
Clare Allen
Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt & OB
Faculty of Business and Law
DiscoverLevel:
Postgraduate
Duration:
Full Time: 1 year
Part Time: 2 years
Starting:
September
UK Full Time Fees 24/25:
£8,250
UK Part Time Fees 24/25:
Year One: £2,760
Year Two: £5,520
International Fees 24/25:
£16,995
Location:
For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:
The aim of this masters in Human Resource Management is to develop you as an HR professional. You will be introduced to specialised knowledge and research evidence giving you an in depth understanding of successful people management in organisations. Perhaps more importantly, you will practice the tools and techniques of strategic and operational HRM giving you practical, insight-driven experience which will help further your career.
Human Resources can be an exciting, rewarding and challenging career that can take you anywhere in the world.
Accreditation: CIPD
Updated 23/11/2023
The Human Resource Management MA course modules are designed to provide you with expert knowledge of distinct HR subject areas combined with exposure to contemporary debates, policies and practices, keeping you at the forefront of developments in your field. You will develop an understanding of HRM within a range of organisational contexts, and you will be equipped with the analytical and diagnostic skills required of HR professionals in the workplace.
In today’s global, fast-moving business environment it is often people that determine organisational success. Human Resources Management (HRM) is a strategic, business-focused approach to managing people. With a masters in HR, you may go on to help organisations achieve success by providing knowledge, expertise and insight into a wide range of HRM activities from talent resourcing and selection, performance management, learning and development, change management and employee engagement
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.
Semester 1
Leading Managing and Developing People: You will analyse key factors in leading, managing and developing people for organisational success. Every organisation is made up of individuals whose behaviour, individually or collectively, will impact on its ability to succeed. Organisational performance can be enhanced and increased through the strategic management, leadership and development of people. This module enables you to gain an in-depth knowledge of HRM and HRD and explores major themes from the growing literature and research in this subject area.
Resourcing and Developing Talent: You will evaluate strategies for resourcing and developing talent within the organisation. You will consider the practical aspects of recruitment, selection, employee retention and dismissal and explore the strategic aspects of planning an organisation’s long and short term human resource requirements. This module requires analysis of external labour markets and considerations of flexibility, as well as an understanding of how internal labour markets can become more productive and effective. You will also develop a critical understanding of the role and influence of a range of contextual factors associated with the design, delivery and evaluation of learning and development in a variety of organisational contexts. You will explore and evaluate the contribution of learning and talent development strategies in meeting the ambitions and objectives of the organisation and the individual.
International and Comparative HRM: This module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding to critically appraise the international context of strategic HRM. You will explore the complex social, economics and organisational institutions within which organisations compete and the implications for people management.
Semester 2
Employment Law and Relations: You will develop and reflect upon your knowledge and understanding of Employment Relations from a number of different perspectives. The holistic significance of employment relations within an organisation is emphasised together with the importance of aligning HR policies with business strategy, change processes, employee voice and involvement practices. Good employee relations are important for an organisation’s success in the achievement of its business objectives and for gaining employee commitment to those objectives. Increasing legislation in this area has also brought pressure to develop appropriate managerial strategies to ensure employee commitment to organisational success. You will analyse key aspects of employment law relevant to the jurisdiction you work in and their practical implications for the operation of HR and management practice.
HRM in Context: You will explore HRM in a business context to develop your understanding of the increasingly complex environments HR must work within both inside and external to organisations. This module allows learners to develop analysis skills to facilitate informed choices on which strategies may be most and least appropriate.
Research Methods and Dissertation: In semesters 2 and 3 of your masters in HR, you will work on completing a 13,000-word dissertation. You will be supported through introductory class sessions on research methods and on-line materials and you will be allocated a supervisor who will guide and support you through this process.
To study MA Human Resources Management at UON you will normally need to hold a recognised First or Second Class Honours degree from a UK University (or an international equivalent) in human resource management, or in a business related, commerce, management or related degree discipline.
