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    MSc
    2025 start September 

    Human Resource Management

    Management School, Faculty of Social Sciences

    This course will allow you to develop an expert understanding of the role human resource management plays in contemporary organisations. You will learn about human resource issues such as recruitment and retention, pay and remuneration, management styles and practice, corporate social responsibility and wellbeing, along with a range of other topics.
    5 students sitting around a desk doing group work in a seminar room

    Course description

    Our Human Resource Management MSc is available in two formats:

    1. without accreditation - this course
    2. with accreditation from the UK Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) - see MSc Human Resource Management with CIPD pathway 

    The CIPD-accredited pathway has a specific list of core modules and optional modules, while the non-accredited pathway contains a wider range of optional modules.

    By undertaking an MSc in Human Resource Management you'll develop a detailed and thorough understanding of the role human resources play in modern organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors. 

    You will be taught by world-class researchers from across the Management School and will learn about a diverse range of topics including pay, performance management, recruitment and retention, strategic management, skills and workforce development, worker voice and representation, and international HRM. 

    You will also learn about how to conduct research which involves designing a research project, obtaining ethical approval, undertaking qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and applying theoretical knowledge to explain empirical data. 

    The final element of the MSc HRM is the authoring of a substantive piece of independent research in the form of either a dissertation or a company project.  The latter involves working with an organisation such as a private company, a public organisation or a charity to produce a piece of research in conjunction with them.  Throughout your dissertation/company project, you will receive personalised supervision from an academic who will offer guidance on your project.

    Upon graduation, you'll be equipped with the necessary knowledge and experience to succeed and flourish in human resources management, both in the UK and internationally.

    Accreditation

    The Management School is Triple Crown accredited by AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB.

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules:

    Managing People in Organisations

    This module aims to introduce students to the core aspects of Human Resource Management (HRM), using research-informed teaching to critically assess HR tools and techniques, engage with current debates in the field, and provide a reflective analysis of HRM today. Supporting aims of the module are to enable participants deepen their knowledge and understanding of HRM issues, to develop insights into the changing role of HRM practitioners in the context of ongoing organisational change, and to think about the issues involved in 'live' HRM problems in organisational contexts. The module covers some core building blocks in HRM to introduce concepts to students, moving on to examine some thematic themes, with the overall aim of introducing students to key issues and debates in HRM today. This module relates to the CIPD 'People Management and Development' standard.

    15 credits
    Professional Development

    This module is concerned with helping students develop generic management skills which can be applied within the context of specific HRM domains. It encourages students to reflect upon and account for how specific contexts influence how HR knowledge is applied and managed.

    15 credits
    Industrial Relations

    This module focuses the specific nature of the relationship centring on the employment contract, the different ways in which employees may voice their concerns, industrial disputes and mechanisms for dispute resolution, as well as topical issues.

    15 credits
    Employee and Organizational Development

    This module investigates the theory and practical operation of training and development initiatives from the individual, group and organisational perspective. The focus of the module is on learning and the whole process from needs analysis to evaluation will be covered. Methods and tools for learning and development will be critically analysed and their impact on employee and organisational outcomes assessed.

    15 credits
    International Human Resource Studies

    This module investigates labour market trends and human resource practices within diverse political, economic, social and regulatory contexts. In addition to analysing the impacts of globalisation, international institutions and national governments on employment policy and regulation, it also examines the human resource practices of particular foreign direct investors, multinational corporations, and public sector organisations in the majority and minority world (Global South/ODA recipients and Global North). Particular attention is accorded to trends in the deployment of people across the world of work, and to how HR can be utilised within different cultural contexts.

    15 credits
    Employee Performance Management

    This module investigates the practical operation of different forms of performance management, their implementation, their change and their impact upon the individual with specific reference to motivation theory and reward management. It considers how recent social, economic and technological changes might be impacting upon the members of organizations and giving rise to new modalities of performance management as managers attempt to cope with increasing levels of uncertainty.

