

Mode of Study
Part-timeDuration
2 years part-timeStart date
September 2023Accredited
Yes
Overview
If you want to further your knowledge of human resources while continuing with your current job, our part-time PGDip Human Resource Management course is for you.
Designed specifically for HR practitioners, aspiring HR practitioners and managers who want to improve their understanding of people management in relation to their jobs. During your studies you'll gain the strategic knowledge and skills you need to further your HR career.
When you graduate from this course, you'll be prepared to work on the long-term business of recruiting, training and managing good employees, doing your part for the long-term success of your employer – and you'll also be perfectly-placed to take your studies even further, to Masters level.
To ensure the effectiveness of this course, we maintain close links with the regional HR community, the Portsmouth Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), local businesses and employers.
Find out more about this course, our facilities and generous scholarships by attending one of our regular open evenings where you can meet teaching staff and current students.
Professional accreditations
The course is accredited by the 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.
Entry requirements
PgDip Human Resource Management entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- A second class honours degree or equivalent in any academic subject and seeking to pursue / continue a HR career. Applicants with appropriate work experience and a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Level 3 or 5 qualifications will be considered.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't 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.
Selection process
- Applicants may be subject to interview.
What you'll experience
On this course you'll:
- Take part in skills development workshops, where you'll 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
Business and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
Careers and opportunities
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry.
Previous graduates have gone on to work in:
- recruitment
- management
- personnel
- human resources
Other graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level or set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
What you'll study
Each unit on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you'll need to study units worth a total of 60 credits. For example, 4 units worth 10 credits and 1 unit is worth 20 credits.
We are delighted to confirm that our courses commencing from September 2022 onwards will reflect the CIPD’s new L7 Chartered Membership knowledge and behavioural professional standards, reflecting contemporary issues and themes in Human Resource Management.
Modules
Core units in this year include:
- Professional Skills - 15 credits
- Resourcing and Talent Management - 15 credits
- Learning and Development - 15 credits
- Leadership and Change - 15 credits
Core units in this year include:
- Employment Relations - 15 credits
- Business Ethics and Sustainability - 15 credits
- Global HRM - Challenges and Debates - 15 credits
- HR Strategy and Context - 15 credits
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.
Work experience and career planning
To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.
We can help you identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and build your portfolio.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (2023 start)
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
- £3,800 per year (subject to annual increase)
EU students:
- £3,800 per year (including Transition Scholarship) – subject to annual increase)
International students:
- £5,970 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Teaching
Teaching on this course includes:
- Skills development workshops
- Web-based chat forums
How you'll spend your time
Over the duration of this two year course, classes will be held on a single afternoon or evening a week, during the teaching periods of September to December and January to April.
The rest of your time will be spent on independent learning, and online resources.
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- portfolio
- exams
- coursework
- business research report
- presentations
Apply
Apply for this course by completing our online form:
- September 2023 start (2 years)
How to apply
Please contact us to apply for this course.
International students
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply directly to us (above) or you can 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.
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.