International Human Resource Management MA

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £11,500 *
International Fees £14,000 *
Alumni Discount See details
Duration 1 year

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), this specialist course focuses on international human resource management (HRM). As globalisation encourages companies to operate and trade in multiple locations, and provides more opportunities for staff to work abroad, managing and developing people has never been more critical – or complex. On our MA, you’ll learn to appreciate the unique challenges of international HRM – from the cultural, legal and economic differences to remote relationship building.

Our problem-based approach to teaching means you’ll get to apply what you learn to management problems through assignments and projects based on actual situations. We’ll draw on everyday HR issues in the news, case studies and current examples, at times addressing some of our own students’ workplace experiences. Demonstrating evidence-based HRM, you’ll learn to collect and analyse relevant data and information, developing your ability to identify, evaluate and propose the most appropriate solutions, looking at issues ranging from expatriate employment, employee engagement, managing change and reward management.

Each year, our annual HRM conference offers you the chance to hear direct from a range of guest speakers, who have previously covered issues such as immigration and labour supply, and the impact of EU legislation on employee relations post-Brexit. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop essential HR practitioner skills through a series of practical workshops in areas such as finance, employment law, interviewing, disciplinary and grievance handling, counselling and negotiating. Working in teams, you might simulate dealing with a disciplinary hearing, for example, or conducting a job evaluation exercise. When studying people resourcing, you may participate in an assessment centre or practise your interviewing skills.

Fully accredited by the CIPD, this course is ideal if you’re coming to study from outside the UK or if you're looking to pursue or advance your HRM career with organisations operating at an international level. Successfully completing it will set you on the path to Chartered Membership and Fellowship, alongside the relevant professional practice. Past graduates have secured jobs as consultants (internal and external), HR managers, compensation and benefits managers, change management specialists, HR business partners/operations managers, civil servants and mediators.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), the International Human Resource Management MA maps and aligns to the CIPD Profession Map core knowledge and core behaviour standards at Chartered Level
  • We pay your joining fee and initial CIPD membership fee, giving you student access to CIPD knowledge resources and professional networking events, part of a 160,000-strong worldwide member network
  • Annual HRM Conference offers the chance to hear from leading experts, with past themes including making a difference at work, talent management and HRM in transition.
  • Taught by accomplished professionals with specialist HR knowledge and experience of academia, research and training, some as senior HR professionals and consultants
  • Workshop series develops essential skills in interviewing, negotiation, counselling and disciplinary handling
  • Optional 8-12 week internship

Course structure

We cover a range of interesting modules focused specifically on international HRM, comparative HRM, organisational analysis and development and management skills. This will give you a deeper understanding of the theory, practices and policies of HRM and what these mean for different groups of individuals and organisations at local, national and international levels.

The modules below are indicative of what you will study on this course. To be awarded the MA in International Human Resource Management, you'll take seven core modules and choose one option module.

Core modules

This module brings together key themes of culture and organisational behaviour with the leadership and management of change. It explores behavioural issues in terms of how people make sense of, cope with or resist change in organisations; it proposes leadership and people management approaches to manage these responses and help foster a positive organisation culture. The module also discusses readiness and capacity for change at the organisational level.

This module provides an introduction to the study of employment relations across the world, locating current developments within the broader context of ‘global capitalism’ but without losing sight of the continuing importance of national level employment relations institutions. Fundamental for business education, it examines some of the main similarities and differences among national systems of employment relations and introduces a selection of key conceptual, methodological, and empirical tools for explaining such variety. The module covers a number of themes including: concepts, approaches, and debates in comparative employment relations; national models of employment relations; employers and corporate governance; workers, unions and employee voice; and the state in employment relations.

The HRM Research Project module will develop your knowledge and skills of evidence-based critical academic and practitioner HRM research. The module focuses on the elements and stages of the research process, with focus on research question formulation, reviewing literature, research design, research ethics, data collection and analysis and presentation of evidence as part of research report writing. you will apply this knowledge through the planning and development of an individual HRM research project on a specific human resources area of knowledge or, within that area, a specific human resources problem, practice, policy or opportunity, through evidence-based systematic enquiry, integration of theory and reflection of the impact of your research findings for HRM at an organisational level.

