PgDip
Human Resource Management
Consolidate and build upon your HRM expertise
Course Overview
Why take this course?
This is a vocationally focused part-time course designed for the needs of HR practitioners who want to consolidate their skills and knowledge whilst building on their previous qualifications and experience.
It will provide you with the generalist grounding for the HR profession. However, you can choose to upgrade your qualification via our Master's degree which equips you to operate effectively at a strategic HR level.
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). On successful completion of the PgDip HRM, you will have gained all the knowledge indicators required for the CIPD postgraduate Level 7 Professional Map. You are then eligible to seek Associate Membership of the CIPD.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- business development and consultancy
- management
- recruitment
- personnel
- human resources
- training
This diploma was a firm choice for me as not only is it recognised by the CIPD, but it also offers a three month work placement and gaining practical experience was very important for me.
Hannah Miller, PgDip Human Resource Management student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 2 years part time
- Entry
An honours degree or equivalent and an appreciation of the HR function. Candidates with HR/Personnel experience and CIPD certification at level 3 or level 5 will be considered. Professional experience and/or equivalent qualification may be considered.
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 and Isle of Man part-time students: £2,500 p/a* (2 years)
International part-time students: £3,500 p/a* (2 years)
*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
We understand that in most cases, you will be trying to juggle full-time work alongside study. Therefore we aim for teaching to be delivered in the most convenient way possible with classes taking place in the afternoons and evenings.
Here are the units you will study over the two-year period:
- Leadership Skills and Management
- Resourcing, Learning and Talent Management
- Managing Human Resources and Employment Relationships in Context
- The Human Resource Practitioner and the Global Perspective
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 exam-based assessment. Here’s how we assess you:
- examinations
- essays
- portfolio
- presentations
- a 7,000-word report
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
Placements Office
Offering great placement opportunities
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 studies.
Support
Due to the work-based 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.
Placements Office
Take advantage of our Placements Office for help with all things placement related. Providing you with a huge portfolio of employers offering great business related placement opportunities, we are always on hand to advise and support you through the recruitment process and beyond.
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
Every well-known organisation you can think of has HR specialists. Whether it is a large commercial business, regional company or the public sector, HR professionals may be found in a variety of roles. It is not just about the day-to-day business of recruiting, training and managing good employees. A career in HR is increasingly focused on long-term business success.
Once you have successfully completed this course, you can then progress to the Master’s top-up which comprises a six day block study workshop followed by a dissertation. The choice of dissertation topic will determine whether a student will be considered for the award of MSc Human Resource Management or MSc Human Resource Development.
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.