Human Resource Management - MSc
2025/26 Part-time Postgraduate course
Award:
Master of Science
Faculty:
Ulster University Business School
School:
Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing
Campus:
Belfast campus
Start date:
September 2025
Developing HR Professionals of the Future
A highly relevant course, the MSc Human Resource Management develops HR professionals capable of facing organisational challenges now and into the future. This course will enhance your people management knowledge and skills with immediate impact on your organisation. Topics include Resourcing and Talent Management, Organisation Design and Change, Employee Relations and Engagement and Employment Law.
The Labour Relation Agency acknowledges high achieving students with an award for best dissertation, the research and recommendations of which provide people management and development business solutions. Both CIPD NI and CIPD National Awards for Outstanding Student of the Year were won by two of our students in 2018 and 2019 and again the former in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Professional membership of CIPD is vital for employability in the HR profession. Get professional membership alongside your MSc HRM. The course has been mapped to the new CIPD Profession Map. CIPD is recognised in the UK, Ireland, Europe and Australia. Employers want people who can make a difference - get the academic and professional recognition you deserve!
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
Currently there are eight taught modules on the programme as follows:
Year 1
- Organisational Behaviour and HRM
- Strategic HRM in Context
- Resourcing and Talent Management
- Management Research for HR Practice
Year 2
- Organisation Design and Change
- HR Analytics
- Employee Relations and Engagement
- Employment Law
Self-Driven Module with Academic Supervision Year 2 or Year 3:-12,000-word Dissertation
New Developments! The course has recently been redesigned in line with the new CIPD Profession Map; new areas include analytics, diversity, change and students will gain key skills and knowledge required for the HR profession such as ethical practice and creating value.
Duration
The course lasts for a minimum duration of 2 years part-time.
Attendance
Monday afternoon and Monday evening throughout semesters 1 and 2 (September through to December and end of January through to May). Each semester is 12 weeks in duration.
In year 2 MSc HRM students complete their Dissertation during semester 3 or there is the option of completing in a third year.
Students attend two lectures each week on Monday afternoon and evening covering two subject areas. Assessment is via 100% coursework (there are no exams) and meets the requirements of the CIPD so that graduates from the course can leave with both a valued academic qualification from Ulster University and a professional qualification at Associate level from CIPD.
Teaching and assessment is relevant to the students' workplaces and roles so that they may see an immediate value in studying for the qualification. Innovative assessment methods are employed on the course such as applied presentations and online journalling.
The course is taught by subject experts and guest lecturers are invited to showcase current industry perspectives.
Students are encouraged to share their work experiences and to learn from each other as well as from their lecturers. Networking with peers is a valuable learning experience and is encouraged - this is fostered right at the beginning of the programme with a 2-day, outdoor, development residential.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
Students are usually expected to have a second class honours degree or equivalent, English (GCSE grade C or equivalent) and one year’s experience in an HR or HR-related role, for example, line or supervisory role.
In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee may be considered for entry to the course. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
An interview may form part of the selection process.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Exemptions may be given on the basis of other postgraduate qualifications but these would have to be approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) to ensure the CIPD Profession Map requirements have been covered in modules for which exemption is being claimed.
In this section
This course is very relevant to those in the HR profession, seeking to further their experience and/or career development opportunities and for line managers wishing to develop their knowledge and expertise in people management. In addition, Professional Membership of the CIPD is increasingly important for employability within the HR profession.
Not applicable.
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2025/26 fees will be announced in due course.
See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2024/25 entry.
There is one externally sponsored prize awarded to students each year based on their performance on the course:
The Labour Relations Agency Prize for Best Dissertation.
CIPD Student Membership costs are paid directly to CIPD. Most recent fees at time of publication £140 (included a one-off joining fee of £40) - see membership information.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Jennifer Reilly, MSc HRM graduate talking about her experience on the masters
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
