MSc Human Resource Management

Key facts

  • Start date: September
  • Accreditation: Professional Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development at Associate Member, Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow level
  • Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time

Study with us

  • combine theory and practice in the study of organisations and the management of work
  • suitable for those preparing a career in HR
  • gain professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
  • one-year, full-time programme for those aiming to pursue a career in the field of human resource management
  • opportunity to undertake a project placement
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Why this course?

The MSc Human Resource Management is for those who aim to pursue a career in the field of human resource management. 

The aim of this course is to develop an advanced level of knowledge and understanding related to the human resource management function in organisations. 

Mixing theory and practice, this programme offers you the opportunity for in-depth study of organisations and the management of work. 

By the end of this programme, you'll have an understanding of, and be able to critically evaluate how organisational and HR strategies are shaped and developed in response to internal and external environmental factors. You will display a critical understanding of professional practice in human resource management, informed by an international outlook and strong social awareness. 

You'll have the opportunity to regularly engage with senior HR professionals through departmental and external networking opportunities. Throughout the course of your study there will be a number of guest lectures and tailored seminars delivered by leading HR and business managers, focusing on the practical challenges of managing people in organisations. Additionally, there will be opportunities to attend high profile conferences for HR professionals. 

The programme is delivered by the Department of Work, Employment & Organisation, winner of the HR Network Award 2018 for Outstanding Contribution to Scottish HR. The department is also home to the highly regarded Scottish Centre for Employment Research.

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner

What you'll study

You'll take a mix of core and elective classes. Core classes will address topics including understanding the business contexts facing HR Managers and the organisation of HR functions in response to internal and external business factors; current developments in employee relations in the UK; reward management; people resourcing issues; well-being; ethical practice and professionalism in HRM and critical engagement with emerging issues within HRM. 

These classes will help you to understand the significance of the management process within organisations; appreciate the importance of human resources in enabling an organisation to meet its corporate objectives; develop a detailed knowledge and understanding relating to the human resource management function and to understand the social, economic, legal, political and commercial environment in which human resource management takes place. 

Business Skills will help you develop and improve a range of definable skills that are pivotal to successful management practice and to effective leadership. The module also seeks to develop further more-specialised skills that are of particular significance to effective higher-level people management and provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.

Integrated dissertation and research report

During the second semester, you'll produce an integrated dissertation and research report (IDRR) based on analysing a human resource issue in an organisation. You're encouraged to use your own contacts to gain access to an organisation, although assistance will be given by the department to offer you opportunities to access an organisation. For the IDRR you're encouraged to complete an 8-10 week placement within an organisation to understand the HR function within the business and to work with the organisation to identify an HR issue they currently face in order to carry out research and analysis to address this issue. During semester 2, no classes are timetabled on Thursdays and Fridays to allow you to focus on your IDRR. 

Triple-accredited business school

Strathclyde Business School

Strathclyde Business School was founded in 1948 and is a pioneering, internationally renowned academic organisation with a reputation for research excellence.

One of four faculties forming the University of Strathclyde, SBS is a triple-accredited business school (AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA) and was the first business school in Scotland to achieve this accolade in 2004. The Business School is home to seven subject departments and a number of specialist centres, all of which collaborate to provide a dynamic, fully-rounded and varied programme of specialist and cross-disciplinary courses.

Strathclyde Business Network

As a postgraduate student at Strathclyde Business School, you may choose to join the Strathclyde Business Network, a student-led initiative that facilitates interaction with business and industry leaders.

The Network aims to foster knowledge sharing, facilitate discussion and enable networking opportunities with the very best business professional in industry. Every year the Network organises Glasgow Business Summit, which is the first-ever student-led business conference in Scotland and brings together students with leading businesses from across the UK.

Callum Courtney
My experience at Strathclyde has been phenomenal. I have loved every minute of the experience. The lecturers at Strathclyde Business School are experts in their field and this really comes across in the teaching.
Callum Courtney

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

The course allows you to work towards a professional level of membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). CIPD is the professional body for human resource and learning and development professionals. CIPD qualifications are valued by employers and are often a pre-requisite for HR roles. The MSc is an advanced level CIPD accredited programme aligned to the Profession Map standards and meets the educational requirements for Associate Member of CIPD (AssocCIPD). You're required to join the CIPD as a student member at the start of the course and renew your student membership during the academic year.

