Course overview

Once students have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (or equivalent), they can progress to the Master's top-up which comprises an intensive five day block release programme followed by a dissertation. The choice of dissertation topic will determine whether a student will be considered for the award of MSc Human Resource Development (MSc HRD) or MSc Human Resource Management (MSc HRM).

This programme is vocationally focused for those who wish to become or to develop further as a qualified professional working in human resource management. The Postgraduate Diploma provides students with the generalist grounding needed to operate as an HR professional, whilst the Master's equips course members to operate effectively at a strategic HR level. The University of Portsmouth is an Accredited Centre for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Find out more

For further information, please contact our Admissions Team (details below). We also hold regular postgraduate and part-time open evenings at which you can see our facilities, enjoy a guest lecture and meet the academics and current students over drinks and canapés. Applicants will be interested to know that each year Portsmouth Business School offers a number of scholarships for self-funding students.

Course content

MSc Human Resource Development or MSc Human Resource Management

The Master's is taught in an intensive five-day teaching block.

Proposal and Dissertation (60 M-Level credits)

You will 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

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. A combination of teaching methods is adopted. Students are expected to make an active contribution to class discussions, as well as make presentations through both team and individual effort. Assignment requirements are specific to each unit, but generally are associated with a piece of coursework and a time-constrained assessment.

Career prospects

In addition to developing knowledge and understanding of HR strategy and practice, skills development workshops are integrated into the course. Student-centred learning activities relating to both human resource and managerial related activities form the basis for the units, which enable the enhancement of a range of people management and HR specific skills. Reflections upon personal competence and competence development further equip students with the ability to make an active contribution to business performance.

Our programme helps to develop professional expertise within the HR field and enhance professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Facilities and features

As you would expect from a large and vibrant Business School, we offer modern facilities, a Virtual Learning Environment and support to help the busy working professional to manage the work/life and study balance. Above all you will find that our approach to learning is friendly, supportive and participative. You will attend lectures in the purpose-built Richmond Building, where an attractive Postgraduate Centre is located.

The University Library is only a short walk away. Open from 8am until midnight every day in term-time, it provides a variety of information to help with study and research. The library has also heavily invested in the purchase of electronic sources. There are over 10,000 electronic journals available, which can be accessed across campus, from home or wherever there is an internet connection.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Human Resource Development (Top-up) are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Portsmouth Business School
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8200
Email: pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk