University of Sunderland

Human Resource Management (CIPD Accredited)

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

This programme is  accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and aligned with the Society of Human Resource Management in the USA.

Many organisations claim, 'Our people are our most important asset' thus Human Resource Management (HRM) is vital to the effectiveness of organisations, wherever they are located. This programme helps you make a difference. It develops Masters-level expertise in Human Resource Management, and opens up many career opportunities.

The programme explores areas such as management and leadership, recruitment, selection, employee relations, learning and talent management and business leadership skills. By the end of the programme, you will have a high standard of knowledge and understanding of the current practical, intellectual and policy challenges relevant to Human Resource Management.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development have accredited the programme, and successful completion leads to associate membership.  Associate membership is the first level on the professional route to full Chartered status.  Associate membership is a professional ‘badge’ of competence that signals to employers, across all sectors, nationally and internationally that the individual is able to apply current HRM knowledge in a business context. The programme is also internationally aligned to the Society for Human Resource Management in the United States which adds international creditability to the MSc HRM programme.

You will frequently participate in problem-solving, role-playing, experiential learning and reflective analysis throughout the programme.

If you are combining working with your studies it will be possible for you to evaluate and analyse current organisational issues within many of the modules. For example, during the final stage of the Masters programme you will be asked to undertake a research project which could be directly related to HR issues faced in your current job role. So it could be an excellent opportunity to raise your profile and gain a thorough intellectual understanding of developments affecting your day-to-day work.

The Certificate stage of the programme will provide you with a broad range of knowledge and skills relating to the environment in which business operates and provide you will a solid foundation for the rest of the programme.

The Diploma stage will develop your knowledge skills and professional competence in the specialist areas of personnel and training, and introduce the elective programme in HRM. The Masters stage expects you to engage with a real ‘live’ project in order for you to develop your strategic business awareness and establish value-adding links between business and HRM policies.

The Masters stage involves teaching in one semester only, with the remaining time devoted to the research project and a full analysis of the methods, conclusions recommendations which subsequently emerge.

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Course Content

• Stage 1
  Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) 60 credits
• Developing Skills for Business Leadership
• Human Resource Management in Context
• Managing, Leading and Developing People
• Learning and Talent Development
  
  

Stage 2
Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) 60 credits

• Leadership and Management Development
• Resourcing and Talent Management
• Option one (must be chosen from: Employee Relations, Employment Law; Organisational Development and Change)
• Option two (Employee Relations; Employment Law; Organisational Development and Change; International HRM or Managing Diversity)

Availability of options may vary from year to year.

Stage 3
Masters (MSc) 60 credits

• Investigating a Business Issue from a Human Resource Management Perspective
• Human Resource Reflective Project

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Entry Requirements

We welcome applications from holders of a business honours degree at 2:2 or above, or equivalent in a business discipline from a recognised institution.

We also invite applications from people with relevant experience or professional qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.

Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may exceptionally be considered at the discretion of the Programme Leader.

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Fees and Finance

The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.

Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.

For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.

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Teaching and Assessment

Teaching is by means of lectures and workshops supported by module learning packs and provision of individual support and guidance from academic tutors.

There is continuous assessment at Certificate and Diploma stages through individual and group written assignments, research projects, presentations, case study analysis, portfolio building and time constraint activities.

Assessment at Masters level centres on the completion of a Management Research Report and a Human Resource Reflective Project.

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Career Opportunities

The final stage of the MSc HRM requires the students to engage with a real business issue.

They are expected to conduct a research project within a functioning organisation. 

This offers the students the opportunity to investigate and diagnose a ‘live’ people management and development issue or problem.

In order to achieve this, the students, must become familiar with the contemporary academic debates; have knowledge and understanding of various approaches to the collection, analysis and presentation of relevant data; a comprehension of the implications of the findings as well as the ability to formulate recommendations and a costed implementation plan.

We believe that this adds valuable skills to their academic development and increases their employability and enhances career opportunities. 

While undertaking the programme students will have exciting opportunities to work with the external business environment through projects such as the Blackswan.

Graduates from this programme have used their qualifications to develop very successful careers in Personnel and HRM; many are now working at a senior and strategic level. The career opportunities are extensive and varied, in both the public and private sectors.

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Supplemental Information

The certificate, diploma and master stages of the programme are designed to enable students to access the first stage of their professional route towards full Chartered membership of the CIPD, Associate membership. 

Participants on the programme are required to take up CIPD membership of the professional body and meet all of their assessment requirements as well as those of the University.

This course is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

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Facilities

World Class Web/Design Tools
The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.

Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 CS4 Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.

CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.

Further information is available from:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/

For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.

If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.

Please visit:

http://www.student-software.co.uk/

As a student of the Faculty of Business and Law, you will have access to some of the best learning support facilities in the higher education sector.

Our libraries provide computers, printing, photocopying, and inter-library loans. Sunderland also has an extensive electronic library collection, which means you can access much of the information you need online.

You will also benefit from access to over 300 computer workstations of the David Goldman Informatics Centre which offers the latest software packages - open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Related Courses

• Business Management (Top-Up)
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Business Management
• Human Resource Management (CIPD Accredited)
• Human Resource Management (CIPD Accredited)

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