Human Resource Management MSc
What is special about this course?
Whether you are a graduate looking to gain employment in this specialist field or already in work and needing to develop your skills and abilities, the part-time, CIPD accredited MSc in Human Resource Management is ideal for you.
HR professionals play a crucial role in the development of organisations, and this professionally accredited award is designed to help current and future HR practitioners prepare for the challenges and opportunities in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
Special features
- CIPD accredited - on successful completion, you will be eligible to seek Associate membership of the CIPD, the professional body for HR specialists*
- If you are working in human resources or learning and development at a managerial or strategic level you can apply to upgrade from Associate Member to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow*
- 100% student satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2019)
- Flexible delivery options - means that you can study part time, taking either one or two modules per semester; attending online workshops and tutorials, through the university's virtual learning environment
- Taught by experienced HR practitioners
- Applied and practical assessments - you will undertake a major piece of advanced independent work within the area of HR at a strategic level, as well as a placement for those not already working within the HR profession
- Excellent online supportive learning environment
- Individual modules for CPD - you can choose to study individual modules for continuing professional development or work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or full Masters degree
*You will be required to join the CIPD as a student member if you wish to receive Associate or Chartered Membership on completing the award.
Entry requirements
- 2:2 honours degree or above OR
- Successful completion of the CIPD Foundation Certificate and Diploma in Human Resource Practice, plus relevant professional experience
- Applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered on an individual basis
Access routes
PgCert
Core modules:
- Managing in the global network
- Managing and developing the human resource
You will also choose one option module from the following:
- Talent development and management
- Reward development and management
- Employment law
- Employee relations
- Information decision-making
- Effective communications
- Work placement
PgDip
Core modules:
- Research for business
- Entra- and intra-preneurial thinking
You will also choose one of the remaining modules from the PgCert:
- Talent development and management
- Reward development and management
- Employment law
- Employee relations
- Information decision-making
- Effective communications
- Work placement
MSc
To achieve the award of MSc you will need to select a THIRD option from the list above and also complete an applied research project.
How will I study my course?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
As your course was designed to be fully online and has run successfully for many years in this way, we can confirm that there will be no change to how the course will be delivered this year. You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment. You will also have an online induction at the start of the course and will be able to meet your fellow students, lecturers and personal academic tutor through video conferencing.- You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Part-time (structured, two modules per semester): online supported learning
- Part-time (unstructured, one module per semester): online supported learning
- There are a variety of assessment methods throughout the course, including: presentations, reports, essays, timed online assessments, group work, annotated bibliographies and case study analysis. The assessments are designed to be applied to your own specific organisational and professional practice
How long will my course last?
- Part-time (structured): 2.5 years
- Part-time (unstructured): up to 5 years
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness College UHI
Start date
- September
- January
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £560 | £560 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,680 | £1,680 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,360 | £3,360 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,000 | £5,000 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £650 | £650 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,950 | £1,950 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,900 | £3,900 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £5,850 | £5,850 |
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government has confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals starting their study in Scotland from academic year 2021-22, who do not have settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. For 2021-22, students will get an automatic fee scholarship.
| 2021-22 | With scholarship | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £980 | £730 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2940 | £2,190 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £5,880 | £4,380 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £8,820 | £6,570 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying online from their home country, or assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £980 | £980 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2940 | £2940 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £5,880 | £5,880 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £8,820 | £8,820 |
This course is not available to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
Scotland domiciled part-time students undertaking any taught postgraduate course over two years up to Masters level who meet the residency eligibility can apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for a tuition fee loan up to £2,750 per year.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.
Additional costs
- You will be required to join the CIPD as a student member if you wish to receive Associate or Chartered Membership on completing the award. The current cost of this is £90 per annum. Please note that joining the CIPD does provide you with access to a wealth of guides, information and advice related to HR
What can I do on completion of my course?
This programme prepares students to operate as HR professionals and in the management of human resources, within a wide range of private, public and third sector organisations.
You will be eligible to seek Associate Membership of the CIPD, the professional body for HR specialists. If you work in human resources or learning and development, at managerial or strategic level, you can apply to upgrade from Associate Member to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
What our students, graduates and staff say
I was attracted to the course because it involved largely online tutorials and reading materials supported by knowledgeable and enthusiastic teaching staff. The online technology set up at the university is fab. This university has a unique feel and character because of its geographic spread, variety of subjects and levels of study. It is vibrant, exciting, inclusive and diverse and welcomes those with disabilities, whether physical or learning, by providing appropriate additional support for study, assignments and exams.
Emma Knox, a qualified lawyer, suffered a life-changing accident and during her rehabilitation decided to study our MSc Human Resource Management.
Apply for Human Resource Management MSc
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.