Are you already working in HR and looking to take the next step in your career? A master’s in Human Resource Management will give you the advanced knowledge and skills to boost your career opportunities and earning potential in the field.
This guide will cover the basics of what’s involved in studying HR at Master’s level, and the questions you should consider to be able to compare courses effectively.
Why Study HR at Master’s Degree Level?
Studying HR at Master’s degree level will broaden your expertise in HR beyond the context of your current role and organisation. This will help you develop a better understanding of HR that isn’t limited by your current experience.
With an online master’s in Human Resource Management, you’ll also have exposure to a global cohort of HR professionals, so you’ll be able to leverage a range of perspectives and insights from your fellow students to further your knowledge and skills.
Studying at Master’s level is considered advanced learning. Taking an MSc in Human Resource Management develops critical and strategic thinking. This learning experience can help graduates to plan, implement and manage HR systems and operations to enable a business to achieve its strategic goals.
Studying human resources at this level can open up rewarding and intellectually stimulating career opportunities across industry sectors.
What Does A Human Resource Management Master Involve?
A master’s in Human Resource Management is usually split into core modules, a choice of one or two specialisation modules, followed by a final project/dissertation.
You’ll typically complete the core modules in an assigned order. Then, you’ll progress to the elective modules, where you can choose an area of specialisation depending on your area of interest. Finally, you’ll need to complete a final project/dissertation, which will usually assess how well you apply your learnings from the course to a real-world HR issue or topic.
Example Core Modules
- Managing Human Resources
- Contemporary Issues in International HRM
- Organisational Development
- Managing the Employee Lifecycle
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Ethical and Sustainable Business Practice
- Finance and Data Analysis for Managers
- Strategic Learning, Training and Development
- Managing Change and Conflict
- People and Performance Management
Example Optional Modules
- Occupational Psychology
- Training and Development
- Employment Law
- Automation and the Future of Work
- Employment Relations
- Gender and Equality at Work in Comparative Perspective
- Diversity Management
Career Prospects with a Master’s in HR
If you’re currently working within HR or a similar role and looking to take the next step in your career, gaining a master’s degree in Human Resource Management can help you become an expert in your field and an asset to your current or future employers.
By utilising the specialisations and final project offered on a master’s degree, you can demonstrate your suitability for a promotion, or for your next role with another organisation.
Some of the areas HR professionals can specialise in include:
- Recruitment
- Human Capital & Financial Management
- Compensation and Benefits
- Training and Development
- HR Management
- Compliance and Worker Safety
Studying Human Resources at Master’s Level
Online Human Resource Management master’s courses give you the flexibility and freedom to study on your own terms – where and when it suits you.
Most of these courses are asynchronous, so you don’t need to attend live lectures or tutorials – you can simply watch these online at a convenient time for you. Others may have live tutorials and/or lectures that you’ll need to attend, but you can still participate in these remotely.
At Master’s level, students are expected to be self-motivated and disciplined, as the majority of learning is self-directed. Tutors are available to ensure students are on the right track and progressing through the modules.
Remote/Online Learning
With an online master’s in HR, you’ll have the flexibility to study and continue uninterrupted with your current job and other commitments while you study.
You’ll also have online access to resources and support throughout the duration of your course—this includes access to your tutors, academics, and the global student cohort.
Most HR Courses at Master’s level have a set schedule for completing the modules and deadlines for submitting assignments. During each module, there will be weekly activities and opportunities to discuss the work with the tutors and fellow students.
In addition to academic support, most online degrees now have dedicated student support services to help students with any non-academic issues they may face when studying at the university.
Age and Experience
Because of their flexibility, online Master’s courses in HR are popular among mature students already working in HR or other professions.
Studying an online master’s course in HR as a mature age student lets you:
- Gain a promotion and more pay within your current organisation, or pursue more senior HR roles with other organisations.
- Leverage your existing work experience in HR and apply it to your studies.
- Specialise in an area of HR you’re particularly interested in
- Expand your learnings and knowledge in global HR through the unique perspectives and insights of your international student cohort.
- Harness your professional skills to help you effectively manage your studies, work, and other commitments.
Duration and Time Commitments
Online Human Resource Management master’s courses usually run for 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time.
A full master’s degree consists of 180 CATS points (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme), or credits, which equates to about 1,800 total hours of study.
Because of work and other commitments, mature age students often choose to take an online HR master’s part-time – by doing this, you can break down your study hours per week as it suits you. Use our part-time study calculator to find out how long it would take to finish your Master’s based on how many hours of study you can fit in each week.
Effective time management is crucial when studying for an online master’s in HR. That’s why it’s a good idea to set a study schedule before your course starts so that you have a better idea of the specific times you’ll be dedicating to your studies.
Online HRM Master’s Start Dates & Duration
Intakes for online HRM courses are generally in January and September each year. However, some UK universities may offer monthly intakes.
Online Human Resource Management Master’s Accreditation
When looking for HR master’s courses, it’s important to remember that for a university to have degree-awarding authority in the UK, it needs to be accredited by the UK Government.
So, it’s essential to check that you’re studying your HR master’s with an accredited UK university. Find out how to check if a university is accredited in the UK.
Meeting the Entry Requirements
Qualifications Needed
For mature students looking to study for a master’s degree in HR, applications are usually considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on your qualifications and experience.
Each university sets out its own entry requirements on its relevant course page, but in general, you need:
- A minimum of a 2:2 class degree in any subject, equivalent to a UK-awarded bachelor’s degree or
- Professional work experience in HR or a related field and/or other previous qualifications
If English isn’t your native language, you may also need an IELTS score of 6.5 or above to gain entry.
We recommend checking your preferred course pages and/or contacting your chosen university for information on specific entry requirements.
Online Application Documents
Places in online HR master’s courses can be highly competitive, so it’s a good idea to submit your application as early as possible.
Check your preferred course page for course application deadlines. It’s recommended that you prepare your application at least three months in advance of this deadline to give yourself adequate time to prepare all your documents and arrange funding for your course.
The documents you’ll need to apply for an online master’s in HR usually include:
- An online application form
- CV
- Personal statement
- Previous certificates and transcripts
Costs Involved
General Costs
Costs involved in studying an online master’s in HR include:
- Tuition fees: These can range from £8,000 to over £20,000, depending on the university.
- Other costs: If your chosen course requires you to complete exams, you may also need to pay exam fees (plus travel costs to an exam centre).
Funding Options
Financial Support
If you’re a UK resident, you may be eligible to apply for a Master’s Loan – a government-funded loan that will cover your course costs. You’ll only need to make repayments on this loan once you earn over a set amount. If you plan to use a master’s loan, the fees for some of the more expensive programmes are greater than the total loan amount available.
You can find out more about student finance options.
Human Resources Scholarships and Grants
Many universities in the UK offer scholarships and grants, so it’s a good idea to check with your chosen university to see if they offer these when working out how to pay for your course.
Find out all the options available for online master’s degree funding.
If you’re a registered subscriber to our website and meet the eligibility criteria, you’ll go into the draw to win a scholarship to go towards your tuition fees.