Accreditation

The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) stage of this programme is accredited as meeting the knowledge requirements for Professional Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) at Associate Member, Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow level. The Department of Work, Employment & Organisation is a CIPD accredited programme provider.

CIPD Approved Centre logo

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Course content

Business Skills

The module is primarily concerned with developing and improving a range of definable skills that are pivotal to successful management practice and to effective leadership. These include thinking and decision-making skills, the management of financial information, a range of team-working and interpersonal skills and others associated with developing personal effectiveness and credibility at work.

The module also seeks to develop further more-specialised skills that are of particular significance to effective higher-level people management and provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development. Finally, the module seeks to help learners make the most of their formal programmes of study with the inclusion of key postgraduate study skills and requires critical reflection on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint.

A variety of learning methods will be used in this module including lectures, group discussion, practical demonstration and role play, hands-on computer exercises and individual reading. Topics covered:

  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
  • Questioning Techniques
  • Negotiation Skills
  • Discipline and Grievance
  • Finance
  • Dealing with Difficult Situations
  • Coaching and Mentoring

Contemporary Employment Relations

The aim of this class is to provide a critical understanding of current developments in employee relations in the UK. It aims to provide a conceptual and theoretical understanding of the dynamics and the contours of the employment relationship. Particular attention will be focused on exploring the resilience of the traditional institutions and modes of employment regulation, as well as exploring current attempts to recast the dynamics of employee relations.

10 credits

Critical Issues in HRM

The aim of the module is to build upon core theories and strategic practices of HRM by examining emerging developments in people management, within complex and volatile global business environments.

10 credits

Employee Reward

This module examines the interdisciplinary nature of reward management in an organisational context, presenting different theoretical and philosophical approaches to pay determination (e.g. economic, psychological, legal, and political) in relation to contemporary trends in employment policy and employee relations.

Reward management strategies that consider relative value, individual and collective contribution and labour markets will be examined. Specific subjects covered within this module include: pay and reward strategies within private, public and third sector organisations; legal constraints in determining pay structures; job analysis techniques; pay differentials for disadvantaged groups; and non-monetary reward. International comparisons will be made available as appropriate.

Learning and development in this class is designed to appeal to a range of learning styles, and to integrate argument, action, and reflection. This means that the format of the learning periods combines lecturing, group work on case studies and discussion. A variety of teaching methods will be adopted including formal lectures, guest lectures, individual reading, and applied exercises including group presentations.

HRM in a Business Context

The aim of this module is to explore human resource management as both a strategic function and essential aspect of the management role, which creates value for both business organisations and stakeholders through the effective organisation of people and associated work systems. The module examines the business context and socio-economic drivers which shape corporate strategies and in turn, shape the strategic policies and practices of human resource management.

20 credits.

Leading, Managing and Developing People

The aim of the module is to build upon core theories and strategic practices discussed in Semester One HR916 HRM in a Business Context, by critically examining both HRM and HRD practices for building and managing productive, effective, and healthy workers.

This module will utilise a central two-hour lecture to disseminate core knowledge and generate class discussion. On-line learning materials provide links to case studies and tasks which will be discussed in additional 1-hour seminars designed to engage student reflection on the class material.

People Resourcing

The aim of this class is to help students to understand People Resourcing issues within organisations and related concepts in order that they can become thinking practitioners in the field. General knowledge-based objectives include developing knowledge and understanding of a number of issues facing practitioners within organisations who are responsible for ensuring that the organisation is effectively resourced with people.

The learning methods will combine elements of formal presentations, individual reading, group discussions, and class feedback sessions. Learning and development in this class is designed to appeal to a range of learning styles, and to integrate argument, action, and reflection. This means that the format of the learning periods combines lecturing, group work on case studies and discussion.

Research Methods

The aim of this class is to help students prepare for undertaking their Integrated Dissertation and Research Report. Sessions covered include research design, ethical consideration in research and analysing and presenting data.

Choose one:

Labour and Diversity in a Global Context

This module aims to explore causes and patterns of labour mobility in a global context. A key focus will be on the issue of diversity management within and between nation states in an era of more integrated markets and the practical implications these have for managers working in different political and economic contexts.

10 credits

Managing HR in multinationals

This module is primarily focused on human resource management within multinational companies providing a broad base to understand how companies address the challenges of managing globally. The module focuses on key challenges in staffing the multinational enterprise considering aspects such as recruitment and selection, training and development, reward management and performance management.

