International Human Resource Management PGDip/MSc

Facts about International Human Resource Management

Qualification	PgDip/MSc
Duration	Full time: 1 year Part time: 2 years
Attendance	Full time: Up to five days per week Part time: Monday or Wednesday 2pm–9pm or Monday and Wednesday 6pm–9pm
Assessment	A variety of group and individual exercises, including role plays, coursework and unseen exams (MSc and PgDip students), dissertation (MSc students only)
Start date	September (week commencing 23 September 2013)
Course structure

Choose Kingston's International Human Resource Management MSc

Our range of International Human Resource Management (HRM) postgraduate courses is designed for people who wish to build or develop their professional career in HR with an international focus. There are two full postgraduate courses:

The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) course is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and covers a broad range of HRM subjects within a multinational context. The CIPD accreditation means you can apply to become an Associate member of the CIPD when you graduate, a great distinction for your CV or resumé.
The MSc course has all of the benefits of the PgDip – including CIPD accreditation – plus a research methods and dissertation module that provides students with an opportunity to conduct an independent in-depth study into an international HRM related issue. Full time and part time students are welcome, depending on how rapidly you need to graduate – whether that's in one year or two. Kingston University's International HRM masters and postgraduate diploma are among the most flexible in London – and have full CIPD accreditation.

London advantage

Kingston has a truly unique advantage. Our Kingston Hill campus, where the course is delivered, is just fifteen minutes away by car from the CIPD head office in Wimbledon. By joining the CIPD you can also make use of their excellent databases and resources, held at the CIPD head office library, as well as the substantial physical and electronic libraries Kingston University provides for its students. And there is the added advantage of being able to network with even more International HR professionals in London, too.

Kingston Business School is a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Approved Centre. You do not need to have a background in international HR to study this course, but you will need to have a strong interest in the subject area and a desire to build a distinctive career in international HRM.

What will you study?

Multinational context

Our International Human Resource Management MSc and PgDip give you a deep insight into the strategies and techniques multinationals use to solve HRM issues when their employees work across multiple countries. You will also understand the role of the HR profession, its function within an organisation's international strategic objectives and the broader environment. We try to connect everything to experiences that really benefit you – for example in seminars where a leading practitioner presents alongside an academic.

"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

Comprehensive HRM coverage

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

International HR and management reports

All students investigate an international HR issue during a consultancy project as part of their course, to meet CIPD requirements and develop the practical skills necessary to excel as international HR professionals.

This consultancy can be with an organisation in any country in the world if you have appropriate contacts there. Our students have provided management reports for host organisations like Prudential and Whirlpool Corporation. We assist full time students as they find a host organisation.

Course structure

The International Human Resource Management PgDip comprises four core modules worth 120 credits. The International Human Resource Management MSc comprises five core modules worth 180 credits. These include the four PgDip modules plus a fifth module, Research Methods and Dissertation. The four common modules directly correspond to eight CIPD modules: HRM in Context; Leading, Managing and Developing People; Investigating a Business Issue from an HR Perspective; Developing Skills for Business Leadership; Resourcing and Talent Management; Reward Management; International HRM; and International Comparative Employment Law.

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

Core modules

Leading, Managing and Developing People in Context
Leading, Managing and Developing People in Context

Evaluate human resource management in the context of national political, economic, social and technological environments. Focus on strategy, change management and the contribution HR function makes to organisational performance. Students develop the confidence to be responsible for leading, managing and developing people within organisations at operational, tactical and strategic levels.
Investigating a Business Issue
Investigating a Business Issue

Enhance your client relationship skills as you identify, diagnose, and make practical recommendations to help solve a workplace human resource management issue. Learn systematic research methods techniques and apply them by diagnosing to a business problem. Then write up and present your conclusions to the client. This can be with your employer or a host organisation.
Resourcing, Talent and Reward Management
Resourcing, Talent and Reward Management

Critically evaluate and implement policies and practices to attract, reward and retain a competent workforce. Investigate how HR professionals attract people with the skills, attitudes and experiences an organisation needs to achieve its strategic objectives. Discover methods of reward that enhance a highly effective employee's fit in the organisation and help you to retain their talent. Understand employee resourcing, talent and reward management from academic, strategic and practical perspectives. Students apply their learning in this module and develop professionally.
International HRM and Comparative Employment Law
International HRM and Comparative Employment Law

Examine the global and national contextual factors that impact on international human resource management and the different approaches to legal regulation. Identify and evaluate the HR challenges that face multinational enterprises, such as how national and regional differences impact on the employment relationship and human resource management strategies in a range of operational areas. Build an in-depth understanding of developments in transnational labour regulation and business practice, the complexities of international labour law and key trends and debates.
Research Methods and Dissertation
Research Methods and Dissertation

Only taught as part of the MSc postgraduate course, this module prepares you for each stage of your independent research project – dissertation. Then it's your turn!

Gain the ability to review research literature systematically, design research, choose appropriate qualitative or quantitative data collection methods, collect existing and original research data, apply appropriate data analysis techniques, then write up and present useful insights that make a real contribution to the international HR profession.