Human Resource Management

The MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM) addresses contemporary HRM debates and draws on the niche expertise of staff to deliver mainstream and specialised HR learning, balanced with expert speakers and teaching participants. Given developments globally in responsible management education (UN PRiME) special attention is paid to understanding issues of responsibility and sustainability in HR management. The programme aims to develop HR leaders (not HR technicians) who can lead responsible and sustainable HR practices in a global environment.

Programme Objectives

This programme provides a critical and academic assessment of the Human Resource Management (HRM) approach and its application by employers in the context of significant structural and contextual change in the world of work and employment. Particular attention is paid to understanding issues of responsibility and sustainability in HR management.

The curriculum for the MSc Human Resource Management builds on mainstream HRM to incorporate specialist topics which are regularly updated to ensure topicality and continued relevance. The programme is taught from the Institute for Socio-Management and so students have access to specialists in a variety of fields.

The curriculum and how it is delivered is innovative and challenging for all students regardless of their academic background. The programme uses a variety of assessment methods ranging from the more traditional examinations and essays, to formative assignments (short essays and group feedback).

The programme seeks to provide recent graduates with a conceptual foundation for a career in the field of human resource management or for further academic study in the subject, or to update the knowledge and qualifications of personnel/HR practitioners and trade unionists,. It will also provide you with a wider perspective on the principal issues and concerns affecting work and provide the basis for more effective decisions.

Entrance Requirements

An Honours degree or an equivalent professional qualification in a relevant subject from a university recognised by the University of Stirling.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21.

Funding

Modes of Study

Full-time:
MSc: one year; Diploma: nine months

Programme Start Date

September

Structure and Content

The full-time programme consists of two 15-week semesters of taught modules and a three-month dissertation period. In the autumn semester you take the following modules:

• Work, Employment and Society:  This module provides you with a strong foundation for the Master’s programme. It introduces you to the key issues, concepts and debates regarding the world of work and employment and develops your skills in academic discussion and academic writing
• ‘People Management’: This module explores the policies and procedures used in organisations to manage staff. It will deal with human resource planning, recruitment and selection, managing performance, rewards, grievance and discipline, managing relationships, learning and development, health, safety and welfare, and diversity
• Responsible and Participative Management: This module places employee participation within a business, ethical, political and sociological context. Attention is paid to understanding issues of responsibility and sustainability in managing for employee participation. Students will develop knowledge of issues that confront managers and trade unions involved with employee ownership and employee participation
• Responsible Business in Society: This module addresses the contemporary challenges to business practice emanating from the sustainable development and responsibility agendas. It provides a strong foundation for understanding the implications of business practice on broader society, and conversely the impact that social activism, public scrutiny and pressures on the brand have on business governance/corporate strategy

In the spring semester you will take the following modules:

• The HRM Debate: This module analyses the concepts, practices and outcomes of HRM as distinct from personnel management. It assesses the background, assumptions and aims of several HRM models and evaluates them against traditional notions and practices of personnel management in the UK
• Contemporary Issues in HRM: This module provides an in depth examination of HRM in particular sectoral contexts. It seeks to provide students with a variety of examples within which theoretical HRM debates are played out.
• Sustainable and International HRM: This module examines the theoretical underpinnings and the practical implications of international approaches to human resource management. It will enable you to analyse the different models of international HRM and the major employment policies of multinational companies
• Management Research Methods: This module introduces research methods in the field of business and management. You will be shown how these methods can be used in practice in preparing for your dissertation

Delivery and Assessment

You have an active role in your learning experience. Delivery includes lectures, seminars, case studies, presentations, and workshops, followed by a three-month dissertation period. Assessment is by a mixture of examination and coursework, including written assignments and presentations. Successful completion of the taught element of the programme leads to the award of the Diploma or allows you to continue for the award of the MSc HRM by completing a 15,000-word dissertation based on an original research question agreed by yourself and your supervisor. The project should reflect your own understanding and knowledge of selected topics learnt during taught courses.

Timetable

Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.

RAE Rating

The reputation of our research staff was recognised in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), where 85 percent of our research activity was rated as being of ‘International Significance’.

Career Opportunities

Successful graduates can expect many career opportunities in human resource management, employee relations and personnel management. Graduates develop careers in a wide variety of roles in: consultancy, private, commercial and public sectors, service and manufacturing organisations, as well as in research and further academic study. The programme has an excellent reputation in the business community, leading to a very high employment rate for our graduates.