Despite dynamic influences in the business context, all successful organisations need to create and sustain their competitive advantage. This core module will develop your knowledge and understanding of key influences in the business context on organisations, your management and performance including economic, demographic, social, technological and ethical factors. The module will also focus on other influences on organisational strategy including government and regulatory environments, and the financial context. You'll develop your financial literacy and interpret and use data and information to support strategic decision making. The module will enable you to appreciate the use of various strategies formulated by organisations to respond to changes in the business context and associated risks and uncertainty which impact upon their performance. The module is delivered through weekly sessions incorporating a mixture of lecture and seminar-based teaching and learning. Assessment of the learning outcomes will be achieved using an individual written report addressing strategic responses to a variety of business context scenarios.

This module concentrates on some of the main international aspects of human resource management, including its different roles in different countries, the policies, practices and procedures that transnational organisations need when designing international human resource strategies and managing personnel abroad. Topics include, but are not limited to, the employment relationship and the management of HRM in the global economy; the impact of culture and institutions on IHRM; international resourcing; types of international assignments; international performance management; international reward; international diversity and gender; and well-being, stress and work-life balance in international organisations.

This module will enable you to explore people resourcing and enhance your resourcing skills, which are of value within an HRM career. The module concentrates on organisations’ need to recruit and retain effective people with the necessary skills to achieve organisational objectives. It combines a strategic and practical focus on recruitment, selection, retention and dismissal with the academic rigour necessary to study resourcing and talent management in a global context. This requires an understanding of employment markets, the full range of resourcing options and relevant law.

This module is designed specifically to develop your skills sets in relation to the CIPD Profession Map and the behaviours that have been identified as core to those working in human resource management. The CIPD Profession Map seeks to set an international benchmark for the people profession, to help those people make better decisions, proceed with confidence, drive change in their organisations and progress in their careers. The behaviours and skills that are addressed in this module are as follows: models of facilitation, consulting, coaching and mentoring; the skills of negotiation and disciplinary handling; unconscious bias and alternative approaches to making evidence-based decisions; the use of digital technologies in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of HR processes and in enabling strategic decision making.

Option modules

This module investigates how organisations currently apply theory and research into training events; it considers how training is designed, and delivered for effective organisational function, and for individual benefit. It examines current theory and practice of training including training needs analysis, learning, transfer of learning, training for development, and training as part of organisational strategy. It investigates how topical training methods are included in work programmes, via online, class-based and distance training. The theory of individual differences is covered to demonstrate how people learn, to inform those planning training to consider such differences. Evaluation of training is included, as well as the psychology of learning styles, current technology, and generational differences are considered when planning training event.

The module aims to encourage students to develop and critically reflect upon the aims and objectives of the employee relations policies of organisations from a number of different theoretical, ethical and behavioural perspectives. The holistic importance of ER within an organisation is emphasised so that students are aware of the importance of aligning ER policies with business strategy, change processes, employee involvement and organisational goals. Attention is focused on a wide range of practical influences and examples from the national and international arenas, covering areas such as: employee engagement, the psychological contract, fairness and trust, flexible working, workforce diversity, employee voice/involvement, union recognition and partnership. Particular weight is placed on the ability to diagnose the causes of employee relations problems, to make practical suggestions for the resolution of these problems and to analyse the context in which they occur - whether they be in small or large, private or public, unionised or non-unionised organisations.

The module develops understanding of techniques and methods underpinning data informed decision-making about the workforce. It will equip you with ‘analytic literacy’ to inform decisions and shape solutions on staff related challenges. It focuses on effective workforce analytics practice achieved through the use of systematic investigative techniques. Furthermore, it develops the skills of research and enquiry to enable consideration of different ways of delivering HR and organisational objectives, increasing organisational competitiveness and demonstrating the value added by the HR.

