MSc Human Resource Management

This programme aims to develop your expertise in the field of Human Resource Management and allows you to gain professional accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD). You will be provided with a strong basis of theoretical and practical learning, and be encouraged to develop the critical thinking skills and strategic orientation that underpins excellence in the HR profession. Taught by a team of world-class researchers and experienced practitioners, the course is designed to provide you with a high standard of knowledge and understanding of the current trends, opportunities and challenges facing HRM practitioners and researchers within the global context. You will have the opportunity to engage with experienced HR and organisational leaders, apply learning to the real-world context and develop the practical skills for working in an HR environment.

The programme’s mixture of disciplinary rigour, academic expertise and applied focus equips you for work in a wide range of positions across the human resource management field. From whatever your starting point, you will be well-positioned to advance your career with the potential to gain employment and promotion in the HR-related field. Depending on experience, you can secure employment in a range of roles starting from an HR Admin/Officer role to roles that are more senior such as an HR analyst, HR Advisor, HR Generalist, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, HR and Culture Advisor/ Manager. You can choose to pursue HR specialist roles such as Recruitment/ Talent Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Learning and Development Advisor/ Manager, Reward and Benefits Advisor/ Manager, Project Manager, HR Performance and Data Analyst, Career Advisor as well as positions in consultancy, trade unions and academic and policy research across all sectors.

The programme delivers a suite of modules that explore and critically assess relevant and contemporary HRM-related theories, research and HRM practice (see course modules). You will also have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation that involves the investigation and analysis of an HRM-related issue and provides you with an opportunity for an applied and in-depth study of organisations and the management of work. You can be assured that our MSc HRM course is at the forefront of research-led, practical and theoretically informed education.

Human Resource Management Highlights

Professional Accreditations

• The programme is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The programme provides the necessary knowledge and understanding to be awarded professional membership of the CIPD at the Associate level. *Professional membership fees to CIPD are an optional and additional cost on top of the programme fees (see below).

Career Development

• The MSc HRM will provide you with the opportunity to participate in career management sessions delivered by careers advisors and leading HR professionals in the field. These sessions will enable you to consider your career goals and plan for how to achieve them. The programme also includes further opportunities for students to develop employability skills and professional networks throughout the year. For example, in the past, our students have benefited from company visits that give insight into the work of a busy HR department, and employability sessions focused on the HR professional’s online presence and use of LinkedIn.

Student Experience

• Students will have the opportunity to participate in our HR Future Insights Series which seeks to enhance students' learning experience by providing them with exposure to senior professionals in human resource management and related business communities. This series focuses on current and future trends and issues in HR and may include, for example, sessions on HR analytics, talent management, the future of work, and conflict management and negotiation.
• The MSc HRM programme is taught in a blended learning environment incorporating both online and face-to-face teaching. You will be based at the Riddell Hall campus in South Belfast, which has dedicated facilities and resources for postgraduate students, including a postgraduate common room, group work ‘pods’ and a computer suite.

The MSc programme prepares students for a range of HR-related roles in management and research. From whatever your starting point, you will be well-positioned to advance your career with the potential to gain employment and promotion in the HR-related field. Depending on experience, you can secure employment in a range of roles starting from an HR Admin/Officer role to roles that are more senior such as an HR analyst, HR Advisor, HR Generalist, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, HR and Culture

Advisor/ Manager. You can choose to pursue HR specialist roles such as Recruitment/ Talent Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Learning and Development Advisor/ Manager, Reward and Benefits Advisor/ Manager, Project Manager, HR Performance and Data Analyst, Career Advisor as well as positions in consultancy, trade unions and academic and policy research across all sectors.

Recent graduates of the programme have gained employment in a range of organisations from various sectors, including First Derivatives, Moy Park Group, Power NI, Zurich Insurance, Energia, Inspire Well Being, Health and Social Care NI/ NHS, Baker McKenzie, Allen and Overy, Fin Tru, A&L Goodbody, Crane Co., Finnebrogue and many others.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus, Graduate Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes, alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

This course is offered on both a full time and part-time basis. The programme consists of the following eight taught modules (each worth 15 CATS) and a final dissertation/ consultancy project (worth 60 CATS).

Semester 1

• Human Resource Management in Context (Part-time Year 1)
• Human Resource Management Theory and Strategy (Part-time Year 1)
• Performance and Reward Management (Part-time Year 2)
• HRM Analytics (Part-time year 2)

Semester 2

• Resourcing and Talent Management (Part-time Year 1)
• Managing Employment Relations (Part-time Year 1)
• Research Methods for Business (Part-time Year 2)
• Human Capital Development (Part-time Year 2)

Summer Semester

Final Dissertation; or Consultancy Based Report (Part-time Year 2) *

*The dissertation normally involves the investigation and analysis of an HRM-related issue within organisations and provides you with an opportunity for an applied and in-depth study of organisations and the management of work. A Consultancy Project involves working with a client organisation to make recommendations for solving a pre-set consulting problem, challenge or issue in the field of HR.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Throughout the programme, you will benefit from a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, skills workshops and masterclasses. Lectures are often interspersed with discussion, group exercises and case studies, which allow you to engage with theories and concepts and reflect on their application in practice. You will have opportunities to make presentations and to work on a variety of group tasks, both assessed and non-assessed, improving your communication and leadership skills. You will have the opportunity to benefit from both face-to-face interactions with your lecturers and peers, as well as online learning using our state-of-the-art digital technologies, such as Canvas. You will benefit from the School’s wide-ranging industry networks and its links with the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute, also based at Riddel Hall.

Your learning will also benefit from the diversity of academic backgrounds, experiences and national cultures that make up the class. This creates an exciting and stimulating social and learning environment and is particularly beneficial for working in HRM given that diversity and inclusion are key priorities for the profession.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

The programme draws on a variety of assessment methods, involving both group and individual approaches, including written assignments (business report and essay-style), case study analysis, presentations, online presentations, simulations, self-reflection and self-assessment pieces. The programme will cumulate in the assessment of the dissertation or consultancy project.

Prizes and Awards

• Legal-Island sponsors an end of the year prize for the Best Overall MSc HRM student.