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Human Resource Management

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • One year full-time, flexible learning

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Our MSc Human Resource Management is ideal if you wish to pursue a dynamic career as an HR professional in contemporary organisations. It will develop your critical analytic skills in design, implementation and evaluation of human resource practice, policy and processes in organisations both in the UK and globally.

  • Why choose this course?
    • The role of human resource management (HRM) within organisations is now arguably more important than ever. This HRM degree gives you the opportunity to specialise with either a focus on people management or on organisational development and consultancy.
    • Taught by award-winning academics and practitioners in the field of HRM, this course is designed to provide you with both industry and academic experience, applications of theory, and realistic and tangible responses to the demands of twenty-first-century working.
    • It is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Upon successful completion, you will be an Associate Member of CIPD with the option to upgrade to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow, provided you have relevant work experience.

  • What will I learn?

    This MSc Human Resource Management has been designed to provide you with theoretical and practical foundations to enhance your understanding of critical issues in HRM, including equality and diversity, employment law, leadership development and organisational change.

    With the prevailing economic uncertainties, cost pressures, exhausted workforces and changes in the way we work, we examine how the focus of HR professionals in the future will mostly need to centre around:

    • reinvigorating trust between employers and their leaders to optimise the adjustment to new working norms
    • rethinking organisational culture to establish an efficient workflow fit for the new world of work
    • investing in adopting and preparing for the impact of emerging HR technologies
    • rethinking external recruiting and internal career pathing approaches to attract and retain critical talent.

    We will also motivate you to think critically about the role of HRM within organisational contexts to ensure that workplaces are equitable, diverse and provide work that is both meaningful and safe.

  • How will I learn?

    You will study alongside a diverse and professional set of colleagues working through the challenges of the contemporary workplace, including students on other relevant courses to provide you with numerous networking experiences, chances for knowledge sharing and incentives for creativity and innovation.

    This course is available for full- or part-time study and offers modules you can study online and/or on campus. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. Teaching may include seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. You will also have access to pre-recorded online lectures to give you an overview of a particular field of study that you can watch and absorb at a time that suits you.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Three evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: Two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • In your first term you will be able to choose one of two pathways on this degree which allow you to specialise according to your career aspirations or interests, with a focus either on people management, or on organisational development and consultancy.
  • Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). 
  • This human resource management degree draws on the research expertise of our teaching team, many of whom are active members of our Diversity Research Group.
  • The University of London also offers an online MSc Human Resource Management with academic direction from Birkbeck. 

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

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Entry requirements

At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in social sciences or a business-related discipline.

Management development professionals and consultants without a first degree but with suitable professional qualifications and at least five years' significant management experience in a range of organisations may be considered.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £11,490 per year
Full-time international students: £22,980 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £11,490 per year
Full-time international students: £22,980 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £11,490 per year
Full-time international students: £22,980 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in management, human resources, training and development, and consultancy. Possible professions include:

  • HR business partner
  • HR strategic lead
  • HRM-focused management consultant
  • organisational design specialist.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

Related courses

Study routes for Human Resource Management (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time