Human Resource Management MSc

What makes Human Resource Management MSc at Worcester special?

With an optional 6-month internship, accreditation from the prestigious Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and membership/additional qualifications from the Chartered Management Institute*, this one-year full-time, specialist programme is designed to inspire you to lead and develop others, through effective management of resourcing, talent and change.

The CIPD is the professional body for HR and people development. Successful completion of this MSc is comparable to the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma standards - this is the highest level of qualification offered by CIPD. Completion of the course also entitle graduates to Associate Membership of CIPD, which, with HR work experience at the required level, can be upgraded to Chartered Membership.

This is a highly contemporary course, which brings you right up to date with latest emerging contexts, such as global shifts in economic power, climate change, employer branding, changing work patterns, and how to build an inclusive organisation that is rooted in both global diversity, best practices and intercultural competence. Your time at university is an important investment in your future career potential and ability to compete for the most desirable graduate jobs.

The employment prospects for Worcester graduates are excellent - 93% of our students are in work or further study within six months of graduation and we will work with you throughout your studies to prepare you for your future career.

*subject to payment of dual accreditation fee

Overview

Key features

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
Optional 6-month internship
Certificate in Strategic Management (CMI qualification) optionally awarded* upon successful completion of the course which will greatly impact your long-term career aspirations. You will also have access to Associate Membership of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
A multinational programme, typically attracting students from over 20 countries, enabling you to share your experience and build a global mindset

*subject to payment of dual accreditation fee

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Certificate in Strategic Management (a Chartered Management Institute qualification) optionally awarded upon successful completion of the programme, which will greatly impact your long term career aspirations. You will also have access to Associate Membership of the CMI.

What qualifications will you need?

Entry requirements

Either a first or second-class Honours Degree or equivalent.

The IELTS score for international applicants is 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component). Other English Language qualifications will be considered. Find out more about language requirements and support.

Please see our International pages for additional information.

Other information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk

Ever since I set foot on campus I received brain waves and continued to gather inspiration that would facilitate my aspiration to become a leading entrepreneur back home.

Anthony Olusegun Birch, Nigeria, Management & Human Resources MSc

What will you study?

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

Modules	Business Investigation & Discovery Coaching and Mentoring for Business Leaders Engaging the Diverse Workforce Leadership and Change Management Strategic Resourcing and Talent Management Strategy, Sustainability & the Global Economy Optional module. This may include: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Delivering Change Corporate Intelligence Project Alternatives Management Project (based upon 'client' brief) or Dissertation

Modules

Business Investigation & Discovery
Coaching and Mentoring for Business Leaders
Engaging the Diverse Workforce
Leadership and Change Management
Strategic Resourcing and Talent Management
Strategy, Sustainability & the Global Economy
Optional module. This may include:
- Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Delivering Change
- Corporate Intelligence

Project Alternatives

Management Project (based upon 'client' brief)
or
Dissertation

Study options

It is possible to study towards a Masters award (nine modules) or either of the interim awards:

Postgraduate Certificate
To gain a Postgraduate Certificate students must successfully complete three modules, which may be all taught or a combination of taught and individual study modules.

Postgraduate Diploma
After completing the Postgraduate Certificate, it is possible to complete a further three modules to achieve the award of Postgraduate Diploma.

How will you be taught?

Teaching approach

Typically lectures in Worcester Business School are two or three hours long. During this time, you will experience a range of learning activities intended to stimulate you and enable you to learn effectively.

Lectures usually begin with a classroom lesson that lasts around 45 minutes, introducing the underpinning concepts of a topic. You will be expected to participate here - by offering your opinion, by using an Electronic Voting System or by interrupting when you wish to challenge what the lecturer is suggesting.

After the introductory lecture you will often be split into small seminar groups during which you will work individually or with two or three other students on case studies which will enable you to explore the subject in greater depth. We believe that collaborative learning with your fellow students is very important.

Between lectures you will carry out further study - we adopt an 'open door' policy and you will be encouraged to seek the help of lecturers. Most class materials will be uploaded to Blackboard (our VLE) before sessions and these materials can be downloaded at University or from anywhere with an internet connection. Many modules have set up on-line discussion facilities to enable you to collaborate with other students between sessions.

Assessment

Assessments will involve both written coursework assignments and examinations in the key areas of management. The Masters award will require students to complete a supervised 10,000 word Dissertation.

