Course overview

The full-time MSc Human Resource Management incorporates the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and commences in September. The choice of dissertation topic will determine whether you will be considered for the award of MSc Human Resource Management or MSc Human Resource Development.

This programme is an intensive, vocationally-focused qualification for those who wish to become or develop further as a qualified professional working in human resource management. The full-time MSc Human Resource Management provides you with the generalist grounding needed to operate effectively as an HR professional, as well as at a strategic HR level. The University of Portsmouth is an Accredited Centre for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). On successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, you will have gained all the knowledge indicators required for the CIPD postgraduate Level 7 Professional Map.

For students who prefer to study part-time, we also offer the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management over two years with the option for successful students to progress to the MSc Human Resource Management (Top-up).

Find out more

For further information, please contact our Admissions Team. 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

Full-time study normally means attendance up to five days per week including a period of work placement. The placement provides an opportunity for you to incorporate your coursework assessments related to some of the units studied and gain valuable work experience in HR. Our Placements Office will support you in maintaining and developing business contacts, advise you of vacancies and help you prepare for interviews and other selection methods. For more information, please see the HRM placements brochure.

PgD HRM Units (120 M-Level credits)

• 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

MSc Human Resource Management or MSc Human Resource Development

The Master's is taught in an intensive four-day teaching block in late May followed by a further two days in mid June.

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 Management or MSc Human Resource Development.

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 Management are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Human Resource and Marketing Management (HRMM)
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8200
Email: pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk

2013 Entry requirements

A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject and seeking to pursue/continue a HR career. Applicants with appropriate management or HR experience and a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) level 3 or 5 qualification will be considered.

2013 English language requirements

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in all individual components, or equivalent.