Human Resourse Degrees

Aims of the course

This course will help you and your fellow students to understand the impact of human resource management within a global business context and to act as human resource managers and professionals within an international arena. It is for people who are or wish to be employed in the field of human resource management where the international dimension is a significant aspect of their professional practice.

The work of the Comparative Organisation and Equality Research Centre support this course. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) Library, located in the University’s Learning Centre, is an asset for course members. Led by Dr. Christina Schwabenland, the course team includes Yochanan Altman, Professor of International Human Resource Management, and Steve Jefferys, Professor of European Employment Studies.

Other distinctive features of the course are the regular addresses given by external speakers drawn from the academic, business and professional community, from companies such as Unilever and AT&T.

The University’s provision in Business and Management was rated ‘Excellent’ in recent subject reviews by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Entry requirements

Normally a good Honours degree, an equivalent qualification and/or ability to demonstrate suitability for study at postgraduate level.
Course structure

The course is based on current theory and practice of human resource management. It addresses the wider issues of globalisation, transnationalism and cross-cultural approaches to management. The course will prepare you for research work in this field and, through the dissertation, you can pursue your particular interests with the support of a supervisor.

Core modules include:
Comparative Employment Systems
Cross-cultural Management
International Business Strategy
International Personnel and Development
Research Methods
Dissertation

You can also choose an optional module from a wide range of choices – the option can also be from another postgraduate course such as our MA in International Business or International Finance.

This course provides you with a strong core of subjects, an interesting range of option choices and a dissertation project that encourages specialisation on a theme that particularly interests you. The study methods include lectures, seminars, case study analysis, teamwork, individual supervision for a dissertation and web-based study materials.

Assessment

Assessment combines coursework that includes reports, seminar presentations and team projects with examinations.
Career opportunities

Excellent for human resource practitioners who are looking to increase their skills and knowledge in a global context. You can also apply to develop your dissertation topic into an MPhil/PhD course.

This course focuses on the challenges facing Britain and Europe in the employment and human resource field. It is for people who are, or will be, working in the fields of human resource management, industrial relations, trade unionism, training and education, equal opportunities, economic development and public policy. Opportunities for gaining Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Licentiateship and/or Graduateship are available through a professional route on the course. The work at the Centre for Equality Research in Business and the Management Research Centre and the Working Lives Research Institute support this course. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) Library, located in the University’s Learning Centre, and the Women’s Library at our City campus are also study assets. The University’s provision in Business and Management was rated ‘Excellent’ in recent subject reviews by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Entry requirements

Normally a good Honours degree, an equivalent qualification and/or ability to demonstrate suitability for study at postgraduate level. Applicants with the University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management or an equivalent postgraduate qualification from elsewhere or CIPD credits may be eligible for transferred credit and obtain the MA in one further year of part-time study.
Course structure

The course balances issues of public policy and organisational practice in the field with a sound theoretical and research basis.

It will offer you a broad education while also allowing you to specialise in your own area of occupational and academic interest through option choice and the completion of a dissertation.

A professional studies (CIPD) route is provided for those aiming to enhance their careers as practitioners in human resource management and development.
Core modules include:
Employment and Personnel Management: Issues and Practice
Re-framing HRM: Context, Practice and Change
Research Methods in Employment Studies and HRM
Optional modules include:
Comparative Employment Systems
Gender and Work
International Personnel and Development
Labour Law
Learning and Development
Managing Change and Innovation
Managing Diversity and Equality
Psychological Assessment
Public Policy and Employment
Trade Union Issues
Work, Law and Economy

You also undertake a dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words.

Assessment

Assessment is mainly based on coursework.
Career opportunities

This course will enhance the careers of those in HR management and development. Successful students are eligible for Licentiateship of CIPD; additional optional modules provide eligibility for Graduateship of CIPD (Grad CIPD). You can also apply to develop your dissertation topic into an MPhil/PhD course.