MSc/PgDip Human Resource Management
Duration |
Full time 1 year/9 months
Part time 30 months/24 months/21 months |
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Discipline |
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Location | ![]() |
Start date | September |

Overview
If you are looking to launch or accelerate your career within Human Resource Management, this programme will give you a high-level understanding of contemporary developments in this dynamic sector, whilst developing advanced skills to succeed in the global workplace.
Through a series of bespoke modules, you will cover all aspects of HRM practice including recruitment and selection, leadership and performance management, and approaches to HRM in an international context. You will also have the opportunity to take part in residential study courses, allowing you to challenge and collaborate with your peers in an engaging environment outside of the traditional classroom setting.
The course content of this Masters has been designed to map on to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD’s) advanced learning outcomes, providing you with the opportunity to complete these and become a member.
You are able to complete a Postgraduate Diploma, leading to the CIPD accreditation, in just 9-months full-time as a stand-alone qualification, or take the MSc which contains the taught element of the Postgraduate Diploma and finishes with a dissertation.
MSc | PgDip |
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Full time 1 year |
Full time 9 months |
Part time 24 months (Fast track) |
Part time 21 months |
Part time 30 months |
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The residential trip was definitely one of my highlights of studying at the University of Exeter so far. We stayed at a hotel for two days and took part in various workshops and activities. As everyone on the course went, I got to know my classmates much better, whilst also learning skills required for working in Human Resource Management.
Sharon Lam - MSc Human Resource Management.
Enhance your degree with Study Abroad opportunities
Double Degree
Spend your first year at Exeter and a second year at another world class international institution, resulting in two Masters degrees and the opportunity to expand your knowledge even further. We offer two fantastic Double Degree options with:
- Grenoble Ecole de Management in France
- Fudan University School of Economics in China
The opportunity to study with Fudan is specific to MSc Economics, MSc Economics & Econometrics, MSc Money, Banking and Finance and MSc Financial Economics programmes. For more information on Double Degrees and other postgraduate study abroad opportunities, visit the Business School’s Study Abroad webpages.
Programme structure
This programme is available for study in both full-time and part-time formats and students can complete either the 180 credit Masters programme or the 120 credit Diploma programme. The Diploma programme contains all of the taught elements of the Masters programme and can be completed in 9 months full-time or 21 months part-time.
Students on the full-time MSc programme undertake the dissertation element of the programme between June and September or during the ten months following the completion of the taught element of the programme for part-time (30-months) students on the MSc programme.
Students on the part-time 24-month fast-track variant cover the same subjects and assessments as those on the longer standard programme. They do so, however, in a shorter, more concentrated time frame. This involves attending classes on two afternoons a week (this is currently Tuesday afternoon in Year 1 and Wednesday afternoon in year 2*). It also involves attending classes on two afternoons a week for a period in the second term and starting to work on the dissertation a year earlier than those who are enrolled on the 30-month programme.
Students on the 30-month part-time variant will generally be taught on one afternoon a week (currently Tuesday afternoon*).
*Please note that programme structures and teaching days may be subject to change.
- Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Business School postgraduate module list
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Learning and teaching
Our postgraduate taught programmes utilise a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Lectures
The aim of lectures is to give you information on ideas that are central to the module and to help you in developing your understanding of complex ideas. Many of the teaching materials for lectures are made available to you electronically to accompany the notes you take during the lecture. Lectures are given by a range of staff members, including leading professors, who integrate their latest research findings into the teaching that you receive. Guest lecturers, including members of industry, also contribute to some modules.
Seminars and tutorials
Seminars and tutorials involve an in-depth exploration of the issues covered in lectures as well as giving you the opportunity to discuss various concepts and theories and receive feedback on your written assignments.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a mixture of group work, coursework, project work and examinations; the weighting of each of these components will vary according to the academic requirements of the module. Examinations are normally held at the end of the module, in January and May/June.
Careers
Our Master’s programmes are designed to prepare you for a successful career, wherever in the world you plan to work. Employers expect advanced communication and technical skills, team-working and independent research, project-management and the very latest specialist knowledge from their postgraduate recruits.
This qualification in HR Management will enable you to develop the professional and HR skills and subject expertise that will make you a valuable asset from day one of your career.
Careers in HR Management
An MSc / PgDip in HR Management prepares you for a variety of roles and coupled with the close relationship of the course content with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD's) advanced learning outcomes, you can further enhance your professional skills and employability. Covering all areas of HRM, the MSc route also enables you to develop a further career specialisation with targeted choice of your dissertation research project.
Within HRM, you might choose a career path as an HR Director or with a focus on:
- Learning & Development
- Resource & Talent Management
- Performance & Development
- Employment Relations
- Employment Law
- Organisational Development
- Recruitment
Potential employers include public and private sector organisations, multi-nationals, SMEs and not-for-profit organisations across all sectors of the economy and around the world.
Further information can be found at:
Our Careers & Employability team will help you identify your career path and support your route to a fulfilling global career.
Developing your skills and career prospects
The University of Exeter Business School provides a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. Visit our postgraduate Business School careers service web page for more information.
Further information
Further information is available through the Careers pages of the University’s Postgraduate Study website.
Entry requirements
A 2:2 degree or above (50%+) with honours in any discipline from a recognised university. We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study, significant relevant work experience or professional qualifications. If you would like to discuss your eligibility for the programme, please contact the Programme Director Dr Stephen Taylor.
Pre-Masters programme for international students
The Graduate Diploma in Finance run by the INTO University of Exeter Centre is a pre-Masters programme designed to enhance your subject knowledge, study skills and English ability. Successful completion of the Diploma (subject to achieving the specific grades of entry) gives students from overseas the skills needed for acceptance onto this Masters programme.
Requirements for international students
If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.
English language requirements
IELTS (Academic)
At least 7.0 overall and no less than 6.0 in any other section.
TOEFL IBT*
At least 100 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking.
Pearson Test of English (Academic)
65 with no less than 55 in all communicative skills.
Other accepted tests
Information about other acceptable tests of linguistic ability can be found on our English language requirements page.
Pre-sessional English
Applicants with lower English language test scores may be able to take pre-sessional English at INTO University of Exeter prior to commencing their programme. See our English language requirements page for more information.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees per year 2020/21
- UK/EU: MSc - £13,600 full-time, £6,800 part-time; PgDip - £9,400 full-time, £4,700 part-time
- International: MSc - £22,000 full-time; PgDip - £14,900 full-time
Fee information
Fees can normally be paid by two termly instalments and may be paid online. You will also be required to pay a tuition fee deposit to secure your offer of a place, unless you qualify for exemption. For further information about paying fees see our Student Fees pages.
UK government postgraduate loan scheme
Postgraduate loans of up to £10,609 are now available for Masters degrees. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.
Global Excellence Scholarship
We are delighted to offer Global Excellence Scholarships for students of outstanding academic quality applying to postgraduate Taught programmes starting in autumn 2020.
Please note that this scholarship isn't offered for all our masters programmes.
Contact us
Postgraduate Admissions queries
For any queries please complete our enquiry form
For questions about the programme:
Phone +44 (0) 1392 726679
For questions about your offer, CAS/Visa, supporting documents or application process:
Phone +44 (0) 1392 723044 (overseas) or 0300 555 6060 (UK)
Tier 4 fast-track visa
If your programme is 13-months or less you can benefit from a fast-track visa application and six months in the UK after the end of your programme. Click here for full details
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