A wide variety of assessment methods are used, including case studies, research projects, reports, presentations, business simulations and examinations.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Our postgraduate programmes are delivered by a diverse range of faculty. Our programme tutors are experts both in their subject matter and in the delivery of this in innovative and powerful ways.

Examples of our faculty include:

Dr Helen Watts

Helens expertise lies in Business Psychology; applying psychology to the workplace and to the marketplace. Helen has a PhD, focusing on customer retention in fitness clubs, combining consumer psychology, occupational psychology and sport and exercise psychology.

Helen is also experienced in a range of research methods, quantitative and qualitative and has engaged in Knowledge Transfer projects as well as commercial research projects in the private sector.

Dr Abdulmaten Taroun

Dr Taroun's teaching interests include Project Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management and Risk & Value Management

Dr Laila Kasem

Laila is interested in research that advances the theory as well as the practice of various organisations. Her research expertise lies in the internationalisation of firms and subsequent capability development.

She is also interested in migrant entrepreneurship and the relationship between migrant entrepreneurs and their customers.

Dr Catharine Ross

Catharine teaches subjects related to people management and ethics in the Business School. Catharine has a particular interest in teaching and research concerning diversity in the workplace. She is currently involved in research on trade unions; men in female-dominated occupations; and management learning.

Catharine is the diversity coordinator for the business school and also research degrees coordinator.

Dr Mike Bagshaw

Mike is an Organisational Psychologist and Management and Leadership Development professional with over 20 years of consultancy experience in the UK and abroad. He has worked with a wide range of organisations in both the private and public sector, helping them to overcome the more difficult people management, development and leadership issues.

An experienced one-to-one coach and mentor working with people who represent the critical intellectual capital for the future. Mike is also an experienced conference speaker both in the UK and abroad. He is a member of the British Psychological Society.

Dr Holly Andrews

Holly Andrews has been a lecturer with Worcester Business School since 2009. Holly is the Senior Personal Academic Tutor for the Business School, managing the personal academic tutors system. She also manages the core undergraduate personal development modules.

Where could it take you?

The MSc Human Resource Management prepares you for a successful career in areas such as personnel management, consultancy, recruitment and selection, training and development, reward management and human resource planning.

You may also wish to further your studies by undertaking a PhD in HRM related issues, under the supervision of our Centre for People @ Work.

Internship

Subject to permission by UK Visa and Immigration on application of your visa you can choose to take a 6 month internship, extending the 12 month Masters course to 18 months. Whilst an internship of your choice is not guaranteed the Business School will support you to be successful in finding a suitable internship to gain important experience within the UK workforce.

Students choosing to undertake the optional internship will have access to a placements preparation module and careers advice and support, which will assist you in preparation for interviews, CV writing, understanding assessment centres etc. Thereafter, you will be able to apply to spend your internship at an organisation of your choice, anywhere in the UK or abroad (once confirmed with the Placements Office). Students have taken internships in DHL, Daimler, Borwell, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service, ISOQS, Sight Concern, Southco, St Richards Hospice, and Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

WBS also have links with national companies through placement programmes such as Aldi, Asda, Atos, Bosch, CGI, Eaton, Eli Lilly, Enterprise Rent A Car, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Intel, Jaguar Land Rover, Lenova, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Mercedes, Microsoft, Napp, Porsche, Volkswagen, Volvo and Waitrose.

Transferable skills

Alongside your academic development, you will be able to develop your key transferable skills, including:

Project management and problem solving skills
Planning, analysis, organisation and implementation skills
Teamwork, leadership and personal efficiency
Communication skills
Practical experience of relevant commercial software
Development of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship

How much will it cost?

Tuition fees	Please consult our course fees page for full details of tuition fees.
Scholarships	International students (non EU) are eligible to apply for scholarships of up to £3,000. Find out more about bursaries and scholarships for international students.
Postgraduate loans	The Government will provide a loan of up to £10,609 per student for postgraduate Masters study. It will be at your own discretion whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs. For full details visit our postgraduate loans page.
Accommodation	Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience, and our welcoming student communities are great places to live and study. We have over 1,000 rooms across our halls of residence. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £105 per week to 'En-suite Extra' at £169 per week (2020/21 prices). For full details visit our accommodation page.

How do you apply?

Please note that this course may be withdrawn if insufficient student numbers are recruited.

Apply for September enrolment

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Apply for January enrolment

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