MA Strategic People Management and Human Resources (Extended)

This course enables entry onto the MA HRM if you did not gain a first or second class honours at degree level (or equivalent). It will add to your existing skills and knowledge providing you with enhanced understanding and abilities which will prepare you for Masters courses, whilst also providing English support if you need help in this area.The aim of the MA HRM is to provide you with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills pertinent to your development as a Human Resource professional. You will be able to operate in international environments given the unique design of our programme. The course is intellectually challenging and upon completion, you will have the skills, knowledge and understanding to be able to function exceptionally well as an HR professional. In addition, all modules are also aligned to the professional standards of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) which offers you the opportunity to apply for membership of the CIPD.The course is designed for students who want to embark on advanced level study of Human Resource Management to develop analytical and evaluation skills that can be applied to real work situations. The course recognises that people management is a key force for successful economic growth and thus emphasises the development of knowledge and understanding of a range of management and business practices and the ability to apply them effectively in an innovative manner. The course also adopts an interdisciplinary approach and will help you develop your own understandings of complex and challenging business environments. To help this process we also (where possible) arrange visits to some of the larger businesses such as Toyota, JCB and Whitbread. These are designed to give you an insight into the structural complexities and management of large business concerns, thus giving you valuable experience of the concepts you study in class. Coupled with an innovative assessment portfolio, you are provided with a mutually inclusive and dynamic learning experience based on the principles of continuous professional development.What's unique about this course?All modules are also aligned to the professional standards of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD)This award will develop your knowledge of a wide range of organisational issues related to the people profession and support you in achieving the next step up in your career in HR, L&D or OD&DThe course content reflects our close working relationship with local organisations to understand their needs in relation to managing, supporting and developing their people to drive organisational success.6th in the UK for Business and Management courses (The Guardian University Guide 2025)What happens on the course?This exciting and innovative programme is designed for those professionals looking to enhance and develop their masters’ level strategic level knowledge and behaviours to support career development in the People Management Profession (including Human Resources, Learning and Development and Organisational Development).We have a longstanding relationship with local branches of the CIPD and this ensures that you have access to a wide range of practitioners to develop their networking and other professional skills. CIPD branch members also provide voluntary services such as mentoring which students who are CIPD members can access to help support their personal and professional development.

The entry requirements for the MA HRM (Extended) are:

• Any undergraduate degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent, or a professional qualification and/or experience considered to be equivalent to the above;
• A reference from a tutor who has supervised the applicants undergraduate studies and/or employer;
• Please check our minimum language entry requirements before submitting your application;
• We offer a range programmes in English as a Foreign Language if you don't meet these requirements.
• A Certificate in Personal Practice, a Certificate in Training Practice, a Certificate in Recruitment and Selection, or an equivalent CIPD certificated programme, plus two years relevant experience.
• Students holding the PgD Human Resource Management may be eligible to enter with advanced standing.

Students may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) subject to the guidelines set out in the RPL Handbook. RPL includes accreditation of prior certificated learning and /or accreditation of prior experiential learning.

Applications are also welcome from individuals who do not possess the above qualifications but who have significant management experience and are able to demonstrate previous non-certificated learning equivalent to the above.  In such cases, admission to the programme will be based on an evaluation of the applicants ability to continue to benefit from and achieve the award.