Program Overview

The final answer is:

MSc Human Resource Management and the Future of Work

Overview

The MSc Human Resource Management and the Future of Work is an intensive master's-level specialist programme for graduates who have a prior qualification in social sciences and wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the practice, theory and policy of the world of work.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

You will study core units throughout the programme, starting with core theories and concepts including employment relations, HRM in the global economy and the context of work in the 21st century.

• In term two, you will focus on the 'future(s)' and 'alternatives' to work and organisation, and engage in timely debates on what the world of work could look like.
• Finally, in the summer term there are two routes available:
  • The first is an individual dissertation, which provides an opportunity for independent research and in-depth investigation into a topic area that can be adapted to reflect your interests and career choices.
  • The second is an applied group research project, in which you will be matched with an external business or third sector partner related to human resource management and/or the future of work.

Entry Requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Social Sciences subject, including:

• Accounting
• Anthropology
• Business
• Cultural Studies
• Development
• Economics
• Human Geography
• International Studies
• Law
• Management
• Policy Studies
• Political Economy
• Politics
• Psychology
• Sociology

We will also consider applicants who have not completed a degree listed above but have completed a dissertation in a relevant subject to the degree programme, for example human resource management, the future of work or employment relations.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time: £18,000 per year
• Overseas: full-time: £33,000 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Career Prospects

We aim to guide, teach, foster and develop knowledgeable, thoughtful and ethical practitioners who can thrive in a range of future job prospects within a global environment.

This degree provides excellent preparation for all careers in Human Resource Management and you will graduate with many transferable skills. Students graduating from this degree will find employment in a wide range of for- and non-profit organisations as well as non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, trade unions, inter-governmental organisations and the third sector.

World-Leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc Human Resource Management and the Future of Work is a 12-month full-time program designed for graduates with a prior qualification in social sciences who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the practice, theory, and policy of the world of work. The program aims to develop analytical and confident critical thinkers through research-led teaching. Students will gain insight into the nature of Human Resource Management and the complexity of organizations from a variety of disciplines and will be armed with the relevant knowledge to apply theory to practice.

Outline:

The program consists of six core units (20 credits each) throughout the program, starting with core theories and concepts including employment relations, HRM in the global economy, and the context of work in the 21st century. In term two, students will focus on the 'future(s)' and 'alternatives' to work and organization, and engage in timely debates on what the world of work could look like.

Teaching:

Students will be taught by experienced academics, and 88% of the Business and Management research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021). Staff in the school are engaged in conducting pioneering research that is shaping policy and practice in the UK, Europe, and globally.

Careers:

The program provides excellent preparation for all careers in Human Resource Management, and graduates will find employment in a wide range of for- and non-profit organizations as well as non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, trade unions, inter-governmental organizations, and the third sector.

Other:

The program is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law and is offered by the University of Bristol Business School. The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education), and 94% of its research is assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

UK: full-time: £17,300 per year Overseas: full-time: £32,300 per year For programs that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.