Intensive classes offered at the Business School’s Spring School

These are a selection of Strathclyde Business School classes that are on offer for the duration of Spring Break that students on the course can select to take.

Please note that classes may differ from year to year depending on what departments have on offer. Find out more about the Spring School here.

Learning & teaching

Core and elective classes will be taught across two semesters running from September to December and January to March. Classes will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, interactive sessions, practical demonstrations and role-play. You'll also benefit from guest lectures given by distinguished HR professionals, and a business skills development programme. The integrated dissertation and research report is undertaken during the summer months.

Assessment

Classes are assessed by various methods, including essays, individual and group projects and final exams. Exams will take place at the end of each semester in December and April/May. You'll also keep a CPD Record that describes all your important learning activities and experiences during the course. Submission of a satisfactory CPD Record is a requirement for completion of the course.

Chat to a student ambassador

Want to know more about what it’s like to be a Strathclyde Business School student at the University of Strathclyde? A selection of our current students are here to help!

Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you may have about their course experiences and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into life in Glasgow and Scotland.

Chat now!
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Entry requirements

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Academic requirements

Minimum second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent (view the entry requirements for your country), in a social science or business-related subject.

English language requirements

Students whose first language is not English must have a minimum of 6.5 IELTS score, with no individual score lower than 5.5. Get more information about the English language requirements for studying at Strathclyde.

Please note that achieving the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee acceptance on the course.

Pre-Masters preparation course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.

Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.

Please note: Previous Maths & English qualifications and your undergraduate degree must meet GTCS minimum entry requirements as well as the pre-Masters course and an interview will be conducted before an offer can be made.

Matthew Morrissey, MSc Human Resource Management student
Overall, the lectures on the course were very interesting, challenging and covered the whole spectrum of HR from classes on practical and business skills, to academic theories of HR, current HR research and even a lot of the criticisms of HR.
Matthew Morrissey
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Fees & funding

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.

All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.

Annual revision of fees

Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually. The University will take a range of factors into account, including, but not limited to, UK inflation, changes in delivery costs and changes in Scottish and/or UK Government funding. Changes in fees will be published on the University website in October each year for the following year of study and any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 10% per year.

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Scotland

£14,250

England, Wales & Northern Ireland

£14,250

Republic of Ireland

If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process.

International

£29,350

Additional costs

Graduation gown hire.

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Membership

PGDip/MSc Human Resource Management and International Human Resource Management is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and students wishing to achieve Associate Membership of CIPD on completion of the course are required to join as a student member during their studies.

This is not mandatory for passing the course but is required by CIPD to achieve membership update on passing the course. The cost for 2022/2023 is a £40 joining fee plus a £98 member fee (dependent on when you join in the year, CIPD offer different membership fee options).  Students pay the member fee when they start in September and when they renew their membership fee in July.

(information correct 26/04/2021)

International costs

International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.

Available scholarships

Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.

Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.

How can I fund my course?

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Scottish postgraduate students

Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

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Students coming from England

Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

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Students coming from Wales

Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

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Students coming from Northern Ireland

Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

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International students

We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

International students

We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.

Visit our international students' section

Faraz Laldin
I thoroughly enjoyed my course at Strathclyde and would highly recommend it especially for international students.
Faraz Laldin
MSc Human Resource Management
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Careers

As a CIPD provider for 70 years the Department has an extensive network of alumni in a range of senior HR roles in the private, public and voluntary sectors. More recently, graduates have accessed a range of jobs with a variety of organisations and recent graduate destinations and jobs have included: 

  • Corporate Behavioural Change Manager at The Scottish Government
  • HR Graduate at Anglian Home Improvements
  • People Advisor at Arnold Clark
  • HR Administrator at Stirling Council
  • Human Resource Executive at Clintec Pharmaceuticals
  • Assistant HR Business Partner at The Glenmorangie Company
  • HR Assistant at Skills Development Scotland
  • Doctoral Researcher at University of Strathclyde

Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.

Life in Glasgow
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Apply

For information and guidance on the application process, take a look at our How to Apply web page.

Start date: Sep 2025

Human Resource Management

MSc
full-time
Start date: Sep 2025

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Contact us

SBS Postgraduate Admissions

Telephone: +44 (0)141 553 6105 / +44 (0)141 553 6116

Email: sbs.admissions@strath.ac.uk

Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde
199 Cathedral Street
Glasgow
G4 0QU

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