Talent Management - Online

The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Talent Management at Technological University of the Shannon is a flexible, part-time, fully online Level 9 programme designed for professionals who want to move into, or progress within, strategic people management, HR, and talent leadership roles. As organisations across all sectors face increasing challenges in attracting, developing, engaging and retaining talent, the ability to manage people effectively has become one of the most critical strategic capabilities in modern organisations.



This programme has been developed in close consultation with industry and is directly aligned with the skills needs identified in regional and national labour market reports. It responds to the growing demand for professionals who can combine strong people management capability with strategic thinking, digital awareness, and evidence-based decision-making. The focus is not only on operational HR, but on talent management as a strategic function that shapes organisational culture, performance, resilience and long-term competitiveness.



The programme provides learners with a deep and applied understanding of how talent is identified, developed, supported and mobilised within organisations. Students explore contemporary issues such as employee engagement and wellbeing, leadership and organisational psychology, global talent management, and the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on HR and people management practices. A strong emphasis is placed on the ethical, social and organisational responsibilities that come with managing people in complex and rapidly changing environments.



A defining feature of the programme is its strong applied and work-based orientation. Learners are encouraged to bring their own organisational context into the classroom through case studies, projects and applied assessments. Those who are not currently in employment engage with rich, structured case material designed to mirror real organisational challenges. Throughout the programme, students develop advanced analytical, research and problem-solving skills, enabling them to evaluate organisational practices, design evidence-based interventions, and contribute at a strategic level to decision-making.



The inclusion of a capstone applied case studies project allows learners to integrate and apply their learning across the full programme, demonstrating their ability to address complex, real-world talent management challenges in a structured and professional way. By the end of the programme, graduates will not only have a sophisticated understanding of contemporary talent management, but will also be confident, reflective practitioners capable of leading people initiatives, shaping organisational culture, and contributing to strategic organisational development.



This programme is particularly suited to professionals working in HR, people management, L&D, or supervisory and management roles, as well as those seeking to transition into the talent management and HR domain. Delivered fully online, it is designed to be accessible, flexible and compatible with full-time work, while maintaining the academic rigour and depth expected of a Level 9 postgraduate award.

This is a 60 ECTS postgraduate diploma, delivered over 1 academic year, with three 10 ECTS modules per semester.



Semester 1

Engaging Workplaces for Employee Wellbeing (10 ECTS)

Leadership, Change and Organisational Psychology (10 ECTS)

Research Methods (10 ECTS)



Semester 2

Global Talent Management (10 ECTS)

Technology in Contemporary Talent Management (10 ECTS)

Applied Case Studies Capstone Project (10 ECTS)

Applicants must meet one of the following:



An honours Level 8 degree in a cognate discipline, e.g.



Bachelor of Business in Talent Management or equivalent, or



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Considered on a case-by-case basis in line with TUS RPL Policy



English language requirement (if applicable):

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent

1 year, part-time, online.

Progression

On successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Talent Management, graduates can progress directly into the Master of Arts in Talent Management at TUS.



Students who take this route enter directly into the dissertation stage of the MA and are required to complete a 30 ECTS thesis to achieve the full Master’s award.



This provides a highly efficient and attractive pathway for learners who:



Want to step off after the Postgraduate Diploma and return later to complete the Masters



Or who wish to continue straight on to achieve a full Level 9 Master’s qualification without repeating taught modules



This structure allows learners to build the qualification in stages, aligning study with career, workload and personal commitments.



In addition, the credits achieved on this programme may be used to support applications to other relevant postgraduate programmes, subject to institutional requirements and Recognition of Prior Learning policies.



Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Talent Management typically progress into or advance within roles such as:



Talent Manager

HR Manager / Senior HR Executive

People and Culture Manager

Learning and Development Manager

Organisational Development Specialist

HR Business Partner

Management and leadership roles with strategic responsibility for people and organisational capability

This qualification supports both career progression within HR and people management and transition into more strategic, leadership-focused roles.