    15 credits
    Research Methods

    The unit provides an introduction to a wide range of research methods used in management research. It prepares students for their dissertation by helping them to make an informed choice of objectives and methods (design, data collection and analysis) for thier own research. It also prepared students to review the literature and critically evaluate the methods used by others, to consider ethical issues around research and to prepare a plan for their dissertation research.

    15 credits
    Management Project

    This unit requires the student to pursue a study of a topic appropriate to the field of human resource management. The topic chosen by the student must receive approval from a supervisor on behalf of the Management School. A dissertation written by the student should be delivered to the School at the conclusion of the study. The study, and the resulting dissertation, may take the form of issue-centred academic research or of an applied human resource management problem-solving exercise. In either case, it requires the student to apply critical analysis, to set the topic within the context of appropriate human resource management literature, conduct empirical research and consider the implications for human resource praxis at the relevant level of analysis.

    45 credits

    You will take two of the following:

    Work and Organisation in East Asia

    The dynamics of change in East Asia are increasingly important for understanding the development of global society. This module will describe and analyse 'work and organization' in East Asia and consider whether its cultures and practices are shaped by national models. Adopting multi-disciplinary perspectives, we will examine the historical and cultural embeddedness of Japanese models and their contemporary socio-economic construction. We will consider structures such as the family and education system that prepare people for workforce entry and look a contrasting working contexts from the participants' perspectives. We will then compare Japanese work contexts with China, Taiwan and South Korea. 

    15 credits
    Contemporary Chinese Business and Management

    This module will examine changing cultures and practices of business and management in China in the context of recent economic and political changes, notably rising marketisation and globalisation. 

    15 credits
    Accounting and Financial Management

    This module is designed to provide knowledge and understanding of the roles of accounting and financial management in modern business organisations. The module will introduce students to the objectives, techniques and limitations of accounting for the purposes of external accountability and internal decision-making and control. The module will also introduce students to the objectives, techniques and limitations of financial investment appraisal and provision of financial resources.

    15 credits
    Strategic Management

    This unit introduces key theories of Stategic Management of business organisations; those concerned with strategy design and development, techniques and frameworks for crafting strategic options, competitive challenges of a global market environment, implementation of strategy and change. This theoretical understanding will then be illustrated and examined by reference to the way particular companies in contrasting industries have designed and executed their strategies.Particular attention will be devoted to expose students to many facets of strategy formulation/analysis and strategy implementation issues.

    15 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    1 year full-time

    Teaching

    • Lectures
    • Seminars
    • Case studies
    • Group work for collaborative learning
    • Web-based discussion groups

    Assessment

    • Individual assignments
    • Group projects
    • End-of-semester examinations
    • Dissertation

    School

    Management School

    We are a leading management school with Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS). These awards have been achieved through the outstanding quality of our programmes, research output, support for students and alumni, and links with industry. We have a world-class reputation for high quality teaching, ground-breaking research and cutting-edge thinking.

    You’ll be part of a dynamic and engaging management school that puts you and your future at the heart of everything it does. We balance a rigorous academic foundation with practical skills to ensure you are ready for the world of work.

    We want you to develop skills so you can apply course content in a company setting. Our close links with organisations keep us in tune with the changing demands of the workplace. We know what employers are looking for.

    You'll learn from experts - many are former industry professionals and they work closely with businesses. Because our academics are world-leading researchers, your education will draw on the most current management theories.

    We want you to engage with the academic content, be conscientious and take an independent approach to study. We want you to be informed, innovative and proactive and do everything we can to support and enhance your career, steering you in the right direction with all the knowledge and skills you require.

    You'll benefit from tailored on-site and online professional careers support, dedicated skills sessions and events with experts from world-leading organisations and professional bodies. These activities will help guide your personal and professional development to help you secure your dream placement, internship or graduate role.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in any subject.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent

    Pathway programme for international students

    If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Fees and funding

    More scholarships and fees information can be found on the Management School website.

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    Apply now

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.