MSc Human Resource Management degree

This module will develop your capacity to critically evaluate theory and evidence around people management issues. It will explore the major aims and practices of people and human resource management (HRM) and covers major debates on leadership, flexibility, change management and ethics in people management.

Module content

Topics studied may include:

• the role and purpose of the human resource (HR) function
• recruitment and selection
• pay and reward
• performance management
• training and learning at work
• leadership and HR effectiveness
• change management
• flexibility, downsising and redundancy
• ethics and HRM.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• major contemporary research and debates in the field of HRM
• the major theories of motivation, commitment and engagement at work and how these influence management practice
• the key aims and practices of the HR function in different organisational contexts
• the role of leadership in people management
• the theory and practice of change management
• ethical issues involved in people management

You will also be able to:

• critically evaluate theory, arguments and evidence in relation to the topics and issues mentioned above
• identify and evalute the suitability of different people management practices and approaches for different contexts

make reasoned judgements about the ethical dimensions to people management

Teaching and learning

• practical classes and workshops: 11 hours
• lectures: 24 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• 3-hour exam: 100%

Through problem based learning, this module will develop a range of skills that are pivotal to effective management practice, including thinking and decision-making skills, interpreting financial information, team-working and interpersonal skills associated with personal effectiveness. Developing a capacity for reflective learning is central to this module.

Module content

Topics covered may include:

• leadership and human resource management (HRM) professional behaviour
• working in teams
• project management
• working with financial information
• interviewing
• difficult conversations, conflict and assertiveness
• training and learning interventions
• negotiation
• presentation skills
• decision making.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• working in teams, team roles and group dynamics
• project management
• the practical skills and underlying theory related to negotiation, interviewing and interpersonal behaviour and workplace learning
• the uses and interpretation of financial information in a business context.
• critically evaluating theory, arguments and evidence in relation to the topics and issues mentioned above
• the practical skills required to undertake the following HR related activities:
  • conducting interviews
  • delivery of training
  • project management
  • working in a team
  • negotiation
  • interpreting financial information.

You will also be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• problem solving and decision making
• teamwork
• making presentations and influencing
• personal effectiveness and self-management
• communicating analysis and argument concisely and coherently
• soliving problems through the application of theory and evidence
• working effectively as an individual and as part of a small group within constrained time-frames.
• reflecting on your own performance in a way that supports continuing professional development.

Teaching and learning

• practical classes and workshops: 36 hours
• guided independent study: 114 hours

Assessment

• 5,000-word coursework assignment: 100%

This module will give you a critical appreciation of different theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence on the nature of the employment relationship. At the same time, it will also give you an insight and understanding into collective and individual approaches to the management of the employment relationship. It will examine the role of legislation and regulation in the management of the employment relationship and consider the ethical issues involved.

Module content

Topics covered may include:

• perspectives on the employment relationship:
  • the system of employment relations
  • the contexts of employment relations:
    • economy, society, institutions and technology
• the actors in employment relations
  • trade unions and employers
• The processes of employment relations:
  • collective bargaining
  • organisational level policies and processes of employment relations
  • the ethics of employment relations
  • employment relations and performance
  • employment relations and employee well-being.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• different theories and perspectives on the employment relationship
• the impact of law, policy and regulation on the management of the employment relationship
• the institutions of collective employment relations, including trade unions, employers' associations and collective bargaining
• organisation level employment relations processes for managing the employment relationship collectively and individually
• the relationship between employment relations and other areas of huam resource (HR) policy and practice.

You will also be able to:

• critically evaluate theory, arguments and evidence in relation to the topics and issues mentioned above
• identify and assess the suitability of different approaches to managing the employment relationship to different organisational contexts
• make reasoned judgements about the ethical dimensions of employment relations.

Teaching and learning

• practical classes and workshops: 11 hours
• lectures: 24 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• 3,000-word group assignment: 50%
• 2,000-word individual essay: 50%

This module will develop your awareness of the essential theories of leadership, including a critical understanding of the quality of research and its implications for leadership development and workplace practices. It will also explore the key features of the performance management process, focusing on the application of psychological principles to the measurement, discussion and evaluation of work performance.

Module content

Topics studied may include:

• trait and style theories of leadership
• contingency theories of leadership
• transformational and charismatic leadership
• leadership across cultures
• the nature of work performance
• measuring work performance
• interventions to enhance work performance
• employee coaching and mentoring
• the impact of leadership behaviours on work performance
• high performance work practices.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the essential features of leadership theories including the implications of these for the identification and development of leaders and the management of a range of work issues
• approaches to measuring and managing work performance and employee motivation focusing on the utility of psychological theory
• professional codes of conduct including the British Psychological Society (BPS) code of conduct, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of conduct, performance and ethics, and other relevant ethical principles and guidelines.

