MSc Human Resource Management

Our MSc Human Resource Management course places responsible business, decent work and good people management at the forefront of teaching and research.

Championing responsible employment and ethical people management

Globalization means that effective and fair management of people is more vital than ever. Graduates will be engaged with critical thinking to, ideally, become more ethically aware and morally responsible managers, employees and citizens, equipped to promote good people management ideas and practices in workplaces and wider society.

Human Resource Management graduates are in high demand from a wide range of top employers for their specialist skills. Our ever-growing relationship with key employers in the sector will provide you with the opportunity to meet and network with leading national and global organisations.

You will begin your studies with a Human Resource Module (HRM) module that provides a foundation of the four core pillars of HRM function: resourcing organisations, developing organisations, the reward at work and employment relations. You can then explore a variety of other topics through innovative modules such as The Future of Work and Managing Equality and Diversity. Modules cover theory and practice with guest speakers and practical exercises, as well as research-led academic insights and perspectives.

Why study at Birmingham?

• The MSc HRM programme is distinctive in providing a critical understanding of people management and the employment relationship in a ‘big picture’ national and global comparative context.
• Birmingham Business School is home to one of the strongest research-led teaching groups of HRM, employment relations and organisation studies academics in the UK. It is also home to the Work Inclusivity Research Centre (WIRC).
• Birmingham Business School is part of an elite group of global business schools and holds Triple-Crown accreditation from leading bodies AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB.
• You can develop your understanding of business in a practical way, by working on real-time projects with top global companies through our Future Leaders Certificate.

Accredited by the CIPD

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR practitioners, the MSc HRM programme at University of Birmingham provides students with the opportunity to initially become CIPD student members, granting access to CIPD resources in addition to existing academic resources through the University.

Upon successful completion of the MSc HRM, students who have already signed up for CIPD student membership are upgraded to Associate Member (Assoc CIPD), a professional qualification which can be used after their name. This is equivalent to the CIPD Level 7 standard. This only applies to students who exit with the full award. Students with HR work experience at the required level at this point can apply for the higher-level Chartered member (Chartered MCIPD) membership.

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2023.

The following modules must be taken, each is worth 20 credits:

• Human Resource Development
• Human Resource Management and Ethics at Work
• International Perspectives on Employment Relations
• International Human Resource Management
• Managing Equality and Diversity

You must also choose one module from the following options:

• Leadership Development
• Managing Work and Organisation
• The Future of Work

During the year you will also undertake a Dissertation incorporating Research Methods (worth 60 credits)

Please note: The modules listed here for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event, we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Graduates will leave Birmingham perfectly placed to take up key HRM and employment relations positions. Employers have included: TotalEnergies, BP, Tiktok, Ramboll, Novartis, Randstad, Siemens, Deloitte, Honeywell, Shakespeare Martineau LLP and County & Local Councils.

Top jobs in this area

• HR Executive
• Talent Acquisition Specialist
• HR Business Partner
• Recruitment Partner
• P&O Business Partner
• Associate Recruiter
• Change Management Partner
• HR Manager
• Human Capital Senior Consultant
• Senior HR Generalist
• HR Learning Consultant