MSc in Human Resource Management

This programme aims to develop your expertise in the field of Human Resource Management and allows you to gain professional accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD). You will be provided with a strong basis of theoretical and practical learning and be encouraged to develop the critical thinking skills and strategic orientation that underpins excellence in the HR profession. Taught by a team of world-class researchers and experienced practitioners, the course is designed to provide you with a high standard of knowledge and understanding of the current trends, opportunities and challenges facing HRM practitioners and researchers within the global context. You will have the opportunity to engage with experienced HR and organisational leaders, apply learning to the real-world context and develop practical skills for working in an HR environment.

The programme’s mixture of disciplinary rigour, academic expertise and applied focus equips you for work in a wide range of positions across the human resource management field. From whatever your starting point, you will be well positioned to advance your career with the potential to gain employment and promotion in the HR-related field. Depending on experience, you can secure employment in a range of roles starting from an HR Admin/Officer role to roles that are more senior such as an HR analyst, HR Advisor, HR Generalist, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, HR and Culture Advisor/ Manager. You can choose to pursue HR specialist roles such as Recruitment/ Talent Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Learning and Development Advisor/ Manager, Reward and Benefits Advisor/ Manager, Project Manager, HR Performance and Data Analyst, Career Advisor, as well as positions in consultancy, trade unions and academic and policy research across all sectors.

The programme delivers a suite of modules that explore and critically assess relevant and contemporary HRM-related theories, research and HRM practice (see course modules). You will also have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation that involves the investigation and analysis of an HRM-related issue and provides you with an opportunity for an applied and in-depth study of organisations and the management of work. You can be assured that our MSc HRM course is at the forefront of research-led, practical and theoretically informed education.

Professional Accreditations

The programme is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The programme provides the necessary knowledge and understanding to be awarded professional membership of the CIPD at the Associate level.

Career Development

The MSc HRM will provide you with the opportunity to participate in career management sessions delivered by careers advisors and leading HR professionals in the field. These sessions will enable you to consider your career goals and plan how to achieve them. The programme also includes further opportunities for students to develop employability skills and professional networks throughout the year. For example, in the past, our students have benefited from company visits that give insight into the work of a busy HR department and employability sessions focused on the HR professional’s online presence and use of LinkedIn.

Student Experience

Students will have the opportunity to participate in our HR Future Insights Series, which seeks to enhance students' learning experience by providing them with exposure to senior professionals in human resource management and related business communities. This series focuses on current and future trends and issues in HR and may include, for example, sessions on HR analytics, talent management, the future of work, and conflict management and negotiation.

The MSc HRM programme is taught in a blended learning environment incorporating both online and face-to-face teaching. You will be based at the Riddell Hall campus in South Belfast, which has dedicated facilities and resources for postgraduate students, including a postgraduate common room, group work ‘pods’ and a computer suite.

Welcome to the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast. We are a dynamic community of internationally acclaimed researchers, scholars and students who are committed to creating and sustaining a modern and meaningful place of connected learning. We are open to all talents, welcoming of challenge and change, and dedicated to using our subject expertise to make a difference in lives locally, nationally and internationally.

The Faculty has almost 10,500 students and over 700 academic and support staff who work in and across our five Schools – Arts, English and Languages; History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics; Law; Management; and Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, and in the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. Our colleagues and students pursue a wide range of activities, including world-leading research and life-changing teaching. We hope that you want to be part of our work: we have nearly 150 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as lots of challenging doctoral opportunities, so there is definitely something to suit your needs and ambition.

We are proud of the work of our students and staff, which has been recognised by many others for its quality and its commitment to work that makes. As a member of the Russell Group, Queen’s University Belfast is one of the UK’s 24 leading universities, providing students with a world-class education underpinned by world-class research. Queen’s is truly a global university, as our researchers work closely with more than 250 universities around the world and with even more businesses and agencies in Belfast and internationally. These networks and collaborations inform our programmes and offer great opportunities for students to learn with and from international peers and partners.

So, with a huge range of undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities, as well as a vibrant postgraduate research culture, I know that you will find that Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast will challenge and inspire you, as well as equip you with the first-class skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen career.

Nola Hewitt-Dundas Pro-Vice-Chancellor

An Intellectual Powerhouse

Spanning everything from traditional humanities and social science subjects to cutting-edge areas in Creative Arts and applied professional studies.

Over 40 per cent of our research is ranked in the top 25 per cent for its respective subject area, with a further 40 per cent in the top 50 per cent nationally.

A Collaborative Culture

Our interdisciplinary environment allows students from all fields the opportunity to interact with academic leaders and participate in their research.

Areas of notable excellence include Creative Writing, Sonic Arts, Global Financial Markets, Children’s Well-being, Poverty and Social Exclusion, Translation and Interpreting and Shared Education.