This module explores different theories of learning and development relevant to career planning and progression. It includes how organisations use learning theories for their research and practice and considers the application of learning for individual differences in line with organisational strategy, education, and training. The module explores key theories relating to organisational culture and learning for leadership and management. Application of learning for stress, well-being, resilience, and work life balance are included, and a critical evaluation of application to understanding generational learning is considered.

The module will explore and consider the structure and implications of difference and inequality within the employment relationship. Examining the implementation and management of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace, it will consider the structures of inequality and the economic, sociological and psychological bases of discrimination; including historical, economic and demographic dimensions. A significant part of the module will be spent using case studies to consider how EDI in the workplace can be implemented and managed. The case for equality and diversity will be discussed, together with the respective roles of the individual employee, the line manager, the HR department, EDI champion and senior management. Strategies for changing organisation cultures together with the skills required for promoting inclusion will be explored. Techniques for researching inequality and the metrics, which can be used in organisations to track progress will be discussed. Students will examine relevant UK and European legislation and case law and learn both how to interpret it and evaluate the implications for the workplace.

This module uses concepts and modes of analysis from the social and behavioural sciences to develop a mastery of both practical and theoretical issues in the study of organisations and their development. It examines ways in which employee attitudes, organisational structures, systems, technologies, work processes, cultures and the relations of authority, power and conflict may be linked to wider social factors influencing organisational design and development. It incorporates historical foundations to give context to developments of work practices and systemic processes in relation to cultural values, relationships and power dynamics as they relate to key changes in social systems.

This module focuses on the study of reward strategies, policies and practices in the context of UK as well as more globally. It explores key debates surrounding pay inequality issues including pay gap, pay ratios, living wage, as well as the role and structure of monetary and non-monetary reward. In doing so, it draws on theory from economics, psychology, sociology and HRM to encourage students to analyse reward problems and issues. It also aims to develop reward related skills including developing job evaluation and salary benchmarking.

This module will provide you with an opportunity to explore the multiple ways of conceptualising and defining talent management and its strategic focus in a variety of organisations. It offers an overview of benefits and drawbacks of exclusive and inclusive approaches to talent management and the value it might add to organisations. It further investigates the role of talent management as a tool for employee development, by identifying, assessing, developing and retaining talent. It highlights the importance of a systematic support for managing talent by the HR and line managers, to allow effective succession planning within a changing business environment. Global perspectives of talent management are also explored, as well as the beneficial influence of talent management on organisational recruitment, selection, retention and performance management. The module offers useful insight into the importance of the evaluation of talent management practices and the future perspectives of talent management.

This module focuses on key theories, research, debate and application of selection and assessment. It encourages a critical evaluation of good practice in assessment and will help students to identify the major predictors of job performance as well as the most suitable methods for assessing them. It provides a critical and comprehensive review of the constructs used when assessing people for organisational fit: intelligence, personality, creativity, emotional intelligence, values, leadership, and talent – and explore how these constructs help to predict differences in individuals' performances at work.

Accredited internship

All students on our full-time business Masters courses can apply to undertake the PG/MBA Internship Programme Reflective Practitioner Module. This is an 8 week unpaid accredited internship, which can be taken in addition to option modules and will help students to gain invaluable work experience. The internships, which are with London-based organisations, take place during the summer period. To apply, students must submit a completed application form and a copy of their updated CV to the Business Experience Team; the team then shortlist from the applications and conduct group meetings with the applicants.

Ultimately it is up to our internship employers to decide whether they would like to interview the candidate(s) and offer him/her an internship. We have received very positive feedback from both postgraduate students and employers and expect that the internship programme will continue to remain popular amongst our students.

Accreditation

Westminster Business School is an accredited Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD) centre. The MA IHRM course maps and aligns to the CIPD Profession Map core knowledge and core behaviour standards at Chartered level. Students who graduate with a Diploma will need to have passed all core modules in order to gain Associate level of CIPD membership. Both Masters and Diploma students have the eligibility to potentially upgrade their membership to Chartered Member depending on evidencing their experience via the CIPD upgrading process. There is no CIPD accreditation for a post-graduate certificate exit award. Westminster Business School will pay your CIPD joining fee and your initial membership fee.

