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

January Start

May Start

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.

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.

APPLY FOR MAY 2025

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

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.