Human Resource Management - Admission with Credit (12 month fast-track route to the MA)

Program Overview

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Human Resource Management - Admission with Credit (12 month fast-track route to the MA)

Overview

It’s no secret that the working environment is changing at a lightning-fast pace. And human resource management has an essential role to play in tackling issues in organisations around the world – from remote working after the pandemic to finding talent during the global shortage.

This course is suitable if you already have a level 7 PG diploma (120 credits) from Oxford Brookes or another recognised institution. You might be an experienced HR professional, already working at a senior level and wanting to consolidate previous learning into an MA. This can be a personal achievement, a desire to strengthen your own research skills and conduct research in HR, or an opportunity to strengthen your CV.

You’ll research a topic of interest to you. This could be a theoretical study exploring an aspect of HR that you are interested in or it could be applied to an actual issue that you are currently working on in your workplace. Ignite your potential and contribute effectively to your workplace development.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Flexible learning: Study from wherever you are, and fit the degree around your work and home commitments.
• Expert teaching: Learn from highly capable research staff.
• Support networks: As well as receiving high levels of personal support, you can network with graduates and their employers at our Annual Postgraduate HR Research Conference.
• No exams: We’ve moved away from an exam assessment structure, so you’ll be graded on written assignments when studying Research Methods and an individual research project.
• Grow your career: Springboard your progression in the HR profession, with many graduates entering management or consultancy roles.

Course details

Course structure

We’ve designed this course to take you from postgraduate diploma (level 7, 120 credits) to a full MA award in human resource management.

The backbone of this degree is our module in critical investigation skills. Here, you’ll deepen your organisational knowledge and research skills through an individual written assignment and portfolio.

You’ll then combine theory, practice and critical reflection as you complete your research project. This is where you can focus on an area of human resource management that interests you. You could address broad issues in HRM or research a specific issue within an organisation.

You can opt to study online or a mix of online and in-person. Take part in group-based learning, virtual tutorials, discussion forums and find resources in our vast online library. You will also be able to participate in a range of classes at our Headington campus.

We care about your personal development and offer a supportive environment to learn in. Our student support coordinators will look out for you and your interests throughout your course.

Learning and teaching

You will study online and participate in individual and group-based learning, within a supportive online community.

You will be provided with:

• Highly structured, user-friendly written lecture and course materials
• Audio and video podcast materials recorded by course tutors
• Virtual tutorials, including in real time
• Discussion forums - student and tutor led
• Up-to-date web technology for delivery methods
• Access to our online library.

You will participate in a range of classes at our Headington campus if you are studying through a combination of online and on-campus learning.

You'll learn from teaching staff, drawn from our Department of Business and Management within the Business School. You will also learn from visiting speakers from business and industry, local government, consultancies and research bodies.

Assessment

Critical Investigation Skills will be assessed through an individual written assignment (3000 words) and an individual portfolio. The assessment for the Research Project will be a 15,000 word individual project and a 750 word individual reflective statement.

Study modules

Taught modules

• Critical Investigation Skills

This module provides you with a framework for understanding and researching organisations. You will encounter organisation theory and research methods, learn to deepen your organisational knowledge, and develop valuable research skills. The module explores a range of theoretical perspectives, providing critical awareness of the complexity of organisations & organisational processes. You will be introduced to the stages of research, (research design, data collection and analysis methods, & research ethics). Armed with knowledge of organisational theory and research methodologies, you will develop a viable research proposal. In semester 2, you will take part in a pilot project, which gives hands-on experience of ‘doing’ research. Based on this, you will produce a reflective essay designed to inform their own research projects. Sessions on quantitative and qualitative data analysis, the use of computerised analysis packages, and dissertation writing, complete the module.

Final project

• Research Project

The research project allows you to undertake a self-managed process of systematic enquiry within the domain of your Masters programme. It aims to generate high quality, rigorous, and systematic applied research, enabling you to reflected critically on the theoretical and philosophical assumptions underpinning the process alongside the ethics of undertaking management research. The degree to which the project is ‘applied’ is flexible – from addressing a broad issue in HRM, to researching a specific issue within an organisation.

Research

There are two research clusters in the International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies and the Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice which relate to this subject:

• Work and Organisations
• Management and Entrepreneurship Education.

Careers

By the end of this CIPD-accredited course, you’ll be able to work as a more informed practitioner, ready to enhance your professional practice. You can apply your knowledge to your current role, to projects within a large organisation, or even a family business.

You’ll be confident carrying your ideas through and will be ready to lead innovative projects – shaping the future of the business and all its intricate procedures.

Our MA graduates report that the course has supported them to enter management and consultancy level roles. Now, where could this course take your career?

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

• A Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (120 level 7 credits) from a recognised institution.
• At least two year’s relevant professional experience and a degree or equivalent, relevant professional qualification.
• Applicants are normally graduates with experience in a full-time HR role and a Postgraduate Diploma in HRM from any educational provider.

English language requirements

• IELTS minimum 6.0 (with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in listening and speaking).

Tuition fees

2025 / 26

• Home (UK) part time: £2,900
• Home (UK) distance learning: £2,900
• International distance learning: £2,900

2026 / 27

• Home (UK) part time: £3,000
• Home (UK) distance learning: £3,000
• International distance learning part time: £3,000

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

• Postgraduate Master's Loan - England

Additional costs

• International Business in Practice Study Trip module (inc. accommodation for seven nights, insurance, company visits and group transportation for all activities): £
• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required: From £30
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies: £20-60 per book
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills): £94-265 per week
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs): £122-180 per week
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography: Typically £0-200
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes: From £10