International Human Resource Management - MA
- Level: Postgraduate Taught
- Starting: September 2021
- Study mode: Full Time, Part Time
- Location: City Centre
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
This course has recently been updated. Please download the course specification for the up to date information.
Want to study a Master’s in human resource management? Our International Human Resource Management course is ideal for people who want to qualify professionally with the CIPD
For full-time students, the course runs over one full year. For some sessions, full-time and parttime students will be taught together, allowing UK-based and international students the chance to share experiences and bring a global perspective to HR issues.
For full-time students the Masters course is ideal as it allows you to complete the requirements of the CIPD for the award of the Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management.
Successful completion of the core and the option modules will enable you to become Associate Members of the CIPD with eligibility for upgrading to Chartered Membership.
Professional Placement option
For our MA International Human Resource Management degree, you will have the opportunity to take the Professional Placement version of the course, which is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course.
This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability and transferable skills. The placement experience will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study, with support from our Careers+ team as well as advice and guidance from your School.
Please note that placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.
For full details, please click here.
What's covered in the course?
We have an experienced teaching team who combine real work experience of human resource management with the academic qualifications, bringing a strategic and conceptual view to the topics covered. Sessions are interactive and we invite guest speakers, encourage students to work together on case studies, arrange visits and incorporate role-playing activities to develop practical HR skills.
One of the CIPD core modules requires you to apply the knowledge and skills gained on the course to conduct a piece of research on a ‘live’ HR issues and this further enhances individual skills and enhances employability.
"The course leaders showed me how useful the information given on the course was in the world of HR and how it was relevant to the CIPD to meet their requirements. With both coming from HR backgrounds, their personal experiences were consistently shared throughout the course, as were other students currently working in HR or having previous experience which proved very valuable."
Ruth Conner, MA International Human Resource Management graduate
Why Choose Us?
- Our course is fully approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and is equivalent to the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma which allows you gain Associate level membership and eligibility to upgrade to Chartered Membership status on meeting the CIPD requirements.
- Our teaching is interactive and led by our experienced team, who believe HR is as much about the doing as it is about the learning – giving you the skills you need to develop and enhance your employability.
- To achieve your Advanced Diploma or Master's you are required to conduct research into a live business issue from an HR perspective. This will increase your business acumen, skills and credibility with current or future employers.
- Our part-time offering has been designed with busy, working professionals in mind, allowing you to get qualified while in employment. Part-time study is a mixture of afternoon and evening classes one day per week.
- We pride ourselves on building a community of learners with regular feedback forums and personal tutor coaching.
- All modules give an international perspective filled with professional development to enable our students to demonstrate a deep understanding and critical awareness of the current global issues and challenges HR professionals and line managers face.
- The course covers the core CIPD modules but allows you also to select modules in specialist areas.
- You will be able to work on exciting projects for real-life clients through our Business Advice Centre, giving you exposure to the challenges and issues faced by businesses as well as the chance to develop successful solutions. Opportunities are available with local, regional, national and even global businesses such as BMW.
- The Centre also offers expert support for your own entrepreneurial ideas, so you can start planning your own start-up or take your existing business to the next level. Following graduation, you will have the opportunity to apply for STEAMhouse Business Incubator membership.
Similar Courses
Open Days
Attending one of our Virtual Open Days is a great way to find out more about the courses we offer and get answers to any questions you might have. Our next postgraduate Virtual Open Day is taking place on Wednesday 9 June.
Book now
This course is open to International students
Why Take a Postgraduate Placement?
We explore how you can get a head start on your career with a postgraduate placement.
Course Accreditations
This course is approved by:
Entry Requirements
You are required to meet one of the following options:
Essential Requirements
| Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
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A 2:2 Honours degree from a UK University or International equivalent |
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If appropriate qualifications are not held then related work experience in management or HR could be considered by means of the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) procedure. |
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Other qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis.
Please note that even if your application fully meets the entry criteria, you may be required to further demonstrate your suitability via an interview or submission of a course proposal before being offered a place.