You will also be able to:

• critically evaluate theories of leadership and of workplace performance
• discuss the ethical issues associated with using theories of leadership and workplace performance to guide intervention within organisations
• apply tools and methods used in leadership and performance management research and practice
• integrate knowledge of workplace diversity and culture into the discussion of leadership and performance management
• assess the suitability of techniques to change leadership behaviour and employee performance taking into account both research evidence and ethical considerations.
• use research methods to identify behaviours relating to effective performance in a variety of work roles including leadership positions.
• use the research on employee performance and effective leadership to analyse, identify and communicate the implications for practice
• communicate effectively orally, electronically and in writing to a wide range of different stakeholder groups and in a number of different formats
• apply constructive and structured approaches to complex problem-solving and intervention evaluation in the face of uncertainties and an incomplete evidence base.

Teaching and learning

• supervised time in workshops (online activities): 3 hours
• practical classes and workshops: 12 hours
• lectures: 20 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• 5,000-word integrated assessment portfolio: 100%

This module will introduce a range of theories and concepts that describe how the work setting activates and influences a number of important psychological processes. It will examine the interactions between the wider environments within which organisations function and key issues within work psychology.

Module content

Topics studied may include:

• organisational design and structure
• the interactions between political, technological, economics and social factors and organisational functioning
• approaches to the design, delivery and evaluation of organisational change and development
• leading and managing change
• the impact of change on employees
• risk management processes
• safety at work
• job design and re-design
• the application of principles of environmental and human factors psychology.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the implications of leadership theories for the management of a range of work issues
• the measurement and determinants of work-related attitudes, health and well-being, linked to an understanding of the processes and outcomes of various organisational change interventions
• the psychological influences on employees¿ responses to different types of work, different work environments and work cultures and different management practices
• guidelines for development, implementation and evaluation of theory-based problem-solving processes in work-related contexts including an understanding of key practitioner skills and advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods
• professional codes of conduct including the British Psychological Society (BPS) code of conduct, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of conduct, performance and ethics, and more general ethical principles and guidelines.

You will also be able to:

• critically evaluate knowledge, theory and practice from work psychology and business research
• apply key theoretical principles to a range of work-related problems and issues in a variety of different work settings and across cultural contexts
• build strategies for the assessment of work-related problems and risks through psychological enquiry and to critically evaluate the suitability of different strategies for the implementation and evaluation of interventions
• integrate, evaluate and apply their knowledge of the topics diversity, fairness, gender and culture (e.g. globalisation) to the module content
• reflect upon the development of knowledge and skills relevant to their progression as an occupational psychologist
• identify and apply a variety of assessment methods to gather evidence relating to work design and change interventions across all parts of the problem-solving cycle
• make appropriate evidence-based and ethical choices about the suitability of a range of practical theory-based techniques used to re-design jobs, work settings and organisational processes
• critically and reflectively analyse various sources of evidence and identify both new and established implications for practice relevant to the module content
• integrate different activities across the problem-solving cycle (eg problem assessment, intervention design and evaluation of solutions) in an appropriate and ethical way
• communicate effectively orally, electronically and in writing to a wide range of different stakeholder groups and in a number of different formats
• apply constructive and structured approaches to complex problem-solving and intervention evaluation even in the face of uncertainties and incomplete information.

Teaching and learning

• supervised time in workshop (online activities): 3 hours
• practical classes and workshops: 12 hours
• lectures: 20 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• group presentation: 25%
• 1,500-word individual essay: 25%
• 2,500-word individual technical report: 25%

This module will develop a strategic perspective on human resource management (HRM) practice, developing your understanding of how market environment, technology and other environmental forces shape the practice of HRM.

Module content

Topics covered may include:

• organisations, human resources (HR) and the environment (PESTLE analysis)
• strategic HR: best fit or best practice?
• strategic HR: the resource based view
• HR and change management: theories and principles
• human resource information systems and HR analytics
• HR outsourcing and procurement
• HR in the multinational corporation
• equality and diversity management.

Learning outcomes

• On successful completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of:
• contemporary organisations nad the key environments in which they operate
• different approaches to making and implementing human resource (HR) strategy and the role of context in shaping HR strategy
• the way in which markets, competition, technology, globilisation and internationalisation, demographics and social trends shape HR strategies and practices
• the role of government policy, legal regulation and other institutions in shaping HR strategies and practices
• the role of HR strategy and practice in shaping organisational performance
• ethical perspectives on HR strategy and related policy.

You will also be able to:

• critically evaluate theory, arguments and evidence in relation to the topics and issues mentioned above
• identify and evaluate the suitability of different people management practices and approaches for different organisational contexts
• make reasoned judgements aboutthe ethical dimensions to people management.

