Human Resourse Degrees

This MSc programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and techniques of Human Resource Management and Development (HRM & D). This programme enables students to develop competence, techniques and effectiveness in HRM & D. through stressing the crucial role in HRD in meeting the challenges in international development, by adding value to economic activities, securing effective public services, and building capabilities within individuals organizations and societies. Participants will engage in a critical analysis of best practices of HRM/D and their application to globalization and international development processes. The programme examines the current international business environment and its diverse nature of social and economic challenges to the management and development of human resources.

Study Details/Module Information

The programme provides the knowledge and understanding of key issues facing the management and development of human resources in an increasingly diverse international environment. In semesters 1 and 2 students study core modules in :

Human Resource Management
Human Resource Development
Organisational Behaviour
Strategic Management
Global Economic Development
International Human Resource Management
International Human Resource Development and NGO Management
Research Methods.

In the third semester students complete a research dissertation on their chosen subject. They can also select one elective courses, such as, and Business & Marketing Ethics. Assessment varies for each module but usually includes essay assignments, presentations and a research proposal and dissertation.

Research Environment

Hope Business School is renowned for the quality of its teaching, research and its supportive learning environment. The School provides students with an inspirational educational experience that values the development of mind, body and spirit and offers them excellent career prospects in international business. All staff work closely with students to create a life enhancing experience that ensures our alumni go on to become leaders in their organisations and communities around the world. Hope Business School’s success is demonstrated by the maximum score of 24/24 in the last Teaching Quality Assessment Audit. This placed the school as only one of eight institutions in the United Kingdom to achieve this national teaching quality standard.

Career Opportunities

A broad range of careers in HRM & D is available in both the public, private, voluntary and international sectors and across a range of industries. Effective management of people, their development, motivation and training, is recognised as a key factor in contributing to improved performance and organisational success. Graduates can be involved in a diverse range of activities within an organisation including, but not limited to: change and knowledge management. There are also opportunities in community or voluntary organisations.

At the centre of any organisation lies its people – and as a result, a career in Human Resource Management can be an immensely fulfilling career for the student interested in the ‘people’ aspects of a business.

On this programme, not only do you get a thorough grounding in the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding required in this challenging yet highly rewarding field, you also get the chance to develop reflective practices and critical thinking – essential attributes for the effective manager equipped to handle change.

Students are encouraged to reflect on their own performance and, with the support of academic staff and colleagues, take the first steps in managing their career as an HR professional. Normally all students will join the professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Year 1
The first year is an introduction to modern business and management and so, in line with the NBS philosophy, students study subjects such as:
International Business Environment
Management
Finance
Business Processes and How to Solve Business Problems
Students also take a module in Human Resource Management in order to develop an appreciation of the role of this functional area in business.

Year 2
In the second year the management topics continue and students study subjects such as:
Performance Management
Personal and Organisation Development
Marketing and International Business Contexts
There are also modules developing the HRM functional area such as HRM Practice and Change, Work and Diversity.

Year 3
Placement Year

Year 4
All final year students do a dissertation or a management report and modules in Business Ethics and Strategic Management and Leadership.

In addition, students on this programme study:
Employee Relations and Rewards
Culture and Organisations
Employee Resourcing and Development

COURSE INFORMATION

The successful suite of programmes ‘Business with…’ introduces you to the world of business whilst allowing you to combine key business subjects with functional areas or specialisms such as Marketing, Finance, HR or Economics. It offers the ultimate in flexibility for students eager to enter the world of business.

The first year includes an introduction to your chosen ‘pathway’. However if, during your studies, you become interested in another area, you simply swap (normally in the second year) to one of the other ‘minors’ or pathways (certain conditions may exist).

Business with… recognises that students do not always know which programme they wish to study from the outset. As well as being highly flexible, this programme gives you the chance to explore unfamiliar areas of study before making your final choice of degree. In the third year students can also opt for a placement in their chosen area before returning to University to complete their final year studies.

Year 1
Topics include: International Business Environment, Management, Solving Business Problems, Finance and Data and Business Analysis. In addition, you study a specific module relevant to the pathway. For example Tourism students will undertake a Tourism module and Marketing students study Marketing.

Year 2
Students study International Business Context, Personal and Organisational Development, Business Performance Measurement and Marketing (the precise variant may alter depending on what was studied in Year 1). Two pathway specific modules are also studied.

Year 3
Optional Placement Year

Final Year
Topics in Year 3 or 4 include Business Ethics, Strategic Management, a dissertation or project and two specialist modules.

These specialist modules are once again dependent on the pathway selected.

COURSEWORK AND ASSESSMENT

Student support is provided through lectures, seminars and use of the University’s eLearning portal. Independent and directed learning forms an important part of the university education experience. Students are issued with detailed teaching and learning plans for each module.

The assessment strategy provides a broad spectrum of approaches with the earlier years typically assessed by portfolio, assignment and exams, and the final year mainly by assignment. The programme is designed to ensure that first year students are not over burdened with exams. In particular the first year has been reassigned to facilitate this.

CAREERS
Graduates of this programme could expect to go on to careers in consultancy, marketing, health management, human resource management and many others including establishing successful small businesses.

OTHER INFO

PLACEMENT
There is an opportunity to undertake a year-long paid placement at the end of Year 2. Students will get full support from the Placements Office to obtain a placement to prepare them for final year studies and future employment.

CITY AND GUILDS
Successful completion of the placement year to City and Guilds standards allows the University to award the Licentiateship of City and Guilds (LCGI), a national qualification recognised by employers.