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Human Resource Management at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our MSc Human Resource Management is ideal if you wish to pursue a dynamic career as an HR professional in contemporary organisations. It will develop your critical analytic skills in design, implementation and evaluation of human resource practice, policy and processes in organisations both in the UK and globally. Why choose this course?

  • The role of human resource management (HRM) within organisations is now arguably more important than ever. This HRM degree gives you the opportunity to specialise with either a focus on people management or on organisational development and consultancy.
  • Taught by award-winning academics and practitioners in the field of HRM, this course is designed to provide you with both industry and academic experience, applications of theory, and realistic and tangible responses to the demands of twenty-first-century working.
  • It is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Upon successful completion, you will be an Associate Member of CIPD with the option to upgrade to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow, provided you have relevant work experience.
What you will learn This MSc Human Resource Management has been designed to provide you with theoretical and practical foundations to enhance your understanding of critical issues in HRM, including equality and diversity, employment law, leadership development and organisational change. With the prevailing economic uncertainties, cost pressures, exhausted workforces and changes in the way we work, we examine how the focus of HR professionals in the future will mostly need to centre around:
  • reinvigorating trust between employers and their leaders to optimise the adjustment to new working norms
  • rethinking organisational culture to establish an efficient workflow fit for the new world of work
  • investing in adopting and preparing for the impact of emerging HR technologies
  • rethinking external recruiting and internal career pathing approaches to attract and retain critical talent.
We will also motivate you to think critically about the role of HRM within organisational contexts to ensure that workplaces are equitable, diverse and provide work that is both meaningful and safe. How you will learn You will study alongside a diverse and professional set of colleagues working through the challenges of the contemporary workplace, including students on other relevant courses to provide you with numerous networking experiences, chances for knowledge sharing and incentives for creativity and innovation. This course is available for full- or part-time study and offers modules you can study online and/or on campus. Classes take place in the evening. Teaching may include seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. You will also have access to pre-recorded online lectures. This course is part of our new Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. Highlights
  • In your first term you will be able to choose from one of two pathways on this degree which allow you to specialise according to your career aspirations or interests, with a focus either on people management, or on organisational development and consultancy.
  • Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
  • This human resource management degree draws on the research expertise of our teaching team, many of whom are active members of our Diversity Research Group.
  • The University of London also offers an online MSc Human Resource Management with academic direction from Birkbeck.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in management, human resources, training and development, and consultancy. Possible professions include:
  • human resources officer
  • management consultant
  • retail manager
  • logistics and distribution manager.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Essays or reports, written examinations at the end of each term and a project (8000-10,000 words).

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Personnel and Development, Chartered Institute of

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in social sciences or a business-related discipline. Management development professionals and consultants without a first degree but with suitable professional qualifications and at least five years' significant management experience in a range of organisations may be considered.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £11700 Year 1
Northern Ireland £11700 Year 1
Scotland £11700 Year 1
Wales £11700 Year 1
International £20340 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Human Resource Management at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS