MA Human Resource Management with Placement Year

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Hertfordshire

Program Overview

The MA Human Resource Management with Placement Year is a CIPD-accredited program that combines advanced HR study with a year of professional experience. It suits students who want to strengthen their HR expertise while gaining valuable workplace exposure, preparing them for careers in HR leadership, consultancy, and organisational development.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 (Taught Modules):

Students begin with Working Lives in a Changing Environment, exploring labour market trends, diversity, ageing populations, and the impact of digital and flexible working models such as the gig economy.
In Strategic People Management and Development, they learn how to align HR practices with organisational strategy, culture, and values, applying systemic thinking to improve performance and employee experience.
Business Research in People Practice equips students with quantitative and qualitative research skills, including analytics and ethical considerations, to investigate HR issues.
Personal Effectiveness and Leadership develops reflective practitioner skills through the CIPD profession map, focusing on ethical practice, team-working, and evidence-based decision-making.
Optional modules such as Employment Law, Strategic Reward, Global HRM, People Management Across Cultures, and Effective Work Psychology allow students to tailor their learning to specific interests.

Focus Areas

HRM strategy, employment law, organisational development, global HRM, cross-cultural management, reward management, work psychology, advanced HR research, professional placement experience.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to critically evaluate HRM theories, apply HR strategies in practice, conduct advanced HR research, manage diverse teams, and demonstrate professional competencies aligned with CIPD standards.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Successful graduates gain eligibility for Associate Membership (Assoc CIPD), with the potential to progress to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow status depending on experience.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Hertfordshire ranks 6th in Business and Management in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES 2024).
It is 1st for Skills Development and 2nd for Support, Resources, and Community (Advance HE, 2023).
Graduates have gone on to work at organisations such as KPMG, Tesco, Roche, World Bank, and Ocado, as well as becoming independent HR consultants.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What sets Hertfordshire’s MA Human Resource Management with Placement Year apart is the way it blends academic study with real-world practice. You’ll not only explore HR theory but also gain hands-on experience through a professional placement, applied projects, and CIPD-aligned assignments. This ensures you graduate with both the knowledge and the confidence to step directly into HR leadership and consultancy roles.

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

Placement Year: A full year working in an HR-related role, applying classroom learning to real organisational contexts. This placement strengthens employability by giving you practical experience in areas such as talent management, employee relations, organisational development, or HR consultancy.
Business Research in People Practice: Provides applied training in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including digital data analysis tools, preparing you to investigate HR issues and produce evidence-based solutions.
Group Projects and Case Studies: Modules such as Strategic People Management and Development and Working Lives in a Changing Environment involve collaborative projects where you design HR strategies and evaluate their impact on organisational performance.
Practice-Based Dissertation/Management Research Project (CIPD): A major applied project where you investigate a real HR challenge and produce a management report with actionable recommendations for an organisation.
Personal Effectiveness and Leadership Module: Uses the CIPD Profession Map as a framework, helping you develop reflective practitioner skills through workshops, simulations, and applied exercises.
Optional Modules with Applied Focus: Choices such as Employment Law, Strategic Reward, Global HRM, and Effective Work Psychology use case studies, tribunal scenarios, and applied exercises to connect theory with practice.
Library and Digital Resources: Full access to the Hertfordshire Business School library and online databases, including HRM journals, employment law resources, and CIPD toolkits.
Professional Accreditation (CIPD): Paid membership gives you access to CIPD’s professional toolkits, networking events, and industry-standard resources.
Business School Facilities: Modern seminar rooms, collaborative learning spaces, and strong employer connections ensure your learning is industry-focused and practice-driven.

This combination of placement experience, applied projects, CIPD accreditation, and employer engagement ensures you graduate not only with academic knowledge but with the practical skills employers demand in HR and consultancy.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Hertfordshire’s MA Human Resource Management with Placement Year are equipped with both advanced HR knowledge and real-world experience, making them highly competitive in the job market. Typical career paths include HR Business Partner, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Organisational Development Consultant, and Employee Relations Manager. With CIPD accreditation and a year of professional placement, students graduate with the credibility and practical skills employers value most.

Here’s how the University of Hertfordshire supports your career progression and future opportunities:

University Services for Employability: Hertfordshire’s Careers and Employment Service provides tailored one-to-one guidance, CV and interview workshops, and access to employer networking events. The placement year itself is supported by the university’s dedicated placement team, ensuring students secure meaningful HR roles.
Employment Stats and Salary Figures: The University of Hertfordshire ranks 6th in Business and Management in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES 2024) and is 1st for Skills Development (Advance HE, 2023). HR graduates in the UK typically earn between £30,000–£50,000 annually, with senior HR leadership roles exceeding this range.
University–Industry Partnerships: The program is closely aligned with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and Hertfordshire collaborates with employers on applied HR practice. Graduates have gone on to work at organisations such as KPMG, Tesco, Roche, World Bank, and Ocado, as well as becoming independent HR consultants.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The program is fully accredited by the CIPD, meaning graduates are eligible for Associate Membership (Assoc CIPD), with the potential to progress to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow status depending on experience. This accreditation is globally recognised and enhances career mobility.
Graduation Outcomes: Alumni have progressed into HR leadership roles across multinational corporations, consultancy firms, and global organisations, while others have pursued doctoral research to contribute to HRM scholarship and policy development.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MA Human Resource Management with Placement Year, students can continue their academic journey by pursuing a PhD in Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour, Work Psychology, or Employment Law at Hertfordshire or other leading institutions. This pathway allows graduates to deepen their expertise, contribute to cutting-edge HR research, and prepare for careers in academia, consultancy, or high-level organisational leadership.