(Full time / Part time) 2022 start
Human Resource Management MA
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
This cutting-edge course provides you with an in-depth, critical understanding of contemporary and historical debates in human resource management (HRM). It is designed for those who may want to pursue a career in HRM and includes essential skills for your professional development. It is also relevant to anyone interested more generally in the management of people in organisations.
You’ll gain essential knowledge to become a HR professional, covering advanced HRM concepts and topics including employment law, employment relations, gender and equality, training and development, and global perspectives on employment relations. There is a strong emphasis on applying this knowledge in practical business environments, with opportunities to work with HR practitioners and companies on case studies, live projects and challenges.
With an international focus, the course draws on the leading research of our teaching team and our Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC).
Accreditation
Our MA Human Resource Management is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the only HR institution in the world to recognise HR professionals through chartered membership.
Exemptions
<p>This course will allow you to satisfy the entry requirements for <a href="http://www.cipd.co.uk/membership/">associate CIPD membership</a> and <a href="http://www.cipd.co.uk/membership/professional/chartered-member.aspx">chartered CIPD membership</a> (if you have relevant work experience) if you take certain modules and complete an additional chapter in your dissertation. </p>Course content
Across the two taught semesters you’ll study core modules introducing you to the principles and concepts of HRM in different contexts. You’ll think about the economic labour market, social and cultural contexts of HRM and different patterns of people management.
At the same time, you’ll build an understanding of research methodologies to prepare you for your dissertation – an independent research project on a topic of your choice that you’ll submit by the end of the year.
Beyond this, you’ll choose optional modules that allow you to focus on your interests and career intentions. You could gain specialist knowledge in topics such as employment relations, training and development, employment law, occupational psychology, diversity management and many others.
If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.
CIPD Pathway
You can choose to enhance your studies by taking an additional professional pathway, which enables you to gain associate CIPD membership alongside your degree. You’ll take specific elements as part of your studies, and also have the opportunity to attend our optional HRM in Practice skills development sessions. Part of your regular timetable, these practical sessions are taught by professionals with first-hand experience of HRM in the workplace. You’ll gain insight into the challenges you’ll face as a practitioner, whilst learning the behaviours and skills needed to manage them. There’s also the opportunity to practise your skills in a supportive environment, working in small teams with support from an external HR practitioner.
If you choose to gain associate CIPD membership, your optional modules must include Employment Relations. The other options are your choice.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Human Resource Management Research Methods and Practice 15 credits
- Human Resource Management 30 credits
- Human Resource Management Dissertation 45 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Sustainable Futures: Climate Change, the Environment and Business 30 credits
- Occupational Psychology 30 credits
- Training and Development 30 credits
- Employment Law 30 credits
- Digitalization, Automation and the Future of Work 30 credits
- Organisation Analysis, Design and Development 30 credits
- Employment Relations 30 credits
- Global Perspectives on HRM and Employment Relations 30 credits
- International Employment Policy and Labour Mobility 30 credits
- People Analytics: Strategy and Practice 30 credits
- Gender and Equality at Work in Comparative Perspective 30 credits
- Diversity Management 30 credits
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars, workshops, online learning and tutorials.
Independent study is also vital for this course allowing you to prepare for taught classes and sharpen your own research and critical skills. Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your course and modules.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by various methods that allow you to build a broad base of skills, including reflective logs, exams, written assignments and essays, group and individual presentations and reports.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A Bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) usually in a social science subject. Applicants with a degree in another subject will also be considered.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Human Resource Management (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Human Resource Management (10 weeks).
We are now offering online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. To find out more, read Online Academic English pre-sessional (10 weeks) and Online Academic English pre-sessional (6 weeks).
Read about differences between our online and on-campus summer pre-sessionals.
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadline:
We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.
If you do not receive an offer in a particular round, you will either be notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or we will carry your application forward to be considered in the next round.
Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.
Documents and information you need
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
- Two academic references
- A personal statement
- An up-to-date CV
- Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
- A letter of sponsorship, if you need one.
* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2022
Fees
- UK: £13,250 (total)
- International: £25,250 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
If you choose to follow the CIPD Pathway and qualify as Associate member of the CIPD then you will be required to pay a one off joining fee and an annual subscription payment directly to the CIPD whilst you are studying at Leeds. Please visit the CIPD website for the most up-to-date CIPD fee information.
The University also offer CIPD Students an optional HR Practitioner Skills programme called the 'HRM in Practice Programme'. The fee for attendance at this programme is £250 and this is paid directly to the University. (Attendance at the HRM in Practice Programme is not compulsory for achieving CIPD Membership).
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
Leeds University Business School is offering more than 50 half fee Excellence Scholarships to UK and international students starting one of our Masters courses in 2022. These scholarships will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.
Read more about scholarships awarded by the Business School.
Read more about scholarships available across the University of Leeds.
Career opportunities
This course provides you with the academic knowledge and professional skills needed for a senior-level career in global human resource management. You will develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills and become a reflective HR professional. The course also offers opportunities if you want to progress to research studies.
Recent graduates are now working for a range of organisations, including blue-chip multinationals such as Canon, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems.
As part of the course there is also an opportunity to apply for the HRM Project where you will work closely with a business on a live HRM issue.
Careers support
Our dedicated Professional Development Tutor provides bespoke academic and careers support, helping you develop the skills to successfully progress through your course as well as the employability skills you need for your career.
You can expect guidance on career choices, identifying and applying for jobs, coaching on interpersonal skills and contact with professionals working in HR.
The University's Careers Centre provides help and advice, even after you graduate.
Read more about our careers and professional development support.