20% scholarships for all successful UK applicants
We will be running a series of webinars exclusively for our 2023 offer holders, all full-time MSc offer holders will receive an invitation to register in due course.
Overview
- Start date25 September 2023
- Duration12 months
- DeliveryTaught modules 60%, MSc thesis project 40%
- QualificationMSc
- Study typeFull-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
- Graduates with a desire to develop their knowledge and skills in human resource management before seeking their first professional role.
- Early career professionals who want to take on roles in human resource management.
- Professionals with work experience in human resource management who are seeking to take their career to the next level.
Why this course?
- Cranfield School of Management consistently performs well in international business rankings. We are top 10 in the UK and 34th in Europe in the Financial Times European Business School 2021 Rankings.
- Our approach to teaching is designed to nurture your practical business skills and confidence, and places huge emphasis on real-world challenges.
- Our MSc will prepare you for a human resource management role, through a combination of studying theory and learning through practical work.
- You will learn about the management of organisations, focusing in particular on the management of human resources, and the changing external environment in which they operate.
- You will develop your knowledge and skills in human resource management, develop your self-awareness and undergo personal development.
- You will develop the ability to apply concepts and theories to complex management situations, both systematically and creatively, which will enable you to add value to any future employer.
- Finally, you will enhance your lifelong learning through the development of transferable intellectual and study skills.
Informed by Industry
An external advisory panel informs the design and development of the course, and comprises senior management practitioners, reinforcing its relevance to the modern business world. Many of our faculty have held senior positions in industry and continue to engage with industry through consultancy and teaching. They are also supported by a team of international visiting industry speakers and professors who bring the latest thinking and best practice into the classroom.
Course details
The course comprises 12 core modules and one elective module, plus an individual thesis project. Five modules focus specifically on human resource management issues and deal with general management principles relevant to human resource management practice. Specialist human resource management modules include: Performance Management and Reward, Talent Sourcing and Career Management, Employment Relations and Engagement, Contemporary Approaches to Human Resource Management and Developing Organisational Culture.
Course delivery
Taught modules 60%, MSc thesis project 40%
Individual project
You will undertake an empirical research project for your individual thesis based on a HRM topic. This will enable you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learnt during the course. It also provides the opportunity to work on a piece of original research and will involve undertaking a research project with an industrial partner on a real-world challenge.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Organisational Behaviour: Application
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Aim |
Organisations are run by and for people, and the success or failure of an organisation depends on the people in that organisation. It is rarely an absence of planning that causes organisational difficulties; rather it is the failure of management in understanding and managing complex personal and interpersonal systems that can lead to significant problems. Similarly an acute and critical understanding of these dynamic relationships can lead to profound and enduring success and benefit for the individual, the team, the organisation and wider society. In this module students will be introduced to various aspects of people and organisations. This module combines models, theories and ideas from organisational behaviour, psychology, and sociology in order to provide students with a basic understanding in recognising, understanding and utilising what has been termed the "human factor" in organisations; including ways of conceptualising organisations and how people behave within them. We shall consider the impact of the external environment; and address notions of organisational change. This module is necessarily an introduction; further suggestions of reading and of consequent activities will be provided. It may also be that students will wish to undertake a project in this area; several of the faculty involved will be pleased to discuss this with you. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Accounting and Finance
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Aim |
The aim of the Accounting and Finance module is to introduce a number of traditional and contemporary accounting approaches that will increase the visibility of financial information and support management decision making. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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People Management and Leadership
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Aim |
This module is concerned with managing the organisation’s key resource – the people who work for it. It aims to help learners understand how effective people management can contribute to develop and sustain organisations. The module aims to develop an insight into the complexities of managing people in a changing environment. The focus of the module is to help learners understand the relationship between people management and organisational performance, including managerial roles and responsibilities, especially the crucial role of line managers. The module will provide an introduction to the main activities associated with resourcing, developing and day–to-day management of people in organisations. It is not the intention of the module to develop human resource management specialist, but rather to provide a general introduction to the people management issues that concern all managers.The module will draw on key academic contributions in the broad field of people management, including current research being carried out by faculty in the School of Management. Throughout the module, sessions will be highly interactive in order to develop critical insight and core skills in the people management field. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Economics for Managers
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Aim |
