HR is evolving - it is more business focused and internationally orientated, with a focus on adding value in an increasingly diverse world. On this course, you develop your critical thinking, management expertise and organisational understanding to become a highly effective HR specialist.

This flexible two-year, part-time course provides new or unqualified HRM practitioners and line managers with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills to devise and implement creative and strategic HR solutions. Applying critical analysis and investigation, you develop an understanding of the business context of HR and its role in driving sustained performance while widening your understanding of the HR issues that affect a range of local and national, public, private and not-for-profit organisations.

On completion of the course, you gain Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), with eligibility to upgrade to a Chartered Member.

Intermediate qualifications available:

• Postgraduate certificate – 60 credits at Master's level

Why choose this course?

• Study employee resourcing, learning, development, reward and relations
• Build your strategic specialist HR and generic management skills so you can make a creative and motivating contribution to organisational effectiveness
• Learn from a teaching team who are CIPD regional branch committee members as well as past and present membership-upgrade panel members

The course welcomes applications from potential students with no formal qualifications furthering the widening participation strategy of the University and increasing the diversity of the course in line with the University's Education Strategy. The course also welcomes applicants from all sectors and job roles ranging from HR assistants through to senior HR managers and a variety of junior, middle and senior management roles. You will be interviewed by the course co-ordinator (where applicable) to determine suitability for the course. You will be required to be working within an HR role or as a line manager or supervisor (with responsibility for managing other workers).

Additional: You will be expected to register as a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Where you are not currently in work you must have previous experience in work organisations as well as access to an organisation for research information.

How will this course improve my career prospects?

This course is designed for you to pursue a professional career in the field of human resource management. You can use the portfolio you will create for the Reflective Practice in Business Leadership unit as partial evidence towards your upgrade from Associate Member to Chartered Member of the CIPD. You will have an opportunity to meet with the teaching team to discuss the CIPD’s expectations for upgrading and how you can best fulfil the criteria.

Career-wise, you are likely to progress into one or more of the following areas:

• A professional HR role with responsibility for HR decision-making within an organisation at operational, tactical or more strategic level
• Specialist HRM roles in the field of resourcing and talent management; employee reward; employment relations; learning and talent development
• Independent or employed consultants who support organisations in meeting their goals and are specifically concerned with the management and development of employees
• A professional HR role within organisations concerned with public policy matters relating to employment affairs and communication

If you wish to continue with your studies, you can transfer your PgDip credits to complete the MSc in Human Resource Management at the University (60 further credits).