Human Resource Management

Course Outline

The Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management (HRM) provides a structured educational opportunity for early-career human resource professionals or those seeking to enter into the human resources profession.



Our HRM Higher Diploma provides comprehensive coverage of the main role span of the human resource (HR) professional in contemporary organisations and is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).



On this course you will gain a broad understanding of the factors to be considered when developing, implementing, and evaluating HR systems; approaches to recruitment and selection, learning and development, and performance and rewards management; the impact of labour legislation; and managing employment relations within different organisational contexts.



On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically discuss the spectrum of HR activity and the role of the HR function in organisations in a national and international context;

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required by responsible, ethical, and effective HR professionals;

• Apply appropriate conceptual frameworks to address HR challenges;

• Analyse data using the appropriate procedures, formulas, principles from the HR discipline;

• Identify a problem or issue appropriate for investigation through the HR discipline's way of thinking;

• Generate well-supported, justified conclusions for effective and responsible people management;

• Demonstrate written and oral communication capacity to a professional standard;

• Demonstrate an ability to collaborate effectively to achieve a goal;

• Demonstrate a growth mindset and ownership of learning.

Modules

The Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management is a 12-month part-time programme. Students take 60 credits as follows:

LW5844 Labour Law (5 credits)

MG5806 Performance and Rewards Management (5 credits)

MG5817 Learning and Development (5 credits)

MG5842 Managing the Human Resource Function (10 credits)

MG5843 Employment Relations (10 credits)

MG5845 Recruiting and Selecting Global Talent (5 credits)

MG5846 Business Issues and the Context of Human Resource Management (5 credits)

MG5847 Research Methods in Human Resources (5 credits)

MG5848 Professional and Ethical Human Resources in Practice (10 credits)

Applicants must have at least an NFQ Level 7 qualification in any discipline and at least 2 years of professional work experience.



Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be given to applicants who do not fully meet the above criteria but who have significant professional experience in a related field such as human resource management, training and development, employment relations, coaching, supervisory and management roles and at least an NFQ Level 6 qualification. In these circumstances, an interview may form part of the application decision.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 year part-time.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

On commencement of the programme, students receive student membership of the internationally recognised CIPD. Upon completion, graduates can apply for professional membership of CIPD.



Graduates of this programme have gone on to work in HR roles nationally and internationally across domestic and multinational companies, as well as in the public sector.