The specialist area of HRM offers a wealth of career opportunities within every business sector. This Human Resource Management masters is designed to provide you with the up-to-date knowledge and understanding you need to manage people effectively in the workplace.
It will be especially useful if you are seeking a career in HRM or have recently entered HR or line management and are keen to progress your career.
The MSc Human Resource Management also provides you with a postgraduate qualification alongside CIPD accreditation, the professional body for Human Resource Managers, at associate level.
It’s flexible – you can gain Postgraduate Certificate after the first stage of the course; Postgraduate Diploma after the second or complete the full Masters degree and obtain CIPD accreditation. This course is also available through Network75, a combined work and study route.
2021/22 update: Blended learning approach for USW courses.
[Update excludes online-only courses].
The wellbeing and health and safety of our students and staff is paramount to us. We are committed to delivering all of our courses and services as safely as possible. Due to the pandemic, the methods and activities adopted for the coming year may differ from those previously published and may be subject to further change through the course of your study if such change is necessary due to public health concerns, health and safety guidance or in response to Government Guidelines. USW is committed to providing you with a fantastic student experience and a wealth of support, and you can hear how students have benefitted from this approach here: Learn more about blended learning.
What you will study?
You will study key areas of human resource management, such as the principles, values and approaches to leadership and management, and you will explore the changing context within which businesses operate.
As you progress through the HRM course, you will study areas that relate to employment relations and the framework of performance management as well.
You will study:
- Strategic HRM
Learn about how those in HR, respond appropriately to opportunities and challenges arising from managerial responses to principal environmental contexts. - Developing Skills for Business Leadership
Develop a strong sense of self-awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses as a manager or colleague whilst improving a range of definable skills that are pivotal to successful management practice and to effective leadership. - Leading, Managing and Developing People
Discover a rigorous framework of knowledge and understanding concerning people management and development. - Managing Employee Relations
Gain an understanding of the significance and complexity of the employment relationship and the contribution of employment relations to business performance and the wider society. - Resourcing and Talent Management
Consider not just the practical aspects of recruitment, selection, employee retention and dismissal, but also the strategic aspects for resourcing and talent management within a global context. - Regulating the Employment relationship
Critically analyse approaches to workplace conflict and resolution, as well as develop your knowledge and ability to brief organisations on the consequences of current and future developments in employment law. - Performance Management
Gain knowledge and an understanding of the role of performance management in supporting organisations strategic objectives in different business environments. Learn how the performance of people can be enhanced and inspired by leadership and direction. - Human Resource Management Business Research Report
Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and investigate a live, complex business issue from an HR perspective.
Throughout the HRM course, you will develop a portfolio to demonstrate your commitment to continuing professional development, culminating in the production of a business research report on an HR-related topic of your choice.
Subject to revalidation
This course is subject to revalidation, this means it is under review as part of the University’s standard quality assurance and enhancement processes. Course and module content is indicative and may change through the revalidation process. As soon as the course is revalidated, the details will be confirmed and published on the University website.
In the unlikely event the course does not go ahead as planned, or is significantly amended, we will write to inform you. If this happens, we’ll help you to find a suitable alternative course either at USW or at another provider.
Teaching
The course is available both full-time or part-time at the Pontypridd campus, Treforest site or part-time only at the Newport City campus.
Full-time students spend approximately 12 hours per week in classes, which involves a blend of directed and independent study. Part-time students spend around six hours per week in classes, held on one afternoon and evening each week.
Knowledge of the subject area is gained through lectures, tutorials, directed learning, independent study and workplace engagement.
Lectures are used to introduce key HRM and business concepts and theories with student participation and discussion encouraged throughout.
Student led tutorials aim to develop problem solving skills and focuses the application of theoretical concepts to HRM business situations.
Teaching and learning strategies seek to maximise the opportunities for student participation and to develop learning through the medium of student centred activity.
Your studies will be underpinned by the latest research undertaken by the South Wales Business School Research Group. This means you will be taught by academics who are at the forefront of their specialist field.
Discussion within teams and groups is an important element in the teaching and learning process which facilitates a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This allows students to develop their own knowledge and experience through drawing on the knowledge and experience of others.
Learning support includes:
- Student Handbook and Module Guides
- On-line supporting educational materials including those from CIPD
- Student Services specialist advice
- Learning Resources Centre
- Networked information services including the Blackboard website
- Specialist Guest lectures
- Business Research Report supervisors
- Faculty Advice Shop
Assessment
You will be assessed via a mixture of examinations and assessed coursework in the form of essays, portfolios and projects, reports, case studies, presentations, design tasks and primary/secondary research.
Informal assessment is incorporated into the learning process and you will be given feedback during seminars encouraging reflective practice in formal assessments.
