MSc Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
Master of Science (MSc)
Duration
1 year
Entry requirements

We require a First or Upper Second class honours degree (2:1, with 60% average) from a UK university or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.

When assessing your academic record, we take into account your grade average, position in class and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.  We particularly welcome applications from institutions of high ranking and repute.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Apply online >>

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y N N N

Course overview

People are at the heart of any organisation. The ability to engage and develop human talent and understand the changing world of work is more essential than ever for HR and business leaders. This Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) accredited course will provide you with the essential knowledge, skills and expertise for your future career journey.

Open days

Meet us at a series of events in spring 2025. We’ll be visiting cities across the world, we’re holding on campus events and offering online information sessions.

On Wednesday 19 March we’re hosting our ‘Manchester Master’s Expo’, your opportunity to come on campus and find out more about master’s programmes at The University of Manchester.

Register for a master’s event today.

Meet us >>

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £17,750
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £30,750

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

Refund Policy

Due to the competition for places and limited availability, our courses require a deposit of £1000 to cover non-recoverable costs and secure your place. The deposit will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.

The deposit is non-refundable, except in the following situations:

  • you fail to meet the conditions of your offer (see below for further information); and/or
  • you are refused a visa or entry clearance to enter the UK (proof must be submitted)

If an offer has been made specifying an English Language condition which you do not meet, the Admissions Team will require the official certificate of an English Language test taken after the date of offer as evidence that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions for a refund to be approved. The English Language test certificate provided with your application documents will not be accepted as proof that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions as such a certificate will predate the offer.

If an offer has been made specifying an academic condition, the Admissions Team will require the official university documentation showing that you have not met this academic condition from the institution at which you have studied, as evidence for a refund to be approved.

The Admissions Team reserves the right to refuse to refund of any deposit that does not meet with the requirements outlined above.

Additional expenses

If you wish to become a student member of the CIPD then visit the  CIPD website  for further information.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Contact details

School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School
Contact name
Master's Admissions Office
Email
Website
https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/msc-human-resources-and-industrial-relations/
School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School was established in 1965 as one of the UK's first two business schools. Today, we are the UK's largest campus-based business and management school, and 'Original Thinking Applied' is at the heart of everything we do. Find out more .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a First or Upper Second class honours degree (2:1, with 60% average) from a UK university or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.

When assessing your academic record, we take into account your grade average, position in class and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.  We particularly welcome applications from institutions of high ranking and repute.

English language

For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our language requirements .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements see entry requirements for your country .

Application and selection

How to apply

Advice to applicants

Your statement of purpose should cover the areas outlined below and be one page A4: 

  • Tell us why you are interested in the MSc Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations course at Alliance MBS and how the course will impact on your future
  • Describe what makes you an outstanding applicant and describe your potential to contribute to all aspects of the course.

How your application is considered

We can only process applications with the following documents:

  • valid English language qualification
  • first and second year transcript (scanned copies are accepted at the time of application)
  • statement of purpose (this is included as part of your application form, you do not need to email your statement of purpose directly to the Admissions Team)

Deferrals

To defer your offer to the following year, you must contact your admission officer to get a copy of the deferral form.  You can only defer your offer for one year.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.  In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.  We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course. If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.

Course details

Course description

People are at the heart of workplaces. Managing and developing them is essential to help organisations achieve their goals, and support employees to thrive and lead meaningful working lives.

Develop up-to-date knowledge of the theoretical foundations and real-world practice of human resource management and industrial relations, both in the UK and internationally.

Build an in-depth understanding of contemporary developments in HRM.

Gain strategic insight by attending workshops delivered by leading HR practitioners.

Gain a competitive edge in the job market studying a course accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Special features

Manchester Industrial Relations Society Debate: AMBS hosts the annual Manchester Industrial Relations Society Debate. This is a competition between students of the HRM and IHRM programmes and participants from other Universities. This is a great opportunity for students to hone their critical thinking and argumentation skills and learn about recent issues related to employment relations, HRM and the everchanging workplace

Annual MSC HRM Conference: This event features a case study competition where students provide solutions to real life industry problems and is judged by HR leaders from the industry. The conference provides an excellent opportunity to network and develop students’ consultancy skills. The event also invites alumni and practitioners as guest speakers.

CIPD Conference: The Annual CIPD Conference and Exhibition is held in Manchester and students are encouraged to attend the event which features various free sessions. It is an opportunity learn about the latest HR trends, meet HR solution providers and hear from industry experts

Coursework and assessment

Assessment across the course units varies, and includes a combination of examinations, essays, course work, assignment, report and group presentations. A dissertation is also undertaken in the final semester over the summer that will bring together your learning and knowledge from across the course.

Course unit details

During the course you will be taking 180 credits. The eight taught modules during semester one and two total 120 credits and consists of both compulsory and optional taught units which can be viewed in the list below.

In the summer semester, you will carry out your Research Dissertation, worth 60 credits. This will provide you with the practical opportunity to work with real world businesses and organisations, developing critical business research and problem-solving skills on a topic of your interest.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Workplace Research and Analysis Skills BMAN60261 15 Mandatory
Multinationals and Comparative Employment Systems BMAN70051 15 Mandatory
HRM: Strategy and Practice BMAN70231 15 Mandatory
HRM: Context and Organisation BMAN71242 15 Mandatory
Employment Practice and Equality BMAN72382 15 Mandatory
Industrial Relations BMAN72391 15 Mandatory
International and Comparative Employment Regulation and Law BMAN75332 15 Mandatory
Comparative Industrial Relations BMAN71911 15 Optional
Human Resource Management in Asia BMAN73302 15 Optional

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Graduates from the programme have gone on to a wide variety of careers and further study, mostly, but not exclusively, in related fields.

Recent recruiters

Air Astana, Amazon, Balfour Beatty, Ernst & Young, Lloyds TSB, Mckinsey and Company, MPA Consulting, Morrisons, Nestlé, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Reed Global, Shoppers Stop Ltd, Sony, TATA Consultancy Services and Tesco plc.

Readabout our PostgraduateCareers Service >>

Read the latest information on visa changes and opportunities in the UK for international students >>

Accrediting organisations

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) offering the ability to fast track your career through professional membership.

CIPD credentials are increasingly sought out by employers around the world, with CIPD hubs existing in the UK, Ireland, Middle East and Asia, and a network of 160,000 CIPD worldwide registered members. Whilst studying with us, we will pay your CIPD membership fees providing you with access to practitioner focussed resources and events.

Further information about CIPD qualifications >>