MSc/PgDip/PgCert Human Resource Management/Human Resource Development
Attendance
Part-time
Part-time – typically three years, maximum six years
Starts September
At a glance
About this course
This course is for recent graduates who want to follow a career in HR management or development. It is also appropriate for managers who are looking for career development or a change of career.
For those wishing to build a career in learning and development you can choose to specialise at the dissertation stage for an award of MSc Human Resource Development.
The course begins by placing the study of HRM in its internal and external context. We then introduce you to organisation theory alongside specialist theory and practice in key areas of HR such as • resourcing and talent management • performance and reward management • managing employee relations • developing people • strategies for international HRM.
The course also aims to further develop the specialised skills needed for more effective higher-level people management and provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.
You complete a developing professional and personal practice (DPPP) module that helps you to make the most of your studies. It builds your postgraduate study skills and requires that you critically reflect on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint. The DPPP covers personal reflection and planning skills.
This course includes an intensive study block and a two day residential held outside Sheffield, which gives you hands-on experience of managing various HR activities. For aspiring HR professionals this aims to help you secure your first role.
You can attend guest lectures from leading practitioners and visiting professors and professionals to ensure you learn the latest developments in HRM. We have a close relationship with the CIPD South Yorkshire and District branch who provide a professional advisor to support students and the course team.
You can also join the HR Network which is student led and is designed to provide opportunities for sharing experience with alumni, sponsors, HR managers and HR consultants.
The course is one of the most established in the UK with over 25 years of experience in delivering master's level qualifications. We focus on research informed teaching delivered by a highly experienced team of academics with practice-based experience in HR and consultancy.
We have a reputation for providing good support and advice to students during their course to ensure all students can maximise their potential.
We expect you to play an active part in your own development. This can involve setting up learning contracts with tutors, managing your personal development, and gaining the skills necessary for reflective learning.
A full-time version of this course is also available.
Associated careers
This course increases your employment and career development potential. You will be able to achieve these goals by promoting best practice in the theory and application of relevant technologies, tools and managerial methods. It also gives employers people who can effectively use their knowledge and abilities to plan strategy and achieve organisational goals.
Previous graduates have gained employment in •Tesco • Bank of Ireland • Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council • Cleveland Constabulary • University of Bradford • First Mainline • Egg • HSBC • Irwin Mitchell Solicitors • Royal Mail.
Professional recognition
Our Postgraduate Diploma Human Resource Management is recognised as equivalent to the CIPD Advanced level diploma. Successfully completing it also gives you the knowledge required towards a professional level of membership (Associate member, Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow).
Course content
You attend one afternoon and evening a week, based on two modules each semester. There is also an integrated programme of personal and professional development activities in each semester.
Year one – postgraduate certificate
Organisations and leadership
You analyse the main influences on your behaviour at work and the central role that the HR leader plays in building and managing a competitive but harmonious organisation.
Human resource management in context
You develop a critical awareness of the development of organisations and the key role played by human resource management.
Resourcing and talent management
This module provides you with the principles of people resourcing strategies in organisations, and an understanding of the factors informing HR policy development. You explore the activities of acquisition, management and retention of people.
Performance and reward management
You develop your understanding of performance management, reward management and the related tools and systems.
Developing professional and personal practice (Year one and two)
This module aims to support your learning and development in key professional and HR leadership skills over the diploma stage of the programme.
Critically reflecting on theory and practice, you are required to evaluate your learning and develop a portfolio of evidence of your continuing professional development.
Year two – postgraduate diploma
Developing people
You develop your understanding of current and future issues in learning and development. You learn how to research, design and deliver learning and development strategies.
Managing employee relations
You study national employment policy, legal regulation and current perspectives on the management of the employment relationship. This helps you to develop the skills needed to give professional advice and support to line managers.
Strategies for international HRM
You study comparative HRM, managing people across domestic boundaries, managing diversity in a domestic situation and managing a domestic situation affected by international influences, such as international labour law. This module is only for those continuing to the MSc stage
Investigating business issues from an HR perspective
You study this module if you are not continuing to the MSc stage. You complete research work that enables you to critically assess and analyse an aspect of human resource management/development of your choice.
Developing professional and personal practice (year one and two)
You continue to reflect on your learning and develop your portfolio, as detailed under the module description for year one above.
Research philosophy and methods
This module prepares you for your dissertation and equips you with the skills to interpret and evaluate published research, so you can develop evidence-based HR policy.
Year three
Dissertation
The dissertation is the final element of the masters programme.
It offers you the opportunity to enhance your personal and professional development through an in-depth independent study in an area of your choice that is relevant to human resource management/development.
Assessment
On a module/coursework basis plus a management project and/or a dissertation. There are a range of assessed tasks including • time-constrained assignments • coursework • portfolios
Entry requirements
Normally one of the following
• a degree or equivalent in any discipline
• an equivalent professional qualification
• completing a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) postgraduate award from a recognised institution
We may consider you without a degree if you have the necessary experience and can demonstrate an ability to complete the course.
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £3,060 a year for years one, two and three including Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) student membership
How to apply
Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form
Contact details
For more information contact Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, Stoddart Building, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB. Phone +44 (0)114 225 2820, fax +44 (0)114 225 5268, e-mail sbs@shu.ac.uk