Through critical analysis, self-reflection, and applying problem-solving techniques, the MSc Human Resource Management (HRM) degree provides students with the opportunity to learn how to develop and implement creative and strategic HRM solutions that drive organisational performance.
With its industry links and a business focus, this programme is ideal for candidates who are currently involved in human resources or are interested in pursuing a career in this area.
With distinct academic and practitioner perspectives, students have the chance to discover new ways of managing people in the modern workplace, taking into consideration people development, employee relations, and understanding the broader business concerns of senior management. Students will also be challenged to think critically upon matters of organisational management.
This programme provides students with the opportunity to gain a professionally recognised qualification that will assist in meeting the increasing requirement of HRM practitioners to hold a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualification.
It also provides the necessary supporting evidence of professional knowledge to apply for upgrading CIPD Chartered Membership, subject to relevant work experience.
Accredited by CIPD*
Examine distinct academic and practitioner perspectives
Hear from expert industry speakers
Undertake modules with a clear business focus
Explore HRM research methodoligies
*Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
The course features lectures and seminars, guest lectures from industry experts, and one-to-one tutorials. Students will have a personal year tutor and have access to library resources, including academic subject librarians.
Weekly contact hours on this programme may vary depending on the modules chosen and the stage of study. Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least three to four hours in independent study.
Optional modules will run as long as minimum student numbers are met. Timetabling arrangements may limit the availability of modules to some students. As the options reflect staff research interests, they may change over time.
Find out more about our online MSc Management with Human Resourses programme, delivered part-time over two years.
This module provides students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the role of performance management and data analytics in supporting the strategic objectives of an organisation in different business environments; how the performance of people can be enhanced and inspired by leadership and direction and how it contributes to high-performance work organisations.
The module examines the design of performance management systems that aim to transform organisational objectives and performance outcomes and identifies the knowledge and skills needed for effective performance review processes that are fair, ethical and improve people performance in modern organisations.
It aims to equip students with the necessary skills and a critical understanding of the performance review process that combines challenge and support and places a focus on personal, team and organisational learning and accountability. Furthermore, it recognises the importance of communication skills in the performance review process and evaluates the need for employee involvement as well as transparent, ethical and justifiable rewards for performance.
Students are expected to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint and have opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.
This module is suited for HR Professionals who are seeking to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and of their own strengths and weaknesses as managers and colleagues. The module is primarily concerned with the development of skills, for example: communication and engagement.
This module is suited for HR professionals who are seeking to develop and improve a range of definable skills that are pivotal to successful management practice and to effective leadership. These include thinking and decision-making skills, influencing, a range of team working and interpersonal skills, developing leadership capabilities and others associated with developing personal effectiveness and credibility at work.
This module is suited for HR professionals who are seeking to develop further more-specialised skills that are of particular significance to effective higher-level people management, the importance of Continuous Professional Development and how this should be embedded by an individual.
In order to demonstrate professional competence students will be required to undertake a dissertation during the final stage of the course. The dissertation must be linked to an HRM issue which is of relevance to an organisation. The dissertation should be 15,000 – 18,000 words.
This module aims to provide learners, first, with an understanding of the principal internal and external environmental contexts of contemporary organisations. Second, the module examines how those leading organisations respond to these dynamic environmental contexts. Third, the module indicates how leaders in organisations, and those in the HR function, and line managers with HR responsibilities, need to recognise and acknowledge that corporate decisions and HR choices are not always shaped by managers alone.
This module aims to build on the operational and procedural skills and knowledge developed at earlier levels and present HR as a function that should be inextricably located in the strategic management of an organisation. Students have the opportunity to explore internal and external strategic influences, with particular emphasis on the culturally diverse nature of organisations and the environments in which they operate. The module will focus on organisational strategy and organisational development to consider how HR both informs and contributes to the implementation of organisational strategy and organisational change. The module is built around the processes of diagnosis, planning and implementation, and offers students the chance to develop and apply consultancy skills.
This module focuses not just on the practical aspects of recruitment, selection, employee retention and dismissal, but also on the strategic and the international aspects to equip learners with the knowledge and skills required for Resourcing and Talent management within a global context. The module also requires learners to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical standpoint.
The importance of principles-led, evidence-based and outcomes-driven people profession practice is at the core of this module.
This module aims to provide learners with a rigorous framework of knowledge and understanding concerning people management and development. The module seeks to familiarise learners with major contemporary research evidence on employment and effective approaches to the management of people at work.
Research focusing on the links between people management practices and positive organisational outcomes is covered, as is research that highlights major contemporary changes and developments in practice.
Learners are also introduced to major debates about theory and practice in the specific fields of leadership, flexibility and change management, the aim being to help them become effective managers as well as effective HR specialists.
The cornerstone of all human resource (HR) management activity is the employment relationship – as a legal, social, economic and psychological exchange. This module will is designed to provide students with the chance to develop a comprehensive understanding of employment relations perspectives and debates, both national and international, from a theoretical and behavioural competency perspective.
