Master of Business Human Resource Management Stream

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

South East Technological University

Program Overview

The Master of Business – Human Resource Management Stream at South East Technological University is a one-year NFQ Level 9 postgraduate programme designed to deepen specialist knowledge and practical skills in human resource management within complex contemporary organisations. It suits graduates with a business degree (especially HR-related) or a general degree with HR experience/specialisation who want advanced competencies in strategic HR, employment relations, analytics and leadership for careers in HR, consultancy, industrial relations, or organisation development.

Curriculum structure:

In this master’s year, students build both analytical and applied HR expertise across structured business and HR modules. They study Innovation Management and Design and Business Simulation I & II to enhance strategic thinking, decision-making and practical business insight in HR contexts. Modules such as Employee Relations Strategy, Strategic International HRM and Contemporary Issues in HR deepen understanding of people-management frameworks, employment relations and global challenges in HR practice. Employment Law and Human Resource Consultancy equip learners with knowledge of legal and advisory aspects in workplace settings, while a series of Research Paper Series / Dissertation / Applied Business Project in the final phase enables students to integrate theory with real-world HR research or organisational consultancy work.

Focus areas (in a string):

Strategic HRM, innovation management, employee relations strategy, international HRM, employment law, HR consultancy, business simulation, research/dissertation.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Apply strategic HR principles; analyse employment relations and HR challenges; design evidence-based people solutions; interpret legal and global HR contexts; and complete an independent research or applied project.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

NFQ Level 9 Master’s degree awarded by SETU; accredited centre for Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), awarding CIPD Associate Membership and paving the way to Chartered membership with relevant experience.

Reputation (employability rankings):

South East Technological University is a recognised Irish technological university with strong industry engagement in business and HR education, supporting graduate readiness for HR, people management, consultancy and leadership roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program's experiential learning is structured through several specific components:

Direct Industry Interaction: The program is practice-driven and involves going beyond the classroom. A key feature is that students interact with a variety of organisations as part of the course to learn HRM in practice. Senior practitioners from the industry also teach on the program.
Core Skill-Building Module: A dedicated module, "Developing Skills for Business Leadership and Coaching," is designed to build practical professional competencies directly relevant to HR leadership roles.
Focus on Modern HR Tools: The curriculum includes a specialized module on "HR Digitalisation & Analytics," ensuring students gain applied knowledge of contemporary digital tools and data analysis in HR.
Substantial Research Project: All students complete a 30-credit dissertation, which is a major piece of independent research. This allows them to apply their knowledge, specialize in a specific HR area, and enhance their career potential by tackling a real-world business issue.
Dedicated Career Support: The Trinity Business School Careers & Community team provides tailored, practical career development. This includes workshops, one-to-one coaching, psychometric assessments, company presentations, job fairs, and networking events to connect learning with employment opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

South East Technological University (SETU) Master of Business in Human Resource Management Stream graduates benefit from solid employability, with approximately 90% placement rates in Ireland's growing HR sector amid high demand for skilled professionals. Typical job roles include HR advisor, talent acquisition coordinator, employee wellbeing specialist, and organizational development analyst. These roles apply practical knowledge from case studies, entrepreneurship exercises, and real-world company analyses to support business growth.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

SETU Careers Service offers job placement support, workshops, and industry networking focused on regional multinationals and SMEs.
90% batch placed, starting salaries around €38,000–€50,000, reflecting strong demand in Waterford's business hub.
Partnerships with local employers enable live case studies, internships, and recruitment for commercial and HR positions.
Programme enhances specialist HR knowledge, aiding professional advancement and CIPD-aligned career paths.
Graduates advance to HR management or consultancy roles within 5 years, leveraging skills in innovation and people management.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue PhDs in HRM or business at SETU or Irish universities like UCC, often in sustainable HR practices with research funding.