Human Resource Management (Top-Up) MSc

You can take two routes to the MSc - via an Independent Study or via two taught modules (this route is subject to demand):

Independent Study
The 60 credit Independent Study allows you to explore in greater detail – and from a focused strategic perspective – an area of your choice based on a real management issue. It will bring together all your previous learning and experience, and provide evidence of the link between HRM/HRD and improved business performance.

You can explore a theme that particularly interests you, an area in which you see your career developing, or an aspect of your current job role which your studies will benefit.

This will broaden and deepen your:

• strategic thinking
• research into the external factors and trends shaping organisations
• skills of analysis and synthesis by applying your knowledge to complex business contexts and scenarios
• understanding of how to apply research methods to explore contemporary business issues
• ability to plan and execute a major research project
• personal competence in a range of research skills and learning capabilities which are invaluable for career development
• capacity to understand and challenge your ways of thinking and behaving
• ability to explore alternative ways of thinking and behaving in seeking solutions to complex business problems.

You’ll use what you have learned to guide your future development via a reflective statement and development plan. This will assist you in undertaking future research into management issues and to evaluate the research analysis of others.

Alternatively, you can take these two modules instead of the Independent Study (this route is subject to demand, please contact us for information regarding availability of this route):

Critical HR Perspectives

This module will advance your skills in thinking critically, evaluating HR theory, producing robust arguments, solving problems and making organisational decisions effectively. You’ll develop your understanding of scientific methods, research design, data collection, reliability, validity and rigour. You can then apply your critical thinking and evaluation skills to assess current HR research.

Advanced Research in HR

We will deepen your understanding of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods including psychometrics, questionnaires, surveys, interviews and observational data. You’ll then apply your knowledge to design an original HR research project. You’ll build your skills in using data analysis software like NVivo and harnessing qualitative techniques such as thematic analysis, discourse analysis and content analysis.