Course description
Many organisations claim, ‘Our people are our most important asset'. So Human Resource Management (HRM) is vital to the effectiveness of organisations, wherever they are located. This programme helps you make a difference. It develops Masters-level expertise in Human Resource Management, and opens up many career opportunities.
The programme explores areas such as recruitment, selection, managing labour relations, training and career development. By the end of the programme, you will have a high standard of knowledge and understanding of the current practical, intellectual and policy challenges in Human Resource Management.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development have accredited the programme, and successful completion leads to graduate membership. This is the first step in becoming a chartered member of the Institute - a widely accepted requirement of HR employers throughout the UK.
You will frequently participate in problem-solving, role-playing and experiential learning.
If you study part-time while working, your dissertation can be directly related to issues faced in your current job role. So it can be an excellent opportunity to raise your profile and gain a thorough intellectual understanding of developments affecting your day-to-day work.
The certificate stage of the programme will provide you with a broad range of knowledge and skills relating to the environment in which business operates.
The diploma stage will develop your knowledge skills and professional competence in the specialist areas of personnel and training, and introduce the elective programme in HRM. The masters stage will develop your strategic business awareness and establish value-adding links between business and HRM policies.
The masters' stage involves teaching in one semester only, with the remaining time devoted to the dissertation.
Course Content
Stage 1
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) 60 credits
(Meeting CIPD Leadership and Development standards)
* Managing in a Strategic Business Context
* Managing Information for Competitive Advantage
* Managing and Leading People
* Managing for Results
Stage 2
Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) 60 credits
Core modules:
* Learning and Development
* People Resourcing
Plus a choice of two modules from a list which may include:
* Strategic HRM
* Employee Relations
* Managing Diversity
* Employment Law
* Health and Safety
* International HRM
Availabiity of options will vary from year to year.
Stage 3
Masters (MSc) 60 credits
* Applied Research Methods for Business and Management
* HRM Dissertation
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching is by means of lectures and workshops supported by module learning packs and provision of individual support and guidance from academic tutors.
There is continuous assessment at Certificate and Diploma stages through individual and group written assignments, presentations, case study analysis, portfolio building and time constraint activities.
Assessment at Masters level centres on the completion of a dissertation and set assignment for Applied Research Methods for Business and Management.
Career Opportunities
Weekly workshops provide a practical learning environment where you can learn from other HR professionals. By applying what has been learnt, and the insights of other students, you can strengthen your contribution to your current or future employer.
Graduates from this programme have used their qualifications to develop very successful careers in Personnel and HRM; many are now working at a senior and strategic level. The career opportunities are extensive and varied, in both the public and private sectors.
Supplemental Information
The certificate, diploma and master stages of the programme are designed to meet the professional qualification scheme of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Participants on the programme are required to take up CIPD membership of the professional body and meet all of their assessment requirements as well as those of the University. The certificate programme equates to the CIPD Core Management Stage and gives eligibility for licentiate membership of the professional body.
The diploma and masters programme equates to the two other fields of the CIPD qualifications and on successful completion gives eligibility for graduate membership of the profession.
Facilities
As a student of the School of Business, Law and Psychology, you will have access to some of the best learning support facilities in the higher education sector.
Our libraries provide computers, printing, photocopying, and inter-library loans. Sunderland also has an extensive electronic library collection, which means you can access much of the information you need online.
You will also benefit from access to 500 computer workstations of the David Goldman Informatics Centre which offers the latest software packages - open seven days a week.
