International Human Resource Management MSc

Choose Kingston's International Human Resource Management MSc

Our International Human Resource Management MSc course gives you a deep insight into the strategies and techniques multinationals use to solve HRM issues when their employees work across multiple countries and leaves you with a respected academic qualification. The course has been designed to meet employers' needs and gives you the tools you need to succeed in senior human resources roles, executive training and development roles.

Key features

• This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Therefore, students who successfully complete the programme will receive both the CIPD and CMI professional qualifications in addition to the University qualification.
• You will automatically become a member of the CMI at the start of the programme and are expected to join as a CIPD student member.
• Kingston Business School has 30 years' experience of running human resources programmes.
• Our International HRM MSc programme is ranked eighth in the UK and was considered one of the best HRM masters programmes in western Europe in 2015 by the Eduniversal Masters Ranking (which covers 1,000 business schools in 153 countries in the world).
• Notable alumni.
• Excellent networking opportunities.
• From Research to Practice seminar series (co-presented by an HR academic and HR practitioner), jointly organised with the CIPD and delivered by leading HR managers, recruitment specialists and talent and development consultants alongside Kingston's own expert academics.
• Programmes taught by Kingston University's expert staff and leading researchers, alongside many guest speakers, visiting professors and fellows in Kingston Business School's renowned Centre for Research in Employability, Skill and Society.
• Proximity to the CIPD headquarters and library.
• Opportunity to study some modules in Moscow.
• Kingston Business School has joined an elite group of global institutions to be awarded the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). A hallmark of excellence in business education, the accreditation has been earned by just 5 per cent of the world's business schools.

Dr Jelena Petrovic, Director of Postgraduate HRM Programmes at Kingston Business School, introduces our postgraduate HRM portfolio:

What will you study?

Following an induction programme that prepares you for intensive study, you will evaluate various external influences on HRM practice in organisations – from global strategic developments to ethical issues and social responsibility.

You will gain an advanced understanding of cross-cultural issues and human behaviour in international organisations, international labour regulations and standards, and the role of HRM in enhancing organisational and management performance internationally, including different approaches to international recruitment and selection, learning and development and compensation.

"We don't want our graduates to be seen as just academics or just practitioners; we want them to be both! This comes through in our 'theory into practice' approach." – Dr Jelena Petrovic, director of postgraduate HRM programmes

International HR and management reports

You will complete a management report (dissertation) that involves primary research into an HR issue. This meets CIPD requirements and develops the practical skills you need to excel as an HR professional.

This research can be carried out with an organisation in the UK or overseas. Our students have provided management reports for host organisations such as Transport for London, Prudential and Whirlpool Corporation. We can offer assistance to students looking for a host organisation.

Assessment

A variety of group and individual exercises, including role plays, coursework, and unseen exams and management report.

Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, the work placement is covered by a student's tier 4 visa. Find out more about the postgraduate work placement.

This course has been rated by the Eduniversal masters ranking 2015/16 as one of the best human resource management masters courses in Western Europe.

Find out more.

The course is also offered in Russia and you have the opportunity to study some modules in Moscow.

• All modules in Moscow are delivered by Kingston University academics and HR practitioners from the UK.
• Some modules in Moscow are delivered over two separate teaching blocks, so if you want to avoid travelling to Moscow twice, you can choose modules that are delivered in only one teaching block. Alternatively, you can choose to take part of the module/s in Moscow and finish at Kingston University.
• The assessment dates for Moscow assessments are different to those for the UK. As a UK registered student, you must adhere to the UK deadlines.
• If you wish to take modules in Moscow, you will need to cover all your expenses yourself (visa fees, air fare, local transport, accommodation and subsistence) except tuition fees.
• You will need to confirm your intention to go to Moscow at least two months in advance, as the visa application process is time consuming, and it also takes time to get the invitations from Moscow processed and sent to us.

Core modules

• Leading, Managing and Developing People in Context

• Leading, Managing and Developing People in Context

  You will evaluate human resource management in the context of national political, economic, social and technological environments. This module focuses on strategy, change management and the contribution the HR function makes to organisational performance. You will develop the confidence to be responsible for leading, managing and developing people within organisations at operational, tactical and strategic levels. You will be assessed with an exam.

  Read full module description

   
• Investigating a Business Issue

• Investigating a Business Issue

  You will complete a management research project (dissertation) that involves researching an HR issue and producing a management report containing the implications for theory and recommendations for practice. You will learn a variety of research methods, identify and investigate a business problem, apply the findings to create solutions and present the conclusions in the form of a management report. You may also present your findings to clients. You will be assessed via a research portfolio and your management report.

  This project can be with an organisation in the UK or overseas.

  Read full module description

   
• Resourcing, Talent and Reward Management

• Resourcing, Talent and Reward Management

  You will critically evaluate and implement policies and practices to attract, reward and retain a competent workforce. You will investigate how HR professionals attract people with the skills, attitudes and experiences an organisation needs to achieve its strategic objectives. You will discover reward methods that enhance a highly effective employee's fit in the organisation and help you to retain their talent. By the time you have finished studying this module, you will understand employee resourcing, talent and reward management from academic, strategic and practical perspectives. You will apply your learning in this module and develop professionally. You will be assessed via two assignments.

  Read full module description

   
• International HRM

• International HRM

  This module examines the global and national factors that affect international human resource management and the different approaches to legal regulation. You will identify and evaluate the HR challenges that face multinational enterprises, such as how national and regional differences affect the employment relationship and human resource management strategies in a range of operational areas. You will also learn about the complexities of international labour law and key trends and debates. You will be assessed via two assignments.

  Read full module description

   
• Strategic Leadership Development and Performance Management

• Strategic Leadership Development and Performance Management

  This module provides you with a theoretical grounding in the fields of strategic leadership and performance management. You will develop critical perspectives on:

  • how performance at organisational, group and individual levels can be enhanced and inspired by strategic leadership and direction; and
  • an understanding of the role of performance management in supporting the strategic objectives of the organisation in different business environments.

   

  These theoretical foundations will be illustrated with examples and integrated with practical exercises in order to help you develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities to assume a substantive strategic leadership role within an organisation in both a domestic and international context. You will be assessed via one assignment.

  Read full module description

   
• Employee Engagement and Organisational Learning

• Employee Engagement and Organisational Learning

  This module develops your understanding of the concepts of employee engagement, and of organisational learning, in the context of designing and managing work and jobs to enhance organisational performance and productivity. You will learn to:

  • critique concepts related to engagement and identify strategies for enhancing engagement with work; and
  • critically evaluate proposals for engaging employees and enhancing organisational learning, and to propose theoretically and empirically supported plans.

  You will be assessed via one assignment.

  Read full module description

   

You will have the opportunity to study a foreign language, free of charge, during your time at the University as part of the Kingston Language Scheme. Options currently include: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.