MSc Human Resource Management
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
The way people work is changing rapidly and there’s never been a more exciting time to study and work in human resources. Today's workforce is seeking job satisfaction and meaningful work. On this dynamic MSc in Human Resource Management, you’ll learn to face the challenges of a changing HR world, and how to be an innovator in the field.
You’ll get an introduction to the key theories, techniques and practices, and learn how to evaluate and utilise them. You’ll discover how to make a difference to people’s lives and support their wellbeing at work, ensuring that productivity is balanced with quality of life. You’ll also gain an in-depth understanding of the human aspect of business and organisational behaviour and learn how to inspire people to do their best work and feel fulfilled.
No prior study in business or human resources is necessary; just an interest in the field and a passion for helping people achieve their potential. This course emphasises the importance of meaningful work for human happiness and positions HR as a practice that enhances employee self-development.
Your studies will also adopt a global outlook, with an international culture, cohort, and course content. You’ll study HR from a global perspective and work alongside students from around the world, preparing you to succeed in international settings. This diverse environment will help you approach your subject from various angles, ensuring you’re well-equipped for a global career.
UEA leads the way in research on well-being at work and contributes to national organisations such as the What Works Centre for Wellbeing. As specialists in this area, we prioritise student well-being. We work hard to ensure you’ll have a positive and fulfilling experience, and graduate ready to pursue your ambitions with confidence.
Study and Modules
Structure
Your studies will begin with Welcome Week. Here you’ll be introduced to each of the key areas of business, as well as human resources. You’ll also meet the team of academics and researchers you’ll be working with throughout your degree and have the chance to get to know your fellow students.
Your first semester is a great chance to explore different areas of human resources and discover the areas you might like to investigate further during the rest of your studies and later career. You’ll gain a firm foundation in both your subject and other essential business functions.
For example, you’ll explore the theory and practice of organisational functions from recruitment to retirement. This spans induction and training programmes, performance approaches, and career management, as well as emerging HR specialisms such as women in leadership, diversity, and the psychology of loyalty at work. You’ll also have the chance to study topics such as industrial and workplace psychology, organisational culture and corporate psychology, motivation and job satisfaction, employment law and contracts, learning programmes and HR systems. You’ll explore procedural aspects of HR and develop your interpersonal skills.
In your second semester you’ll be able to start building your own specialisms by choosing from optional modules.
Unlike other Master’s courses where your third semester is spent on independent study, on this Master’s you’ll benefit from a third semester of taught modules. You’ll spend this semester consolidating your learning and further developing your critical thinking skills.
You’ll also study the theory and practice of good management. You’ll also focus on developing your own personal brand. This ensures you leave equipped not only to help shape the careers of others, but ready to shape your own career too. We’ll work together to identify your 10 key strengths and then you’ll explore ways to show evidence of these strengths. You’ll study inspiring career stories, from JK Rowling to James Dyson, discovering the principles of success and applying them to your own life and career plan.
The course has been carefully designed to make sure you graduate with in-depth knowledge of all the key areas of HR. In all your modules you’ll look at issues from a domestic and international perspective. This ensures you leave us ready to excel on the international stage, with skills that are relevant anywhere.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll benefit from research-led teaching, learning from academics who are part of the Employment Systems and Institutions (ESI) research group. ESI is a group of applied social and behavioural scientists dedicated to examining the dynamics of human behaviour at work. Their specialisms include productivity, job satisfaction, appraisals, and wellbeing at work. They regularly hold talks and seminars that are open to the public as well as students, where you can meet and debate with people already working in human resources.
You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, masterclasses and independent study. There is no dissertation module on this Master’s, which means you’ll benefit from a greater number of taught modules.
Assessment
You’ll experience a variety of assessment methods, including exams, coursework, group work and presentations.
You’ll be able to submit formative and summative work for assessment, and you’ll receive feedback to help you identify areas for improvement and areas of strength.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area. Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, there may be some overlap. Therefore we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- Additional Entry Requirements
This MSc course is open to all students who meet the entry requirements but it is primarily aimed at students who have not previously studied a business-related degree, have limited business knowledge from their undergraduate degree, or have a general business degree and would like to now specialise. If you have a business degree, please check the course modules and content carefully to ensure the programme meets your needs and future career aspirations and requirements Alternatively, please consider one of our Professional courses which may be more suitable.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject area. Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, there may be some overlap. Therefore we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- Additional Entry Requirements
This MSc course is open to all students who meet the entry requirements but it is primarily aimed at students who have not previously studied a business-related degree, have limited business knowledge from their undergraduate degree, or have a general business degree and would like to now specialise. If you have a business degree, please check the course modules and content carefully to ensure the programme meets your needs and future career aspirations and requirements Alternatively, please consider one of our Professional courses which may be more suitable.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 5.5 in Reading and Listening)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £13,800
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International Students: £24,300
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
In an ever-changing business world, HR is an ever-evolving specialism. On this course you won’t just explore the issues of today, you’ll develop the essential critical skills you’ll need for a lifetime of learning.
You’ll graduate ready for a career investing in people, and inspiring them to invest their time, effort and talent in businesses and other organisations. You’ll be ready to make a difference by helping businesses authentically build human thriving.
HR is a vital part of every organisation – wherever there are people, there is a need for human resources specialists. That means that as an HR expert you can work in any country and in any sector, from manufacturing in Asia, to entertainment in the US, and from fashion in Europe to leisure and tourism in South America.
The international flavour of the courses means you’ll be well placed to go on to an international career, working for international companies and multinational corporations.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Recruitment
- Human resources
- Training
- Diversity
- Coaching
Discover more on our Careers webpages.