it is formed and maintained. The individual and collective environments are scrutinised in detail. The topics covered include frames of reference and industrial relations theories, collective bargaining and incomes determination, employee participation, industrial action, and comparative industrial relations.
International Human Resource Management
This module builds on the Management of Human Resources module by looking at the contribution that the HR function can make in the international environment. It is primarily directed towards multinational corporations. The topics covered include international recruitment and selection, international performance management, and employee relations in multinational firms.
Human Resource Development
This module looks at the way that individuals and organisations learn. The topics covered include individual learning processes and learning styles, organisational learning through mental models, and the concept of a 'learning organisation'.
Dissertation
The dissertation is a 20,000-word piece of independent research into an aspect of human resource management or organisational behaviour.
Programme length
12 months full-time, up to 24 months part-time (UK or international distance learning).