Human Resource Management MA

Year of entry

Scholarships for 2026 entry

Scholarships are available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility. Check now

Start date
September 2026
Delivery type
On campus
Duration
12 Months (Full time)
24 Months (Part time)
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) usually in a social science subject.
Full entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
UK fees
£16,000 (Total)
International fees
£32,250 (Total)

Course overview

HR management

Managing people is a critical function for organisations worldwide. This course has a strong professional focus, and you’ll graduate with the sought-after professional, legal, technical and communications skills required by HR departments around the world.

This cutting-edge Masters course gives you an in-depth, critical understanding of contemporary and historical debates in human resource management (HRM). You’ll learn how to deal with a range of challenges, from skills gaps to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and changing ways of working. You’ll build a strong foundation in essential topics including employment law, employment relations, gender and equality, training and development, sustainability and digitalisation.

The course focuses on applying the theories you learn in real business environments, with opportunities to work with HR practitioners and companies on case studies, live projects and challenges.

You’ll gain practical experience from activities such as conducting mock interviews, mediating conflicts at work, and attending professional skills workshops run by business professionals.

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD), giving you the option to become a member of the recognised professional body alongside your studies.

Course Highlights

  • This course has an international, as well as a UK 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.
  • Learn from our academics, including recognised international experts, who will work with you to develop your theoretical understanding alongside professional skills.
  • Gain valuable, real-world insight from high-profile industry guest speakers. Recent speakers have included the former Head of HR for NHS England and Chair of the Chartered Management Institute in Malaysia.
  • Develop a professional and practical HRM skill-set through workshops taught by industry professionals, preparing you to successfully navigate the challenges of the world of work.
  • The course includes a dissertation module where 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 can apply for a place on a week-long international study tour which includes company visits, guest lectures and networking events. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan, Zurich and Toulouse.

Guaranteed work experience

While studying at Leeds, you’ll have the chance to work with a business and gain consultancy experience as part of a 2-week virtual Global Industry Programme.

As well as giving you the opportunity to build key industry connections, you’ll also develop invaluable professional and practical skills that are highly valued by employers.

Accreditation

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).

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

Course details and modules

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

Module Name Credits
Human Resource Management Research Methods and Practice 15
Human Resource Management 30
Global Perspectives on Work 30
Human Resource Management Dissertation 45

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

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

Module Name Credits
Sustainable Futures: Climate Change, the Environment and Business 30
Occupational Psychology 30
Training and Development 30
Employment Law 30
Digitalization, Automation and the Future of Work 30
Migration and Labour Mobility Management 30
Employment Relations 30
People Analytics: Strategy and Practice 30
Gender and Equality at Work in Comparative Perspective 30
Diversity Management 30

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 Business (6 weeks) and Language for Business (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional

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

How to apply

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 2026

This course is taught by

Leeds University Business School

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Office

Email: masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £16,000 (Total)

International: £32,250 (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

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below: 

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.

You will be well placed to pursue a career in a variety of people-related roles, and you may consider roles such as:

  • HR Advisor
  • Business Partner Talent Specialist
  • Recruitment Consultant
  • People and Culture Manager
  • Learning and Development Co-ordinator
  • Employee Relations Advisor.

Skills for your future

The MA Human Resource Management will equip you with employability skills that are highly valued by organisations worldwide, giving you the opportunity to take your career wherever you want. Throughout the course you’ll benefit from professional development workshops and activities to help enhance your employability skills, including:

  • Interpersonal, analytical and people skills – essential attributes for an HR professional
  • Intellectual, ethical and research skills – enabling you to apply a range of methods and techniques to address applied research issues in HR
  • Critical thinking skills – helping you consider HR issues from a strategic angle.

Links with industry

As a student on this course, you’ll benefit from our close connection with the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC) at the University of Leeds. This provides access to the latest HR industry thinking and developments, as well as a network of high-profile professionals from leading companies who regularly deliver guest lectures.

There’s also an opportunity to apply for the HRM Project, where you will work closely with a business on a live HRM issue. And your dissertation gives you the opportunity to work hands-on with one of our partner organisations.

Global business experience  

The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects. You’ll connect with leading companies across the globe to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to practical business challenges. 

Careers support

As part of this course, our dedicated Professional Development Tutor will provide tailored 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, support to boost your employability, and opportunities to develop the professional skills you'll need to start a successful career – and how to evidence these to prospective employers.  

Employability workshops provide practical guidance and support to help you prepare for the job market with confidence. These workshops cover essential skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, networking and personal branding, all of which are crucial for standing out to employers. They also offer insights into recruitment processes and industry expectations, helping you make informed career choices and improve your chances of securing internships or graduate roles.   

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.

Work placements

As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.

You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.

This experience will enhance your CV, helping you to stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.

Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:

  • Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
  • Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and artificial intelligence.
  • Build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation.
  • Gain invaluable insight into working as a consultant on a time-limited brief.
  • Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
  • Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
  • Improve your employability prospects.