Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,940 for the course
International/EU: £18,600 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2026
Course summary
- Use critical thinking and problem solving to manage complex organisational change.
- Appreciate different approaches of HR and OD at a strategic level.
- Examine organisations operating both nationally and internationally.
- Grow your decision-making, problem solving and analytical skills.
- Contribute to the growth and competitive advantage of organisations.
Our MSc Human Resources and Organisational Development course helps you expand and enhance your professional expertise – improving your employability and career prospects by helping you gain broader business, management and leadership knowledge.
Industry specialists have helped to design your course – helping you graduate with the skills employers seek. Our teaching strategies are grounded in contemporary academic research, with a strong emphasis on the practical challenges faced by global organisations.
Student satisfaction
This course scored 95% for overall student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Student Satisfaction Survey 2025.
How you learn
In HR and OD, organisations navigate different national contexts in diverse ways. The curriculum themes and learning materials represent a diversity of global contexts and perspectives. The teaching focuses on the current real-world global issues facing international firms.
Tutors use a variety of teaching methods and a variety of assessment formats, such as traditional assignments, presentations and extended projects. There’s an emphasis on formative learning – we’ll encourage you to discuss your learning and assessments with tutors and your fellow students. We also use digitally enhanced learning.
In addition, the course enables you to develop a strategic focus and application to HR and OD and a critical understanding of the philosophies and general practices. It’s designed to help you appreciate and critically evaluate the latest theoretical concepts, principles, standards and frameworks.
You learn through:
- lectures
- interactive seminars
- industry experts
- the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
- dedicated tutor support
- guest lectures
- digitally enabled learning and simulations
- group and individual presentations
- live, applied consultancy project
- small group and individual dissertation supervision meetings
Key themes
You’ll explore topics such as strategic and operational HR, global talent, reward management, learning and OD, and the future of work and HR management.
You’ll study the changing nature of HR and OD issues, plus how they impact on a variety of firms. We’ll prepare you for the diversity and complexity of business and apply this to real-world business environments globally. You'll also gain essential skills in management, business analysis and leadership – learning how to present information and critically evaluate issues as you collaborate and problem-solve in teams.
Some modules offer opportunities to tailor your learning experience, including the flexibility to select assessment tasks that align with your preferences and goals.
Applied learning
Live Projects
The course takes a practical and vocational approach to teaching so you can apply the theory you learn through practice. We’ll introduce you to live organisational issues through visiting speakers, case studies, DVDs and client-based project work.
The focus is on student-centred learning – you’ll be able to choose organisations, case studies and topics for research which reflect your interests.
Networking
The course offers a range of extra-curricular activities to help you apply your learning. The HR Network Society is managed by students and provides opportunities for networking and guest speakers. There are applied workshops which help you develop a range of HR and OD skills and competencies.
You’ll play an active part in your own development. This can involve self-directed learning, participation in action learning networks, managing your personal development, gaining skills for reflective learning, and attending the guest lectures and professional events organised by the local CIPD branch.
Course leaders and tutors
Olatunji Adekoya
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader (MSc Human Resources and Organisational Development)Staff profile for Olatunji Adekoya
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Final year
Compulsory modules
This module explores how organisations around the world attract, manage, and retain talented people. You’ll look at the different strategies used by businesses of all sizes and types, and the challenges they face in different global contexts. You’ll also learn how to design fair and effective systems to reward performance and support employee growth.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Talent management in different settings
- Strategic performance management
- Reward strategies that motivate and retain staff
- Building and delivering talent strategies
- Talent acquisition and workforce planning
- Employer branding and using talent data
- Ethical and inclusive talent practices
- Managing international talent mobility
This module looks at how learning and organisation development can drive success in organisations. You’ll explore how people learn at individual, team, and organisational levels, and how to design development strategies that are inclusive, ethical, and effective. You’ll also build practical skills in communication, planning, and evaluating learning interventions.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Strategic approaches to human resource development
- Learning and development for individuals, teams, and organisations (including e-learning)
- Communicating effectively with different stakeholders
- Organisation development, consultancy, design, and change
- Coaching, mentoring, and inclusive learning methods
- Organisational structures and people-focused practices
- Evaluating learning and using digital tools
- Ethical practice in learning and development
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)
- Reflective practice
- Planning your personal and professional development
This module looks at how Human Resource Management (HRM) can shape the direction and success of organisations. You’ll explore both core strategies and everyday HR practices, while also tackling current issues and trends in the field. The module also covers how workplace relationships, employment law, and power dynamics affect how conflicts are managed.
