Master of Business Administration
(Human Resource Management)
Programme Overview
The Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management) is a two-stage postgraduate programme designed to develop advanced business, leadership and strategic human resource management capability within contemporary organisational environments.
The programme integrates advanced taught learning with supervised research and applied investigation, enabling learners to develop strategic thinking, analytical capability, people management competence and professional skills relevant to complex and dynamic global business contexts.
Stage 1 develops advanced managerial, organisational and human resource management capability through specialist taught modules focused on strategic HRM, organisational behaviour, workforce development, leadership, employment relations, and contemporary people management practice. The programme equips learners with the analytical capability and practical skills required to design, implement and evaluate strategic HR solutions across diverse organisational environments.
Stage 2 focuses on independent research, advanced investigation and applied problemsolving through a Research Proposal module and a substantial Management Investigation (Capstone Project).
The programme supports progression into senior human resource management, organisational development, people leadership and managerial roles across a wide range of industries and organisational contexts, while also preparing learners for further academic and professional development.
Course Information
Course Objective
Develop Advanced Research & Strategic Capability
Build advanced research, analytical, and strategic management capability relevant to complex organisational environments.
Apply Advanced Business & Leadership Frameworks
Enable learners to critically evaluate and apply advanced business, management, and leadership theories, concepts, and frameworks.
Build Evidence-Based Decision Skills
Develop independent research capability and evidence-based decision-making skills relevant to organisational and strategic challenges.
Solve Complex Organisational Problems
Strengthen professional competence in analysing, investigating, and solving complex organisational and managerial problems.
Integrate Postgraduate Learning into Practice
Support the integration and application of prior postgraduate learning within applied business and management contexts.
Advance Professional & Academic Progression
Prepare learners for senior leadership, professional advancement, and further academic progression.
Programme Outcomes
- Critically evaluate strategic human resource management theories, models and frameworks relevant to complex domestic and international organisational environments.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of organisational behaviour principles, HR governance and ethical frameworks in diverse organisational contexts.
- Apply advanced knowledge of HR functions, including strategic HRM, global HRM, organisational behaviour and employment relations, to formulate and implement people management strategies.
- Assess the impact of external and internal environments, including labour market dynamics, regulatory frameworks and cultural factors, on HR strategic decision-making.
- Analyse and synthesise complex HR and organisational information to identify workforce challenges and opportunities for strategic people management improvement.
- Develop evidence-based and innovative solutions to contemporary HR and people management challenges through critical reasoning and applied HR practice.
- Evaluate and integrate quantitative and qualitative HR data, including workforce analytics, to inform strategic people management decisions.
- Design and implement strategic HR plans and workforce strategies, applying appropriate HR frameworks, tools and performance metrics.
- Interpret HR analytics, workforce data and financial information to support strategic HR planning and resource allocation.
- Conduct applied HR research, including literature review, data collection and analysis, to support strategic people management initiatives.
- Communicate effectively with a wide range of internal and external HR and organisational stakeholders using appropriate media and formats.
- Demonstrate HR leadership, teamwork and negotiation skills in solving realworld people management and employment relations challenges.
- Apply reflective practice and self-direction to manage continuing professional development and lifelong learning in HR practice.
Course Structure
The Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management) is structured as an integrated two-stage postgraduate programme comprising a taught Postgraduate Diploma stage and a final MBA research stage, totalling 180 credits at Level 7.
Stage 1 – Taught Stage (120 Credits)
Stage 1 consists of the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Human Resource Management, which develops advanced strategic human resource management knowledge, organisational awareness, leadership capability, analytical competence and applied people management skills relevant to contemporary organisational environments.
The taught stage enables learners to critically engage with strategic human resource management and organisational disciplines, including strategic management, leadership and governance, organisational behaviour, workforce strategy, global human resource management, employment relations and contemporary people management practice.
Successful completion of Stage 1 provides learners with the academic and professional foundation required to progress to the MBA research stage.
| Module Code | Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| M07001 | Strategic Management | 15 |
| M07002 | Leadership and Governance | 15 |
| M07003 | Advanced Business Research Methods | 15 |
| M07004 | Financial Management and Decision Making | 15 |
| M07007 | Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources | 15 |
| M07009 | Strategic Human Resource Management | 15 |
| M07011 | Global Human Resource Management | 15 |
| M07016 | Employment Law and Employee Relations | 15 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
Exit Awards
- Learners who successfully complete 60 credits may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Human Resource Management.
- Learners who successfully complete 120 credits may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Human Resource Management.
Stage 2 – MBA Research Stage (60 Credits)
Stage 2 consists of supervised research and applied investigation through a Research Proposal module and a substantial Management Investigation (Capstone Project).
This stage enables learners to integrate and apply advanced business, management and leadership knowledge in the investigation of complex organisational, managerial or strategic challenges within contemporary business environments.
Learners are expected to undertake independent research, critically evaluate evidence, apply appropriate research methodologies and develop strategically relevant and evidencebased recommendations or solutions.
Stage 2 Modules
| Module Code | Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| M08001 | Research Proposal | 20 |
| M08002 | Management Investigation (Capstone Project) | 40 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
Successful completion of both Stage 1 and Stage 2 leads to the award of Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management).
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Delivery is designed to support advanced, research-led and applied learning through a range of academically rigorous and professionally relevant teaching and learning approaches, including:
- Lectures, workshops and seminars
- Case studies, business simulations and applied organisational activities
- Research supervision and academic mentoring
- Online learning resources and discussion forums
- Independent study and guided reading
- Peer learning, collaboration and research presentations
Teaching and learning activities support both theoretical understanding and practical application within contemporary organisational environments. Where appropriate, learners will engage with real-world human resource management scenarios, enabling the application of strategic HR frameworks and evidence-based decision-making approaches to contemporary people management challenges across diverse organisational and cultural contexts.
Assessment Strategy
Assessment is designed to evaluate academic understanding, strategic capability, professional practice and research competence across the taught and research stages of the programme.
A range of assessment methods are utilised to support the development and evaluation of analytical, managerial, research and professional skills, including:
- Coursework and analytical reports
- Case-based analysis and applied organisational investigations
- Presentations and applied business activities
- Research-based assignments and critical evaluations
- Research proposal development
- Management Investigation (Capstone Project)
Formative feedback is provided throughout to support progression and academic development.
Assessment methods for Stage 1 modules are detailed within the relevant module specifications. The summative assessments for the Stage 2 MBA research stage are outlined below.
| Module Code | Assessment Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| M08001 | Research Proposal (3,000 words) | 100% |
| M08002 | Management Investigation (Capstone Project) Report (8,000–10,000 words) | 100% |
Entry Requirement
Applicants must have:
- A recognised Level 6 qualification (e.g. Bachelor’s degree) in a relevant subject area
- English language proficiency evidenced through Medium of Instruction (MOI) or an equivalent recognised English language qualification.
Relevant managerial, professional or entrepreneurial experience equivalent to a minimum of three years is desirable.
Learners progressing through the integrated programme may normally demonstrate this through prior or concurrent professional experience gained before or during the programme.
Applicants with an appropriate Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in a cognate subject area may be eligible for advanced entry into Stage 2, subject to institutional regulations and recognition of prior learning policies.
Progression Opportunities
To be awarded the MBA, learners must:
- Successfully complete all 60 credits
- Achieve a total of 60 credits at Level 7 within the programme
- Satisfy all assessment and academic requirements in accordance with institutional regulations
Join a generation of students who think globally and act locally.