Teaching and learning

• practical classes and workshops: 11 hours
• lectures: 24 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• 3-hour exam: 100%

This module will give you the knowledge and skills to undertake a significant piece of individual research. It covers different research philosophies and theories of knowledge, how to think about and develop research questions, and key quantitative and qualitative methods.

It will:

1. provide you with the relevant theoretical and practical research method knowledge required to design, plan and execute research of a standard required by a dissertation
2. give you an understanding of research methods which will allow them to critically review research by others on issues of relevance in people management.

Module content

Topics studied may include:

• what is research: examples of management research
• the philosophy of research
• selecting a topic and setting objectives
• conducting literature reviews
• validity and reliability
• quantitative research
• sampling, questionnaire design and methods of analysis
• qualitative research:
  • interview design
  • focus groups
  • qualitative data analysis
• case studies
• secondary data
• ethics.

Learning outcomes

• On successful completion of this module you will be able to display knowledge and understanding of:
• the nature of management research
• the stages involved in the process of research
• the ontological and epistemological underpinnings of social science research
• quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis and their strengths and weaknesses
• the ethical issues in collecting and analysing data from human subjects.

You will also be able to:

• conduct a systematic literature review
• critically evaluate different research philosophies and methods
• critically evaluate management research
• develop a dissertation proposal
• select and justify research objectives suitable for a MSc dissertation
• identify, select and evaluate different research methods
• choose methods to collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data
• produce a dissertation proposal
• solve problems through the application of theory and evidence
• conduct research on your own.

Teaching and learning

• practical classes and workshops: 11 hours
• lectures: 24 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• 1.5-hour exam: 50%
• 1,500-word individual coursework assignment: 50%

This module will give you an understanding of the principles and operation of UK employment law, with a focus on the practical application of the law in a human resource (HR) management context.

Module content

Topics studied may include:

• sources of law
• the employment contract
• discrimination law
• health and safety law
• working time regulation
• parental rights
• unfair dismissal
• redundancy
• unions and their members
• union liabilities
• consultation
• practical workplace legal skills
• the employment tribunal system.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the core principles of UK employment law
• how to analyse analyse common legal problems likely to be encountered by an HR manager
• the law as it applies to the collective regulation of the employment relationship (trade unions, collective bargaining, strikes etc)
• the workings of the employment tribunal system
• advise colleagues on legal issues related to the management of employment relations and HR
• prepare and present material related to employment tribunal cases
• keep up-to-date with developments in the field of employment law.

You will also be able to:

• communicate analysis and argument concisely and coherently
• solve problems through the application of theory and evidence
• work effectively as an individual and as part of a small group within constrained time-frames
• reflect on own performance in a way that supports continuing professional development.

Teaching and learning

• practical classes and workshops: 11 hours
• lectures: 24 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• group presentation: 20%
• 4,000-word individual portfolio: 80%

This module will examine a range of individual, group and organisational-level theories of learning, development and knowledge management. It will develop your awareness of the application of theories across from the assessment of needs to the evaluation of interventions.

Module content

Topics studied may include:

• the application of sociological and psychological theories and processes to learning, training and development within organisations
• training needs analysis:
  • the identification of competencies
  • the importance of trainability
• the content of the training cycle and its practical application
• individual and cultural differences and their impact on learning and training processes and outcomes
• training evaluation and transfer
• coaching and mentoring
• knowledge management, innovation and creativity in organisational contexts
• team training and organisational learning.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this programme you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• key theories and contemporary practices relating to the use of sociological and psychological principles to the assessment of individuals' knowledge, skills, abilities, goals and other constructs in training, learning and development
• important and influential research-based theories of individual, team and organisational development including the application of a range of sociological and psychological theories to individual- and group-level learning, development and knowledge management
• guidelines for development, implementation and evaluation of theory-based problem-solving processes in work-related contexts including an understanding of key practitioner skills and advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods
• professional codes of conduct and more general ethical principles and guidelines.

You will also be able to:

• critically evaluate knowledge, theory and practice from psychology relating to skill development and learning
• apply key theoretical principles to a range of training, development and knowledge management issues in a variety of different work settings
• build strategies for the assessment of training needs, delivery and training evaluation through psychological enquiry and to critically evaluate different alternatives at individual, group, and organisational levels
• use your psychological literacy to communicate effectively about various aspects of the learning, development and knowledge management to a range of different stakeholder groups
• integrate, evaluate and apply their knowledge of the topics diversity, fairness, gender and culture to the module content
• reflect upon the development of knowledge and skills relevant to their progression as an occupational psychologist
• make appropriate evidence-based and ethical choices about the suitability of a range of practical theory-based techniques used in learning, development and knowledge management
• use, when appropriate, a range of practical skills commonly deployed during individual, group and organisational-level learning and development
• critically and reflectively analyse various sources of information from different stakeholder groups about learning and development needs to identify both new and established implications for practice
• integrate different activities across the training cycle (eg problem assessment, intervention design and evaluation of solutions) in an appropriate and ethical way
• apply constructive and structured approaches to complex problem-solving and intervention evaluation even in the face of uncertainties and incomplete information
• manage personal learning efficiently and effectively through an appreciation of the skills and capabilities needed to apply psychology effectively in work settings.

