Human Resource Management

Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
This qualification begins by examining the research and theory about the work of HR professionals, helps develop the skills needed to be an effective HR professional. You'll explore the contexts within which HR strategies and policies are developed, the choices an organisation may make about its HR strategy, and the implications of adopting the different strategies. There is also an analytical element as you'll learn how to manage people effectively and responsibly through analytics. The compulsory modules lay the foundations for choosing between looking at the concepts of employment relations and employee engagement or how coaching and mentoring supports learning in the workplace.

Key features of the course
• Gain an understanding of the HR professional's role, addressing ethical dilemmas, EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), and sustainable HR management.
• Develop essential people management skills such as interviewing, training, and managing performance.
• Learn to manage people effectively and responsibly using people analytics
• Option to include a focus on either employee relations or workplace learning.

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits and we recommend that you study the modules in the following order:
90 credits from the following:
Compulsory modules
• The role of the human resource professional (B810) 30
Next start: 05 Nov 2022
• Human resource management in context (B811) Planned 30
Next start: May 2023
• Managing people effectively and responsibly through analytics (B812) Planned 30
Next start: Nov 2023

plus 30 credits from the following:
Option modules
• Employment relations and employee engagement (B813) Planned 30
Next start: May 2024
• Workplace learning: coaching and mentoring (B814) Planned 30
Next start: May 2024

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 40 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

If you later choose to progress to the MSc in Human Resource Management (F93) you are advised to register for a higher-level award in the first instance. The MSc in Human Resource Management is the only qualification which provides a route to CIPD Membership.

You must hold a bachelors degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree, to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.

You will need to be able to draw on experience of working in or with organisations. This experience can be drawn from a wide range of situations such as employment in public and private sector organisations and in self-employed or voluntary roles.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

2 years

How long it takes
The minimum time to complete this qualification is two years by studying 60 credits a year. You should allow 12-13 hours of study per week for each 30-credit module. The maximum time to complete is five years.

Career relevance
This qualification provides knowledge and skills relevant to HR practice in the workplace. It will also provide training in academic skills that will prepare you for future study in the field of human resource management.

More generally, by studying a postgraduate business qualification you can expect your salary to increase and for it to have a positive impact on your career progression, as well as bringing improvements to your organisation.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.