Program Overview

Human Resource Management MA

Key Facts

• Level: Master's PG MA
• Duration: Full Time: 1 year, Part Time: 2 years
• Starting: September
• UK Fees 25/26 >: Full Time: £8,500, Part Time (Year One): £2,835, Part Time (Year Two): £5,670
• International Fees 25/26 >: £17,495
• Location >: Waterside

Overview

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional HR and people development body.

The MA HRM with placement opportunity helps to improve employability skills.

Practical and varied assignments include presentations, case studies, mock employment tribunals and preparing blogs for professional audiences.

Different routes of study include full-time, part-time and placement options.

Highlights

• Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
• An academic work placement opportunity at the level you are studying helps to improve employability skills.
• Practical and varied assignments including presentations, case studies, mock employment tribunals and preparing blogs for professional audiences.
• Full-time, part-time and placement options are available.

Entry Requirements

• If you hold a first or second-class honours degree from a British university, or equivalent qualification, and have relevant HRM or business management experience, you will be eligible to apply for this course.
• It is an advantage for applicants to have had experience working in a Human Resources or a business management role for at least a year – the MA in Human Resource Management explores strategic HRM as a core business function and familiarisation with the world of work is helpful.
• Where you do not hold a recognised business, commerce or related qualification but offer a strong application and /or evidence (ideally 2 years +) of working in HR, you may be invited to a short, informal discussion with the course Leader. This does not guarantee the offer of a place but allows us to manage your expectations of what you will study.

English Language Requirements

• All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
  • Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for study at postgraduate level.

Master's Discount Scheme

We offer a 20% discount on master's tuition fees for students who have previously studied a full time undergraduate degree at the University of Northampton.

Course Content

• Dissertation and Research Methods (60 Credits)
• Human Resource Management in Context (20 Credits)
• Leading, Managing and Developing People (20 Credits)
• International and Comparative HRM (20 Credits)
• Career Futures: Employability Skills
• Resourcing and Developing Talent (30 Credits)
• Employment Law and Relations (30 Credits)

Accreditation

Our MA Human Resource Management Postgraduate Diploma is accredited by the CIPD and has been specifically designed to allow HR professionals to enhance their career options and progress into senior roles. Studying this course will give you an advantage with employers, who often look for employees that have professional qualifications and membership. As a HRM student you will become part of this professional body and on completion of the programme will be become an Associate Member CIPD with the potential to upgrade your status to Chartered Member CIPD.

FAQs

• How will I be taught?
  • Weekly workshops take place on campus with additional online and self-directed study required. You will usually attend campus two afternoons a week – there are no online classes. Classes are small, informal and interactive.
• What sort of assessments will I do?
  • The good news is that there are no exams! We offer varied assessments including practical and varied assessments including group and individual presentations, case studies, publishing professional blogs, business reports, a mock employment tribunal and essays.
• How will I be assessed?
  • The MA Human Resource Management course uses a carefully balanced combination of in-course assignments designed to enrich your learning including business projects, practical HR activities, reflective activities, group work presentations and examinations. The 13,000-word Dissertation is a major component of this course and allows you to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and insight in your chosen topic area.
• What is the schedule like for this course?
  • The MA HRM is offered on a full-time (one year) and part-time (two years) basis. Full-time students will take three modules in Semester 1 and three modules including Research Methods and Dissertation in Semesters 2 and 3.
  • Part-time students will take two modules in Semester 1 and one module in Semester 2 in their first year. In the second year, you will take two modules in Semester 1 and one module in Semester 2. The Research Methods and Dissertation module will run over the whole of Year Two.
  • Most modules will require you to attend a two or three-hour workshop per week or equivalent scheduled online activity. For full-time students, class sessions will normally be delivered over two afternoons/evenings each week. For part-time students, class sessions will normally be delivered one afternoon/evening per week.
  • To maximise your chances of success, we recommend you spend approximately 12 hours a week per module in self-directed study time to prepare for the sessions and complete your assignments.

Placement Route FAQs

• How does the placement work?
  • Students on the MA HRM with placement will study alongside full-time and part-time students in year one. They will also complete a module on employability skills to prepare them for applying for a placement. In year two the placement will be undertaken and complete the 60-credit Work Based Project.
• Does the University guarantee a placement?
  • The university does not guarantee a placement, students will apply with our support and gain their placement. Ideally, this should be in a graduate-level HR role, but general business roles are also acceptable. The placement can be anywhere in the UK.
• What if I am not successful in finding a placement?
  • Don’t worry! If you do not find a placement you can still complete the MA HRM by dissertation rather than the Work Based Project.

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees
  • UK Full Time: £8,500
  • UK Part Time*: £2,835 in Year One (60 credits), £5,670 in Year Two (120 credits)
  • International Full Time: £17,495
• Additional costs
  • You are required to join the CIPD as a student member (currently a one-off joining fee of £40 and membership fee of £141 for 18 months). Please see the CIPD website for further details.

Scholarships and Bursaries

For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

Staff

• Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt & OB
  • Faculty of Business and Law

Careers and Employability

A master’s in Human Resources opens the way for a career in HRM/HRD. The programme provides opportunities for you to develop enhanced, specialist, higher level knowledge, skills and leadership capabilities and equips you with enhanced career pathways in the HRM/HRD field within different organisational contexts.

Related Courses

• Human Resource Management PGDip
  • The aim of this course is to develop you as an HR professional.
• Human Resource Management (Top-Up) MA
  • This course offers you the opportunity to meet your continuing professional requirements as a human resource...
• Master of Business Administration MBA
  • The Master of Business Administration is a globally recognised postgraduate qualification for ambitious, motivated graduates.