Human Resource Management and Development MA (CIPD Accredited)

The primary aim of this module is to develop students’ employability skills and support their search for a placement. The module will include communication, team working, negotiation and problem-solving skills development as well as practical workshops on selection methods, CVs, cover letters, interview preparation and techniques. The module will also introduce students to other methods that will include aptitude test and assessment centres. 

The module will develop your ability to analyse an organisation’s objectives and human resources to determine what performance management (PM) strategy would be appropriate and what processes would best suit the environment in which they operate. You will evaluate PM practice, in particular the setting of objectives and the process of giving feedback. You will be able to explain and evaluate the different techniques used in PM and their connection to learning and development and performance related pay. The module aims to develop the knowledge and skills required to conduct a successful performance interview both from a manager and employee point of view. You will gain credibility in the subject of PM, so that you can join, or progress further in the HR profession.

This module aims to develop students’ ability to apply insight-driven people management and development strategies by equipping them with the skills to critically analyse and utilise organisational data effectively. Students will assess and refine processes for measuring, collecting, analysing, and reporting HR data, evaluating its alignment with broader organisational metrics. The module fosters an evidence-based approach to HR functions and decision-making, enabling students to interpret and apply HR analytics, design investigative projects, and leverage data-driven insights to enhance strategic business outcomes.

This module provides the knowledge and critical understanding of reward management and you will critically evaluate current reward theories and practices. You will develop the skills required to research and analyse reward within an organisational context, and to present findings and recommendations to senior management. The module aims to give you credibility in the subject of reward, so you can join, or progress further, in the HR profession.

This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary strategic and management challenges, equipping them with the skills to formulate, implement, and evaluate business strategies in diverse organisational contexts. Students will critically explore strategic analysis frameworks, including macro and industry environment assessments, and examine the role of leadership and management approaches in driving organisational success. By integrating theoretical foundations with practical applications, the module emphasises critical thinking and strategic decision-making, preparing students to navigate complex business environments and develop effective, evidence-based management strategies.

This module aims to enable students to critically evaluate the key stages of the employee life cycle within an organisation, recruitment, selection, onboarding, development (L&D), retention, and exit. Students will also examine contemporary national and global industry trends, such as workforce demographics, geopolitical influences, and the impact of digitisation and AI, assessing their significance in shaping modern talent management practices.

This module aims to develop students’ critical awareness of the complexities involved in managing a contemporary workforce, with a focus on the underlying psychological processes. Students will critically examine how factors such as workforce diversity, evolving work structures, and socio-economic changes create new challenges for managers. Through engagement with research, case studies, and self-reflective exercises, the module encourages a re-evaluation of traditional management theories and practices, fostering the exploration of innovative and adaptive approaches to contemporary management issues.

The aim of this module is to provide students with a critical understanding of organisational development and change, exploring its significance for shaping organisational effectiveness and performance. Students will engage with multiple perspectives and analytical frameworks to assess how development and change can be managed effectively within complex organisational systems. The module examines the interplay between organisational culture, capability, values and relationships, adopting a systems approach to understand their impact on behaviour and performance.  Additionally, students will explore the roles of senior managers and ‘change agents, critically evaluating the challenges, conflicts and dilemmas that arise in the process of implementing change.  

This module will enable you to demonstrate a critical awareness of people management and development strategies, business orientation, and how research can add value through critically reviewing current people management and development theory and practice. In order to achieve this, it is this module's purpose to develop your ability to identify and undertake a live empirical piece of research into complex business issue from a people management and development perspective that will inform both current theory and practice. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, you will: locate, discuss and critically evaluate their research within current literature, collect and analyse data, critically review their findings in relation to the literature, develop conclusions and make practical and actionable recommendations. The applied nature of the dissertation requires a critical approach, academic research and business report writing skills. It also requires you to reflect on the implications for professional practice from an ethical, professional and continuous professional development standpoint. You will identify and undertake empirical research into complex business issues from a people management and development perspective and produce a 15,000 word report.

This module will enable you to demonstrate a critical awareness of people management and development strategies. You will understand how research can add value to business, by critically reviewing current people management and development practice. You will identify and undertake empirical research into complex business issues from a people management and development perspective, and produce a 7000 word report.

Throughout the course, there's a strong emphasis on developing the ability to apply theory to practice. Your learning will be developed through interactive lectures, directed reading, online activities, debates, case studies, visiting speakers, group work, tutor and student-led in-class activities, action learning sets and, peer and tutor feedback

To enhance your development, guest lecturers will provide alternative perspectives, opinions, and personal experiences that will reinforce learning. There will also be a two day learning enrichment workshop where students will engage in role play, debate, team games, presentations and peer discussions that are aligned to CIPD standards.

In class, you could expect to engage in case studies, debates and student-led appraisal interviews. Some modules may require you to take part in group and individual activities and self-direct study.

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. Your personal tutor will support you with help and advice throughout your studies.

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Timetable

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study. We aim to make your timetable available at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Typical weekly breakdown

A typical week looks like this:

For placement, there may be additional hours.

Learning terms

On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.

Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Skype or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.

Independent study: This is the work you will do in your own time including reading and research.

Part-time study

You can also study this course part-time.

You will be studying at our leafy north London campus in Hendon.

We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, individual coursework (business reports and essays), portfolios, group work and/or presentations.

All formative assessment is course work only (no exams) and a dissertation, which is a compulsory component of the MA.