MSc Human Resource Management
Organisations thrive on the strength of their people. As a human resource, people manager, you play an essential role. GCU's MSc Human Resource Management prepares you for the ethical, cultural, legal, operational and strategic aspects of human resource management - while giving you a global outlook and an understanding of responsible leadership. This way you'll be ready for success - and support the common good to make a positive impact.
The programme is one of only several in the UK to be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and aligned to the US Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) standards. It's available on a part-time and full-time basis, offering flexibility for career-focused professionals and recent graduates alike.
The curriculum brings together critical analysis of leading theories and trends in human resources with relevant industry practice from the real world. You'll develop skills that will be practical and valuable in a range of contemporary specialist and generalist HRM/people manager roles.
- Expand your expertise of niche and specialised topics in HR
- Develop the expertise to effectively manage people in a diverse national and international environment
- Study contemporary theory of human resource management
- Apply theory to practice through case-studies and investigative projects
The MSc Human Resource Management course provides sessions on contemporary issues such as
- Remote working and work-life balance issues
- Dealing with furloughed workers
- Rights of zero-hours and temporary workers in the gig economy
Full-time students will also complete an industry placement in a human resources function. This work placement ties into a hands-on research project, so you can bring together everything you've learned through a Business Investigation Report (PG Diploma) or HRM Research Project (Masters) - an accomplishment that's especially valuable to employers.
Part-time students will also have the opportunity to add value to their own work or organisation through a Business Investigation Report (PG Diploma) or HRM Research Project (Masters).
Your career
Our graduates are leaders and change-makers, successful and socially driven. They are competitive candidates for jobs in human resources in the UK and internationally. Recent graduates have enjoyed a high rate of success in a diverse range of sectors with companies such as Morgan Stanley, Marks and Spencer, NHS Scotland , ScottishPower and Sky BSB. Graduates of the part-time programme have advanced their careers through internal and external promotion.
You will be intellectually challenged by a specialist staff with a background in a range of national and international organisations, including some well-known blue-chip giants. For a human resources professional, the insight you'll develop at GCU is essential.
Download the Programme Specification for a detailed breakdown of its structure, what you will learn and other useful information.
Study Options
- 2020/21
All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.
Typical entry requirements
Typical entry requirements: UK Honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in a people or business-centred subject.Non-standard entry is considered for applicants with CIPD certification and/or relevant experience.
Advanced entry is considered for modules previously achieved at postgraduate level from CIPD or a CIPD accredited institution.
English language
English language: Academic IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.0.
Please note: if you are from a majority English speaking country, you may not be required to provide further proof of your English Language proficiency.
Additional information
Other academic and vocational qualifications
Each application to GCU is considered on an individual basis. If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning scheme.
Advanced standing
Advanced standing operates where there is evidence of completion of a like for like module at postgraduate level either from the CIPD or a CIPD accredited institution. Precise regulations on transfer from another CIPD accredited programme or nationally assessed centre are prescribed by CIPD.
Students wishing to transfer into our programme are advised to contact the Membership and Studying CIPD Qualifications team on 0208 612 6208.
International pathways
Entry options for international applicants
If you are an international applicant and do not meet the academic requirements above you may be eligible for an International Graduate Diploma at INTO Glasgow. Based in our Glasgow campus, successful completion of an INTO course with the required grades provides you with a guaranteed conditional offer of a place on this degree.
Join GCU in September 2020
We are looking forward to welcoming you to what will be a great new academic year at GCU and we hope you choose this as your study destination. Your experience as an applicant and new student remains our priority. We will be doing everything we can to make sure you enjoy learning through our blended approach of online and face-to-face teaching and to give you as many opportunities to create new friendships and experience everything the GCU community has to offer you!
The health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff will continue to be our highest priority as rules around social distancing are eased. For more information on the things what you can expect from your first term at GCU, visit our Frequently Asked Questions pages or make an enquiry today.
The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?
Tuition fees 2020/21
Home: £6,000
RUK: £6,000
EU: £6,000
International: £13,500
Part-time and distance-learning tuition fees
View our part-time and distance-learning fee schedules
Fees are subject to change and published here for guidance only. Fees and refund policy.
As a student at the University, there are additional fees and costs which may or may not apply to you, but that you should be aware of.
CIPD fees
As part of the programme, students are required to take out student membership of the CIPD. As a new student, you will be charged CIPD admissions and annual subscription. Subscriptions are renewed on July 1 each year.
Scholarships
We provide high-quality education for a fair price; as the University for the Common Good, we are committed to offering accessible higher education for talented students by keeping our tuition fees low and providing a generous scholarship package of over £2 million per year.
Our course is distinguished by recognition from globally renowned HR professional bodies, the Charted Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).
A key feature of the full-time programme is the HR work placement. You'll be based in the HR function of an organisation in the public, private or third sector.
The placement is an integral part of the learning process and provides a valuable way of gaining some hands on experience and developing key skills in a real environment, which is valued by employers.
The placement is linked with the final project. Drawing on academic theory, you'll be directly involved in investigating a particular human resource management issue in practice. Along with developing your knowledge and analytical skills, the placement gives you a realistic view of organisations and the human resource challenges faced. The organisation you'll be working with also benefits from the findings and recommendations from your investigation.
The HRM programmes are delivered by a specialist staff with expertise and recognition both in academia and industry with background across a range of national and international organisations including some well known blue-chip giants across both public and private sector organisations.
Colleagues from across the Glasgow School for Business and Society contribute expertise in areas including Strategic Management, Finance and Law. In addition to the specialist teaching staff, we also bring industry experts into our classrooms and take our students out of the university and into workplaces to learn. You will experience case based learning and will have the opportunity for hosted project work. We aim to make your learning meaningful and relevant to the world of work.
In partnership with HM Forces, GCU has identified this programme is being particularly suited to military and ex-military men and women. Visit the HM Forces Careers Zone for more information on the services we provide.