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Human Resource Management

MSc

Application options include:

Full-time Part-time
On campus Flexible learning Online

Course Overview

Our MSc Human Resource Management is ideal if you wish to pursue a dynamic career as an HR professional in contemporary organisations. It will develop your critical analytic skills in design, implementation and evaluation of human resource practice, policy and processes in organisations both in the UK and globally.

Why choose this course?

  • The role of human resource management (HRM) within organisations is now arguably more important than ever. This HRM degree gives you the opportunity to specialise with either a focus on people management or on organisational development and consultancy.
  • Taught by award-winning academics and practitioners in the field of HRM, this course is designed to provide you with both industry and academic experience, applications of theory, and realistic and tangible responses to the demands of twenty-first-century working. 
  • It is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Upon successful completion, you will be an Associate Member of CIPD with the option to upgrade to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow, provided you have relevant work experience.

What you will learn

This MSc Human Resource Management has been designed to provide you with theoretical and practical foundations to enhance your understanding of critical issues in HRM, including equality and diversity, employment law, leadership development and organisational change.

With the prevailing economic uncertainties, cost pressures, exhausted workforces and changes in the way we work, we examine how the focus of HR professionals in the future will mostly need to centre around:

  • reinvigorating trust between employers and their leaders to optimise the adjustment to new working norms
  • rethinking organisational culture to establish an efficient workflow fit for the new world of work
  • investing in adopting and preparing for the impact of emerging HR technologies
  • rethinking external recruiting and internal career pathing approaches to attract and retain critical talent.

We will also motivate you to think critically about the role of HRM within organisational contexts to ensure that workplaces are equitable, diverse and provide work that is both meaningful and safe.

How you will learn

You will study alongside a diverse and professional set of colleagues working through the challenges of the contemporary workplace, including students on other relevant courses to provide you with numerous networking experiences, chances for knowledge sharing and incentives for creativity and innovation.

This course is available for full- or part-time study and offers modules you can study online and/or on campus. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. Teaching may include seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. You will also have access to pre-recorded online lectures to give you an overview of a particular field of study that you can watch and absorb at a time that suits you.

This course is part of our new Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. 

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Human Resource Management (MSc).

Key information and modules

Find another course:

Highlights

  • In your first term you will be able to choose from one of two pathways on this degree which allow you to specialise according to your career aspirations or interests, with a focus either on people management, or on organisational development and consultancy.
  • Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). 
  • This human resource management degree draws on the research expertise of our teaching team, many of whom are active members of our Diversity Research Group.
  • The University of London also offers an online MSc Human Resource Management with academic direction from Birkbeck. 
Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact us

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in social sciences or a business-related discipline.

    Management development professionals and consultants without a first degree but with suitable professional qualifications and at least five years' significant management experience in a range of organisations may be considered.

    On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

    Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

    International students: if you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you must meet certain minimum in-person attendance requirements. You will be required to primarily study on campus and so will only be able to apply for the on-campus study mode.

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Human Resource Management MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, flexible learning, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £5,850 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,700 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
    Full-time international students: £20,340 per year

    Human Resource Management MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, online, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £5,850 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,700 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
    Full-time international students: £20,340 per year

    Human Resource Management MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £5,850 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,700 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
    Full-time international students: £20,340 per year

    Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    Teaching sessions are designed to be as interactive as possible. Each module will be supported by recorded lectures and online materials.

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    Essays or reports, written examinations at the end of each term and a project (8000-10,000 words). All assessments can be taken remotely.

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    Graduates can pursue career paths in management, human resources, training and development, and consultancy. Possible professions include:

    • HR business partner
    • HR strategic lead
    • HRM-focused management consultant
    • organisational design specialist.

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

    You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

Visit the Birkbeck Business School

Related courses

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Human Resource Management MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, flexible learning, starting October 2025

Our flexible learning route allows you to pursue the Human Resources Management (Generalist) pathway which focuses on people management. 

For this route, you can choose to take modules online or you can choose to take them on campus. You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:

  • eight compulsory modules (15 credits each)
  • a supervised independent applied research project (60 credits).

Research methods and skills are integrated throughout the course.

Compulsory modules - online or on campus
MSc Human Resource Management research project

Course structure and modules for Human Resource Management MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, online, starting October 2025

Our online route allows you to pursue the Human Resources Management (Generalist) pathway which focuses on people management. 

You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:

  • eight compulsory modules (15 credits each)
  • a supervised independent applied research project (60 credits).

Research methods and skills are integrated throughout the course.

Compulsory modules
MSc Human Resource Management research project

Course structure and modules for Human Resource Management MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You select from one of two pathways, which you will confirm in your first term:

  • Human Resource Management (Generalist) with a focus on people management
  • Human Resources Management (Development and Consultancy) with a focus on organisational development and consultancy

Please note:

  • Human Resource Management (Generalist) can be completed via:
    • attendance in person at our Bloomsbury campus
    • distance learning where you attend evening seminars online, or
    • a mixture of online and on-campus learning with our flexible learning route.
  • Human Resources Management (Development and Consultancy) is taken via:
    • on-campus learning because some modules are not available as fully online learning, as they are reliant on a case study-based approach to explore and develop consultancy skills. 

For each pathway you must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:

  • eight compulsory modules (15 credits each)
  • a supervised independent applied research project (60 credits).*

Research methods and skills are integrated throughout the course.

* Students on the Human Resources Management (Development and Consultancy) pathway have the option to complete the Consultancy Challenge as their project, working with a top consultancy firm to hone your consultancy skills and gain practical experience. Please note that places on The Consultancy Challenge are limited and subject to entry criteria.

Human Resource Management (Generalist) pathway: compulsory modules
Human Resource Management (Generalist) research project
Human Resource Management (Development and Consultancy) pathway: compulsory modules
Human Resource Management (Development and Consultancy) research project