In addition to the academic requirements, it would be an advantage for applicants to have had experience of working in a HR or a business management role for at least a year. This is because the MA explores HRM as a core business function and familiarisation with the world of work is very helpful.
In exceptional cases, where you do not hold a recognised business, commerce or related qualification but offer a strong application and /or evidence (ideally 2 years +) of working in HR, you may be invited to an informal telephone interview with the Programme Leader to assess your suitability for entry to the course. This does not guarantee the offer of a place but allows us to manage your expectations of what you will study and to consider whether you can meet the challenges of studying HRM at an advanced level without prior academic experience.
For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
*Part-time year two fees may be subject to an inflationary increase in future years. Please note that the maximum period of study allowed for part-time courses is two years.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
You are required to join the CIPD as a student member (currently a one-off joining fee of £40 and membership fee of £141 for 18 months). Please see the CIPD website for further details.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
Our MA Human Resource Management Postgraduate Diploma is accredited by the CIPD and has been specifically designed to allow HR professionals to enhance their career options and progress into senior roles. Studying this course will give you an advantage with employers, who often look for employees that have professional qualifications and membership. As a HRM student you will become part of this professional body and on completion of the programme will be become an Associate Member CIPD with the potential to upgrade your status to Chartered Member CIPD.
Please note you will need to enrol as a CIPD student member and will need to remain a member throughout the duration of your masters in HR. The CIPD subscription fee is payable directly to CIPD and is not included in your course fee. For more information on the fees please refer to the CIPD website. Student membership of CIPD gives you access to top quality research, factsheets and other resources that will help you with your studies.
You will be encouraged to join, support and participate in local CIPD branch activities. These are the Northampton and Milton Keynes/Bedfordshire groups. Although you will, officially, be a member of only one CIPD group, you are welcome to attend any of the group meetings some of which will be delivered by Northants branch as part of the programme.
For more information on the local branch see the Northampton or Milton Keynes/Bedfordshire websites.
The learning and teaching style on the Human Resources Management masters at UON is designed to enable you to take responsibility for your own learning and skills development within a caring environment facilitated by high quality academic support from tutors. You will be introduced to the core course content through activities that can be taken in your own time, off campus. These activities will usually be facilitated through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment – a web-based portal where you will be able to participate in learning activities, online discussions, reading and reflection. During your sessions on campus, the emphasis will be on participative and interactive activities designed to develop your understanding through debate, discussion, role-play and participation in events such as guest speakers and a mock employment tribunal.
This HR masters course usually has a diverse student group which provides a rich basis for sharing different experiences and thinking on organisational and people issues. Peer networking is encouraged so you can maximise your learning from the different student experiences that are shared throughout the course.
The MA Human Resource Management course uses a carefully balanced combination of in-course assignments designed to enrich your learning which include business projects, practical HR activities, reflective activities, group work presentation and examinations. The 13,000 word Dissertation is a major component of this course and allows students to demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills and insight in their chosen topic area.
The MA HRM is offered on a full-time (one year) and part-time (two years) basis. Full-time students will take three modules in Semester 1 and three modules including Research Methods and Dissertation in Semesters 2 and 3.
Part-time students will take two modules in Semester 1 and one module in Semester 2 in their first year. In the second year you will take two modules in Semester 1 and one module in Semester 2. The Research Methods and Dissertation module will run over the whole of Year Two.
Most modules will require you to attend a two or three hour workshop per week or equivalent scheduled online activity. For full-time students, class sessions will normally be delivered over two afternoons/evenings each week. For part-time students, class sessions will normally be delivered one afternoon/evening per week.
To maximise chances of success on this course, we recommend students spend approximately 12 hours a week per module in self-directed study time to prepare for the sessions and complete your assignments.
We offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for students who have previously studied a full time undergraduate degree at the University of Northampton.
Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt & OB
Faculty of Business and Law
DiscoverA masters in HR opens the way for a career in HRM/HRD. The programme provides opportunities for you to develop enhanced, specialist, higher level knowledge, skills and leadership capabilities and equips you with enhanced career pathways in the HRM/HRD field within different organisational contexts.