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
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[email protected]

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Open evenings

Join us at an open evening online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Graduates will be able to develop an international management career within a wide range of business management opportunities, potentially working locally, nationally and trans-nationally for global corporations, trans-European, trans-Asian, African or Australasian companies. You could pursue management consultancy, general HRM, become an expatriate HRM specialist or facilitate organisational development, such as a move from national to international operations.

Past students have gone on to become consultants (internal and external), HR managers, compensation and benefits managers, change management specialists, HR business partners/operations managers, civil servants, and mediators. Companies that have employed our students include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Capgemini, BBC, and Visa. 

With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

Build key skills

Practical skills workshops develop essential HR practitioner skills.

Develop CQ skills

Develop your cultural intelligence – or ‘CQ’ – studying alongside students and staff representing more than 100 nationalities.

Learn from experts

Several members of staff are leading authorities in their respective fields, and many have practised at a senior level, often as HR consultants. 

Industry links

We are a CIPD accredited centre. We have a long-established reputation for both leading-edge research and high-quality professional education for HR practitioners.

We enjoy a close relationship with the HRM profession and recently collaborated on a research project investigating diversity and inclusion practices in organisations. Launched in October 2019, our joint report, Diversity management that works: an evidence based review, identified six priority recommendations for practice.

We have been deeply involved at CIPD branch level for many years and also have close links with other professional bodies, such as the British Universities Industrial Relations Association. Several members of staff are leading authorities in their respective fields, and many have practised at a senior level, often as HR consultants. 

Job roles

This course will prepare you for roles such as:

  • Change management specialist
  • Civil servant
  • Coach/mentor
  • Compensation and benefits manager
  • HR business partner/operations manager
  • HR consultant (internal and external)
  • HR manager
  • Mediator

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

  • BBC
  • Capgemini
  • EY
  • Harrods
  • HSBC
  • Google
  • KPMG
  • Linklaters
  • PWC
  • The Royal Household
  • Transport for London
  • Visa

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.

Westminster Employability Award

Course Leader

Teaching and assessment

Your learning experience is designed to provide both a practical and theoretical understanding of people management approaches and their impact on organisational behaviour.

To assist the learning experience, we provide reading lists, lecture and seminar materials in advance via Blackboard, our virtual learning environment.  Where possible, lectures are recorded using specialist software and similar tools to make sure you can really listen to what is said in class and don’t miss a thing.

How you’ll be taught

Through a variety of teaching methods – from lectures and seminars to case study analysis and projects – we encourage active, experiential and reflective learning. You will demonstrate independent learning, critical evaluation, reflection, discussion and debate, as well as the opportunity through the project to research, in significant depth, a relevant topic.   

The emphasis in the classroom is on problem-based learning, blending theory and practice, problem diagnosis and the selection of managerial tools to provide the best fit with the situation. For one assignment, for example, you will interview two managers to see whether or not their career development experience fits the concept of the managerial escalator, which seeks to explain how specialists become managers.

Classes are often run on a workshop basis, giving you the opportunity as a group to pool your experience, as well as drawing on the expertise of the tutors. Skills-based workshops include finance, introduction to employment law, interviewing skills, disciplinary and grievance handling, and negotiating skills.

You will develop practical knowledge, expertise and valuable insights from visiting HR professionals from a wide range of industries. The teaching team itself has specialist HR knowledge in employee coaching, employment law, international HRM, management development, managing culture and change and reward management.

Our annual HRM Conference brings together expert practitioners and academics who address a range of HRM related topics, which have previously included neuroscience for organisational change, comparative industrial relations and inclusive leadership. 

In the following graph you'll find examples of how study time has been distributed in the past (data from the academic year 2022/23). Changes to division of study time may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
17%83%
Scheduled hoursIndependent study

How you’ll be assessed

Using a wide range of techniques, you can expect to be assessed on the learning outcomes of your course in core modules through coursework in the form of essays, reports, presentations, case studies as well as time-constrained in-class tests and exams.

