MSc Human Resource Management with Advanced Practice

Course Overview

Level of study:	Postgraduate degree
Tuition Fees	Fees and Finances
Entry requirements:	A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent.
English language requirements:	IELTS 6.0 with no component less than 5.5, or equivalent Other English language tests are accepted, click here to find out more.
Mode of study:	Full-time
Duration:	21 Months
Assessment method:	Coursework
Student finance:	Available
Locations	London Birmingham
Start dates:	May, September, January (25)
Application deadline:	Next application deadline

About this course

Do you want to embark on a career in human resources?
Or are you in the HR world and want to progress into a more senior position?

This programme aims to provide you with a solid understanding of HRM while enhancing your personal capability, and equipping you with the specialised knowledge, skills and competencies needed to have a successful career in this field and join the next generation of HR leaders and managers.

The programme has been designed to benefit both those with prior HR experience and those new to the field, providing core foundational knowledge with specialised topics, making it accessible and relevant to those with diverse backgrounds. The modules on this course will explore topics such as resourcing and talent management, strategic human resource management (SHRM), research methods and problem-solving strategies, organisational development (OD), HR analytics, as well as equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

By the end of this programme, you will have a thorough understanding of HRM theories and practices, be equipped to tackle real-world HR challenges and propose strategic solutions and have the skills to effectively lead teams and manage organisational change. As well as this, you will be capable of conducting research and be able to utilise HR analytics for informed decision-making.

Be prepared for a career in HRM or to become a leader or manager by enhancing your knowledge, skills development, personal competencies and attributes at a professional level, or as preparation for further study.
Develop your ability to approach complex people management and development issues by applying a critical understanding of core and specialist knowledge to abstract and unpredictable working situations.
Enhance your personal development and professional learning, enabling you to make values-based decisions, carry out ethical practice and future-proof your impact in organisations and society

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), ensuring that our programme remains relevant to meet the evolving needs of the global workforce.

When joining the programme, the institution will register all the enrolled students with the CIPD. Registered students can then join the CIPD as a ‘Student Member’ by paying their own membership fees. On successful completion of this programme, the CIPD will upgrade the student membership to ‘Associate Membership’ status (AssocCIPD), thus recognising their experience and enhancing their employability in the HR profession. Please note, students are responsible for paying the Associate Membership Fees.

Advanced Practice

If you choose to complete the Advanced Practice element of this programme, it takes place after you have studied the taught modules at the Masters stage. This will enable you to undertake a 12 week long internship, or applied consulting project, working with a real organisation on a live organisational/management issue.

This gives you the opportunity to gain experience of the workplace environment and/or practical experience of the “real world” issues faced by those currently engaged in human resource management. The Advance Practice stage module provides an excellent way to put your learning into practice and hence, enhance your employability. It also provides you with an enhanced knowledge of HR in the workplace, to assist you as you progress to your Dissertation.

Please note if you undertake an internship this maybe paid or unpaid.

Course Duration

On successful completion of each stage of this programme of study, the duration will be 21 months, according to the following specific intake schedule:

September Start

Sept-Jan	Jan-May	May-Sept	Sept-Jan	Jan-May
Year 1	Year 2
Semester 1 Masters stage	Semester 2 Masters stage	Summer Break	Semester 3 Advanced Practice stage	Semester 4 Masters stage

Sept-Jan

Jan-May

May-Sept

Sept-Jan

Jan-May

Year 1

Year 2

Semester 1

Masters stage

Semester 2

Masters stage

Summer Break

Semester 3

Advanced Practice stage

Semester 4

Masters stage

January Start

Jan-May	May-Sept	Sept-Jan	Jan-May	May-Sept
Year 1	Year 2
Semester 1 Masters stage	Semester 2 Masters stage	Autumn Break	Semester 3 Advanced Practice stage	Semester 4 Masters stage

Jan-May

May-Sept

Sept-Jan

Jan-May

May-Sept

Year 1

Year 2

Semester 1

Masters stage

Semester 2

Masters stage

Autumn Break

Semester 3

Advanced Practice stage

Semester 4

Masters stage

May Start

May-Sept	Sept-Jan	Jan-May	May-Sept	Sept-Jan
Year 1	Year 2
Semester 1 Masters stage	Semester 2 Masters stage	Spring Break	Semester 3 Advanced Practice stage	Semester 4 Masters stage

