Key information
For:
starting September 2026
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Are you looking to start a global career in human resource management in this exciting, challenging and influential area of business? Our MSc Global Human Resource Management (HRM) Master's degree prepares graduates from any national background for success in human resources (HR) and people management, anywhere in the world.
This course, tailored to the global environment, will develop your knowledge of HR and people management in an international context. You’ll study alongside students from a range of nationalities and cultures and have the opportunity to network with professionals as you learn about the globalisation of business and its effect on the HR industry. This practical course considers the opportunities and challenges of human resource management and people management practice in a global setting.
As well as focussing on the employee lifecycle, ethical leadership, and essential problem solving, you'll also look at emerging areas such as AI-driven technologies and economic and political trends.
You'll graduate a confident and purposeful professional who can lead, influence and make a positive contribution to organisations and society. Combining academic study with authentic professional practice, the course will equip you with the advanced knowledge, strategic insight and practical capabilities needed to succeed in managing people across borders, and handling cross-cultural issues in international human resources. These skills are in demand in the HR industry and beyond; you'll be ready to advance your career in business development, recruitment, or training and development. The course also supports lifelong learning as you build the skills and confidence to continue developing professionally throughout your career.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be eligible for internationally recognised associate Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) membership which demonstrates your commitment to the highest standards of the profession, as well as being equipped with the knowledge and skills to start a career as an HR practitioner or as a people manager in a global environment.
Course highlights
- Compare human resource practices across different regions of the world
- Gain expertise in issues around ethics and sustainability in a global context and its impact on the world of work
- Topical modules to keep you abreast of emerging and relevant trends
- Learn from experienced lecturers and practitioners from international human resource backgrounds
- Practically develop your professional and managerial skills
- Consider the theory and practice of HRM in the global business environment
- Eligibility for associate CIPD membership once you graduate
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). On successful completion providing students are in active CIPD membership students will automatically gain Associate membership of the CIPD. They will also gain the eligibility to potentially upgrade their membership to Chartered depending on their experience.
The University of Portsmouth has earned business accreditation from the AACSB in recognition of the outstanding quality of its business and management education. Less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation.
Portsmouth Business School is proud to hold the Small Business Charter (SBC) accreditation, awarded by the Chartered Association of Business Schools. This is awarded in recognition of our strong industry links and support for small businesses including providing students with entrepreneurship education and start up guidance.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
September 2026 / January 2027 start
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, view the equivalent entry requirements we accept for your country.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English-speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English-speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English-speaking countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2026 / January 2027 start)
Please note, we'll confirm 2026 course fees soon.
Please note, we'll confirm 2026 course fees soon.
If you're an EU student you may be eligible to receive our EU Scholarship.
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Modules
Modules
In this module you will explore how work and employment relationships are regulated, experienced, and challenged across different national and international contexts. You will examine how employment policies and practices vary between countries while addressing issues that transcend national borders.
The module focuses on the factors that shape employment systems and workplace relationships within diverse economic, political, and cultural settings. Key themes include worker representation, labour movements, trade unions, collective bargaining, and labour conflict. You will critically assess the role these institutions and processes play in influencing employment outcomes for both workers and employers.
The module also investigates contemporary developments and challenges affecting employment relations across regions and sectors. By engaging with global issues, you will enhance your analytical, critical thinking, and evaluative skills while developing a broader appreciation of the complexities, opportunities, and challenges of employment relations in an increasingly interconnected world.
Through reflective practice and self-awareness activities, you will explore your strengths, working preferences, interpersonal style, and professional development needs.
You'll develop your ability to communicate effectively in a range of professional contexts, build productive relationships across diverse teams, and demonstrate resilience and adaptability in dynamic environments.
You'll learn how people management contributes to organisational performance and sustainability by interpreting financial information, business data and HR data to support decision-making, and make evidence-based recommendations.
You'll enhance your leadership capability using classical and contemporary leadership theories, and explore inclusive, ethical, and authentic leadership practices.
