MSc Human Resource Management (International Development)

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2027, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
  UK students (per annum): £16,000
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £33,100

The fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs.

Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information .

Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

International student CAS deposit

Self-funded international applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2500 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. Some applicants will be required to pay a higher deposit. More information on tuition fee deposits .

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).

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

Learn more about - student finance options for UK students .

Learn more about - fees and finance for international students .

Graduates of The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University can receive a 10% discount on their master's degree tuition fees as part of our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount scheme.

Module Overview

Introduction to HR Research

Introduction to Library Resources

Introduction to My Learning Essentials

Academic Writing

Reference Management Software

Conducting a Literature Review

Searching Academic Literature : Tools/Approaches

Critical Reading and Writing (Developing Arguments)

Working with Theories and Frameworks

Academic Referencing

Academic Integrity

Writing a Dissertation Proposal

Choosing a Dissertation Topic

Identifying Research Problem/Gap

Developing Research Questions/Objectives

Ethics in HR Research

Three research approaches: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods

Data Collection

Data Analysis and Discussion

The teaching and learning methods are designed to balance more formal lecture-based inputs with opportunities for the students to engage with the subject area in a participative and applied manner.  A variety of teaching and learning methods will be used. These are likely to include formal lectures and group-based tutorials. 

 The content of this module will be delivered at strategically located points throughout Semester One and Semester Two. As an indication, the introduction to the module, inputs on conducting research using literature, and the assessment of the literature-based essay will take place in Semester One.  In Semester Two, there be lectures, seminars and tutorials on the subject of research methods relating to HRM in organisational contexts, and students will be required to submit their dissertation proposals. 

1. Define and critically explore literature on a specified subject using paper-based library stock, electronic databases, electronic journals and other web-based sources of data, such as government policies and reports.

2. Through the presentation of a dissertation research proposal, 

- demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of key research terms and methodologies;

- show their ability to construct a well-designed and realistic research plan for gathering primary data in an organisational setting;

-  explain the importance of ethics to the work of researchers.

1. Formulate a set of clearly stated research aims, research objectives, and research questions and/or hypotheses; 

2. Construct and present in writing a critically-focused and concisely written literature review together with an associated bibliography using standard conventions for citing academic literature; 

3. Through the construction of a dissertation proposal, demonstrate their ability to engage in critical self-reflection when undertaking research-based activities.

Work critically in an applied setting in order to design, operationalise and present the findings of an organisationally based research-based project on human resource management

During this course unit, students will be encouraged to develop:

• their ability to review and analyse critically contrasting information.
• their self management skills including their ability to manage time effectively.
• skills which they need to articulate clearly their point of view particularly in response to questioning.
• willingness to question and develop their understanding, perspectives and values in response to listening to others.
• the ability to identify key contextual variables which affect their behaviour and the behaviour of others.
• the ability to engage in critical thinking, reflection, and self-awareness.
• responsibility for their own learning.

Written assignment (2,000 words) 85%

Report (1,000 words) 15%

 Feedback is provided in writing, approximately 14 days after submission of each assignment.

Anderson, V. (2013) Research Methods in Human Resource Management: investigating a business issue (3rd edition). London: CIPD

Bell, J. (2018) Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science (7^th edition). Maidenhead, England: Open University Press

Davies, M (2007) Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative
Methods. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Gill J. and Johnson, P. (2011) Research Methods for Managers (4th edition). London: Paul Chapman

Horn, R. (2012) Researching and Writing Dissertations: A Complete Guide for Business and
Management Students (2^nd edition). London: CIPD

Robson, C. and McCartan (2016) Real World Research (4^th edition). Chichester: Wiley

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students (8th edition). Harlow: Pearson

Yin, R. (2018) Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6^th edition). London: Sage Publications