Overview
Managing teams of people while recognising the needs of individuals in the workplace is a growing area of interest for corporations who want to ensure employee wellbeing and good productivity levels. With the introduction of concepts such as flexi-hours and remote working, and rights around parental leave, human resource management is taking centre stage. The Human Resource Management MSc offers the opportunity to explore the issues of managing people both in theory and in practice and how this can contribute to organisational success.
The HRM MSc is accredited by the The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
The CIPD is the professional body for HR and people development. It has over 160,000 members internationally - working in HR, learning and development, people management and consulting across private businesses and organisations in the public and voluntary sectors. Further information about how to become a CIPD student member can be accessed via the link.
Find out more on our accreditations and exemptions page.
The compulsory modules look at areas such as talent search, selection and recruitment, leadership recruitment, reward management, performance management, and creating an environment of learning and development.
International human resource management is also covered, looking at expatriation, management across cultures, and HR systems and processes from an international perspective.
As a prospective human resource manager, you will be able to address business and professional situations knowledgeably, making a contribution to improved organisational performance and delivering sound HR support.
Events organised via the Business Life Employability Programme will expose you to the various tests used by HR departments such as:
BAT (Bloomberg Aptitude Test)
The BAT is a three-hour online test which can be taken on campus within an invigilated environment with a Bloomberg representative. BAT was designed in conjunction with leading financial institutions and academics to uncover a person’s levels of knowledge and skills relevant for a financial career.
Psychometric testing
Online aptitude and ability tests which are taken under test conditions. You will also receive confidential feedback on your performance and advice and tips to help you use your results effectively.
Assessment centres
The opportunity to experience a range of assessment centre exercises and tasks from the perspective of the candidate and the assessor.
Myers Briggs Type Indicator
Widely used in organisations to help people understand team dynamics, completing this will help you to identify your own preferred style of communication, information processing, and decision making.
Belbin
Belbin reports identify a person’s behavioural strengths and weaknesses to ascertain their ideal team role. It is used primarily to select and develop better-performing teams, but can also be used to raise self-awareness, increase personal effectiveness, and aid recruitment decisions.
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The course consists of both compulsory modules which provide a strong basis of knowledge in HR and optional modules, which allow you to diversify somewhat in areas such as entrepreneurship and diversity in the workplace.
Compulsory
- MG5618 Contemporary HRM: Policy, Development and EvaluationExploring key issues and debates in respect of HRD (Human Resource Development) with a particular focus on organisational impact and outcomes. Critical reflection on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint.
- HRM in Context: Resourcing, Performance and Assessment
Understanding the framework of analysis for how organisations manage people. Focus on recruitment, selection process and assessment, onboarding, changing work roles and changes in employment practice.
- International and Comparative Human Resource ManagementExamining human resources strategy and practice for organisations operating across national boundaries, including the EU and its member states, the USA, Japan and South East Asia.
- MG5594 Knowledge Management, Social Networks and InnovationInvestigating the global knowledge-based economy and wider socio-economic factors affecting knowledge transfer. The use of social engagement in business development.
- MG5595 Organisational BehaviourThe key functions of leadership and management and how they are differentiated.
- Dissertation
This module provides the knowledge to conduct an independent piece of research in the international business field. It includes training on how to identify a research problem, collect and analyse data and present the results to the highest standards in management science. It also includes a series of one to one supervision meetings with an academic member of staff.
- Understanding Business and Management Research
The module introduces the fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative methods in management research and how these are applied to solve complex problems in the field of international business. It also provides training on the most advanced statistical software packages used in management research and practice.
Optional
- EntrepreneurshipStudying the nature of entrepreneurship and its importance in society. Analysis and understanding of the psychological and behavioural characteristics of the entrepreneur. Overview of the major theories in the field (psychological theory and cognitive theory) as well as the main approaches to entrepreneurship.
- Global Diversity Management
Training and development activities for diverse workforces with different socio-economic backgrounds, interests, beliefs, value systems.
- International Management
This module examines the legal, cultural, economic, political, technological and ethical challenges in managing complex international operations across borders. It also explores managerial behaviours and organisational processes that are key when operating in a competitive global environment.
- International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
This module focuses on business ethics, sustainability and corporate governance in internationally operating organisations. These areas are addressed from the perspective of the dual ‘business’ models of the shareholder and the stakeholder approaches. The broader societal impacts of business activities are discussed by using concepts from moral philosophy, CSR, sustainability and corporate governance.
- Strategic Management
This module introduces students to the design and choice of strategies in organisations across industries and sectors. It enables students to appreciate the challenges that confront managers in complex, dynamic and increasingly uncertain conditions. Students develop skills in critical thinking, logical analysis, argument and judgement based on insights from case studies and cutting-edge research.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
This is an ideal postgraduate course if you wish to become a human resource practitioner or consultant as it looks in depth at a full range of approaches in human resource management, techniques and methodologies.
Our programmes are built with input from business professionals with the specific aim of helping you enter the workplace fully equipped and confident of your abilities. As a masters graduate you’ll be equipped to enter a number job roles, including: Human resources officer; Human resources practitioner / consultant; Training and development officer; Business adviser; Recruitment consultant; Management consultant; Payroll Specialist; Operational researcher
Some of the well-known names who value Brunel Business School graduates include Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, British Airways, Capgemini, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, McCann, Microsoft, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Xerox.
UK entry requirements
- A 2.2 (or above) UK Honours degree or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in or a related or non-related subject. Work experience is not required.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£13,750 full-time
International
£25,000 full-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
At Brunel Business School (BBS), you will experience a rich and engaging on-campus learning environment. Our modules are delivered through engaging lectures, and in most modules, through seminars that allow for interactions in smaller groups. Additionally, you will have access to a wide range of resources on Brightspace, our online learning platform, including PowerPoint slides, video recordings, and peer-reviewed academic publications that align with the module learning objectives. Moreover, BBS students benefit from a range of support and opportunities from our dedicated staff and faculty, such as:
- Extra-curricular activities designed to enhance your skills and expand your network, such as social events, guest speakers and industry visits/field trips (please note these may vary within programmes)
- A dedicated Student Experience Team to provide pastoral care
- A dedicated ASK Academic Skills support team to help you understand and address coursework requirements
- Personalised tutoring and wellbeing advice to support your academic and personal development
- Employability guidance and career planning from our in-house director.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Teaching includes lectures, informal small study groups, and individual or group presentations using a laptop and digital projector.
Tutors on this programme are leaders in the field of HR and active researchers within the School’s Human Resource Management and Organisation Behaviour Research Group (HRM-OB). Their research findings often contribute to relevant course content.
Tutors often provide their own seminal review papers, empirical studies, and theoretical models for consideration by the students. Students are asked to present their findings back to the group having critically assessed the research findings for themselves. The ensuing debate is used to deepen understanding and argue as to whether high-performance HRM practices do indeed contribute to organisational performance and profitability. Current issues and case studies are also brought forth for debate as they happen.
One such example is Professor Ozbilgin’s book, Global Diversity Management: An Evidence Based Approach (2008) co-authored with Dr Ahu Tatli, which is a core text on the optional module of the same name. It is the only empirical research-based text in the field and contains original fieldwork on diversity management that spanned eight years.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Modules are usually assessed by individual assessment or by examination in May.
Coursework and examinations give you a chance to demonstrate critical and constructive thinking and reasoning. Your dissertation is a 12,000 word document that will show your ability to conceive, design and execute a major project, which confidently substantiates your chosen line of enquiry.
