Program Overview

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

Core modules

• Developing Inclusive, Personal and Business Ethical Behaviours (10 credits)
  • This module sets the foundation for the postgraduate programme in human resource management, enhancing your ability to make strategic and ethical business decisions whilst also promoting lifelong learning and self-development.
• People Management and Practices in a Changing Business Context (20 credits)
  • This module develops a critical understanding of the relationship between human resource management practices and the changing macroenvironment and microenvironment.
• Strategic People Management and Developing Performance (20 credits)
  • The module explores how people professionals create value and deliver outcomes for organisations and employees, and how contributing to the achievement of business objectives improves performance and enhances the employee experience.
• Strategic Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (10 credits)
  • This module creates space to allow you to think critically about individual and organisational approaches to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging, understand underpinning social concepts such as stereotyping, discrimination etc. and reflect how these influence organisational strategy and policy within the workplace.
• Managing People Recruitment and Developing Talent (20 credits)
  • This module explores the sociodemographic and legislative considerations to effective talent and development management.
• Managing and Leading Employment Relations (20 credits)
  • This module explores the different approaches organisations and people managers undertake to manage and develop employment relations.
• Organisational Development, Change and Strategic Reward (10 credits)
  • This module focuses on the principles of organisational development and change to achieve strategic goals and support organisational success.
• Business Research in People Management and Practice – Research Methods (10 credits)
  • This module will involve you applying research philosophical approaches to a real-life workplace challenge.
• Business Research in People Management and Practice - Literature Review and Professional Inquiry (60 credits)
  • This module aims to strengthen your academic and professional reading and writing skills.

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
• 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.

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.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home: £9,580
• International: £17,250
• Fees
  • The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
• Financial Support
  • There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students.
• Additional Costs
  • In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
    • Accommodation
    • Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
    • Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

• Home
  • Qualification requirements
    • a minimum 2:2 honours degree
  • Additional requirements
    • Relevant work experience
      • experience in the field of HR, Training, Development or related area OR aspirations to work in this area
• International
  • Qualification requirements
    • a minimum 2:2 honours degree
  • Additional requirements
    • Relevant work experience
      • experience in the field of HR, Training, Development or related area OR aspirations to work in this area
  • IELTS
    • IELTS 6.0 (Minimum of 5.5 in each component)

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.