To introduce the concepts and techniques associated with Managerial Economics, i.e. Microeconomics (e.g. market analysis, price theory, rationality) and Macroeconomics (e.g. inflation, exchange rates and interest rates). |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Management Consulting
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Aim |
This is an integrative module allowing students to develop management consulting skills and apply their learning in a practical manner. It will use the insights generated through the Effective Cross-Cultural Management module to explore the cultural nuances of the company/national culture relevant to the case company. Students will work in their consulting teams and will role-play as a management consulting team, competing against the other teams. All teams will address the same business challenge: a genuine business issue in a particular company. Students will have a set of taught sessions on the ‘art and craft’ of management consulting. In parallel, they will work with their consulting teams to address the case company business challenge. They will engage with the problem; gather the relevant data; use appropriate tools/frameworks and propose innovative, pragmatic and achievable solutions. |
Syllabus |
This module comprises conceptual knowledge about the foundations of management consulting and practical knowledge developed through a consulting project for a real organization which every year is chosen by the module leader. The module includes teaching and feedback sessions focused on the following: Consulting skills Consulting process |
Intended learning outcomes |
This module is intended to enable students to develop critical management consulting skills and apply them in the context of a real-life business problem. By the end of this module students should be able to:
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Performance Management and Rewards
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Aim |
The enabling of people’s motivation and performance at work is a critical function of HR professionals. Organisations invest a lot of money, time and energy developing policies, procedures and interventions that influence what people do and how well they do it. Performance management is often associated with performance appraisals, but it also includes goal setting, performance measuring, performance reviewing, performance development and rewards. This module aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to be able to critically assess the role, value and effectiveness of people performance management and rewards. |
Syllabus |
Specifically, the module covers the following topics: Performance Management Rewards Management |
Intended learning outcomes |
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Talent Sourcing and Career Management
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Aim |
In essence this module is concerned with how organisations attract, select and manage the careers of ‘talent’. It aims to help participants understand how effective talent sourcing and career management can contribute to developing and sustaining organisations. The focus of the module will be concerned with helping participants understand the role of sourcing and career management in ensuring that organisations acquire the ‘talent’ they need to be successful. The module aims to develop an insight into the complexities of sourcing talent and managing careers in a changing environment. The module will draw on key academic contributions in the broad field of talent and career management, including current research being carried out by faculty in the School of Management. View video: An introduction to the Talent Sourcing and Career Management module |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Employment Relations and Engagement
Aim |
For many organisations the nature and quality of the relationships it has with its people is crucial to success. The aim of this module is to explore the nature of this relationship, the factors which influence how it operates and how it can be managed effectively to maximise mutual benefit. The module will also examine relevant legislation and policy recommendations. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
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Evidence-based Management
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The module is primarily designed to provide students with an understanding of what is required to conduct research in business contexts considering that todays’ managers Therefore, understanding the process of producing evidence will ensure students to have the core skills to inform management decisions. |
Syllabus |
Introduction to evidence-based management Conducting research in management Using qualitative research methods Using quantitative research methods Presenting research evidence |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Developing Organisational Culture
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Aim |
In an ever fast-changing environment, developing a positive organisational culture is key to organisational success. This module is primarily designed to respond to the need for organisations to build organisational cultures that are agile, foster inclusion, ethical approaches and collaboration among the members of the organisation. This module will also support students in understanding approaches to managing change and organisational transformation in relation to driving cultural change. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Contemporary Approaches to Human Resource Management
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Aim |
The module will review and analyse the current and future challenges that organisations face in line with the latest changes/trends affecting the workplace. The module will discuss the crucial role played by HR in supporting organisations towards the achievement of their strategic goals and the importance of leveraging on the latest technological developments to adopt more efficient people management approaches. The module will draw on key contributions in the field of e-HRM and new ways of organising, including current research being carried out by faculty in the School of Management. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Strategic Management
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Aim |
Strategic Management is concerned with the direction and scope of the organisation. This involves determining the purpose of the organisation, establishing objectives and formulating strategies to achieve the objectives. It predominantly explores how an organisation positions itself with regard to its changing environment, and in particular its competitors, in order to gain and sustain competitive advantage. This means that strategic management considers how an organisation’s internal resources and capabilities can be developed to meet the changing demands of customers, in such a way as to achieve the expectations and objectives of its stakeholders. |
