Master in Human Resource Management

The Masters in Human Resource Management (MLitt) provides a comprehensive approach to the management of an organisation’s most valuable and valued assets – the people working there who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of its objectives.

The Masters in Human Resource Management is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Management.

Highlights

• Students are enabled to make an effective contribution as human resource specialists, taking account of the complexities within the discipline of human resource management.
• The programme is accredited through the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in the Masters Extra (MX) Programme, which includes guest lectures from eminent academics and business executives, specific sessions to enhance career development opportunities and a range of corporate visits.

Teaching format

The taught elements of the programmes are delivered through a mixture of core and option modules using a range of delivery methods, including lectures, small group tutorials, workshops and seminars. The average lecture size is 30 students, however, in some cases, there will be seminars of 15 to 18 students or larger lectures with up to 100 students, which would normally be augmented by small group tutorials.

Assessment comprises a combination of coursework and examinations. Over the summer months, students undertake a research project culminating in a written dissertation of 15,000 words. You will attend a weekly series of lectures and workshops focusing on research methods and other topics to help prepare you for the dissertation.

Accreditation

Students who successfully complete the programme's compulsory modules along with two optional modules in Managing People in Global Markets and Leadership in Organisations will receive accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. Typically, modules consist of three to five contact hours per week including lectures, seminars and tutorials. Assessment is either entirely by coursework, or through a combination of coursework and a two-hour end-of-semester examination.

Compulsory

• Contemporary Global Issues in Management: how various global trends will impact economies, organisations and the practice of management.
• Masterclasses in Human Resource Management: reviews a range of contemporary and critical issues relating to the practice, problematising and theorising about human resource management.
• Skills and Challenges for the HR Professional: explores ways in which to conceptualise HRM in organisations, and the ways in which context influences the practice of HR in different organisational and occupational settings.

and one of:

• Managing and Developing People: analyses the type of policies and practices necessary for mutual commitment and engagement between employee and employer.
• Managing Human Resources: reviews the key theoretical and practical aspects involved in managing human resources.

Optional

Students choose two optional modules, taking one in each semester.

• Alternative Investment
• Creative Marketing Communications
• Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
• Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity
• Ethics, Organisations and Management
• Financial Systems
• International Financial Management
• International Marketing
• Leadership in Organisations
• Managerial Decision-making
• Managing Natural Resources
• Managing People in Global Markets
• Marketing and Society
• Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs): Critical Perspective
• Risk Management
• Scenario Thinking and Strategy

Optional modules are subject to change each year, and some may only allow limited numbers of students.

Dissertation

Students attend lectures throughout Semesters 1 and 2 to prepare them for conducting the research portion of the dissertation. The dissertation is normally on a specific area of Human Resource Management, however, at the School of Management, you will have the freedom to develop a topic of your own, which is of interest to you and will contribute towards career development or further study goals.

Students are assigned a supervisor based on a research proposal submitted in the second semester. They will then research and write a 15,000-word dissertation over the summer to be submitted on a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for their Master's degree (MLitt), there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2019 entry.

Careers

Alumni from the Human Resource Management programme and more generally from other Masters programmes in the School of Management have secured employment in the fields of general management, marketing and brand management, accountancy, investment analysis, fund administration and other aspects of the financial services industry.

Graduates from the Masters in Human Resource Management have taken up roles in a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sector including:

• Citibank
• Lego
• Porsche Group
• Microsoft
• Bosch
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers Consultancy
• Clydesdale Bank
• Meritis

Masters Extra (MX)

The Masters Extra (MX) programme is designed specifically for taught masters students in the School of Management and focuses on careers as well as personal and professional development. This series of talks, workshops, networking opportunities and activities include guest lectures from leading academics and experienced managers. Participants earn a Certificate in Career Development through regular attendance.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Entry requirements

• A good 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in business, management or a related subject from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. The University also considers applicants who have majored in another subject but have a business or management minor. Applicants with business experience are welcome, and we will take work experience into account in the evaluation of applications.
• Students without a relevant background in business or management are advised to consider the Management MLitt programme.
• If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• English language proficiency.

The qualifications listed are indicative of minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• CV.
• personal statement explaining why you have chosen the programme, why this subject is important to you and why you have applied to study at the University of St Andrews in particular (500 words).
• two original signed academic references.
• academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).

Funding

International Scholarships Scheme

Scholarships for international students studying selected Masters courses in the School of Management.

Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

For women pursuing a business or business-related degree.

Recent Graduate Discount

The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.