Program Overview

Why choose this course?

Our International Human Resource Management MSc course gives you a deep insight into the strategies and techniques multinationals use to solve HRM issues when their employees work across multiple countries and leaves you with a respected academic qualification. The course has been designed to meet employers' needs and gives you the tools you need to succeed in senior human resources roles, executive training and development roles. You will be taught by expert academics, leading researchers, alongside many guest speakers, visiting professors and fellows. The MSc top-up course is designed for students who want to upgrade their PgDip in an HR related field or international human resource management to an MSc.

What you will study

Following an induction programme that prepares you for intensive study, you will evaluate various external influences on HRM practice in organisations - from global strategic developments to ethical issues and social responsibility. The taught part of the programme is normally during four weekends. While you are expected to be physically present on these four weekends, the dissertation supervisor meetings can be held online and via email. You are expected to start thinking about what topic you want to focus on in your dissertation from the moment you enrol. In order to make an informed decision about this, you start with some background reading. The University has a huge electronic library you are encouraged to access from the moment they enrol.

Teaching and assessment

Assessment typically comprises exams (eg test or exam), practical (eg presentations, performance) and coursework (eg essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation).

After you graduate

This course may help graduates advance their careers in a variety of ways. Some graduates may be interested in talent acquisition or performance and reward; others may pursue a career in organisational development, employee engagement or learning and development. Equally, some may choose a more general HR practitioner position. Many of our alumni use the knowledge gained to perform at a higher level within the HR sector, either within their current industry or taking the opportunity to transition into a new role or sector. Others successfully set up their own businesses as career or HR consultants. Well-known organisations our alumni work for include Unilever, Capgemini, Ogilvy & Mather Group, Hewlett Packard, HSBC, Surrey County Council, GSK, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Amazon, Apple, NHS, and Barclays Investment Bank (UK). The roles our alumni hold vary greatly according to each individual's experiences, interests and area of expertise. Examples include: HR business partner; global HR manager; head of talent acquisition; head of HR; compensation & benefits manager; associate director ethics; HR officer; head of reward & HR services; international mobility manager; and head of people and culture.