We try to make assessments as practical and relevant as possible, incorporating the type of work required by future employers, for example, you might prepare plans to lead large-scale structural transformation to maximise efficiencies or provide recommendations on how to develop a leadership culture at a time of crisis.

In the following graph you'll find an indication of what you can expect (data from the academic year 2022/23). Changes to assessment weights may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions. Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
  • Written exams: end of semester exams
  • Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Year
1
29%2%69%
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Why study this course?

Build your analytical skills

Learn which human resources information and data to source and analyse as part of evidence-based practice.

Combine theory and practice

Link theory to global practice through real-life case studies, guest lectures, workshops and assignments.

Get industry insight

Annual HR Conference gives you the chance to hear from experts on themes such as HRM in transition and talent management.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Relevant degree disciplines include: business studies, economics, geography, management, and operations research. However, students with qualifications in other disciplines such as engineering, environmental sciences, the humanities and languages are also encouraged to apply.

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Applicants are required to submit one reference.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Relevant degree disciplines include: business studies, economics, geography, management, and operations research. However, students with qualifications in other disciplines such as engineering, environmental sciences, the humanities and languages are also encouraged to apply.

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Applicants are required to submit one reference.

More information

University preparation courses

Our partner college, Kaplan International College London, offers Pre-Master’s courses that may help you gain a place on a postgraduate degree at Westminster.

To find out more, visit University preparation courses.

 

What our students say

Samantha Meehan

International Human Resource Management MA - 2022

I have loved learning from the different professors as well as getting different world perspectives from the diversity of the students. My lecturers have been incredibly supportive and want you to succeed in both the program as well as in your career. 

Santosh Agarwal

International Human Resources Management MA - 2023

The chance to select optional modules in my programme allowed me to tailor the course to my personal interests and professional goals. I also had the chance to become an associate member of CIPD, a membership that gives exclusive access to the latest information and resources about the industry.

Student work

One of the most popular aspects of this course is the fact that our students graduate with a CV that already demonstrates direct experience, making them more attractive to employers.

Coaching is just one of the ways in which we do this. We’ll show you some of the core techniques and tools to use for coaching in the workplace, such as the Wheel of Life visual tool, the GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Well) model and the Johari Window self-reflection tool. You’ll then deliver real-life coaching to fellow students, attending supervisor meetings and producing performance reports just as you would do as a professional coach. 

Postgraduate students

Founded in 1995, Westminster Business Consultants is a student-run consultancy service affiliated with the University, which offers management and strategic consultancy, specialising in HR, market research, market analysis, brand strategy, feasibility studies, business development, performance improvement and product development. It works with a diverse clientele of emerging start-ups, SMEs and large corporations at home and overseas, giving students opportunities to gain extensive knowledge and experience in various industries.

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Learn new skills

Develop your creativity

Develop your creativity to think outside the box.

Build critical thinking skills

Learn to critically evaluate the strategies that managers use to help organisations adapt in an uncertain or complex environment.

Improve your problem-solving skills

Improve your problem-solving skills to better understand and tackle people management issues.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £11,500 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Paying your fees

If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.

Find out more about paying your fees.

Alumni discount

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.

Funding

There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).

Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £14,000 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Paying your fees

If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.

Find out more about paying your fees.

Alumni discount

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.

Funding

There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.

Find out more about funding for international students.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Westminster Business School blog

Read our blog and get an insight into life and studies at Westminster Business School.

Visit the WBS blog

Facilities

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course Location

Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million-pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to Westminster Business School and our award-winning Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.

Westminster Business School

Based in the heart of London's political, media and financial services, Westminster Business School has excellent industry links and a strong commitment to social enterprise.

Our courses are accredited by professional bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Our practical teaching relates learning to the real world, and we develop graduates who are ready to respond to contemporary business challenges.

Find out moreGo to Westminster Business School page

Westminster Business School Marylebone Campus

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