MSc
Human Resource Development (Top-up)
Learn to operate effectively at a strategic HR level
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Once you have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (or equivalent), you can progress to this Master’s top-up course.
Through intensive learning blocks and a self-chosen dissertation, you can become a highly competent HR practitioner with specialist skills to match your chosen career path.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Take part in skills development workshops where you will contribute to managerial and HR-based activities
- Participate in live web-based chat forums to discuss your work with lecturers and other students
- Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection
What opportunities might it lead to?
We are an Accredited Centre for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Following the PgDip which provides the generalist grounding needed to operate as an HR professional; this course equips you to operate effectively at a strategic HR level.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- business development and consultancy
- management
- recruitment
- personnel
- human resources
- training
As a human resources professional it is important to be affiliated to the CIPD to really get ahead, and I knew this Master’s would make me more employable in the long-term.
Kathryn Oliver, human resource management student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 6 months full time, 1 year part time
- Entry
A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants usually require graduate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a PgDip in Personnel Management or Human Resource Management.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in all individual components, or equivalent.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands/Isle of Man and International students
Full-time students: £2,500
Part-time students: £2,500
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8200 - Department
- Portsmouth Business School
Structure & Teaching
Depending on your mode of study, you will be taught in an intensive four-day teaching block in May, plus two days in June (for full-time students) or September (for part-time students).
You will also be allocated a supervisor who will help you plan, research and write a 15,000-word dissertation. Your dissertation subject choice will determine whether the final award is MSc Human Resource Development or MSc Human Resource Management.
Teaching and Assessment
We combine a variety of teaching methods and our learning approach is active, participative, reflective and student-centred. You will be encouraged to develop a strategic awareness and appreciate the role of the HR professional as a business partner.
How are you assessed?
Assessment differs from unit to unit, but all consist of varying forms of coursework alongside a time-constrained assessment. You will also complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Facilities & Features
Flexible Learning
Benefit from web, email or phone access to many of our facilities and services
Support
Tutors are available to support your studies via online tutorials, email and telephone conferencing
Academic Skills Unit (ASK)
Our workshops are designed to improve a number of essential academic skills
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including thousands of online ejournals
Flexible Learning
Although you may not be campus based, you will still benefit from web, email or phone access to many of our facilities and services. Our student website, LookUP, will be your one-stop shop for all news, information and links to other services, and 24/7 online access to the University Library’s vast electronic book, journal and database collections will help you find the right resources for your research.
Support
Due to the distance-learning nature of this course and the potential pressure of juggling your course alongside work life, we aim to provide you with as much support as possible. There are tutors available to support your studies via online tutorials, email and telephone conferencing. You will also be assigned a personal tutor who will offer support and guidance throughout your studies.
Academic Skills Unit (ASK)
The ASK unit will help you become a successful university student. Our workshops are designed to improve a number of essential academic skills from essay writing and understanding plagiarism to revision and exam techniques. This is a great way to refresh yourself on university study ensuring you perform to your full potential.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
On this course you will develop your knowledge and understanding of HR strategy and practice, as well as participate in several skills development workshops. Student-centred learning activities relating to both human resource and managerial related activities form the basis for the units, enabling you to enhance your people management and HR specific skills. Reflections upon personal competence and competence development further equip you with the ability to make an active contribution to business performance.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- benefits analyst
- human resource officer
- human resource systems manager
- personnel adviser
- recruitment consultant
- training and development coordinator
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.