Course summary
This CIPD-aligned MSc is ideal for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of people, work and organisations, while developing the leadership and analytical skills needed to improve performance, culture and working lives across a wide range of roles, within HR and beyond. You will study advanced HRM through a blend of theory, research, and applied practice. The course develops your ability to design evidence-based people strategies, lead organisational change, and work ethically with diverse stakeholders. Graduates are well prepared to progress their careers strategically across HR, people management, and related professional roles. This MSc is professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), meaning your studies meet the standards of the UK’s leading HR body and support your progression into a career in human resources and strategic people management. This course is ideal for graduates from any discipline and professionals who want to build skills in HR, people management, and leadership. Whether you aim to move into HR, progress into management, or strengthen your ability to lead others, the MSc supports your development for future leadership roles across a wide range of sectors.
Modules
• Strategic People Management You will explore how people, leadership, culture, and strategy connect in real organisations. You will build the skills to think clearly and ethically about HR as a strategic function that shapes performance, change, and workplace culture. • Digital HRM Analytics: From Insights to Action You will learn how digital tools and people data shape modern HR. You will use analytics and AI insights responsibly to improve performance, fairness, and decision-making in today’s digital workplaces. • Managing People in Practice You will learn how people practices work across the employee lifecycle. You will apply HR theory and coaching skills to design ethical, practical solutions that improve performance, inclusion, and organisational success. • Employment Relations You will learn how to manage workplace relationships fairly and confidently. You will apply employment law, negotiation, and coaching skills to resolve issues, support voice, and make ethical decisions that build trust at work. • Leading Sustainable Futures in the People Profession In this final module, you will tackle real people challenges with employers. You will use research and systems thinking to design ethical, evidence-based solutions and present them with confidence to professional and academic audiences.
Assessment method
You will be assessed via a mixture of examinations and assessed coursework in the form of essays, portfolios and projects, reports, case studies, presentations, design tasks and primary/secondary research. Informal assessment is incorporated into the learning process and you will be given feedback during seminars encouraging reflective practice in formal assessments.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Personnel and Development, Chartered Institute of
Entry requirements
A minimum 2:2 Honours degree or an equivalent qualification, or in exceptional circumstances, three years’ or more significant managerial experience. Holders of CIPD Graduate Membership, or postgraduate qualifications in either HRM or general management, may be entitled to exemptions through the fast-track programme. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall with no lower than 5.5 in any one component.
USW English Language Requirements
https://www.southwales.ac.uk/international/courses/ielts-english-programmes-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
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
Some courses incur costs as part of your learning - these are in addition to the course fees and students are often responsible for these costs. We would urge you to visit the relevant course pages on our website (http://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/msc-human-resource-management/). These pages have information on fees and funding, and additional costs where relevant.
Provider information
University of South Wales
Llantwit Road
Treforest
Pontypridd
CF37 1DL