Syllabus |
The module begins by focusing on strategy at the strategic business unit level. It is orientated around five key questions 1) where to compete? 2) how to gain competitive advantage? 3) what capabilities are required? 4) what capabilities do we have? 5) how do we change? The module then explores corporate level strategy and the issue of strategy implementation and change. Throughout the module a range of tools and techniques for strategic analysis and choice will be introduced. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Elective modules
A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Leading Corporate Sustainability
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Aim |
Global sustainability challenges are shaping the way business operates in the 21st century. Businesses are under increasing pressure from multiple stakeholders (for e.g. shareholders, customers, employees, society) to manage their positive and negative impacts with clear responsibility and strategic intent. Leading firms are choosing to respond to these challenges by generating sustainable value propositions to ultimately drive competitive advantage. For many this has meant re-engaging at the level of purpose and re-addressing their role in wider society and for human well-being. This module outlines the major sustainability challenges and explores the capabilities organisations require to respond positively to them. It will engage you in gaining a better understanding of how corporate action can be best configured to promote responsible and sustainable business strategies. In doing so, it will demand management students (as future business managers and leaders) to reflect on the long-standing debate about whether or not ‘the business of business, is still business? Watch video: An introduction to the Leading Corporate Sustainability module |
Syllabus |
The content is organised around the sustainability management ‘compass’ below: The course content is structured as follows: Part 1: Setting the context Context setting The role of business Exploring possible futures Part 2: Developing the capabilities |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Strategic Marketing
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Aim |
This module presents a strategic perspective of marketing, whereby understanding of the needs and wants of customers is used to guide and direct the organisation. It focuses on the input of the marketing perspective across all functions hence prepares students for general management responsibilities. No prior knowledge of the subject is assumed. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On completing this module, the following outcomes will have been achieved and students will be able to:
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Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff. As a result, they may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed above the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Teaching team
The programme is taught by faculty experts who have extensive industry experience and who regularly work with global organisations, multinationals and government agencies around the world. The Course Director for this course is Dr Mengyi Xu.
Accreditation
The Management and Human Resource Management MSc is a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) accreditation degree. The CIPD membership is highly recognised in the field of HRM and can offer you a distinct advantage over those who wish to pursue a career in this sector.
The Cranfield Management and Human Resource Management MSc is a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) dual accreditation degree. This provides the opportunity to stand out from other management graduates by achieving the CMI’s professional management qualification alongside your Cranfield degree.
The CMI is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence. It is the only organisation awarding Chartered Manager status, and has a 100,000+ membership.
Your career
The Careers and Employability Service offers a comprehensive service to help you develop a set of career management skills that will remain with you throughout your career.
During your course you will receive support and guidance to help you plan an effective strategy for your personal and professional development, whether you are looking to secure your first management role, or wanting take your career to the next level.
Cranfield graduates are highly valued in the job market and aim for careers including consultancy, project management and business operations. Our Management MSc graduates have secured jobs with a diverse range of companies including Virgin Active Group, Whirlpool, BNP Paribas, IKEA, Skanska, Withers Worldwide, Grant Thornton, Vodaphone and Ericsson. Their roles have included Project Manager, Senior Business Analyst, Consultancy Analyst and Sales Trader.
How to apply
Our students do not always fit traditional academic or career paths. We consider this to be a positive aspect of diversity, not a hurdle. We are looking for a body of professional learners who have a wide range of experiences to share. If you are unsure of your suitability for our MSc Management and Human Resource Management programme we are happy to review your details and give you feedback before you make a formal application.
To apply you will need to register to use our online system. Once you have set up an account you will be able to create, save and amend your application form before submitting it.
Application deadlines
There is a high demand for places on our courses and we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.
Entry for September 2023
- Applications from international and European students requiring a visa to study in the UK must submit their application by Monday 3 July 2023.
- There is no application deadline for UK applicants, but places are limited, so we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.
Once your online application has been submitted together with your supporting documentation, it will be processed by our admissions team. You will then be advised by email if you are successful, unsuccessful, or whether the course director would like to interview you before a decision is made. Applicants based outside of the UK may be interviewed either by telephone or video conference.
Read our Application Guide for a step-by-step explanation of the application process from pre-application through to joining us at Cranfield.