Human Resource Management

Available as a one year master's or a two year master's with professional practice.

Organisations thrive on the strength of their people. As a human resource professional, Human Resource Development (HRD) specialist, or people manager, you play an essential role. GCU's MSc Human Resource Management prepares you for the ethical, cultural, legal, operational and strategic aspects of human resource management and development - while giving you a global outlook and an understanding of responsible leadership. This way you'll be ready for success - and support the Common Good to make a positive impact.

This course is one of only a few in the UK to be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and aligned to the US Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) standards, ensuring the international relevance of your learning. It's available on a part-time and full-time basis, offering flexibility whether you are a career-focused professional or a recent graduate.

The curriculum brings together critical analysis of leading theories and trends in human resources with relevant industry practice from the real world. You'll develop skills that will be practical and valuable in a range of contemporary specialist and generalist HRM/People Manager roles.

• Develop your professional identity, behaviours and personal competencies as a manager, leader, HRM or HRD specialist to positively impact people and the organisations they work for
• Expand your expertise in niche and specialised topics in the people profession specifically aligned to CIPD and SHRM knowledge areas, including HRD, employment relations and talent management
• Develop your expertise to effectively manage people in a diverse national and international environment
• Study contemporary theory of human resource management and the people profession
• Apply theory to practice through case studies and investigative projects.

The MSc Human Resource Management course provides sessions on contemporary issues such as:

• The employee experience at work and wellbeing in the workplace
• Changes to UK employment legislation and the implications of recent case law
• People and data analytics for decision-making
• Leadership skills for the Common Good.

Full-time MSc HRM students will have an opportunity to apply for an optional Project Placement, allowing you to develop your career management competencies with formal and coordinated support provided by the programme team. When on placement, you'll work with an organisation to identify, diagnose and gain a deep understanding of an organisational HRM issue, developing consultancy skills for strategy, policy and practice improvement as part of your Master’s Research Project - an accomplishment that’s especially valuable to employers.

Part-time students will also have the opportunity to add value to their own work or organisation through their Master’s Research Project.

Please note, from January 2024 MSc Human Resource Management will also be available as a two-year master's, MSc Human Resource Management with Professional Practice. Both options are available below under study options. Find out more about studying a two-year master's here.

Business and management studies research

Two-thirds of GCU research impact for business and management studies courses were rated as outstanding or very considerable (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Find out more.

Your career

Our graduates are leaders and change-makers, successful and socially driven. They are competitive candidates for jobs in human resources in the UK and internationally. Recent graduates have enjoyed a high rate of success in a diverse range of sectors with companies such as Morgan Stanley, Marks and Spencer, NHS Scotland, ScottishPower and Sky BSB. Graduates of the part-time course have advanced their careers through internal and external promotion.

You will be challenged intellectually by a specialist staff with a background in a range of national and international organisations, including some well-known blue-chip giants. For a human resources professional, the insight you'll develop at GCU is essential.

Part-time study

HR professionals can fit this course around work by studying part-time over two to three years and will benefit from a fast-tracked route to chartered membership of the CIPD upon completion.

Study two modules per trimester, making it easy to balance study with your work commitments. You'll get support from the programme team and get guidance on academic writing.

This fully accredited course enhances your skills and knowledge, and is perfectly aligned with CIPD professional standards.