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MSc Human Resource Management

Shape the future of work by learning how to lead teams, champion wellbeing, and drive change across a multigenerational workforce. Start your path to becoming a CIPD-certified professional online.

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Time investment: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Location: Online

Cost: £11,520

Language: English

About this degree

Get to the heart of happier workplaces

Some studies show that as many as 90% of UK employees are dissatisfied at work (Gallup, 2023). With businesses looking to keep employees engaged and keep up with new demands, like flexi-hours, HR is taking centre stage.

This online master’s degree gives you the theory and tools to understand what really shapes the employee experience.

From workplace behaviour and leadership models to performance management, resourcing, and organisational culture, you’ll develop into a well-rounded HR professional equipped to build healthier, more productive work environments.

Fill your HR toolbox with strategies that work

Throughout your degree, you’ll sharpen your strategic thinking in core areas like employee relations, performance and reward systems, and international human resource management (HRM).

You’ll explore real-world challenges through the lens of behavioural science, applying tools like the Myers-Briggs and Belbin assessments to better understand team dynamics and leadership styles.

Plus, you’ll strengthen your ability to design and deliver evidence-based HR solutions, combining research, policy analysis, and intercultural awareness to support inclusive, high-performing workplaces.

Give your HR career an edge with a CIPD accreditation

This one-year, fully flexible online degree is your fast track to becoming a leading HR professional.

All of your learning is underpinned by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Profession Map. This means you’ll develop the skills and confidence employers are looking for, covering recruitment, performance management, international HRM, and organisational development.

Where you’ll be studying

Study at Brunel University of London

Brunel University of London combines academic excellence with real-world relevance.

Designed for ambitious professionals, Brunel’s online programmes offer research-led teaching and global perspectives that prepare you to lead, adapt, and make a lasting impact.

With the flexibility to learn around your life and support from expert tutors, you’ll gain the skills, confidence, and credentials to move your career forward, wherever you are in the world.

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Learning outcomes

Grasp HRM frameworks

Critically evaluate theories, ethical principles, and legal contexts shaping modern people management and employment practices.

Champion talent strategies

Effectively implement recruitment, rewards, performance, and employee relations to elevate organisational success.

Tackle workforce challenges

Proactively address complex employment issues, including diversity, equality, and AI-driven people analytics.

Lead impactful people research

Design and deliver rigorous research projects that shape workforce policies and strategic decisions.

Inspire your workforce

Communicate findings clearly and persuasively to influence diverse stakeholders in professional and academic settings.

Build your professional identity

Integrate theory with practical skills to thrive as a leader and continuous learner in people management careers.

Additional information

You’ll need a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in any subject, whether it’s related to business or not. No work experience is required to apply.

To join this programme, you’ll need to show proof of English language proficiency. This can take the form of any of the following approved qualifications:

IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)

Not only is this programme delivered by the Brunel Business School, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA), but it’s also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

This means the course meets professional standards in HR and people development, and can support your pathway to CIPD membership.

All of your learning will be delivered online, making it possible to progress while keeping your 9-to-5 and personal commitments.

You’ll complete 6 compulsory modules and 2 optional modules, each worth 15 credits, plus a 60-credit dissertation.

Brunel takes a student-centred approach to its curriculum. Your coursework will balance both theory and application, with modules delivered through pre-recorded lectures and tutorials, workshops, practical assignments, and more.

At the end of each online module, you’ll be assessed in potentially one or more of the following ways:

Coursework
Essays
Projects
Group assignments

A large portion of your learning will also be in the form of a research dissertation. This research-oriented task is completed individually and will allow you to explore a topic of your choice in more depth. You might want to develop a project with an industry partner or dig deeper into something more theoretical in the realm of human resources and organisational studies.

Regardless, this project will give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned and build valuable skills in research, critical thinking, and independent study.

Expect to write approximately 12,000 words.

