Program Overview

MSc/PgDip Human Resource Management

Overview

Gain a deep understanding of contemporary developments in this dynamic sector, whilst developing advanced skills to succeed in the global workplace. Learn about all aspects of HRM practice including recruitment and selection, leadership and performance management, and approaches to HRM in an international context. Take part in two three-day residential programmes where you’ll focus on developing practical HR skills and collaborating with your peers in an engaging environment beyond the classroom. This Masters has been designed to map on to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD’s) advanced learning outcomes, providing you with the opportunity to complete these and become a member. Complete a Postgraduate Diploma, leading to the CIPD accreditation, in just 9 months full-time as a stand-alone qualification, or take the MSc which contains the taught element of the Postgraduate Diploma and finishes with a dissertation.

Entry Requirements

• A 2:2 degree or above with honours in any discipline. We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study, significant relevant work experience or professional qualifications.
• International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.

Course Content

This programme is available for study in both full-time and part-time formats and students can complete either the 180 credit Masters programme or the 120 credit Diploma programme.

MSc Modules

• Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Business School postgraduate module list.
• NB Students must achieve the postgraduate pass mark of 50% within each of these modules to be eligible for the CIPD accreditation at the end of their programme of study. Students may have up to 45 credits in the condonable range (40-50%) in order to still be eligible for the MSc but will not receive CIPD accreditation.

Compulsory Modules

• 120 credits of compulsory modules:
  • BEMM787 | HR Strategy, Context and Performance | 30
  • BEMM788 | People Management, Skills and Behaviours | 30
  • BEMM056 | Masters Dissertation (HRM) [MSc only]| 60

Optional Modules

• 60 credits of optional modules:
  • BEMM042 | Resourcing and Talent Management | 15
  • BEMM044 | Human Resource Development (HRD) | 15
  • BEMM045 | Employment Relations | 15
  • BEMM046 | Employment Law | 15
  • BEMM059 | International Human Resource Management | 15
  • BEMM267 | Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Work | 15
  • BEMM395 | HR Analytics | 15
  • BEMM803 | Reward Management | 15

PGDip Modules

• Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Business School postgraduate module list.
• NB Students must achieve the postgraduate pass mark of 50% within each of these modules to be eligible for the CIPD accreditation at the end of their programme of study. Students may have up to 30 credits in the condonable range (40-50%) in order to still be eligible for the PgDip but will not receive CIPD accreditation.

Compulsory Modules

• 120 credits of compulsory modules:

Optional Modules

• 60 credits of optional modules:

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year:

• MSc - £18,600 full-time; £9,300 part-time
• PgDip - £12,400 full-time; £6,200 part-time

International fees per year:

• MSc - £31,200 full-time; £15,600 part-time
• PgDip - £20,800 full-time; £10,400 part-time

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone taught Masters degree (eg MA, MSc, MRes, MFA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip) or research degree (eg MPhil, PhD) with us a scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees. These scholarships are worth 20% of the first year tuition fee for students enrolling on a postgraduate taught or research programme of study in 2025/26. Full details can be found here.

Teaching and Research

We use a blend of learning styles, mixing academic and practically-focused sessions. We use both large and small group approaches to teaching, and the programme is small enough for tutors to be able to get to know you personally and to provide individual tuition when required. We also use many participative styles, particularly on our residential programmes.

Research-led teaching

Our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Our research-led teaching is combined with practical experiences such as field trips and project work, so that you can apply your learning to real world scenarios. Upon graduation, you will have the skills and knowledge to pursue the career you want, wherever in the world you choose to work.

Guest speakers

We invite guest speakers and use many practical examples from a wide range of industries in our teaching.

Strong industry links

Our programmes cover a range of disciplines including entrepreneurship, international business, marketing, human resource management, and tourism. With strong links to organisations across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and with professional organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), we ensure that your Masters degree is widely recognised in today’s global marketplace.

Taught by leading experts

You will be taught by internationally respected academics who are at the forefront of their research. We draw upon disciplines across the social sciences and give emphasis to the dynamic nature of enterprise, global connectivity and the management and leadership of the global challenges that lie ahead.

Conduct your own research

You will also be encouraged to carry out your own fieldwork as part of your dissertation research. Your Masters dissertation is your opportunity to conduct your own impactful research, as you explore a subject that interests you while developing specialist knowledge of an area of HRM practice.

The Business School is home to the following research centres

• Centre for Entrepreneurship
• Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
• Centre for Simulation, Analytics and Modelling (CSAM)
• Exeter Centre for Social Networks (ECSN)
• Exeter Centre for Leadership (ExCL)
• Initiative in the Digital Economy at Exeter (INDEX)
• Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute (LEEP)
• Research Methods Centre
• Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC)
• The Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE)

Careers

Preparing you for success

This Masters degree is designed to prepare you for a successful career, wherever in the world you plan to work. We’ll prepare you for your career by teaching you advanced communication and technical skills, team-working and independent research, project-management and the very latest specialist knowledge.

Develop employer-valued skills

Your Masters degree in HR Management will enable you to develop the professional and HR skills and subject expertise that will make you a valuable asset from day one of your career.

Our MSc / PgDip in HR Management will prepare you for a variety of roles. Coupled with the close relationship of the course content with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD's) advanced learning outcomes, you can further enhance your professional skills and employability. Covering all areas of HRM, the MSc route also enables you to develop a further career specialisation with targeted choice of your dissertation research project.

Careers paths

This programme is ideal for those interested in developing a career in people management or allied professions such as recruitment and HR consultancy. Within HRM, you might choose a career as an HR Director or with a focus on:

• Learning & Development
• Resource & Talent Management
• Performance & Development
• Employment Relations
• Employment Law
• Organisational Development
• Recruitment

Potential employers

Potential employers include public and private sector organisations, multi-nationals, SMEs and not-for-profit organisations across all sectors of the economy and around the world.

Double Degree Option

Spend your first year at Exeter and a second year at another world class international institution, resulting in two Masters degrees and the opportunity to expand your knowledge even further.

We offer a fantastic Double Degree option with:

• Grenoble Ecole de Management in France

For more information on Double Degrees and other postgraduate study abroad opportunities, visit the Business School’s Study Abroad webpages.