By the end of the module, you'll be better equipped to lead effectively, make informed decisions, and contribute positively to organisational success.
The module will cover the employee lifecycle, from workforce planning, recruitment, and onboarding to learning and development, performance management, employee engagement, career progression, retention, and employee exit.
A particular focus is placed on how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are transforming people management practices, including recruitment, talent management, reward, employee relations, and organisational learning.
You'll also examine contemporary workplace issues such as motivation, wellbeing, engagement, and the management of a multigenerational workforce.
Throughout the module, you'll develop an understanding of the importance of fairness, dignity, ethical practice, and legal compliance in creating positive employment relationships. A key focus is the strategic importance of diversity and inclusion. You'll explore topics such as LGBTQIA+ inclusion, neurodiversity, disability, and cultural diversity, developing an understanding of how inclusive practices contribute to employee wellbeing and organisational success.
In this module you'll examine how organisational, commercial, and external influences affect business strategy and workforce decisions.
You'll investigate emerging forms of work, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Industry 5.0, and consider their impact on jobs, organisations, and future skills needs.
The module also explores the opportunities and challenges of managing a multi-generational workforce and how demographic change can create organisational value.
You will develop analytical and strategic decision-making skills using key business and HR frameworks, including: PESTLE Analysis (examining Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental influences), SWOT Analysis (identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), Porter's Five Forces (analysing industry competitiveness).
In addition, you will examine change management and organisational transformation.
Finally, you will explore sustainability, ethics, governance, and corporate social responsibility, considering how organisations balance business performance with social and environmental responsibilities.
In this module you'll explore how historical trends, contemporary developments, and future challenges influence organisations, workforces, and employment practices across different countries and regions.
You'll examine the impact of geopolitical and economic factors, such as trade agreements, tariffs, and regulatory change, on organisations and labour markets.
The module will also help you understand the changing nature of the global workforce, including demographic shifts, migration and skills shortages.
A key focus will be developing your understanding of cultural diversity using contemporary cultural frameworks. You will critically evaluate how factors such as nationalism, xenophobia, and cross-cultural differences influence workplace practices and employee experiences.
Through the study of comparative people management, global leadership, and international HRM practices, including expatriate management and global talent mobility, you will gain valuable insights into managing people effectively in an interconnected global environment.
You may choose to focus on a challenge within your own organisation, a partner organisation, or an area of personal and professional interest. Through this project, you will be expected to integrate academic knowledge with real-world practice, demonstrating your ability to analyse a complex people-related issue, develop evidence-based insights, and propose realistic and contextually appropriate solutions.
Working independently at master's level, you will identify a strategic HRM problem, justify its importance and relevance to organisational performance, and design a methodologically sound approach to investigate it. You will apply rigorous research and analytical skills, drawing on academic literature, organisational data (where appropriate), and professional practice evidence to develop meaningful conclusions and recommendations.
Your completed project will demonstrate your ability to conduct independent, practice-focused research and will showcase your readiness to undertake future research and professional enquiry. It will also contribute to the development of HRM knowledge by linking theory and practice, while providing tangible value to an organisation through well-reasoned, evidence-based proposals for improvement or change.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time study)
Typically, you can expect:
- to attend in-person seminars and classroom teaching to encourage active participation and meaningful discussion
- to attend 2 days of classes per week
Hours of independent study, Course Leader to advise
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Assessment
- essays
- reports
- presentations
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. This includes group discussions, peer review activities, and virtual seminars.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Term dates
Career development
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
Once you complete this Master's in Global Human Resource Management, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge, to operate successfully in a global environment.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). On successful completion of course you will be entitled to apply for Associate membership of the CIPD.
Graduates could go on to be:
- HR Business Partner
- Learning and Development Specialist
- Recruitment Consultancy
- Pay and Benefits Specialist
- HR Consultant
- HR Manager
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, our Disability Advice team will give you help, support and advice.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from Student Wellbeing, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to:
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Start this course in September 2026
Start this course in January 2027
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2025, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.