You’ll study topics such as:
- How HR strategies are developed and used
- Key HR ideas, models and day-to-day practices
- What it means to be an HR professional today
- Ethics and sustainability in HR work
- How employment relationships are managed
- The role of government in employment matters
- What trade unions do and how they operate
- Ways employees can have a voice at work
- Laws and regulations that shape HR and workplace governance
This module explores how digital technologies, automation, and changing work patterns are shaping the Future of Work, and what that means for managing people. You’ll look at how trends like the gig economy, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability are transforming jobs, workplaces, and HR practices. You’ll also build strong communication skills to engage with different audiences in both traditional and digital formats.
You’ll study topics such as:
- New and flexible ways of working
- The gig economy and its impact on organisations
- How technology is changing the nature of work
- The role of digitalisation and automation in HR
- Artificial intelligence in people management
- The future of work and emerging trends
- HR’s role in supporting sustainability goals
- Green HRM practices
- HRM and enterprise development
Elective modules
This module develops your consultancy skills through a live project with a real client. You’ll investigate a specific organisational issue, apply research methods, and deliver practical insights. Alongside the project, you’ll reflect on its broader relevance to professional practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Defining project scope with your client
- Applying relevant theoretical frameworks
- Choosing appropriate research methods
- Addressing ethical research considerations
- Conducting a focused literature review
- Analysing and interpreting research data
- Drawing evidence-based conclusions
- Communicating findings clearly and professionally
- Managing your project effectively
- Reflecting on consultancy in professional practice
This module strengthens your critical research skills as you explore a current issue within your discipline. You’ll design and carry out an independent research project, generating insights that contribute to both academic knowledge and professional practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Defining your research question and focus
- Applying theoretical frameworks effectively
- Selecting appropriate research methods
- Addressing ethical research considerations
- Conducting a structured literature review
- Analysing and interpreting research data
- Drawing meaningful, evidence-based conclusions
- Managing your dissertation timeline
- Writing clearly and persuasively
- Reflecting on research in professional contexts
Future careers
A wide variety of interesting roles within firms would be suitable for graduates of this course, including:
- higher education
- health care
- further education
- finance
- engineering
- communications
- consultancy
- accountancy
- food production
- property management
- business and market development
- market research
- business analysis
- marketing communications and advertising
- purchasing, logistics/distribution and supply chain management
- export coordination
- consultancy
- account, brand, product and project management
Previous graduates of this course have worked for a wide variety of firms, including:
- Greencore
- Sheffield University
- Sheffield Forgemasters
- Argos
- HSBC
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Shell
- Freeman College
- Clipper
- Halfords
- Police HQ
- Capital and Counties
- Age UK
- National Open College Network
- Royal Mail
- Hilton Hotels
Equipment and facilities
You’ll study in world-class learning facilities, such as specialist labs, design studios, practice facilities, simulation environments, our iLab enterprise hub and a 24/7 library.
You’ll have access to specialist equipment and resources, such as:
- video-making hardware and software via the library and AppsAnywhere
- business gamification simulation equipment
- networks to develop a business idea or start your own business
The course also draws upon a wide range of learning virtual learning environment (VLE) resources. All the modules are supported by Blackboard – a collective, virtual space to access lecture PowerPoints and notes, hand-outs, key articles, digital resources and web links. Modules are supported by resources online (RO) that help you with remote learning. ROs also provide access to electronic databases such as Business Source Premier, Emerald and statistical collections such as Data Stream.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
Normally an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above, in a related field.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £10,940 for the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,600 for the course.
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Business School (PDF, 278.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
