Human Resource Management MA

Course overview

This cutting-edge course provides you with an in-depth, critical understanding of contemporary and historical debates in human resource management (HRM), enabling you to hone invaluable skills for your professional development.

You’ll gain essential knowledge to become an HR professional, covering a range of advanced HRM concepts. Topics of study include employment law, employment relations, gender and equality, training and development, sustainability, and digitalisation.

There is a strong emphasis on applying this knowledge in practical business environments, with opportunities to work with HR practitioners and companies on case studies, live projects and challenges.

Course Highlights

• This course has an international focus and is shaped by the leading research of our Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC), which contributes to contemporary national and international debates around HRM and employment relations.
• Gain valuable, real-world insight from high-profile industry guest speakers. Recent speakers have included the former Head of HR for NHS England and past Chair of the Chartered Management Institute in Malaysia.
• You’ll have the opportunity to put theory into practice through an optional, practical short course, ‘HRM in practice’, taught by industry practitioners.
• Through the ‘Human Resource Management Dissertation’, you can partner with an organisation, giving you hands-on experience of working to solve organisational problems.
• On all Masters courses at Leeds University Business School you’ll have an opportunity to apply for a place on a week-long international study tour which will include company visits, guest lectures and networking events, as well as an opportunity to visit local places of interest. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich.

Find out more about studying your Masters at Leeds University Business School.

Accreditation

Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS

Our MA Human Resource Management is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the only HR institution in the world to recognise HR professionals through chartered membership.

This course will allow you to satisfy the entry requirements for associate CIPD membership and chartered CIPD membership (if you have relevant work experience and take certain modules).

Course details

Across two taught semesters, you’ll study core modules introducing you to the principles and concepts of HRM in different contexts. You’ll explore the economic labour market, social and cultural contexts of HRM and different patterns of people management.

You’ll choose optional modules that allow you to focus on your interests and career intentions, gaining specialist knowledge in topics such as employment relations, training and development, occupational psychology, and many others.

The knowledge and experience gained will prepare you for your dissertation – an independent research project on a topic of your choice that you’ll submit by the end of the year.

If you choose a part-time degree, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

Professional Development and CIPD Membership

During your time at Leeds, you’ll can also attend professional skill workshops as part of your regular timetable. These practical sessions are taught by business professionals, allowing you to gain invaluable skills to successfully navigate the challenges of the world of work upon graduation.

You can choose to enhance your studies by opting for Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) membership alongside your degree. If you choose to gain Associate CIPD membership, your optional modules must include Employment Relations. The other options are your choice. The requirements for CIPD qualification will be explained in detail during your induction programme.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Human Resource Management MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Human Resource Management MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Candidates will be required to study 60 credits of the following modules:

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the school, your programme and modules.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs.

This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.

Applying

Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) usually in a social science subject. Applicants with a degree in another subject will also be considered.

International qualifications

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Human Resource Management (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Human Resource Management (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

International applicants: Thursday 26 June 2025

UK applicants: Friday 15 August 2025

Documents and information you need

• a copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
• contact details for two academic references
• a personal statement
• an up-to-date CV
• your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• a letter of sponsorship, if you need one.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

Leeds University Business School

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Office

Email: [email protected]
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £16,000 (Total)

International: £31,750 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

If you choose to follow the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Pathway and qualify as Associate member of the CIPD then you will be required to pay a one-off joining fee and an annual subscription payment directly to the CIPD whilst you are studying at Leeds. Please visit the CIPD website for the most up-to-date CIPD fee information.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

We’re offering up to 50 Business School Excellence Scholarships to UK and International students starting one of our Masters courses in 2025. These scholarships offer a 50% fee reduction and will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.

You do not have to submit a separate application for our Excellence Scholarships - you will be automatically considered when your course application is reviewed.

International Excellence Scholarships (International applicants)

Masters Excellence Scholarships (UK applicants)

Read more about Masters Funding and Scholarships

Career opportunities

From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career. This course provides you with the academic knowledge and professional skills needed for a senior-level career in global human resource management.

You'll develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills and become a reflective HR professional. The course also offers opportunities if you want to progress to a Research degree.

Recent graduates are now working for a range of organisations, including blue-chip multinationals such as Canon, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems.

There is also an opportunity to apply for the HRM Project, where you will work closely with a business on a live HRM issue.

Careers support

As part of this course, our dedicated Professional Development Tutor will provide tailored academic and careers support to help you achieve your career ambitions.

You can access advice and guidance on your career choices, help in identifying and applying for jobs, and support to boost your employability. You’ll also receive coaching on developing the professional skills needed to start a successful career, and how to evidence these to prospective employers. 

You’ll also benefit from the University’s Careers Service, where you can access a range of support to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions, even after you graduate.

Read more about our careers and professional development support.