Human Resource Management

Overview
This programme aims to develop your expertise in the field of Human Resource Management, and allows you to gain professional accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD). You will be provided with a strong basis of theoretical and practical learning, and be encouraged to develop the critical thinking skills and strategic orientation that underpins excellence in the HR profession. Taught by a team of world class researchers and experienced practitioners, the course is designed to provide you with a high standard of knowledge and understanding of the current trends, opportunities and challenges facing HRM practitioners and researchers within the global context. You will have the opportunity to engage with experienced HR and organisational leaders, apply learning to the real-world context and develop the practical skills for working in a HR environment.

The programme's mixture of disciplinary rigour, academic expertise and applied focus equips you for work in a wide range of positions across the human resource management field. From whatever your starting point, you will be well positioned to advance your career with the potential to gain employment and promotion in the HR-related field. Depending on experience, you can secure employment in a range of roles starting from a HR Admin/Officer role to roles that are more senior such as a HR analyst, HR Advisor, HR Generalist, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, HR and Culture Advisor/ Manager. You can choose to pursue HR specialist roles such as Recruitment/ Talent Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Learning and Development Advisor/ Manager, Reward and Benefits Advisor/ Manager, Project Manager, HR Performance and Data Analyst, Career Advisor as well as positions in consultancy, trade unions and academic and policy research across all sectors.

The programme delivers a suite of modules that explore and critically assess relevant and contemporary HRM- related theories, research and HRM practice (see course modules). You will also have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation that involves the investigation and analysis of a HRM-related issue and provides you with an opportunity for an applied and in-depth study of organisations and the management of work. You can be assured that our MSc HRM course is at the forefront of research-led, practical and theoretically informed education.

Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Learning and Teaching Methods

Throughout the programme you will benefit from a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, skills workshops and masterclasses. Lectures are often interspersed with discussion, group exercises and case studies, which allow you to engage with theories and concepts and reflect on their application in practice. You will have opportunities to make presentations and to work on a variety of group tasks, both assessed and non-assessed, improving your communication and leadership skills. You will have the opportunity to benefit from both face-to-face interaction with your lecturers and peers, as well as online learning using our state-of-the-art digital technologies, such as Canvas. You will benefit from the School's wide ranging industry networks and its links with the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute, also based at Riddel Hall.

Your learning will also benefit from the diversity of academic backgrounds, experiences and national cultures that make up the class. This creates an exciting and stimulating social and learning environment and is particularly beneficial for working in HRM given that diversity and inclusion are key priorities for the profession.

Course Structure
This course is offered on both a full time and part time basis. The programme consists of the following eight taught modules (each worth 15 CATS) and a final dissertation/ consultancy project (worth 60 CATS).

Semester One
Human Resource Management in Context (Part time Year 1): Explores how managers and HR professionals can best respond to their internal organisational and external environmental contexts.

Human Resource Management Theory and Strategy (Part time Year 1): Explores the latest strategic approaches and techniques HR professionals are taking in order to align specific people management practices with the business strategy.

Performance and Reward Management (Part time Year 2): Examines contrasting models and methods and assesses how these are applied in different business environments.

HRM Analytics (Part time year 2): Uses leading software tools to carry out HR analytics, including descriptive, visual, and prescriptive analytics to understand the wider organisational implications for people management approaches.

Semester Two
Resourcing and Talent Management (Part time Year 1): Explores organisational responses to changing labour markets, and examines how organisations acquire and retain the necessary skills, attitudes and experience to meet business objectives.

Managing Employment Relations (Part time Year 1): Evaluates wider empirical trends in employment relations approaches, evaluates the basis of conflict in organisations and explores the rights and obligations imposed by employment law.

Research Methods for Business (Part time Year 2): Introduces research methodologies, processes and techniques required for carrying out an independent and original research project or a consultancy project.
Human Capital Development (Part time Year 2): Evaluates the existing context and practice relating to the design and undertaking of training and development initiatives within firms.

Summer Semester
Final Dissertation; or Consultancy Based Report (Part time Year 2) *

*The dissertation normally involves the investigation and analysis of a HRM-related issue within organisations and provides you with an opportunity for an applied and in-depth study of organisations and the management of work. A Consultancy Project involves working with a client organisation to make recommendations for solving a pre-set consulting problem, challenge or issue in the field of HR.

Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline.

Applicants with a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University and sufficient relevant experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A formal interview, the submission of written work or exam may form a part of this procedure.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 12th August 2022 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

1 academic year full-time or 2 academic years part-time.

Career Prospects
The MSc programme prepares students for a range of HR-related roles in management and research. From whatever your starting point, you will be well positioned to advance your career with the potential to gain employment and promotion in the HR-related field. Depending on experience, you can secure employment in a range of roles starting from a HR Admin/Officer role to roles that are more senior such as a HR analyst, HR Advisor, HR Generalist, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, HR and Culture

Advisor/ Manager. You can choose to pursue HR specialist roles such as Recruitment/ Talent Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Learning and Development Advisor/ Manager, Reward and Benefits Advisor/ Manager, Project Manager, HR Performance and Data Analyst, Career Advisor as well as positions in consultancy, trade unions and academic and policy research across all sectors.

Recent graduates of the programme have gained employment in a range of organisations from various sectors, including: First Derivatives, Moy Park Group, Power NI, Zurich Insurance, Energia, Inspire Well Being, Health and Social Care NI/ NHS, Baker McKenzie, Allen and Overy, Fin Tru, A&L Goodbody, Crane Co., Finnebrogue and many others.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus, Graduate Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes, alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/