Learning online doesn’t mean learning alone. As a Brunel University of London student, you’ll be supported by a dedicated team who’ll guide you from enrolment to graduation.

You’ll have access to one-to-one wellbeing services, mental health and counselling support, disability and dyslexia resources, and career development tools, all delivered online.

You can also use Brunel’s Student Centre for help with admin tasks or immigration support if you’re studying from outside the UK.

Everything is designed to keep you connected, supported, and confident throughout your learning journey.

Many of Brunel’s 16,000 business graduates have gone on to work for leading global organisations, including Amazon, PwC, Microsoft, Jaguar Land Rover, and L’Oréal.

Built with input from industry professionals, the programme is designed to help you step into the workplace with confidence. As a master’s graduate, you’ll be well-prepared for roles such as:

Human Resources Officer
HR Practitioner / Consultant
Training and Development Officer
Business Adviser
Recruitment Consultant
Management Consultant
Payroll Specialist
Operational Researcher

You’ll apply through Brunel’s online application process, which FutureLearn can help direct you to. When you’re ready, you’ll need to provide your academic transcripts, a personal statement, and proof of English language proficiency (if applicable) as part of your application.

The total tuition fee for the Online MSc Management is £11,520. A reduced fee of £6,000 is available to applicants from India and South East Asia.

Brunel’s commitment to accessible online education goes beyond its flexible study options. They also offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including:

Vice Chancellor’s Postgraduate International Excellence Award 2025/26: Get £6,000 off your tuition if you’re a self-funded international student with a 2:1 or above undergraduate degree. No application required, but the offer is only available for September 2025 and January 2026 intakes.
Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship: If you’re a UK-based learner with a First Class honours degree from a UK or EU University, you may be eligible for a 15% discount. No application required.
Early payment discount: Pay your fees at or before your scheduled registration date, and you could receive up to a 2% discount. No application required.
Brunel graduate discount: If you’re a Brunel alumnus, you’re qualified for a 15% fee discount. No application required.

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Modules

More and more, the global workforce is becoming transnational, bringing unique challenges and opportunities for managing people across borders. This module explores how HR strategies adapt across regions like the EU, USA, Japan, and South East Asia, helping you understand the impact of international forces on workforce management.

Innovation often springs from how organisations manage knowledge and harness social networks. On this module, you’ll investigate how Web 2.0 tools foster collaboration and drive change in the knowledge economy.

Buzzwords like employee satisfaction and workplace culture dominate today’s business conversations. But what really drives them? This module dives into leadership theories and behavioural models, equipping you to critically assess how different management approaches influence organisational performance and workforce motivation.

Effective management depends on the ability to interpret and apply research. This module balances qualitative and quantitative approaches, enabling you to critically assess research findings and tackle complex business challenges.

More than a recruitment strategy, human resource management runs through every part of the employee journey, especially in areas like performance, development, and technology integration. This module explores how these elements work together to build a resilient and high-performing workforce.

Today’s idea of human resource management has been around since the early 20th century, but it’s evolved a lot since then. This module gives you the chance to explore how HR policies and practices have changed to meet modern workplace demands. You’ll critically assess current strategies, with a focus on ethical responsibilities and the wider impact of HR leadership on organisations and employees alike.

Designed to address the complexities of managing across borders, this module introduces international management theories and practices, many you can apply in real time. You’ll gain the skills needed to navigate cultural differences and make informed decisions within multinational organisations.

Effective diversity management is essential for creating truly inclusive and high-performing organisations. This module explores how you can develop and assess diversity strategies that drive equity, innovation, and sustainable success.

Navigating ethical dilemmas and governance is vital for responsible leadership in global business. This module explores sustainability, corporate governance, and their influence on multinational decision-making.

How do small businesses stay competitive against multinational corporations? This module introduces you to the dynamics of entrepreneurship, from identifying opportunities to managing growth. You'll examine different types of ventures, including family businesses and social enterprises, and consider strategies for scaling up successfully.