Would you like to learn the intricacies of managing staff? Could you help businesses to get the most from their employees? This fully accredited master’s programme will help you to learn the essential practical skills required to succeed as a modern HR professional.
This course has now closed for 2022 entry.
If you are looking for a similar course, why not view our others?
In today's workplace, HR professionals must tackle many different employment issues. Solent University’s postgraduate human resource management programme offers students an in-depth understanding of HR management functions and the business contexts that underpin them.
Students will find out how professional development can contribute to enhanced performance within an organisation, how internal and external factors can affect success, and how people are managed within contemporary businesses.
Membership into the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is built into the course. To earn this membership, students will need to complete a six week work experience project and write a management research report. The human resource management teaching team can help students to secure these placements throughout the year.
Students also graduate with a range of transferable skills. These include communication, presentation, research and analysis, teamwork, training, networking, coaching and mentoring.
Accredited by:
Why choose this course?
This course is for
This CIPD-accredited course is well-suited to graduates with a related degree, or those with professional HR management experience.
The course content is ideally suited to HR professionals who are looking to increase their knowledge of developing people within their organisation, and improve their own management skills.
What this course leads to
Our students are well placed for general or specialist roles in HRM.
- Specialist or generalist human resources with learning and development functions
- Management consultancy
- Line management positions
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Year one modules
Core modules
Research Methods and Dissertation
The purpose of this module is to enable students to critically reflect upon alternative theoretical and practical approaches to research and to design and implement a HRM research project.
Human Resource Management in Context
You will learn to critically understand, analyse and respond to internal/external environmental contexts of organisations, from managerial and business plans and approaches to external turbulence, change and uncertainty.
Leading, Managing and Developing People
The purpose of this module is to enable students to critically assess how people are managed and developed within contemporary organisations.
Professional Development 1 - Developing Skills for Business Leadership
The overall aim of this module is to enable students to develop a strong sense of self-awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses as managers and colleagues.
Professional Development 2 - Investigating a Business Issue
The key elements describing competence are strategic awareness, a business orientation and a concern with adding value through human resource (HR) practice.
Optional modules
For example:
Learning and Development
The purpose of this module is to enable students to critically analyse how the development of people can contribute to the enhanced performance of individuals, teams and organisations.
Resourcing and Talent Management
The purpose of this module is to enable students to critically analyse the role of Resourcing and Talent Management in supporting strategic objectives in national and international contexts.
Managing Employment Relations
The aim of this module is to provide personnel and development professionals with an understanding of employment relations perspectives and debates, both national and international, from a theoretical and behavioural competency perspective.
Employment Law
This module will provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to brief organisations on the consequences of current and future developments in employment law.
Understanding and Implementing Coaching and Mentoring
The purpose of this module is to enable students to critically analyse how the use of coaching and mentoring can facilitate enhanced performance for individuals within organisations.
Employee Engagement
The purpose of this module is to enable students to critically analyse how the use of coaching and mentoring can facilitate enhanced performance for individuals within organisations.
Organisation Design and Organisation Development
This module introduces participants to theories of the nature of structure, culture and change, ways of understanding organisation design and the management and implementation of change to maximise its effectiveness.
Performance Management
The purpose of this module is to enable students to critically analyse the role of performance management in supporting strategic objectives and how the leadership and direction contributes to high performance work organisations.
Reward Management
This module will examine total rewards in an organisational and international context and provides learners with the knowledge and understanding of environments in which reward professionals plan, implement and evaluate employee reward policies to support strategic organisational goals.
Leadership and Management Development
The focus of this module is on the development of leadership and management and its role in facilitating change and growth in individuals, teams, and organisations.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
Your future
Our students are well placed for general roles in HRM/personnel, or specialist positions in HR development, managing diversity, people resourcing, and learning and development.
Past students have pursued careers in a variety of organisations, such as IBM, Red Funnel Ferries, the National Air Traffic Service and Exxon Mobil.
Learn transferable skills
You will be supported to develop a range of transferable skills throughout the course. This includes programming, project management, problem-solving, analytical skills, technical writing, teamwork, communication and presentation skills.
These transferable skills empower you to work in a range of different industries after graduation. The course will also equip you with research and academic skills helping those who wish to pursue a PhD or an academic career.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island full-time fees: : £7,750 per year
- International full-time fees: £14,100 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2022/23 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, previous other costs have been:
CIPD professional body accreditation - find latest costs here.
Alumni discount
Solent alumni could be eligible for up to a 50% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course. The discount applied will be dependent on your undergraduate degree classification as follows:
Solent Alumni with a:
- First (1.1) will be offered a 50% discount to study at PG level
- 2.1 or 2.2 will be offered a 20% discount to study at PG level
The discount applied will be based on the most recently completed course.
If you are currently a student at Solent University and are continuing on without a break in your studies, your discount will be automatically applied on your return.
If are not following directly on from a course at Solent University, but have studied with us in previous years, you will need to register for the alumni discount.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Financial information videos
UK postgraduate student funding - the essentials International postgraduate student funding - the essentials
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
An honours degree at 2:2 or higher; equivalent qualifications/professional management experience will be considered
- Previous work experience is not required if you meet the entry requirements; students are selected on the basis of their outlook, potential and willingness to contribute to the course.
- If you do not have these qualifications or are unsure of your eligibility please contact the University.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please refer to our course entry requirement statement.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please refer to our course entry requirement statement.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at this PDF document which outlines both Solent University and Home Office requirements for a number of language tests.
An honours degree at2:2 or higher
Any questions?
Contact our admissions team!Call: 023 8201 5066Email: admissions@solent.ac.uk
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 110 overall with minimum of 90 in each component
or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Facilities
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces.
Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Come to an open day
Fancy a sneak peek? Take a look around!
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Find out moreResearch and knowledge exchange
Research doesn't just live in publications and journals - the effects of groundbreaking research can be found everywhere you look. That's why research at Solent has always been firmly rooted in industry needs and real-world application.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Find out moreSupport at Solent
All students at Solent University have access to a range of specialist support services. Whether you are having financial difficulty, need additional help with academic skills or want advice on setting up your own business you'll find that help is always on hand.
Most of our specialist support services are based around the Student Hub, a central space where you can access all of the information and support you may need during your time at University. The Student Hub is the first point of contact if you have any queries relating to your course, including questions about your timetable, options, and assessments and extenuating circumstances.
We work in partnership with the University to build a sense of pride and confidence in your Union, University and student experience.
Find out more
Make your application
- 1 year full-time