Human Resources Management MSc - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Human Resources Management
MSc Human Resources Management with Professional Placement Year (Placement pathway (24 months))
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Human Resources Management |
| PGCert | Human Resources Management |
| PGDip | Human Resources Management with Professional Placement Year |
| PGCert | Human Resources Management with Professional Placement Year |
Professional recognition
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PKA61003 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with Placement | PKA71009 | 240 credits and 120 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PKA61114 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Business and Management (Master)
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Surrey Business School
Programme Leader
STOKES Michelle (SBS)
Date of production/revision of spec
18/12/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- The MSc in Human Resource Management develops students' knowledge and skills in the evaluation, discussion, and analysis of issues in the people management profession and related fields, including consulting and general management.
- In Semester 1, students are introduced to the foundations of people management and HRM practices, as well as the wider context of work in which these take place.
- In Semester 2, students are introduced to the more technical aspects of the regulation of work, resourcing, and people development.
- The programme structure is closely mapped with requirements for CIPD's Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management offering students the opportunity to become a Chartered Member of the CIPD upon successful completion of all modules related to and specified in their requirements.
- Students learn how managers are best able to utilise human resources to create added value for customers and to secure a competitive advantage for their organisation.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Develop a firm grounding in (strategic) people management, including: HRM strategies for national and international organisations, employment relations, learning and development strategies for individuals and firms, legal aspects of managing employment relationships, leadership and its development, and resourcing | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Acquire and develop critical thinking skills and the ability to critically evaluate theory, empirical evidence, and practices in the core areas of people management, leadership, change and enterprise, to reflect the dynamism and vibrancy of the business and management environment | CPT | PGDip, MSc | |
| Demonstrate understanding of the uniqueness, complexities, and tensions within the employment relationship and demonstrate skills in problem-solving and conflict resolution | KP | PGDip, MSc | |
| Gain an appreciation for the full value and potential of people management to organisations (domestically and globally) | KT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Develop ability and skills to collect qualitative and quantitative data necessary to effectively manage people in organisations, understanding, from multiple perspectives, the dynamic and interrelated nature of people management strategy and business strategies and its impact on stakeholders | KCPT | MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Full-time with Placement
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over 24 months, consisting of 240 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Part-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over two academic years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
All September intake will undertake MANM004 in Semester 2.
Year 1 (full-time with placement - 24 months) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time with placement - 24 months) - FHEQ Level 7
All September intake will undertake MANM004 in Semester 2.
Year 2 (full-time with placement - 24 months) - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MANM486 | PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT YEAR | Core | 60 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 2 (full-time with placement - 24 months) - FHEQ Level 7
NA
Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MANM466 | EMPLOYEE RESOURCING | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| MANM484 | LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| MANM485 | HRM AND THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| MANM004 | EMPLOYMENT LAW | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
All September intakes will undertake MANM004 in Semester 2.
Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
All Year 2 part-time students will undertake MANM004 in Semester 1.
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | Y | Yes |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Employability: The programme is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required in all HR-related roles. In addition to activities and assessments specially designed to enhance students' employability in a competitive labour market, the programme contains a whole module on HR and leadership skills. Most modules offer guest speaker sessions, events organised in collaboration with employers and the local Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) branch. This programme is fully accredited by the CIPD - a CIPD accredited degree is a hallmark of quality and professional credibility, recognised by employers.
Global and cultural capabilities: Students and staff on this programme come from diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. Most assessment elements, as well as the activities embedded in the delivery of the programme, require students to work together, solve problems, and creatively tackle people management challenges. As such students broaden their own world view, perspectives, and interpretations by interacting in a culturally varied environment. Our student body, guest speakers, and members of staff are global and diverse, currently representing more than 30 nationalities, which provides students with an internationally excellent educational experience.
Digital capabilities: During the programme, students acquire and develop a range of digital capabilities. The teaching and learning strategy is a hybrid between in-person and online teaching and learning activities. In addition to the person-computer interface embedded in the programme, some assessment components require students to engage with several digital platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Canvas. Students are also trained in operating research software packages such as SPSS and NVivo.
Resourcefulness and resilience: Our programme is an intensive learning journey designed to enhance students' continual professional development. Their performance and progress is facilitated and assessed by both formative and summative assessments. All interactive components of the programme contain coaching and mentoring elements aimed at helping students develop their individual and collective resourcefulness and resilience in the face of challenges and adversity. By the end of the programme, students have developed necessary attributes for a career in people management such as confidence, adaptability, and self-regulation.
Sustainability: One of the key aims of the programme is to advance students' understanding and awareness of aspects of sustainability and ethical people management. Sustainable and ethical people management principles inform all modules in line with the CIPD code of practice. The programme is informed by the three pillars of sustainability, economic, social, and environment.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.