Ranking
Triple
Crown Accredited
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Course overview
In today's globalised world, effective and fair people management is crucial. Our MSc Human Resource Management course emphasises responsible business, decent work, and exemplary people management, central to our teaching and research, preparing you to lead with integrity and impact.
You will be engaged with critical thinking and become a more ethically aware and morally responsible manager, employee and citizen, equipped to promote good people management ideas and practices in workplaces and wider society.
Course structure
This course will run over 12 months in a full-time-mode.
Course highlights
Our MSc Human Resource Management course offers a distinctive and advanced intellectual foundation in people management and employment relations, both nationally and globally. It equips graduates with critical thinking skills to become reflective, evidence-led practitioners and experts in the world of work. By integrating academic theory with real-life practice, we ensure our students gain a comprehensive understanding of effective people management.
- Gain critical insights into people management and employment relationships within a comprehensive national and global context.
- Birmingham Business School hosts a leading research-led HRM teaching group and the Work Inclusivity Research Centre (WIRC).
- Modules cover theory and practice with guest speakers and practical exercises, as well as research-led academic insights and perspectives.
Triple Crown accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
#1 most targeted university of top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2024).
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the MSc HRM programme offers CIPD student membership and access to extensive resources.
Human Resource Management graduates are in high demand from a wide range of top employers for their specialist skills. Our ever-growing relationship with key employers in the sector will provide you with the opportunity to meet and network with leading national and global organisations.
Course delivery
Our Human Resource Management Masters degree includes a wide variety of learning and teaching.
- Taught modules – these include lectures, seminars, class discussions, readings, case studies, media and invited guest speakers.
- Assessments - these will include formal exams, essays, group work and oral presentations.
- Dissertation Project - you will have the opportunity to work with industry partners using real data to address a problem or opportunity facing a real company or to undertake a standard academic dissertation. The dissertation incorporates a training programme in research methods and critical appraisal of research approaches used in conducting HRM & ER research.
Module information
The course comprises of 180 credits, taught through a series of 20 credit modules and a 60 credit Dissertation . Students will study five core modules and choose one optional module.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Core modules
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| HRM Dissertation incorporating Research Methods | 60 | Full Term |
| Human Resource Development | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Human Resource Management and Ethics at Work | 20 | Semester 1 |
| International Human Resource Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
| International Perspectives on Employment Relations | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Managing Equality and Diversity | 20 | Semester 2 |
Optional modules
Students must choose one of the following options available in semester 2
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Managing Work and Organisation | 20 | Semester 2 |
| The Future of Work | 20 | Semester 2 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree
or international equivalent, in any subject
In order to be considered, applicants will have or should be expecting to achieve an Honours degree (2:1 or higher) or postgraduate diploma from a UK university (or overseas equivalent) in any subject.
Applicants who demonstrate being able to exceed the minimum entry requirements will be given preference.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any component
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency - minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): C1 'Expert' with no less than 25 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £16,860
(full-time)
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
Graduates will leave Birmingham perfectly placed to take up key HRM and employment relations positions. Employers have included: TotalEnergies, BP, Tiktok, Ramboll, Novartis, Randstad, Siemens, Deloitte, Honeywell, Shakespeare Martineau LLP and County & Local Councils.
As a Birmingham Business School student, you will benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.
Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.
BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni and employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship and graduate applications.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.