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MSc|Postgraduate Taught

Human Resource Management

Entry year
2025/26
Entry requirements
2.2 (minimum 55%)
Duration
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
Places available
Open (Full Time)
Open (Part Time)

The MSc Human Resource Management (HRM) programme aims to develop your expertise in HRM and allows you to gain professional accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD).

Taught by leading researchers and practitioners, the MSc HRM programme covers current trends, opportunities, and challenges in global HRM. You'll engage with HR leaders, apply real-world learning, and develop practical HR skills.

Whether you are a HR professional or want to enter the HR field, the MSc Human Resource Management will help prepare you for your next career move. Accredited to the advanced level by the CIPD, this master's programme ensures that you will graduate with the essential skills for a successful HR career.

Human Resource Management highlights

Professional Accreditations

The programme is fully accredited to the advanced level by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The programme provides the necessary knowledge and understanding to be awarded professional membership of the CIPD at Associate level.

*Professional membership fees to CIPD are an optional and additional cost on top of the programme fees (see below).

World Class Facilities

Queen’s Business School (QBS) has recently undergone an innovative expansion that establishes a benchmark of global excellence for one of the top business schools in the UK and Ireland. A stunning new 6,000 square metre building, adjacent to the listed red-brick Riddel Hall has been designed with the latest digital infrastructure for media lecture capture, TED Talk provision and collaborative breakout sessions.

Fostering an enhanced social and educational experience the new state-of-the-art QBS venue boasts a 250-seat tiered educational space; 120-seat Harvard style lecture theatre; 150-seat computer laboratory; breakout study spaces; FinTrU Trading Room; a café, and a Business Engagement and Employability Hub.

Career Development

The MSc HRM will provide you with the opportunity to participate in employability sessions delivered by careers advisors and leading HR professionals in the field. These sessions will enable you to consider your career goals, plan for how to achieve them, and network with key contacts working in HR.

Student Experience

The MSc HRM programme is taught in a blended learning environment incorporating both online and face-to-face teaching. You will be based at Queen's Business School Student Hub, which has dedicated facilities and resources for postgraduate students,
Read about student experiences at Queen's Business School, from local, national and international perspectives via the Student Experiences Blog.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/student-opportunities/student-experiences-blog/

Students will have the opportunity to participate in our HR Future Insights Series which seeks to enhance students' learning experience by providing them with exposure to senior professionals in human resource management and related business communities. This series focuses on current and future trends and issues in HR and may include, for example, sessions on HR analytics, talent management, the future of work, and conflict management and negotiation.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

This course is offered on both a full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 years) basis. Part-time students typically complete two modules per semester. Full-time students typically complete four modules per semester. The programme consists of the following eight taught modules (each worth 15 CATS) and a final dissertation/ consultancy project (worth 60 CATS). Currently, each 15-CAT module has a 2 hour class timetabled each week for 10 weeks each semester.

Semester One

Human Resource Management Theory and Strategy (Part time Year 1): Explores the latest strategic approaches and techniques HR professionals are taking in order to align specific people management practices with the business strategy.
Managing Employment Relations (Part time Year 1): Evaluates wider empirical trends in employment relations approaches, evaluates the basis of conflict in organisations and explores the rights and obligations imposed by employment law.
Performance and Reward Management (Part time Year 2): Examines contrasting models and methods and assesses how these are applied in different business environments.
HRM Analytics (Part time Year 2): Uses leading software tools to carry out HR analytics, including descriptive, visual, and prescriptive analytics to understand the wider organisational implications for people management approaches.

Semester Three

Summer Semester
Final Dissertation; or Consultancy Based Report (Part time Year 2) *

*The dissertation normally involves the investigation and analysis of a HRM-related issue within organisations and provides you with an opportunity for an applied and in-depth study of organisations and the management of work. A consultancy project involves working with a client organisation to make recommendations for solving a pre-set consulting problem, challenge or issue in the field of HR.

Semester Two

Resourcing and Talent Management (Part time Year 1): Explores organisational responses to changing labour markets, and examines how organisations acquire and retain the necessary skills, attitudes and experience to meet business objectives.
Leading Organisational Change (Part time Year 1): Provides learners with the knowledge and understanding about why and how organisations change, the impact of change on people within the organisation, and the role of HRM in leading and building capabilities for change.
Research Methods for Business (Part time Year 2): Introduces research methodologies, processes and techniques required for carrying out an independent and original research project or a consultancy project.
Human Capital Development (Part time Year 2): Evaluates the existing context and practice relating to the design and undertaking of training and development initiatives within firms.

People teaching you

Programme Director

Queen's Business School
Email: r.reaney@qub.ac.uk

Teaching Times

Teaching is typically on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Learning and Teaching Methods

The MSc Human Resource Management programme employs flexible and innovative teaching methods, blending seminars, lectures, workshops, and online materials.

Engagement approaches include case studies, software demonstrations, practical workshops, role plays, group work, and scenario discussions.

Semester 3 focuses on independent and applied learning through a dissertation or consultancy projects, with dedicated academic support and company mentors where relevant.

Students also benefit from the School’s industry networks and its connection with the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute. The diverse backgrounds, experiences, and cultures of classmates create a stimulating learning environment, enriching the study of HRM, where diversity and inclusion are key.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • The programme uses a diverse set of assessments, including individual essays, case study analyses, group presentations (live in-person, live online, or recorded online), poster presentations, analytics reports, research reports, critical reflections, oral examinations, and strategic plans.

    This variety is balanced with a streamlined approach to assessment submissions and feedback, ensuring manageability for students. Tailored and timely feedback is provided for all assessments.

    The programme culminates in the assessment of the dissertation or consultancy project.

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree (with minimum of 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline.

Applicants who have sufficient and relevant experience and have a 2.2 Honours degree scoring below 55% (or equivalent qualification that is acceptable to the University) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A formal interview, the submission of written work or exam may form a part of this procedure.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note:  international applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure a place on this course.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

This programme prepares students for a range of HR-related roles in management and research. From whatever your starting point, you will be well positioned to advance your career with the potential to gain employment and promotion in the HR-related field in a range of industries including IT, manufacturing, banking and finance, education, and scientific research.

For further opportunities to enhance your studies and career prospects please see the school website.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/student-opportunities/

Employment after the Course

The MSc Human Resource Management programme aims to equip you with skills suitable for various HR roles, from HR Admin/Officer to HR Analyst, HR Advisor, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, and HR and Culture Manager. Specialist roles include Recruitment Manager, Learning and Development Manager, Reward and Benefits Manager, Project Manager, HR Data Analyst, and Career Advisor. Opportunities also exist in consultancy, trade unions, and academic research.

Graduates of the programme have gained employment in a range of organisations from various sectors, including Capita, Citi, Danske Bank, PwC, DHL, HRMC, Apple, NHS, Kainos, Ernst and Young, Baker McKenzie and many others.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Prizes and Awards

Legal Island sponsor an end of year prize for the Best Overall MSc HRM student.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)
International £25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)

£6,000 Scholarship available for 2025 entry. Click this link to view the Terms and Conditions.

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Students have the option to undertake a consultancy project for their dissertation and are responsible for funding any travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.

There may be additional costs associated with field trips. There may be further additional costs for membership of CIPD Professional Body, approximately £40 admission charge and £109 for student membership per year. CIPD student membership is recommended but not obligatory.

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications:

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 

1.2  International applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure their place on the course. The current mandatory tuition fee deposit payment is £1000 International (Non- EU & EU except ROI). 

1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/tuition-fees/deposit-refunds-policy/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus