MA Human Resource Management

• Tailor your time at university to meet your needs by fitting your study around work and personal commitments. This part-time route allows you to study over two to five years, giving you the flexibility to study at a pace which suits you.

• Learn from staff research active academics with professional and industry experience.

• Meet the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's qualification and membership structure. 

• Add value to your professional development by combining academic knowledge and rigour, and build important work-related skills and competencies.

• Complement your professional qualification with a masters’ degree in Human Resource Management when you successfully complete the  HR masters dissertation with a research methods module 

• Join a diverse student body – this course appeals to both recent graduates who wish to enter the HR profession as well as those working in HR who wish to gain professional chartered status and strengthen their employment prospects. 

• Deepen your knowledge by studying a range of modules such as the critical role a human resources professional plays within the work environment, how best to lead, manage and develop employees, appropriate HR policies and strategies, maximising the contribution, growth and wellbeing of employees, including an ethical sensibility towards the practice of HRM.

• Year 1

• Core modules

  • HRL700 Leading Managing and Developing People

    This module will provide an introduction to the complexities of leading, managing and developing people in the workplace. It is one of the core areas in the field of Human Resource Management, and through an exploration of both relevant theory and practice, it seeks to develop a critical understanding of the complexities and contested nature of leadership and management and the opportunities for developing people, groups and organisations

  • HRL701 Contemporary HRM in Context

    This module provides an understanding of the principal internal and external environmental contexts of contemporary organisations, within which managers, HR professionals and workers interact in conditions of environmental turbulence, change and uncertainty. The module examines how managers and HR professionals respond to these dynamic environmental contexts. It demonstrates that corporate decisions and HR choices are not always shaped by managers alone.

  • HRL702 Employee Resourcing

    This module aims to equip learners with the knowledge and skills required to undertake core resourcing activities to a high standard. Students will focus on mobilising an effective workforce through the practical and strategic aspects of recruitment, selection, talent management, retention and dismissal. The module will also introduce students to a range of different and more critical perspectives than purely a managerialist/practitioner approach.

  • HRL703 Managing Conflict and Employment Relations

    This module provides a comprehensive critical framework of knowledge and understanding of the management of employment relations within contemporary workplaces. This focuses on the processes through which organisations seek to address and manage conflict with and between employees with the context of key principles of employment law. In doing so, it provides both theoretical understanding and practical knowledge needed for HR practitioners and managers to function effectively and contribute to the development of productive employment relationships.

• Final year

• Core modules

  • HRL704 HR Research Methods

    This module enables learners to understand the nature and processes involved in business and management research, equip them to carry out their own research and to be aware of the philosophical and ethical contexts in which research takes place. Students will be expected to develop a suitable and realistic research proposal.

  • HRL705 Managing Equality and Diversity

    This module will introduce students to the key concepts of managing equality and diversity in employment. Workforce diversity is a major issue in many countries facing managers and organisations and indeed governments. There is however evidence of unrelenting stereotypes and discriminatory behaviours and attitudes that permeate both the workplace and society in general. This module will explore different theoretical perspectives underpinning the topic and critically evaluate actual and potential organisational responses.

  • HRL713 HR Research Project

    This module provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to diagnose and investigate a live, complex business issue from an HR perspective, to locate the work within the body of contemporary knowledge, to collect and analyse data, to derive supportable conclusions and to make practical, actionable and costed recommendations for change, improvement or enhancement of current practice. It will also enable learners to understand the nature and processes involved in business and management research in the context of their own research.

  • HRL714B International HRM

    The module will introduce students to International and Comparative HRM issues. After appraising the implications of globalisation for HRM and labour, students will learn how to compare HRM across Countries with the aid of cultural and institutional theories. HRM issues of Multinational companies will be addressed. Finally, the focus will shift to the arguments for and against international regulation of labour standards.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MA Human Resource Management 17 18 4331

UK/EU

A relevant degree with honours or an equivalent professional qualification. Other qualifications accompanied by substantial experience in an appropriate field may also be considered. Non-standard applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

International

Please view the country specific pages for further information regarding the equivalency of your degree. International applicants will be required to provide evidence of their English language ability, for example by achieving an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) or equivalent. Pre-sessional English language courses are available if you do not meet these requirements.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for postgraduate taught programmes. Tell me more about scholarships and bursaries.

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September, with some January starts also available. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full. 

Before you apply

• evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  
• evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  
• a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  
• your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  
• proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
  

Disability services

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website. 

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page).

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail.

If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced by downloading our Student Admissions Policy Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.