Human Resource Management MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Nottingham Trent University

Program Overview

The MSc Human Resource Management at Nottingham Business School (NBS) is ideal for graduates from any discipline who want to build a successful career in HR. It suits those aiming to enter or progress within HR roles, offering a professionally accredited pathway that combines theory with applied practice. Students will explore HRM approaches, techniques, and methodologies while gaining internationally relevant skills for consultancy, recruitment, training, and organisational development.

Curriculum Structure

Stage One (Foundations of HRM)
You’ll begin with HRM in the Changing Business Context, which examines how HR professionals respond to internal and external challenges, including ethics and labour markets. Alongside this, Organisational Culture and Change Management explores how HR can drive inclusive, ethical, and effective change, linking diversity and CSR to organisational success.

Stage Two (Core HR Practice)
Modules such as Human Resource Development and Employment Relations provide a critical understanding of employee engagement, learning strategies, and workplace relations. You’ll also explore recruitment, performance management, reward, and diversity, developing the skills to design HR policies that support business strategy.

Stage Three (Specialist Options)
You’ll choose between modules such as International HRM or Employment Law, enabling you to tailor your studies to global HR practice or legal frameworks. These options allow you to deepen expertise in areas most relevant to your career ambitions.

Stage Four (Experiential Project)
The program culminates in either a Consultancy Experience Project or an Applied Dissertation (for the two-year placement route). Working in professional consultancy teams, you’ll engage directly with client organisations, conduct research, and deliver evidence-based HR solutions.

Focus Areas

HRM in context, organisational culture, change management, employee engagement, international HRM, employment law, consultancy practice.

Learning Outcomes

Critical knowledge of HRM theories, ability to apply HR tools and techniques to diverse contexts, proficiency in research and enquiry, effective communication of HR strategies, and readiness for professional development.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The MSc is approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Successful completion provides Associate Membership of CIPD, a prerequisite for Chartered Membership and Chartered Fellowship. Nottingham Business School pays for your student membership during the course.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

97% of MSc HRM students are satisfied with the quality of their course (PTES 2024).
Nottingham Trent University is ranked 1st in the UK for Employability (Uni Compare 2025).
Nottingham Business School is triple accredited (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA), placing it among the world’s leading business schools.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning on the MSc Human Resource Management at Nottingham Trent University (NBS) is at the heart of the program. You won’t just study HR theory — you’ll actively apply it through consultancy projects, live client briefs, and professional practice aligned with CIPD standards. The course is designed to give you hands-on experience, using NBS’s triple-accredited facilities and digital resources to prepare you for the realities of HR leadership.

Here’s how experiential learning is embedded into your journey:

Consultancy Experience Project: Work in professional consultancy teams on live briefs from client organisations, applying HRM tools and strategies to deliver evidence-based solutions.
Applied Dissertation (placement route): For students on the two-year pathway, you’ll undertake a 48-week placement and complete an applied dissertation, directly linking your academic learning to workplace practice.
Group projects and case studies: Modules such as Employment Relations and Organisational Culture and Change Management include collaborative projects where you’ll design HR policies and engagement strategies in simulated workplace scenarios.
Specialist HR software and digital tools: Access HRM databases, analytics platforms, and NTU’s online learning environment to strengthen your data-driven decision-making skills.
Library and research facilities: Benefit from NTU’s award-winning library, with extensive HRM journals, employment law databases, and digital resources to support your assignments and dissertation.
Nottingham Business School environment: Study in a triple-accredited business school (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA), with modern teaching spaces, collaborative study areas, and direct links to NBS research centres.
Industry engagement: Gain insights from guest lectures, employer-linked projects, and NBS’s strong partnerships with HR professionals and organisations.
CIPD membership: Your student membership is paid for by NTU, giving you access to CIPD resources, events, and networking opportunities throughout your studies.

This blend of consultancy projects, placements, digital tools, and professional accreditation ensures you graduate with both academic knowledge and applied HR expertise, ready to thrive in senior roles.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Nottingham Trent University’s MSc Human Resource Management are highly sought after for senior HR roles. Typical career paths include HR business partner, employee relations specialist, talent development manager, and organisational development consultant. With CIPD accreditation and NTU’s strong employability record, you’ll be equipped to influence workplace culture and drive strategic change in diverse industries:

University services for employability: You’ll benefit from NTU’s Employability Team, which provides tailored one-to-one career coaching, CV and interview workshops, and access to employer networks. The program also embeds employability through the Consultancy Experience Project, giving you direct exposure to client organisations.
Employment stats and salary figures: NTU is ranked 1st in the UK for Employability (Uni Compare 2025), with postgraduate alumni reporting strong career progression and competitive salaries in HR and management roles.
University–industry partnerships: Nottingham Business School works closely with employers through live consultancy projects, guest lectures, and employer-linked modules, ensuring your learning is aligned with real-world HR practice.
Long-term accreditation value: The MSc is approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), providing Associate Membership upon graduation — a globally recognised qualification that supports progression to Chartered Membership and Chartered Fellowship.
Graduation outcomes: Alumni progress into diverse sectors including finance, healthcare, education, and multinational corporations, with many advancing quickly into leadership positions thanks to the program’s applied focus.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MSc Human Resource Management, you could continue into a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or a PhD in Human Resource Management/Business Studies at Nottingham Business School. These advanced research degrees allow you to deepen your expertise, contribute to academic knowledge, and position yourself for senior roles in academia, consultancy, or executive leadership.