Interviews may be conducted in your country of residence, over the telephone or by Skype.
Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
|---|---|---|
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
International Students
Don't meet our entry requirements? You could apply for courses at our International College.
- UK students
- International students
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £8,800 per year
- Full Time
- 18 Months (Professional Placement)
- £9,700 per year
- Part Time
- 3 Years
- £3,000 per year
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £13,200 per year
- Full Time
- 18 Months (Professional Placement)
- £14,600 per year
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Additional costs
While there are no additional costs associated with purchasing text books, there may be other costs to you. If you are joining the course which has a professional body accreditation you may be required to pay membership or examination costs. For details of these costs, please click on the link below.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
CIPD
On this course, students will be required to become a CIPD Student Member. This comes at a cost of £90 per annum*.
*These costs are subject to change
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible postgraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Did you know that you will soon be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £1,222 for some courses and options?
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
This course is approved by:
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. This allows successful students to upgrade their Student Membership to that of Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Assoc CIPD).
Further Study
You can choose to progress their academic development further by studying for an MBA, PhD or DBA.
What our students say
"The best aspects of studying at BCU is that it feels like a second home, the support is amazing, and you are given many opportunities to become the best version of yourself. Teaching is engaging, interesting and challenges me to do my best. Through my undergraduate and onto my masters, I’ve always been proud to be a part of BCU."
Helen Bridges, International Human Resource Management student
Campus Tours - Postgraduate
Didn't make it to an Open Day? You still have the opportunity to come and see what our postgraduate courses have to offer. If you would like to enquire about campus tour availability, just drop us an email.
Enhancing employability skills
The course is designed around the skills and competencies required to become a professional HRM practitioner. A core module of the course is called Developing Skills for Business Leadership, and covers the skills and competencies specified by the CIPD.
You will be able to participate in practical, work relevant activities such as conducting a negotiation with an employee representative, holding a grievance and disciplinary interview with a member of staff, selection interviews and many more skills-based sessions.
The course is closely tied into the CIPD profession map, which has been developed by consideration of what the leading experts working in HRM need to know and understand to contribute effectively to the performance of their organisations.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Business Advice Centre
The Business Advice Centre (BAC) is the Business School's hub that offers a range of support services to you throughout each stage of your student learning experience.
We have a range of support solutions for students as well as opportunities to enhance your employability and entrepreneurial qualities.
Whether you are considering starting your business, connecting with real companies or enhancing your graduate opportunities, the Business Advice Centre can help you.
Graduate jobs
Our graduates are highly sought after by employers upon graduating, and the course could also mean you can stay with your current organisation and move up the career ladder. Our successful students have gone on to work for companies such as Crosby Management Training Ltd and Rainbow Recruitment.
Welcome to the Birmingham City Business School, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!
Birmingham City Business School is one of the UK’s largest, most established and most respected business schools. Our programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.
We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.
International Student Profile – Anh Nhat Phan
We wanted our students to let you know about their journeys through Birmingham City University and beyond. We talk to Anh Nhat Phan, an International Human Resource Management student from Vietnam, about her time in our Birmingham City Business School.
International Student Profile – Jaspreet Singh
We wanted our students to let you know about their journeys through Birmingham City University and beyond. We talk to Jaspreet Singh, an International Human Resource Management student from India, about his time in our Birmingham City Business School.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law, Business and English students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive new library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the recently opened Parkside Building and Millennium Point
"The area of human resources is a fast emerging and constantly changing field of study. This demands that we as practitioners must approach what we do with mental agility and commercial acumen. In a time of ever increasing globalisation our ability to understand and responds to the impact of this on our people, organisations and operations has never been greater. Our teaching team are passionate about our profession and we are excited to welcome you and explore this fascinating field of study."
Harry Allen, Course Leader
Harry Allen
Senior Teaching Fellow
Before joining Birmingham City University, Harry was in full time practice as a Group Human Resources Manager for a student accommodation company based in Coventry for just over two years.