Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

Programme Aims:

• To provide market led programmes informed by the latest research and developments in the fields of HR and employment relations.

• To foster in graduates the capacity for reflective practice, and professional and personal development so that they are able to contribute effectively to the leadership and management of business, organisations and society.

• To provide graduates with advanced understanding of the social science theory and evidence that underpins people management practice, allowing students to meet the knowledge requirements for chartered membership of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.

For Msc HRM

• To develop graduates with the capacity to undertake advanced analyse and critically evaluation of contemporary issues in the field of HR and people management.

For Msc Employment Relations

• To develop graduates with the capacity to undertake advanced analyse and critically evaluation of contemporary issues related to the regulation and management of the employment relationship.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, Masters Degrees

• QAA subject benchmark for Masters degrees in business and management

• CIPD advanced level qualification module content summaries

• Loughborough University “Building Excellence” Strategy Document

• School of Business and Economics Strategic Plan

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programmes, students should be able to:

MSc HRM:

• Critically appraise key theories of leadership, motivation, commitment, engagement and change management in relation to people management and the related empirical evidence.

• Critically discuss the role of the human resource management function in organisational life, including the role of context and environment in shaping this.

• Debate and synthesise the ethical issues involved in people management.

•  Demonstrate advanced understanding of the key skills required for a successful career as an HR practitioner.

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of philosophies and methods of social science research as they pertain to the fields of HR and employment relations.

MSc in Employment Relations and HRM:

• Critically appraise key theories of leadership, motivation, commitment, engagement and change management in relation to people management and the related empirical evidence.

• Critically discuss the role of the human resource management function in organisational life, including the role of context and environment in shaping this.

• Debate and synthesise the ethical issues involved in people management.

•  Demonstrate advanced understanding of the key skills required for a successful career as an HR practitioner.

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of philosophies and methods of social science research as they pertain to the fields of HR and employment relations.

•  Critically appraise key theories of the employment relationship and related empirical evidence.

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles and practical application of UK employment law.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Analyse and offer solutions to people management problems and issues.

• Synthesise issues and themes from the professional and academic literatures on people management.

For MSc HRM

• Critically evaluate arguments and evidence related to HRM practice.

For MSc in Employment Relations and HRM

• Critically evaluate arguments and evidence related to the regulation of the employment relationship.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Presenting information for a business audience in a concise and coherent manner.

• Interpret and work with financial data and information.

• Demonstrate the foundation skills for professional competence in key HR activities, including interviewing, negotiation, project management, leadership and the delivery of training.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically analyse and evaluate complex topics

• Formulate arguments from an extensive range of theory and evidence.

• Demonstrate effective personal organisation, including time management, independent study, self-direction, decision making, and written and oral communication.

• Use effective team working skills including leadership, team building and project management.

• Apply logical thinking and problem solving in unstructured situations.

• Demonstrate the capacity to reflect critically on own practice and update skills and knowledge through CPD.

4. Programme structure

All modules are 15 credits unless otherwise stated.

Students on the MSc HRM must take at least two of the modules marked with *

Students on the MSc ER and HRM must take at least one of the modules marked with *

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to be eligible for the award of MSc, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

5.2 Students seeking CIPD accrediatation must also obtain marks of not less than 50 for the following CIPD mapped modules:

BSP450 HRM: Theory and Practice;

BSP451 Developing Skills for Business Leadership;

BSP452 Strategic HRM;

BSP456 or BSP457 Dissertation

and in at least two of:

BSP455 Employment Relations

BSP401 Employee Engagement, Motivation and Voice

BSP403 Work Design, Organisational Change and Development

BSP407 Learning, Development and Knowledge Management

5.3 Candidates who have a right to re-assessment in a module may choose to be re-assessed in the University’s Special Assessment Period.

5.4 All examinations must be taken at Loughborough University unless special permission is obtained in advance from the Programme Director.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

The percentage mark for each module will be combined in a credit-weighted average to determine the final percentage mark.