May-Sept

Sept-Jan

Jan-May

May-Sept

Sept-Jan

Year 1

Year 2

Semester 1

Masters stage

Semester 2

Masters stage

Spring Break

Semester 3

Advanced Practice stage

Semester 4

Masters stage

Teaching methods

You will be taught using a wide variety of teaching methods across the modules including lectures, seminars and tutorials. Typically, you will have 12 hours of contact time per week.
In addition to your time in class, you will also be expected to engage in approximately 38 hours of self-study time per week.
You will have access to Blackboard, our online learning environment, where you can access module resources and reading lists that will assist your preparation for classes and self-study.
You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers and academics who will bring practical business-related experience into the classroom to enable students to understand how business works in the real world.

Assessment

Each module is assessed by coursework, including a variety of written work and presentations.

Careers and postgraduate opportunities

This programme is designed to facilitate students career development, providing them with the essential key skills required for a successful career in the area of Human Resource Management. Potential careers include but are not limited to:

Recruitment Consultant
HR Advisor
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Recruitment Manager
People Consultant
Employee Relations Specialist
Organisational Development Consultant
Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Modules

All modules are core and 15 credits unless specified.

Organisational Behaviour & HRM

In this module, you’ll gain an understanding of individual and team behaviours; the role of management and leadership in the performance equation and learn about the crucial link between HR practice and successful organisational outcomes.

You will utilise the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) Profession Map as a tool for personal and organisational development.

HRM in context

The main aim of this module is for students to examine and understand the key contexts in which organisations operate and their effects on HRM.

Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the role of Human Resource Business Partners (HRBPs) will be examined along with major trends that impact business & HRM, including subjects such as:

Organisations
Political economy
Legal framework
Social relationships
Technological framework
Strategic framework
Ethical framework

Resourcing and Talent Management

On this module, you will develop a comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of the strategic importance of resourcing and talent management. You will also learn the impact of the changing business environment at the local, national and global levels, on resourcing and talent management strategy and practice.

You will be able to evaluate recruitment, selection, induction and retention processes, comparing ways in which organisations build and maintain positive reputations in key labour markets.

Existing resources and talent management processes will be explored, and you will propose cost-effective improvements that use people data and technology.

Management Research for HR Practice

This module seeks to expose students of human resources to the range of research methods and problem-solving strategies available in investigating a human resource management issue of strategic relevance. This includes an awareness of both the strengths and weaknesses in their research design and a critical appreciation of other research and problem-solving sources from which they will draw upon.

By the end of this module, you will have an insight and appreciation of how to lead and manage a research project effectively to achieve key results within set constraints.

Managing and Leading People

The aim of this module is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the major issues related to effective organisational design and the management and leadership of Organisation Development (OD). You will explore evolving thinking of the principles of organisational design, and the dimensions of an organisation structure.

By the end of this module, you will have a strong understanding of the key stages in implementing a change programme and more specifically the role of the HRM professional in the OD and change process.

HR Analytics

This module is designed to deepen your understanding of the value of HR analytics, learn how to identify, gather, analyse and present data, be able to have meaningful conversations with stakeholders, and design measures and develop insights that improve working lives and inform strategic decision-making in their organisations.

This module assists students in applying a structured approach to gathering and utilising data, in nurturing a critical outlook on people problems and the ways in which they can be solved via analytic skills.

As a result, you will be introduced to datasets, quantitative techniques and the types of measurements used in HRM

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace

On this module, you will develop their understanding of the key developments in the theory and practice of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion issues, both within and beyond the immediate organisational context.

You will explore the changing social, economic, political, and cultural context of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and develop the student’s understanding of the theoretical and conceptual debates underpinning the different approaches that organisations can take.

This module will enable you to analyse the role of HRM policy and practice in shaping the experience and management of EDI in the workplace, the legislative and regulatory compliance that influences this and the discretionary EDI effort made within organisations.

Employee Relations & Engagement

This module will enable you to examine the strategies, policies, procedures and structures that organisations adopt in relating to the people it employs and their representatives.

You will critically evaluate different perspectives on employment relations and the cooperation and conflict that varies between workplaces, including employer strategies towards trade unions and their fitness for purpose.

