Program Overview

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MA Strategic People Management and Practice

About this course

LJMU's Strategic People Management and Practice MA focuses on the practical application of knowledge in different organisational contexts, business sectors and areas of operation.

• Study in a CIPD-approved centre
• Work towards accreditation against the internationally recognised CIPD Profession Map.
• Top up your CIPD Level 7 Diploma from another university or college to a Master's degree
• Part Time Study Option

Increasing labour costs are amongst the most expensive operational spend for many organisations, and their evolving needs demand knowledgeable and capable human resource and people management teams. This course helps support and add value to business growth and development.

As a postgraduate in this specialist area you will be part of an HR community, engaging in study and research with practitioner input through taught sessions, master classes and CIPD Liverpool Group and Branch activities.

The programme provides you with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Advanced (Level 7) Standards. On graduation student members upgrade to Chartered Member, evidencing experience, behaviours and academic achievement.

Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University is a member of AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide. Through membership, accreditation, research, thought leadership, professional development, and advocacy, AACSB partners with over 1,500 organisations, from more than 90 countries globally. Membership or participation in the Global Education Alliance does not imply accreditation.

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.

Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.

Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

• Developing Inclusive, Personal and Business Ethical Behaviours 10 credits
• People Management and Practices in a Changing Business Context 20 credits
• Strategic People Management and Developing Performance 20 credits
• Strategic Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging 10 credits
• Managing People Recruitment and Developing Talent 20 credits
• Managing and Leading Employment Relations 20 credits
• Organisational Development, Change and Strategic Reward 10 credits
• Business Research in People Management and Practice – Research Methods 10 credits
• Business Research in People Management and Practice - Literature Review and Professional Inquiry 60 credits

Professional accreditation

LJMU is a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) approved centre and assessment is set internally, with external examiner approval. Completion of this programme results in approval against the knowledge requirements of the CIPD's Advanced Diploma Level Standards.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

An insight into teaching on your course

• Study hours
• The full-time programme (one year) will be running between September 2023 and July 2024, incorporating 3 semesters.
• Students will be expected to attend lectures and seminars at the following times: Monday: 14:30hrs - 19:30hrs Tuesday: 14:30hrs - 19:30hrs and three Wednesday block days
• Teaching methods
• A variety of learning approaches are used including: electronic resources such as e-journals and resources which can be accessed on and off-campus; our virtual learning environment containing session notes which can be accessed in advance of sessions and module guides including indicative reading lists for each session which allow pre-reading of chapters prior to classes.
• During the workshop sessions there is a mix of lecturer input; facilitated discussions of organisational approaches; presentations to develop learning of the whole group; discussion groups around research, journal articles; reading; organisational approaches/practice and case study work.

Applied learning

LJMU has an engaged academic team within the Strategic People Management and Practice MA, who are committed to your development and continued success. All members of our teaching team have worked in professional HR and people management-related roles and are Chartered Members or Fellows of CIPD, bringing a professional perspective as well as an academic focus to their sessions.

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Assessments on this course include:

• Written assignments reviewing the implications of major pieces of contemporary research for contemporary organisations
• Written assignments advising on and developing HR strategy and policy in specific organisation/sectoral contexts
• Two examinations (50% of each exam is based around a seen case study)
• Portfolio evidencing development
• A research proposal in preparation for the Masters-level dissertation
• The Masters-level dissertation

There will be opportunities in workshops to discuss assignments, clarify requirements with the module tutor and discuss possible approaches to the work with your colleagues in the group. In the examined modules there will be discussion of approaches to examinations and a revision session at the end of the module. The case study is available two weeks prior to the examination on our virtual learning environment.

Where you will study

The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, and a café. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies.

Liverpool Business School also has a dedicated Management Development Suite, based in a listed building in the historic Georgian Quarter of Liverpool and a short walk from the Redmonds Building. The building has recently undergone £1.2 million investment to provide a professional learning space.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Successful completion of the MA Strategic People Management and Practice gives you the knowledge requirements at Level 7 from which, with appropriate experience, you will be able to apply for Chartered Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The emphasis throughout the programme is on analysis and evaluation of different organisational approaches and academic perspectives, enabling you to operate professionally across a range of organisation contexts.

The value placed on the LJMU Masters in Strategic People Management and Practice by employers is clear from the number of public and private sector employers who have repeatedly sent their human resources and people management staff to study at LJMU.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Full-time per year: £9,200

International

• Full-time per year: £17,750

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

• Undergraduate degree: a minimum 2:2 honours degree
• Additional requirements: experience in the field of HR, Training, Development or related area OR aspirations to work in this area

International requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 (Minimum of 5.5 in each component)
• Other international requirements: International students applying to study a full-time taught Masters, MRes, MPhil or PhD at LJMU should check if they require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate. Contact International Admissions Team for more details
• International students entering on a Student visa cannot study part-time

How to apply

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.