StudyQA — Master: Human Resources and Employment Relations

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Description Contents Requirements

This exciting programme will give you a thorough grasp of current theory and practice relating to the management of human resources and employment relations. Whilst the UK is the primary focus for the study of employment relations issues, students will also consider the human resource management challenges of organisations operating across national boundaries. The course is designed both for fresh graduates and HR practitioners alike or anyone planning to undertake research in this area.
Students will benefit from an entire module dedicated to the Issues in Employee Relations which focuses on the key role played by employers, employees and their representatives in enhancing effective organisational working. Key issues of employee communication and the impact of EU directives on work arrangement will also be considered. A number of leading edge elective modules are available on the programme including Global Diversity Management; International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance.

Aims

The aim of this MSc is to provide a critical theoretical and applied knowledge and understanding of human resource management and employment relations. Graduates as prospective entrants to human resources management roles, as 'thinking performers', should be able to address business and professional situations knowledgeably making contributions to improved organisational performance and delivery of sound personnel/human resources practice and services.

Core Modules

HRM in Context Resourcing, Performance and Assessment: This module introduces HRM as a field of science and as a framework for analysis of how organisations manage their people. In particular the module examines the rise of HRM, what it involves in contemporary organizations, the strategic nature of HRM and its practices, its impact on organisational performance and the changing in employment practices. The module provides also insight into key HRM functions such as recruitment, selection, selection assessment, organization entry and changing work roles which are central to peoples management in organisations.

International and Comparative Human Resource Management: The HRM practitioner is in a position to make a substantial contribution to helping the organisation and its managers understand and apply the knowledge and skills needed for success in an international context. This module examines human resources strategy and practices for organisations operating across national boundaries, including the European Union (EU) and its member states, the USA, Japan and South East Asia.

Issues in Employment Relations: This module reviews the scope, issues and development of systems of employee relations with primary focus on the UK sphere, referenced also by international influences and developments. In addition, the module explores potential issues of conflict in employment relationship and the processes used to resolve these conflicts and manage the relationship. Reference is made to the legal framework of employment in the UK. The module prepares students for roles where they may be involved in decisions about employment and require understanding of the impact and consequences of decisions about employees given their contracts with the employer and commitments to the employment relationship.

Understanding Business and Management Research: The module is predicated on the dominant role of both quantitative and qualitative methods in management research and the need to enable the understanding of research reports and use this information to improve the quality of work, decision-making, and the understanding of complex management problems. The latter will be instrumental in applying existing management theory and research to practical management problems as action researchers.

The specific aims are:

* To provide a balanced view of social science and business research methods enabling a critical understanding of research information.
* To acquire theoretical and practical knowledge for business management by covering issues and debates in management research as reflected in the literature.
* To provide knowledge of relevant research methods and techniques for Masters level project work.

Organisational Behaviour: This module explores the main theories and key functions of leadership and management and their application, and you will be able to critique these as well as appreciate the contemporary issues facing leaders and managers. You will also be able to critically evaluate characteristics of effective management and how this differentiates from leadership, and discuss and assess relative strengths and limitations of key approaches to developing leaders and managers in organisations.

Dissertation: A research-based dissertation is an integral element of the programme to which considerable importance is attached. Students are required to base their dissertation on empirical research into a management problem or issue of their choice (subject to approval). Dissertations are supervised by full-time members of the academic staff of the School who have a wide range of research interests and expertise. The dissertation must be submitted by the end of the academic year during which a student completes all of the taught modules of the course.

Contemporary HRM: Policy, Development and Evaluation: This module aims to further explore HRM issues particularly the functions, values and actions associated with contemporary human resources management practice. It will also explore key issues and debates in respect of HRD (Human Resource Development), with a particular focus on organisational impacts and outcomes. The module will also consider the critical issues of the HR function and it's contribution to leadership development and strategic definition. Finally, the module will require learners to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint and provides opportunities for applied learning and professional development.

Elective Modules (one from)

International Management:

The module has six main aims. These are to:

* examine the important trends impacting international business and the major developing players in the international economy;
* explore the issues and challenges of managing in an international environment and with reference to particular countries and regions;
* understand the nature and forms of interaction between an international organisation, managerial decisions and the external environment, especially the effects of globalisation upon MNCs in both developed and developing countries;
* facilitate understanding of the theories and concepts of international management and to use them to diagnose and solve managerial problems;
* equip students with the analytical tools, techniques and models of negotiations, communication, and conflict resolution in international contexts;
* explore the theories and concepts relating to the management of human resources in international context.

International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance: This module focuses on business ethics and corporate governance in the international context. Both areas will be addressed from the perspective of the dual "business" models of the shareholder and the stakeholder approaches. Further the broader societal impacts of business activities will be considered in-depth. The full range of businesses will be considered from large corporations through to SMEs. Empirical studies will be used to apply the theoretical resources of moral philosophy, CSR and corporate governance.

Global Diversity Management: To get insight into Global Diversity Management by examining how organizations plan, coordinate and implement a set of management strategies, policies, initiatives such as training and development activities that seek to accommodate diverse sets of social and individual backgrounds, interests, beliefs, values and ways of work in organizations with international, multinational, global and transnational workforces and operations.

Strategic Management: The module has three main aims which are to:

* Enable students to appreciate the issues and challenges that confront managers responsible for strategic management in potentially complex, hostile and uncertain conditions
* Introduce students to concepts, topics and methodological approaches and tools relevant to the analysis of the strategic position of the organisation and the development and implementation of strategies and policies, and their major operational implications;
* Develop students skills of critical thinking, logical analysis, argument and judgement via the use of case study and other materials exemplar readings and other information sources.

A 2:1 UK Honours degree or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in management, business studies or a cognate discipline (with a large component of management related subjects in their degree). Applicants from non-business/management disciplines (and without any business/management element) will be eligible if they have a first class Honours degree or the overseas equivalent. Applicants with a lower second class degree (2.2) in a management; business studies or cognate discipline may be considered, providing they can show evidence of significant relevant work experience (minimum 2 years). Applicants with non-degree qualifications will be also considered who have relevant work experience (minimum 5 years) and will be assessed on an interview basis. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.English Language Requirements * IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas) * Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores) * BrunELT: 65% (min 60% in all areas) English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C) IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.