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MSc Human Resource Management

Lead people with purpose with an accredited online HR degree that’s made to shape the modern workplace.

Start Dates: January, May, September

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Study Mode: Online

Fees: £11,520

About the programme

Happier workplaces start with understanding what truly drives people at work. With up to 90% of UK employees dissatisfied (Gallup, 2023), businesses need HR professionals who can not only create engaging, flexible, and inclusive environments but also manage change during this time of unprecedented digital transformation. 

This fully online master’s degree equips you with the skills to design evidence-based HR strategies—from performance management to team dynamics—preparing you to lead healthier, more productive organisations in today’s evolving world of work.

Accreditation 

This programme is delivered by the Brunel Business School, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

It’s also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), meaning this course meets professional standards in HR and people development, and can support your pathway to CIPD membership.

Modules

All learning is delivered online to fit around your work and personal commitments. You’ll complete 6 core modules, 2 optional modules, and a dissertation, combining theory and practical tasks to prepare you for a career in human resources.

Managing people across borders brings fresh challenges and opportunities as workforces become increasingly global. This module examines how HR strategies are shaped by different regional contexts—from the EU and USA to Japan and Southeast Asia—and how organisations navigate cultural, legal, and operational differences in international HRM.
Topics:
  • International HR strategy
  • Cross-cultural management
  • Regional HR practices
  • Global recruitment
  • Expatriate management
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Multicultural teams
  • HR information systems

How do successful organisations continue to drive progress? This module explores how knowledge is created, shared, and applied within teams, across networks, and through technology. You’ll examine the role of digital platforms in supporting innovation and long-term business growth.
Topics:
  • Knowledge management
  • Organisational learning
  • Social networks and collaboration
  • Innovation strategy
  • Web 2.0 tools
  • Knowledge transfer

What shapes employee satisfaction and workplace culture? This module unpacks leadership theories and behavioural models, helping you evaluate how management styles impact motivation, teamwork, and organisational performance.
Topics:
  • Organisational behaviour
  • Management approaches
  • Individual differences
  • Motivation and satisfaction
  • Teams and groups
  • Managerial roles
  • Leadership development
  • Organisational design
  • Culture and innovation

Make better decisions with the power of research. This module equips you to interpret, evaluate, and apply both qualitative and quantitative findings, giving you the tools to approach complex business challenges with confidence and clarity.
Topics:
  • Research design
  • Qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Data interpretation
  • Literature review techniques
  • Ethical research practice
  • Critical analysis skills

Human resource management is more than recruitment—it shapes every step of the employee experience, from talent resourcing and performance development to the smart use of technology. This module examines how these interconnected elements combine to create adaptable, motivated teams that thrive in today’s changing work landscape.
Topics:
  • HRM fundamentals
  • Technology in HR
  • Strategic alignment
  • Resource-based view
  • Psychological contract
  • Selection methods
  • Competency analysis
  • Psychometric testing
  • Assessment centres
  • Remote and virtual work

Human resource management has come a long way since its early days, evolving to meet the complex demands of modern workplaces. This module challenges you to critically examine how HR policies and practices shape organisations today, with a strong focus on ethics, leadership, and the real-world impact on employees and business outcomes.
Topics:
  • HR forces and employability
  • Human capital measurement
  • Learning and development
  • HRD impact
  • Leadership and HRM
  • Performance management
  • Reward systems
  • HR outsourcing
  • Ethics and CSR
  • Professional practice

Managing across borders brings unique challenges—and opportunities. This module equips you with the theories and practical tools to navigate cultural differences, global trends, and complex decision-making within multinational organisations. Learn how to apply international management concepts in real-world settings to lead effectively across diverse environments.
Topics:
  • International trends
  • Political and legal context
  • Cultural influences
  • Cross-cultural communication
  • Negotiation and conflict
  • Global HRM
  • Mergers and acquisitions

Responsible leadership in global business means mastering ethics and governance across cultures and markets. This module explores sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and governance frameworks that shape decision-making in SMEs and multinationals alike.
Topics:
  • Shareholder vs stakeholder models
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Ethical theories
  • Cross-cultural ethics
  • Governance structures
  • Board roles and accountability
  • Sustainability

This module explores strategies that empower diverse workforces across cultures and borders, focusing on leadership, organisational change, and the practical challenges faced in multinational environments. You’ll gain insight into how global diversity drives innovation, equity, and long-term success in today’s interconnected business world.
Topics:
  • Defining global diversity
  • Diversity across functions
  • Theories of diversity management
  • Leadership and change
  • Cross-cultural challenges
  • Organisational transformation

What does it take to build and grow a successful venture? This module explores the mindset, challenges, and strategies behind entrepreneurship, equipping you to identify opportunities, develop business ideas, and lead small firms through different stages of growth.
Topics:
  • Entrepreneurial mindset
  • Opportunity evaluation
  • Business planning
  • Growth strategies
  • Leadership transitions
  • Types of ventures

Entry requirements

To join this programme, you’ll need:

  • A 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in any subject is all you need to apply. While work experience isn’t essential, many of our graduates have found it valuable in getting even more from their studies.

All modules and assessments are delivered in English, so you’ll need to meet our English language requirements. We accept a range of qualifications, including:

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all areas)
  • Pearson (PTE): 59 overall (59 in all subscores)
  • BrunELT: 63% overall (minimum 58% in all areas)
  • TOEFL iBT: 90 overall (minimum 20 in each section)
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Become best-in-class in managing workforces

Global recognition: Join a top 25% UK university where your degree carries weight worldwide. 

Skills that transform: Develop expertise that shapes people strategy and drives organisational success.

Learn by doing: Build practical experience through real projects and tools you’ll use on the job.

Support every step: Benefit from expert guidance designed for busy professionals balancing study and work.

Start your journey

Gain in-demand people skills that power your career

HRM frameworks

Critically evaluate theories, ethics, and legal contexts shaping modern people management.

Talent strategies

Implement recruitment, rewards, and performance approaches that boost organisational success.

Workforce challenges


Address complex issues like diversity, equality, and AI-driven people analytics with confidence.

People research


Design and lead rigorous projects that inform workforce policies and strategic decisions.

Workforce influence


Communicate insights clearly to engage and persuade diverse stakeholders.

Professional identity


Blend theory and practice to grow as a leader and lifelong learner in people management.

Our graduates work here

Source: www.linkedin.com

Give your career an accredited edge

Built with input from industry professionals, this CIPD-accredited programme prepares you to launch a rewarding career with leading employers like Accenture, Amazon, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, Microsoft, PwC, and more.

As a Brunel online graduate, you’ll join a far-reaching alumni network and be well-prepared to lead workplaces in people-centred roles like:

  • Human Resources Officer 
  • HR Practitioner / Consultant 
  • Training and Development Officer 
  • Business Adviser 
  • Recruitment Consultant 
  • Management Consultant 
  • Payroll Specialist 
  • Operational Researcher

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Fill out the form and one of our advisors will be in touch with more information, including our brochure.

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