Teaching and learning

• supervised time in workshops (online activities): 3 hours
• practical classess and workshops: 12 hours
• lectures: 20 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• 5,000-word integrated assessment portfolio: 100%

This module will:

1. introduce and evaluate a variety of theoretical and practical approaches to understanding the forms that careers take and the career choices that people make
2. examine career management interventions from multiple stakeholder perspectives
3. apply career theory and research to the careers of a range of people in a range of contexts.

Module content

Topics studied may include:

• careers in the contexts of different demographic groups
• changing workforces
• changing organisations
• occupational choice
• different forms of careers
• determining career success
• lifelong career development
• career management
• interventions in the career process
• ethical issues in career management.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the key theories and contemporary practices relating to the use of psychological principles to the assessment of individuals' knowledge, skills, abilities, goals and other constructs in a career development context
• important and influential research-based theories of career and personal development including the application of a range of psychological theories to individual and group-level learning and development
• the psychological influences on employees' responses to different types of career environments, work cultures and management practices
• guidelines for development, implementation and evaluation of theory-based problem-solving processes in career contexts including an understanding of key practitioner skills
• professional codes of conduct including the British Psychological Society (BPS) Code of Conduct, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of conduct, performance and ethics, and other relevant ethical principles and guidelines
• the applicability (or otherwise) of career theories and practices across countries, cultures, genders and ages.

You will also be able to:

• critically evaluate knowledge, theory and practice from the careers literature
• apply key career theories to a range of client issues from a variety of different work settings
• build strategies for the assessment of career issues through psychological enquiry and critically evaluate the suitability of different strategies for intervention and evaluating impact
• integrate, evaluate and apply their knowledge of the topics diversity, fairness, gender and culture into the career theories
• identify and apply a variety of assessment methods to gather evidence relating to important aspects of workers' career choices
• make appropriate evidence-based and ethical choices about the suitability of a range of practical theory-based techniques used in career management, guidance and counselling
• use, when appropriate, basic practical skills used by work psychologists when working with clients on career-related issues
• integrate different activities across the problem-solving cycle (eg assessment, intervention and evaluation of solutions) in an appropriate and ethical way, including the identification of unethical career practices
• apply constructive and structured approaches to complex problem-solving and intervention evaluation even in the face of uncertainties and incomplete information
• manage personal learning efficiently and effectively through an appreciation of the skills and capabilities needed to apply psychology effectively in work settings.

Teaching and learning

• supervised time in workshops: 3 hours
• practical classes and workshops: 12 hours
• lectures: 20 hours
• guided independent study: 115 hours

Assessment

• 5,000-word integrated assessment portfolio 100%

This module will see you:

1. plan and conduct an original piece of systematic research to add to the investigation and solution of a defined issue in the area of people management
2. review how research and theory from the academic field of human resource management (HRM) and cognate social sciences can be applied to the investigation and solution of a defined people management issue, utilising knowledge gained from other modules in your master's programme
3. write this up in a competent report that seeks to persuade businesses or business partners to change or adopt a particular policy or practice.

Module content

You will select a research topic of your choice from the MSc Human Resource Management curriculum to explore. You will design and conduct an independent project, consisting of primary or secondary data collection. Your findings will then be used to produce a report and inform practical recommendations, and will be supplemented by a self-reflective statement.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• how to conduct a critical literature review on a topic related to HRM using relevant academic literature
• appropriate research methods for investigating HRM related business problems and the strengths and weaknesses of those methods
• how to undertake analysis of data and present results in a clear and consistent format
• how to draw conclusions from findings and integrating those with existing literature, whilst recognising also the limitations of the own research.
• how to draw out the implications of research for the practice of HRM within a realistic time-frame, demonstrating awareness of potential cost and resource implications
• the ethical issues involved in undertaking research on human subjects
• how to reflect on own learning during the research process.

You will also be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of existing literature, contemporary policy and practice issues of a chosen project area
• identify and review relevant literature in a concise and objective manner
• make recommendations on the basis of this research in a persuasively written report for practitioners
• make reasoned judgements about the ethical dimensions of HRM research
• be able to reflect on own learning through the research process
• identify a suitable project in terms of feasibility and organisational relevance
• solve problems through the application of theory and evidence
• effectively plan, design and manage a small scale research project within constrained time-frames
• communicate and argue for the rationale, design and analysis of a project concisely and coherently.

Teaching and learning

• practical classes and workshops: 5 hours
• project supervision: 15 hours
• guided independent study: 580 hours

Assessment

• 10,000-word dissertation: 100%