International Human Resource Management MSc

Facts about International Human Resource Management

Qualification	MSc
Duration	Full time: 1 year
Attendance	Five days per week
Assessment	Individual and group exercises; computer-based tasks; presentations; role plays; case studies; written audits and reports; unseen examinations; dissertation
Start date	September only (week commencing 17 September 2012)
Course structure

Choose Kingston's International Human Resource Management MSc

Whether you are starting a career in human resource management (HRM) or are already working in the field and would like to progress at a professional level, this International Human Resource Management MSc can help you to achieve your career goals.

It is designed to provide you with a foundation of knowledge and practical skills, plus an understanding of the role of the HR profession (with a focus on the issues and policies that affect international HR managers). The knowledge you gain is relevant to both the strategic objectives of an international organisation and the wider environment in which it operates.

What will you study?

After an induction programme introducing you to the Business School and the expectations and ethos of the course, you will go on to evaluate the external influences on organisations, such as European developments, comparative employment law, ethical issues and social responsibility. You will look at:

the varying approaches to labour regulations and standards across the globe;
human behaviour in organisations and how organisational and management performance can be enhanced through effective HRM;
strategic HRM and the national differences and varying approaches adopted by multinational companies; and
learning and development processes and the major types of employee relations management.

You will also develop a knowledge of resourcing issues and techniques.

Who teaches this course?

This course is taught by staff in Kingston Business School. Find out more...

Teaching staff include:

Miao Zhang, course director

Course structure

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

It is a CIPD requirement that all students also write a work-based management report of approx 7,000–7,500 words. A host organisation will be required for some pieces of coursework and the CIPD management research report, which help you apply HR theory to practice.

You are normally required to choose an international HRM theme for your management report and dissertation.

Core modules

HRM in Context
HRM in Context

This module evaluates human resource management in the context of the national political, economic, social and technological environments that affect organisations. It includes a focus on corporate strategy, change management and the contribution of the HR function to organisational performance.
Leading, Managing and Developing People
Leading, Managing and Developing People

This module helps students prepare for responsibility for leading, managing and developing people within an organisation at either operational, tactical or a more strategic level. It explores major contemporary research evidence, with a focus on the links between effective people management and development and positive organisational outcomes. Integration of theory and practice is a key feature of the module, driven by a variety of people management and development themes, such as engagement, commitment and leadership.
Investigating a Business Issue from an HR Perspective
Investigating a Business Issue from an HR Perspective

This module provides an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to diagnose and investigate a live, complex business issue from an HR perspective, to locate the work within the body of on temporary knowledge, to collect and analyse data, to derive supportable conclusions and to make practical and actionable recommendations for change, improvement or enhancement of current practice.
Developing Skills for Business Leadership
Developing Skills for Business Leadership

A key purpose of this module is to encourage students to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and of their own strengths and weaknesses as managers and colleagues. The module is primarily concerned with the development of skills, and specifically seeks to develop and improve a range of definable skills that are pivotal to successful management practice and to effective leadership in a project context.
Resourcing and Talent Management
Resourcing and Talent Management

This module will equip learners with the tools to mobilise a workforce. To do so, it focuses on how HR professionals can assemble people with the necessary skills, attitudes, and experiences to meet their objectives, and to retain talent for as long as possible. The module provides students with an understanding of the academic, strategic, and practical aspects of workforce mobilisation within a national and global context. It will assist students in critically reflecting on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint. It will also provide opportunities for applied learning and professional development.
International and Comparative Labour Law
International and Comparative Labour Law

This module focuses on the different international approaches to labour regulation; developments in transnational labour regulation and business practice; the complexities of international labour law, examining key trends and debates with attention to issues of flexibility, social protection and equity.
Reward Management
Reward Management

This module will equip learners to critically examine total rewards. In doing so, it will focus on how to plan, implement and evaluate reward policies to support an organisation's strategic objectives. Learners will acquire an understanding of diverse approaches to reward management in both a national and international context, and critically reflect on their strengths and limitations to develop fair, reasonable and motivational policies. Traditions from private, public, and third-sector organisations will be examined. Learners will also develop negotiating skills. Throughout, learners will develop an ability to critically reflect on theory and practice from and ethical and professional perspective.
International Human Resource Management
International Human Resource Management

This module considers the global and national contextual factors that impact on international human resource management and employee relations. You will identify the human resource challenges and opportunities that face multinational enterprises, such as how national and regional differences impact on the employment relationship, and you will evaluate international human resource management strategies and policies in a range of operational areas.
Research Methods
Research Methods

This module provides an opportunity understand the contribution academic research can make to evidence-based practice, and to develop skills for conducting high-quality research that has the potential to be applied. You will be able to demonstrate your ability to link organisational problems with research theories and frameworks; to identify appropriate methodological perspectives, and to make a rational choice from amongst different methods of data collection. Sessions will provide in-depth coverage of topics such as reviewing research literature systematically; research design; qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and data analysis techniques; writing up and presenting your research.
Dissertation
Dissertation

The dissertation revolves around the identification of an appropriate issue or problem which merits investigation. The research should involve collection and analysis of original data or analysis of existing data in an original way and should make a contribution to the specific area under investigation.