Human Resource Management (MSc)

Our MSc Human Resource Management (HRM) programme is designed to capture the realities of the contemporary Human Resource (HR) profession and seeks to develop the HR careers of our students. The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) whose qualifications are the recognised professional standard for HR and training specialists working across Ireland, the UK, the Middle East and Asia.

A mix of research-led academics and senior HR professionals teach on the programme. Adopting a strategic focus, the MSc HRM equips HR professionals to successfully deal with the challenges facing the HR function in contemporary organisations. The duration of the programme is one year for full-time students and two years for part-time students.

Modules

This programme comprises two parts with a total of 90 credits.

Part I (60 credits)

• BU6005 Applied Research Methods (5 credits)
• BU6513 Business Case for Analytics (5 credits)
• MG6802 HRM in a Global Context (10 credits)
• MG6805 Managing the Employment Relationship (5 credits)
• MG6822 Talent Management & Development (10 credits)
• MG6824 Developing Skills for Business Leadership (5 credits)
• MG6826 Leadership & Management Development (5 credits)
• MG6827 Creating Healthy Workplaces (5 credits)
• MG6828 Psychology at Work (5 credits)
• MG6829 Managing Human Resources Strategically (5 credits)

Part II (30 credits)

• MG6825 Applied Research Project (30 Credits)

This programme has been designed specifically to enable students to develop a successful career in the broad HR domain. Our strategic focus encourages students to strengthen their critical thinking skills regarding the role of the HR function in contemporary firms.

We designed our MSc Human Resource Management modules carefully so that they capture the realities of the HR profession with a specific focus on emerging and significant issues such as data analytics, healthy organisations, and talent development. The teaching team on this programme is made up of world-class academics and expert practitioners and there is a strong focus on professional development skills to help prepare students for the next step in their careers.  A series of distinguished speakers from key international firms contribute to the delivery of the programme providing students with expert advice on the most important HR issues affecting the industry. The Applied Research Project allows students to conduct research on a real-life HR issue, developing their consultancy, communication, and analytic skills.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach also reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as human resources, business and management.

Human Resource Research Centre

We are closely linked to the Human Resource Research Centre (HRRC) in the Cork University Business School (CUBS) and the importance of developing a professional network is emphasised through this centre with regular guest lectures, workshops and masterclasses scheduled throughout the course.

Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development 

As a Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) accredited course, students will use this MSc Human Resource Management programme as a launchpad for the development of their careers. Registration for CIPD membership is required of all successful applicants commencing this programme.

College of Business and Law Available Scholarships

We support our postgraduate community by offering scholarships and bursaries to prospective and current students. Please see the College of Business and Law Available Scholarships page for more information.

The CIPD professional map sets out standards for HR professionals in terms of skill acquisition, knowledge-building, and professional development. This map is at the core of the programme and the content of the modules has been designed specifically with this in mind. The programme equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop a successful career in the HR domain.

 

The MSc Human Resource Management programme is delivered twice a week per semester for full-time students and once a week per semester for part-time students. We have a blended approach to teaching with content delivered in-class, online, as well as through a variety of workshops. As a level 9 MSc, there will be considerable reading hours on this programme. Students will work individually as well as in groups. In the Applied Research Project (MG6825), in Part II of the programme, students partner with an organisation to conduct research on a real-life HR issue during which time they receive dedicated mentoring from academic staff.

Assessment

We use a variety of approaches to assessment across the programme. While a small number of formal written examinations must be undertaken the broad choice of assessment adopted in the programme is designed to help develop the professional skills needed in an HR career. Assessment includes presentations, role plays and negotiations, organisational analysis, and report compilation,  etc.

Full module information is detailed in the section below.

Minimum Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8, or equivalent) (eg Higher Diploma)

Applicants who do not meet the minimum primary degree requirement will be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) on the basis of other qualifications and relevant professional experience in the field of human resource management, industrial relations, training and development, employment policy, or related field. An interview may form part of the application process in this regard.

View the grades comparison table

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.

For more detailed entry requirement information please refer to the International website .

1. Choose Course

Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to three courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online

Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

3. Gather Supporting Documents

Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

• Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC
• Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline

Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details. 

Questions on how to apply?

Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements 

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this MSc Human Resource Management programme. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences along with your current occupation as this information will support your application.

Additional information required will include the following:

• Please enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held.
• Please detail your current occupation/specialty.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

Non-EU Applications

For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.

For more information please contact the International Office.