It will look to enable students to understand, analyse and evaluate competing theories and perspectives associated with managing employment relations strategies and their outcomes on organisational climate, employees and management. The module provides opportunities to critically apply the activities, knowledge and behavioural competencies required for managing employment relations practices in union and non-union, small and large, private, public and indigenous and multinational organisations and aims to enable students to review and critically evaluate the roles and functions of different stakeholders in employment relations and the structures and processes required to manage the employment relationship effectively.
This module is designed for HR Professionals who wish to enhance their competences in developing employees’ skills, knowledge and performance within a learning and development framework. Students will explore the alignment of coaching and mentoring to the learning and development, HR and overall business strategies, building on the core modules taken during the earlier levels of the programme.
After exploring the range of models and their appropriateness, students will develop and apply the skills learned within the module through practise sessions with their cohort peers, before undertaking active coaching and/or mentoring for their assessment.
This module is suitable for persons who:
• have responsibility for human resource (HR) decision making within an organisation at either operational, tactical, or more strategic level
• are HR professionals in a team or HR functional management role who are seeking to enhance and develop their career
• have responsibilities for the HR function and activities within an organisation without a specialist function
• are independent or employed consultants who support organisations in meeting their goals
• have HR career and CIPD professional membership aspirations
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.
Assessment is by a range of practical projects, both individually and within groups, and can include individual and group presentations, essays, reports, portfolios, case studies, and examinations.
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
The MSc Human Resource Management course is an excellent gateway into the world of HR, providing expert coverage of essential topics for anyone pursuing a career in human resources. The university's staff are outstanding, always willing to go the extra mile to support their students and set them up for success. I am forever grateful for their guidance and encouragement.
Louis Hewell
MSc Human Resources Management (Full Time) Graduate
Studying HRM as an international student has been truly transformative. Beyond the theories, I’ve gained real-world insights into how HR drives change across cultures. Learning from diverse perspectives has helped me grow my skills, build lasting connections, and become a more confident, globally minded HR professional.
Precious Omole
MSc Human Resources Management (Full Time) Graduate
The MSc HRM programme is an accredited Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development course, which fulfils the newly recognised core ‘knowledge and behavioural elements’. These are essential requirements for any practising HR Professional in any part of the globe. On successful completion of all the taught elements, students are awarded with both an academic qualification of an MSc in HRM and a professional, globally recognised Associate Membership of the CIPD.
Our academics are involved in the Lincoln International Business School’s Responsible Management Research Group, which undertakes research which contributes new knowledge so that business, as a primary driver of globalisation, can help ensure that management, businesses, markets, commerce, technology, and finance advance in ways that benefit economies and societies everywhere.
Students on this programme can benefit from working alongside an experienced team of staff consisting of academically and professionally qualified lecturers with relevant industrial experience and wide-ranging research interests.
Lincoln International Business School has strong links with the Lincolnshire Branch of CIPD. Several students past and present are committee members and there a range of events and networks to get involved with so students can continue their professional development
The School also hosts a series of visiting speakers each year, enabling students to hear and learn from industry experts. Previous speakers have included representatives from organisations such as Deloitte, Santander, HSBC, Innocent, The Institute of Internal Auditors, and Sir David Tweedie (ex-Chairman of the IASB).
Returning to the University of Lincoln as a guest speaker was an incredible experience - both to showcase the HR profession and give back as a former student, 15 years after graduating. Sharing my HR journey and insights on employee development, EDI, and change management was truly fulfilling. I valued the thought-provoking questions and the chance to inspire future HR professionals in this dynamic field.
Stephanie Dewberry
HR Business Partner at CIPS - The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
A minimum 2:2 honours degree or equivalent professional qualification or experience.
For those without a degree who have equivalent professional qualifications or experience, please contact our Admissions tutor in the first instance - Dr John Mendy jmendy@lincoln.ac.uk.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
The University offers a range of merit-based, subject-specific, and country-focused scholarships for UK and international students. To help support students from outside of the UK, we offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
Graduates of the programme have moved on to work within human resources or development departments within organisations. The course provides a good foundation for work in the UK or internationally. Alumni from MSc Human Resources Management have gone on to become human resources advisors, business partners, and managers in international and multinational companies all over the world. Some students go on to careers in research or academia.
Studying HRM at Lincoln was an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The staff were incredibly supportive, always available to offer guidance. As a part-time student, I appreciated the course’s flexibility, which fit seamlessly with my work schedule. The interactive teaching kept me engaged, and I’ve been able to apply what I learned directly to my workplace - boosting my confidence and advancing my HR career.
Ravnoor Nijjar
MSc Human Resources Management (Part Time) Graduate
For more information about this course, please contact the Programme Leader.
Dr John Mendy
jmendy@lincoln.ac.uk
Lincoln International Business School works with students and organisations to enhance the contribution of business to society. For students, that means developing their business skills and knowledge to improve their career readiness.The University of Lincoln is a member of AACSB, a global nonprofit association connecting educators, students, and businesses to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders.
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
