Program Overview

Human Resource Management PgCert/PgDip

Overview

The Certificate and Diploma in Human Resource Management, level 7 stand-alone courses, have been designed to develop relevant and essential knowledge and skills in people management and learning and development, and are a route into professional membership of the CIPD.

You'll focus on problem-solving ability and linking theory to real-world challenges. As part of this, you'll visit UK companies and learn from guest speakers who share their practical business experience. HR practitioners work with our academic team to deliver events and workshops that will help prepare you to become a part of the HRM professional community. The networks you develop will become invaluable to you when you graduate and embark on your career in a senior role in human resource management.

Why us?

• During our special skills weeks you'll work on both academic and workplace skills you'll need to succeed on the course and in your future in people management
• The course provides a pathway to the MSc Human Resource Management should you wish to take this route

Course structure

Attainment of the Certificate and/or Diploma in Human Resource Management is on successful achievement of the following credits attributed to the modules of study:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Management (60 credits)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (120 credits)

The stand-alone courses provide a pathway to achievement of an MSc HRM (180 credits)

All modules are at postgraduate level (level 7 in the UK’s national scheme).

Throughout the course, we encourage you to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and of your own strengths and weaknesses as managers and colleagues. You'll be working on the development of skills to improve and develop a range of definable skills that are pivotal to successful management practice and effective leadership in your future. These include thinking and decision-making skills, the management of financial information, a range of team working and interpersonal skills, and others associated with developing personal effectiveness and credibility at work.

You'll develop key postgraduate study and research skills including critical reflection on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint. We also include two special skills development weeks to augment the work you'll be doing within each module.

Overall, you'll be required to consider and reflect on your professional development to establish this as the foundation of a lifetime practice in your future as a business “savvy” human resources and people development professional.

Your progress will be assessed through a range of methods which include individual and group assignments, business reports, presentations, case study analysis, portfolios of work, time-constrained activities, and project work.

Modules

Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

• Developing Human Resources and Professional Practice (30 credits)
• Talent Management and Resourcing For Sustainable Performance (30 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)

• Developing Human Resources and Professional Practice (30 credits)
• Talent Management and Resourcing For Sustainable Performance (30 credits)
• Managing the Employment Relationship (30 credits)
• Research In People Practice (30 credits)

MSc Human Resource Management (180 credits)

• Developing Human Resources and Professional Practice (30 credits)
• Talent Management and Resourcing For Sustainable Performance (30 credits)
• Managing the Employment Relationship (30 credits)
• Organisational Development and Digital Learning Practices (30 credits)
• Developing Research Practitioners (60 credits)

Facilities

You’ll be based at The Reg Vardy Centre, on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. The Reg Vardy Centre is a modern building with views of the river, and just a short walk from both the coast and Sunderland town centre.

Entry requirements

We welcome applications from a range of academic and professional backgrounds. Please contact us to ensure that your qualifications and experience meet the entry requirements.

The Postgraduate Certificate can be studied over seven months part-time or four months full-time.

The Postgraduate Diploma can be studied over 16 months part-time or seven months full-time.

Fees and finance

2025/26 fees are:

PgCert

• £2,833 if you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled
• £5,666 if you are an international student

PgDip

• £5,666 if you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled
• £11,333 if you are an international student

Career ready

Our Human Resource Management postgraduates now work at senior HR manager level in a number of organisations, including Caterpillar, BT and Nissan.