Description
Please note that this qualification is no longer open to students new to the University. The final date on which it will be awarded is 31 December 2028.
This qualification is suitable for those at the start of a career in HR or hoping to enter the HR profession and also line managers. This MSc combines an in-depth understanding of human resource (HR) management with a broader exploration of its organisational and management context. Whether you’re at the start of your career in HR, aspiring to enter HR or an experienced professional, it will give you up-to-date knowledge of organisational theory and behaviour and the specialist skills essential to practitioners. You will explore HR strategy both within organisations (including issues such as employee relations and employee engagement; learning and development, and employee resourcing and talent management) and in relation to the external environment – including globalisation and international forces, social and technological change and government policies and regulation.
Key features of the course
- Develops the skills essential for HR work such as: leading and working in teams, making decisions, managing financial information, communicating effectively and helping others to learn
- A strong emphasis on practice-based learning; you will be asked to evaluate research and theory and consider its relevance to practice
- Develops academic and research skills such as assessing information and critically evaluating its relevance, and prepares you for higher level study.
The qualification provides a route (Route 1) to professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Students following this route are expected to be student members of CIPD throughout their studies and take the Human resource management residential school module.
Planning your studies
You must hold a bachelors degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree, to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.
You will need to be able to draw on experience of working in or with organisations. This experience can be drawn from a wide range of situations such as employment in public and private sector organisations and in self-employed or voluntary roles.
How long it takes
As the final date on which this qualification will be awarded is 31 December 2028, the maximum time to complete is three years. This will require approximately 12–14 hours of study a week for a 30-credit module.
Career relevance and employability
This qualification provides a route to professional membership of the CIPD if you wish to develop a career in HR management. It also considers international examples of human resource management and some aspects of comparative HR practice, helping to prepare you for work in the global economy. If you want to develop an academic career, the course provides training in research and academic skills and is ideal preparation for doctoral studies in the field of HR management.
More generally, by studying a postgraduate business qualification you can expect your salary to increase and for it to have a positive impact on your career progression, as well as bringing improvements to your organisation.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Accreditation
The Open University Business School is a CIPD-approved training centre having met the requirements of delivering high-quality professional qualifications and an excellent learning experience.
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits and there are two routes to achieving this. If you are looking to gain CIPD recognition you should choose Route 1.
You should study the modules in the order shown.
Route 1
30 credits from the following:
| Compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- The human resource professional (B863) (discontinued)
|
30 |
|
plus 30 credits from the following:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module B864.
plus 60 credits from the following:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B865, B866 and B867.
plus 60 credits from the following final:
| Compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Dissertation (HRM) (B894)
Research skills are important for all HR professionals in order to improve organisational practice. Design and implement your own research into an aspect of HRM.
See full description
|
60 |
Nov 2026 |
Or subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module B804.
Route 2
60 credits from the following:
| Compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- HR management in practice (BXM840) (discontinued)
-
|
60 |
|
plus 60 credits from the following:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module B865, B866 and B867.
plus 60 credits from the following final:
| Compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Dissertation (HRM) (B894)
Research skills are important for all HR professionals in order to improve organisational practice. Design and implement your own research into an aspect of HRM.
See full description
|
60 |
Nov 2026 |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module B804.
For CIPD recognition of this qualification:
Both routes to the MSc in Human Resource Management are complemented by a 12-day online school that provides an additional opportunity to practise and receive feedback on HR skills. For those seeking CIPD membership, Route 1 and the residential school module are compulsory requirements. For all other students, the residential school module is optional.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
On completion
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Masters in Human Resource Management. You’ll be entitled to use the letters MSc HRM (Open) after your name.
If your masters degree is awardable with a distinction or a merit, the qualification regulations explain how you can achieve these.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification