MSc Human Resource Development (International Development) / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

¿I chose to study in The University of Manchester as it was the curriculum that best fitted my needs.

"I loved the idea that I could choose some education subjects while not being in an educational career. I wanted to study something related to human resources as I loved all the work related to a company's personnel. The MSc in Human Resources Development also offered the opportunity to combine this with education to help people better themselves. As I had worked in educational field before, it was my perfect match.¿

Maria Ines Garcia / MSc Human Resource Development (International Development)

MSc Human Resource Development (International Development) will enable you to critically understand the role of human resource development (HRD) in supporting economic and social advancement, through the improvement of public services and the education of individuals, organisations and communities. 

It aims to develop your critical appreciation of globalisation processes, policy initiatives and development management plans to support skills development, competitiveness and human capabilities, including development issues associated with eradicating gender inequalities, fostering human wellbeing and maintaining sustainable livelihoods. 

You will gain greater professional understanding of HRD strategies and development tools to support skill and knowledge acquisition and build organisation and community capabilities. 

Our focus on developing human knowledge and skills will enable you to appreciate how education supports skills development. 

You will also acquire knowledge of the role of international organisations (through governments and MNCs) such as the World Bank and the United Nations (UN) in supporting education and development initiatives. 

There is a strong emphasis on acquiring cross-cultural leadership knowledge, relevant for many social change and development projects in the public sector, or in the private sector, MNCs, NGOs or international organisations like the World Bank. 

The course is ideal for individuals of any professional background in international organisations, public administration, transnational organisations and private sector companies who are involved in the HRD, leadership and capacity planning aspects of organisations in low and middle-income countries.

Aims

You will gain:  
  • knowledge and understanding of the linkage between international development and HRD practices and policies; 
  • knowledge of globalisation and cross-cultural actors affecting the application of HRD and education theories and methods in low and middle-income countries; 
  • knowledge of education and HRD interventions and their role in building leadership skills and capacity; 
  • knowledge of how approaches to national human resource development (NHRD) affect organisation and societal performance in developing and transitional economies; 
  • knowledge of how new approaches to HRD strategies including private sector management and development, social capital, knowledge management, gender planning affects the context for competence and performance enhancement in organisations and societies; 
  • understanding of how to analyse and design HRD strategies at societal and organisational level; 
  • understanding of your own learning and leadership skills and how they may be improved.

Special features

  • 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're ranked second in the UK and 7th in the world for development studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
  • 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.

Teaching and learning

This course has normally included a field trip. Please note that fieldtrips may be scheduled at any point during the course, including during University vacations. 

You are expected to be available to attend. 

Part-time students 

Part-time students complete the course over 24 months. 

There are no evening or weekend course units available; you should, therefore, discuss course requirements with the Programme Director and seek approval from your employer. 

Timetabling information is usually available from late August.

You can discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director. 

Important notice 

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork. 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 ability of fieldwork and travel to proceed, and whether any changes to proposed fieldwork and travel might be necessary, will remain subject to factors such as the: 

  • rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments; 
  • outcome of any risk assessments conducted by the University; 
  • educational value and student experience of the fieldwork, if significant changes to the proposed fieldwork would be necessary; 
  • availability of appropriate insurance cover; 
  • availability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs.

All fieldwork and travel will be subject to a rigorous risk assessment process and the implementation of any protective measures identified by the risk assessment to ensure the health and safety of all our students and staff. 

In some circumstances, it may become necessary to make changes to fieldwork or programme-related travel. The University will notify you of those changes at the earliest opportunity. If any fieldwork does not go ahead as planned, then the School's focus will be on seeking to offer a suitable alternative and ensure that the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) of the programme are met.

Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice. The School cannot guarantee that where visas are required for fieldwork, they will be granted, but we will take steps so that if a visa is refused, affected students are not academically disadvantaged.

Coursework and assessment

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

You must also complete a 12,000 to 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.

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
Human Resource Development: Key Concepts MGDI60151 15 Mandatory
Human Resource Development & Leadership MGDI60162 15 Mandatory
Human Resource Development: Programmes and Policies in Practice MGDI60492 15 Mandatory
Organisation Development MGDI70461 15 Mandatory
HRD and Research in an International Context MGDI73040 15 Mandatory
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in International Education EDUC70322 15 Optional
Contemporary Issues in Education Leadership EDUC70331 15 Optional
Industrial Competitiveness and Global Transformation MGDI60002 15 Optional
International Management MGDI60101 15 Optional
Work and Employment in the Global Economy MGDI60131 15 Optional
Digital Governance MGDI60311 15 Optional
eBusiness: Organisation and Strategy MGDI60352 15 Optional
The Politics and Governance of Development MGDI60391 15 Optional
Gender & Development MGDI70802 15 Optional
Organisational Change Strategies MGDI70882 15 Optional
Learning, Training and Development MGDI71441 15 Optional
Development Practice: International Contexts and Worlds of Action MGDI71981 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 17 course units

Additional fee information

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Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.

For more information, email  dass@manchester.ac.uk