Name: Human Resource Management, MSc
Price: £9,450 per year GBP

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Attendance

Campus

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Duration

1 year

Start

September 2025

Delivery

In-person

Our MSc in Human Resource Management is ideal if you’re interested in how organisations get the best out of people and have little or no work experience since graduation.

Our course will give you enough knowledge and skill to build a career in an organisation that has significant people management dimensions within it. Your programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The CIPD is the professional body for HRM/HRD professionals in the UK, and further afield.

You’ll graduate with an MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM) and a Level 7 qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

So, in addition to enabling you to acquire knowledge about the field - from the social meaning of HRM to the different ways in which organisations shape the activities - your programme will enable you to develop key personal and professional skills which are of value to any career.

You’ll be encouraged to network with practitioners at events hosted by the Institute for Research into Work, Organisations and Employment (iROWE) along with CIPD local branches and National conferences organised by the CIPD.

Why study with us

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The CIPD is the professional body for HRM/HRD professionals in the UK, and further afield.
You’ll graduate with both an MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM) and a Level 7 qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
You’ll network with practitioners at events hosted by the Institute for Research into Work, Organisations and Employment (iROWE) along with CIPD local branches and National conferences organised by the CIPD.

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What you'll do

You’ll critically evaluate the principles and practices of Human Resource Management from an academic and organisational standpoint.
You’ll develop ideas and arguments, identify appropriate professional responses and apply key skills and knowledge, along with demonstrating your continuous professional development (CPD).
You'll showcase your knowledge through contemporary dynamic assessments. You'll also create and develop a global network across the HR community.

Modules

Modules HR4203 and HR4204 are subject to demand only.

This module will draw from the CIPD Profession Map in terms of knowledge, principles, and behaviours, as these set out standards that shape excellence in people professionals. You'll be expected to develop holistically through engagement with appropriate CIPD resources relevant to their role and/or professional interest. Key topics include: People Management Practice with links to Performance and Productivity, Strategic Thinking with Connections to the Internal and External Environment , Line Management and The HR Profession.

Module code: HR4201

The module will examine the contextual factors that shape the management of people in international organisations operating across national boundaries and cultures. It will critically assess national culture and the extent that it shapes and determines human resource management strategies, policies and practices, and critically examine the institutional influences and other actors/agencies that influence work and working lives

Module code: HR4205

The module draws upon the research interests of staff conducting projects related to Work, Employment and Organisations, centred around the thematic areas of research conducted by the Institute of Research into Work, Organisations and Employment. Lecturers and workshops will be orientated around themes relating to, Equality and work This theme explores the worker’s personal characteristics and circumstances and the impact they have upon their working life including recruitment, progression, retention and exit. this theme considers differing experiences of work dependent on factors such as a worker’s caring responsibilities, gender, occupation, employment status and interactions in-between.

Module code: HR4202

Please note this module is subject to availability, please discuss it with your course leader. This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the role of Human Resource Development within organisations by making links to corporate strategy, demonstrate that to achieve a competitive advantage, what differentiates one organisation from another is the people within the organisation and to encourage you to consider the aims of human resource development at a strategic level and from the differing perspectives of members of the employment relationship.

Module code: HR4203

Please note this module is subject to availability, please discuss it with your course leader. This module aims to critically explore and explain the role of human resource development (HRD) in developing the ‘human capital to enable agility, flexibility and sustainability, assess the factors that influence and shape it in practice and recognise the challenges for HRD professionals operating in a global context in today’s turbulent and complex business environment.

Module code: HR4204

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

This course is accredited by the CIPD, the professional body for Human Resources and people development. The course is mapped against their professional standards. We are an established CIPD accredited centre with a track record of delivering high-quality people management education. Upon graduation from this course, you will gain Associate Membership, with the opportunity to upgrade your status to gain further professional recognition.

Slide 1 of 2

When I was making the decision to pursue a career in Human Resources I wanted to set myself apart, undertaking the MSc in HRM I became an associate member of the CIPD. Not only did the course provide me the practitioner skills I needed to be a HR professional but also the theoretical skills to become an academic. The support offered by the tutors encouraged me to pursue my PhD, a journey I am excited to continue with UCLan.

Abigail Allen

Graduate, MSc Human Resource Management

The Library (Preston Campus)

Student Centre

Oasis Faith and Spirituality Centre

Students' Union Building

Academic expertise

Many of our staff have a wealth of HRM practitioner experience and considerable experience teaching and researching HRM.

The unique mix of academic staff teaching the course are all passionate about sharing their experiences and supporting students to become HRM professionals.

Penny Davis

Lecturer

Maxine Rawlings

Lecturer

David Opperman

Senior Lecturer

Future careers

Upon graduation you’ll receive the University’s MSc in Human Resource Management and will meet the CIPD’s skills and knowledge requirements once you have the necessary work experience for membership.

Entry requirements

BA Hons at 2.2 level or above.
Personal statement and Reference
Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme

Fees and funding

2024/25

Full-time£9,000 per year

Part-time£1,000 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£16,900 per year

2025/26

Full-time£9,450 per year

Part-time£1,050 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£17,900 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Carers Bursary
If you need extra support because you have unpaid caring responsibilities alongside your studies.
Find out more about Carers Bursary
Sports scholarships
We offer student athletes support and opportunities for their playing careers whilst they study a high-quality degree.
Find out more about Sports scholarships
Alumni Loyalty Discount
UK students with a previous award from us will receive 20% tuition fee discount.
Find out more about Alumni Loyalty Discount

Your MSc is made up of lectures, seminars, group tasks and activities, simulations and student presentations

In Semesters 1 and 2 you'll attend in-person classes. You will also spend further time on self and tutor directed study. The MSc is likely to take up as much of your time each week as would a full-time job.

You will be assessed through a variety of methods, the objective being to use the most appropriate method for the knowledge and/or skill/s being assessed. There will be essays, reports (sometimes based upon a case study analysis), presentations (sometimes in small teams, sometimes solo) and some unseen examinations.

You’ll also need to complete a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) during the MSc HRM programme. The final piece of assessed work that you complete is a 10,000-word dissertation.

We are an Accredited Centre for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), so we can award our own, internally assessed, MSc course. This means you’re exempt from the CIPD’s professional education route to membership. Upon graduation you’ll receive the University’s MSc in HRM and will also fulfil the CIPD’s skills and knowledge requirements once you have the relevant work experience to apply for membership.

On completion of your studies, you can continue your membership of CIPD and eventually gain chartered membership. You’ll be required to complete a behavioural assessment and provide evidence that you have gained the necessary work experience in HRM/D. The course leader can advise you further on the route to and benefits of CIPD membership. Full details of the CIPD.

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This course is delivered by the School of Business

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

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Human Resource Management

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Human Resource Management

Why study with us

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Year 1

Accreditations

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

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Academic expertise

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Carers Bursary

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