MSc Human Resource Management (International Development)

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We also attend a number of education fairs both in the UK and overseas throughout the year.

For more details on how you can meet us, visit our events page: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/meet-us/ .

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• copies of official degree certificatesand transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;
• copies of English Language Certification, eg IELTS, TOEFL iBT or Pearson test score report, if available at the time of application;
• your CV.

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.

Deposit information

We ask for the deposit as competition for places is high and there is limited availability.

When you have been made an offer, you will be required to pay a £2,500 deposit by the deadline date stated in your offer letter before you can be accepted on this course. The deposit amount 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.
• You are refused a visa or entry clearance to enter the UK.
• Your application for government funding has been unsuccessful.
• Evidence must be provided before a refund will be processed under any of the circumstances above.

If your offer specifies 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 the offer as evidence that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions. The English language test certificate provided with your application documents is not accepted as proof that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions as it will predate the offer.

If your offer specifies an academic condition, the Admissions Team will require official university documentation showing that you have not met the condition from the institution at which you studied as evidence.

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

Develop the skills needed to manage people and organisations in an increasingly complex global environment.

MSc Human Resource Management (International Development) examines how organisations recruit, manage, develop and support their workforce within international development contexts. The course explores the role of human resource management in building effective organisations that can respond to social, economic and development challenges.

Delivered within the Global Development Institute, the programme combines expertise in human resource management and international development. You will explore how people management practices shape organisational performance while considering the specific opportunities and challenges faced by organisations operating across diverse international settings.

The course examines key areas of human resource management, including recruitment, performance management, workforce development, reward management, employee relations and organisational effectiveness. You will critically evaluate different approaches to managing people and consider how these can support organisations working towards development goals.

The programme will encourage you to consider how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), are shaping contemporary human resource management practices, workforce management and organisational decision-making.

Studying alongside an international cohort, you will have opportunities to learn from a wide range of professional and cultural perspectives. This global learning environment helps you develop an understanding of how workforce management practices vary across different countries, organisations and development settings.

The programme is suitable for students and professionals interested in human resource management, organisational leadership and people management in NGOs, international organisations, government agencies and other development-focused environments.

• We're Europe's largest dedicated development research and teaching institute and have been at the forefront of development studies for over 60 years .
• We are ranked first for research environment and second overall in the UK in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
• We are proud to tackle global inequalities and rank first in the UK for our impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (THE Impact Rankings 2025).
• We bring cutting-edge insights from our research into all our postgraduate teaching. Our courses bring different development perspectives and voices to Manchester, from activists from the Global South to the leaders of multinational companies.
• We are home to the internationally recognised African Cities Research Consortium , Effective States and Inclusive Development and FutureDAMS research centres.
• Students are part of our vibrant research community, including our public lecture series which brings world experts, former heads of state, and leading development thinkers, to discuss current issues in development.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The taught elements of the course, carrying 120 credits overall, is continuously assessed by a variety of methods (e.g., project-based reports, essays), involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.

You must also complete a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice approved by the Programme Directors.

You are encouraged to base your dissertation on topics of direct professional concern.

Find out how our students feel about studying at The University of Manchester by visiting Student Spotlights .

Graduates develop specialist knowledge of human resource management and organisational effectiveness within international development settings. The programme is particularly relevant for students interested in managing people, supporting organisational performance and contributing to sustainable development goals.

Potential career paths include:

• Human resource management
• Talent management
• Workforce development
• Organisational effectiveness
• Employee relations
• Recruitment and people services
• International organisations
• NGO and charity management
• Organisational consultancy
• Doctoral study (PhD)

By developing an understanding of the role of AI in HRM, the programme helps students strengthen their competitiveness for HR and organisational leadership in a rapidly changing global labour market.

The course prepares graduates for roles across NGOs, charities, international organisations, government agencies and other organisations working in development and social change.

Find out more about our alumni and some of our notable former students .

Careers support

This course supports students interested in careers across human resource management, organisational leadership, consultancy and international development.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.

At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .

Careers support for international students

The Careers Service provides specialist resources, advice and events to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.

• Working in the UK after study
• Working during study
• Professional and alumni networks for international students

Global networks

The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK. After your course, you'll join our 10,000 strong alumni network . We'll keep you up to date with all the new insights and implications from our research. International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country. It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks. You can view the alumni networks already operating across the globe here .