On this module, you will also analyse the role of collective bargaining and negotiation strategies, and review the advantages and disadvantages of arbitration, conciliation and mediation and your role in the resolution of work disagreements.

Dissertation (60 credits)

This module provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to investigate a live, complex business issue from an HRM perspective.

For this, you will collect and analyse data in order to derive supportable conclusions and make sustainable and actionable recommendations for change, improvement or enhancement of current practice.

The module seeks to develop your subject and professional knowledge, conceptual and analytical abilities, and to prepare you for further potential research studies.

Applied Consulting Project (optional)

The Applied Consulting Project will enable you to further develop their skills in international business, management, people management and/or marketing, by undertaking a strategic analysis of a “live” organisational issue.

You will present your analysis, findings and recommendations in a professionally produced consulting project.

Using their knowledge from previous studies and relevant research, you will conduct effective assessments of relevant issues facing selected client organisations, the impact of these on business viability and/or project feasibility.

You will develop practical recommendations to assist the selected client companies in relation to business growth and development.

Internship & Professional Development Project (optional)

On this module, you will work with an organisation and apply the knowledge and skills you have learnt throughout the course to a “live’ organisational/management issue.

The internship is normally for a duration of 12 weeks and you will be able to use this experience to acquire and develop professional workplace skills to enhance your future career prospects.

You will complete a reflective professional development report and reviews of your internship experience will be completed by both the employer and academic supervisors.

The module aims to enhance your employability and ensure you are prepared for the workplace, building your confidence, analytical, evaluative and project management skills through further application of theory within a business environment.

The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2024/25. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.

Academic requirements

A 2:2 (second class) honours degree or equivalent from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard
Or an equivalent standard (normally 50% in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma) or an approved alternative qualification.

For country-specific entry requirements, please visit the entry requirements page.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications meet the entry requirements, please contact us and one of our team will contact you to discuss your options.

English language requirements

Applicants must satisfy our general entry requirements as well as meeting specific requirements.

You will need to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade 4 – previously grade C – or equivalent).

The general entry requirements are any of the following:

IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent

Tuition fees for 2024/25

UK/Home students: £10,250

International students:

London: £19,550
Birmingham: £18,000

Tuition fees for 2025/26

UK/Home students: £10,250

International students:

London: £20,050
Birmingham: £18,500

Please note: UK/Home students who are financing their studies through the postgraduate loan, you will be required to make a deposit payment of £250 at enrolment, this amount will be deducted from the total tuition fee. This does not apply to progressing students who are currently studying at the undergraduate level with us.

Please note that the fees outlined are for your tuition only and do not include the cost of any course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, accommodation etc. As an Ulster University Branch Campus student you will also have access to our on-campus libraries and a range of e-learning resources.

The modules you will study may require you to purchase additional course textbooks and you should be prepared to buy some additional texts, we recommend allowing an additional £300 for the duration of your course.

Information for international students

Ulster University is committed to providing the best possible experience to all our students. To ensure you secure your place with us, we require our international students to pay a deposit towards their fees. More information can be found here.

What does my tuition pay for?

Your teaching in class – this includes seminars, lectures and tutorials
Access to facilities including computers, Wi-Fi, printers, lockers, multi-faith rooms, quiet study space and social areas. To learn more about available facilities please visit our branch campus pages
Our library service – both on-campus and an extensive online catalogue of resources
Careers and Employability Service which provides help with CVs, applications and interview preparation through workshops, drop-ins and 1-2-1 appointments
The ACE Team (Academic Community of Excellence) who are here to support you with your studies and assignments
Students Activities Association (SAA) – who organise events on campus, discounted sightseeing trips and help students create and run societies

Scholarships and discounts

For self-funding students, we offer a range of scholarships and early payment fee discounts, you can find out more here.

How to find out more

To find out more about this course, we recommend that you complete our enquiry form and one of our team will contact you to discuss your options.

How to apply

UK and International students can apply directly to study the MSc Human Resource Management (Advanced Practice) via our online application form below.

APPLY FOR JANUARY 2025

You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your application.

	Daytime classes
Birmingham	Not Available
London	Not Available

APPLY FOR MAY 2025

You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your application.

	Daytime classes
Birmingham	Apply for May
London	Apply for May

Information for disabled applicants

At Ulster, we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.

If you’re not sure or have any questions about studying with us, please contact us and one of our team will be able to help.