Master of Arts Human Resource Management, University of Plymouth, UK

The programme is intended to:

1. Enable participants to develop the necessary skills, competencies and knowledge for effective, ethical and contemporary HR management in a business and organisational context.
2. Provide students with the opportunity to develop the qualities needed for employment in complex and unpredictable HRM and related environments.
3. Adopt a critical perspective on theory and research, and support the application of learning to students’ work environments.
4. Provide the opportunity for students to pursue some subjects to greater depth, to seek out an avenue of HRM enquiry and to carry out independent research through the undertaking of an HR Research Project.

Professional accreditation has been attained from the CIPD for the MAHRM so that upon successful completion of the programme, and dependent on students being in active CIPD Student membership (students can join CIPD as student members upon successful application of the MA HRM programme), students will gain Associate membership on completion. They will then be eligible to upgrade to Chartered or Fellow membership (depending upon their level of HR experience).
 

Target Student Group

1. HR practitioners wishing to upskill and/or further their knowledge in higher level strategic human resource topics, particularly those wishing to have a global perspective of HRM.
2. Non-HR professionals that have an interest in furthering their knowledge in people management.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion graduates should have developed:

A.  Knowledge and understanding

1. A systematic understanding of knowledge orientated to the field of HRM and related academic disciplines;
2. A critical awareness of current problems, debates, issues and insight as informed by these specialist fields of study, and by a developing sense of ‘good’ and ethical professional practice;
3. A conceptual understanding that enables the student to critically reflect upon and evaluate current research, relevant scholarship and professional practice;
4. Knowledge and understanding that helps develop a critical framework for assessing the credibility and suitability of various techniques and practices.

 

B.  Cognitive and intellectual skills

1. The ability to evaluate competing evidence critically, reach conclusions and present findings;
2. The ability to problem solve within the context of the business environment and with particular emphasis on the management of people;
3. The ability to synthesise and interpret evidence from a variety of sources to effect improvement in the management of people;
4. The ability to utilise a variety of theoretical and research approaches in order to systematically and creatively deal with complex issues in the study and/or practice of HRM;
5. The ability to conduct research into business and human resource management issues.

 

C.  Key and transferable skills

1. An ability to work towards the achievement of set objectives, with sensitively to the diversity in people and different situations, either as a group leader or a team member (group working);
2. The capacity to select and utilise appropriate learning resources in relation to the specific task (learning resources);
3. The capacities to listen, influence, persuade and communicate clearly through written and oral means in both academic and professional settings (communications);
4. The necessary skills required for life long independent and reflective learning (self- evaluation and problem solving);
5. The capability to complete research and management tasks with minimum guidance (management of information and autonomy).

 

D.  Employment related skills

1. The skills to critically reflect on their own performance to inform continuing personal and professional development;
2. A critical understanding of the workplace with particular reference to the successful management of the employment relationship using relevant theories, techniques and problem solving skills;
3. Initiative and personal responsibility for their own learning which can then become part of their future career.

 

E. Practical skills

1. Appropriate people management and development policies and strategies, maximising the contribution, growth and well-being of employees including an ethical sensibility towards the practice of HRM;
2. An application of appropriate advice in relation to the legal dimensions involved in the management of people;
3. The implementation of effective processes for the recruitment, selection, reward, retention, learning and development of employees;
4. Working in partnership, including negotiation, with employee representatives to develop procedures and processes that enhance the commitment of employees and resolve work conflict;
5. Appropriate recommendations concerning arrangements for the organisation and delivery of people management services, including ways of assessing the contribution of people management to organisational success. 

Overview

The MA HRM is a newly revamped programme by the University of Plymouth that focuses on the strategic role of HR with “new normal” topics such as flexible and remote working, DEIA (diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility), impact of technology on HR, employee well-being, future developments in work, employee experience, creating value and delivering outcomes for the organisation,

Programme Duration and Teaching Mode

The minimum time needed to complete the MA is 1 year and the maximum duration is 5 years.

Modules 1-4 are taught by Plymouth-endorsed HKU SPACE teachers. For the capstone project, 30 lecture hours and project supervision will be conducted by the teaching faculty from the University of Plymouth while HKU SPACE will support with 6 lecture hours of local training.

Module Focus

1) People Management Strategies in Context

This module explores the relationship between the business environment, future developments in work and the management of people. It explores how HR professionals can create value and deliver outcomes for organisations and also enhance the employee experience.

2) Employment Relations and Employment Law

This module focuses to provide students with an understanding of employment relationship, including the legal standards, and explores the processes through which organisations seek to address and manage conflict with and between employees.

3) Ethical Resourcing

This module aims to equip learners with the knowledge and skills required to mobilise an effective workforce and ways in which the impact of resourcing implications can be evaluated, such as through the use of data.

4) Delivering Change in a Contemporary Workplace

This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to enhance their tolerance of change and ability to lead or manage successful change projects by working with others.

5) Capstone Project

The capstone project aims to provide students with an opportunity to apply and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of their subject area within the context of a project.

Assessment

	Module Name	Assessment components	Weighting
1	People Management Strategies in Context	1. 20 minutes of Group Presentation    2. Individual Report and Reflection	30%     70%
2	Employment Relations and Employment Law	1. Individual assignment    2. Case Study Report	30%   70%
3	Ethical Resourcing	Report on Resourcing Practice and Ethical Implications	100%
4	Delivering Change in a Contemporary Workplace	Individual case study report	100%
5	Capstone Project	1. Research Proposal   2. Project Report	10%   90%

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Award

On successful completion and passing of all 5 modules totalling 180 credits, students will be awarded the “Master of Arts Human Resource Management” issued by the University of Plymouth

Students who withdraw from the programme, either through academic failure or voluntary withdrawal, will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate if they have completed 60 credits from modules 1-4 or a Postgraduate Diploma if they have completed 120 credits from modules 1-4.

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Venue

Admiralty Learning Centre/ United Learning Centre/ Fortress Tower Learning Centre/ Island East Campus

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FAQs

1.	What is the ranking of The University of Plymouth?
	The University of Plymouth is ranked #41 in the Guardian UK University Guide 2022, and in the top 5 Young UK Universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings Guide 2022.
2.	Will there be face-to-face classes?
	All modules, except for the Capstone Project, are taught by Plymouth-endorsed HKU SPACE teachers. The teaching of these modules will be conducted in face-to-face mode or via virtual teaching if travelling is not feasible due to uncontrollable circumstances such as the pandemic.
3.	Are there any module exemptions for graduates of Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and Business Psychology?
	Graduates of the above postgraduate diploma will receive 2 module exemptions and their minimum period of study is 12 months.
4.	How much is the total fee of this MA HRM for graduates of Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and Business Psychology?
	Graduates of Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and Business Psychology need to pay in three installments – the first installment is one module (HK$21,720), the second installment is the second module (HK$21,720), and the third module is the capstone project module (HK$31,120).
5.	What is the normal period of time to complete the MA programme?
	The normal period of time is 18 months and the maximum duration is 5 years.
6.	Is there a separate exam for each module?
	There is no examination. Module 1 is assessed by a group presentation (30%) and an individual report (70%). Module 2 is assessed by an individual assignment (30%) and a case study report (70%). Module 3 is assessed by a written report (100%). Module 4 is assessed by an individual case study report (100%). Module 5 is assessed by a research proposal (10%) and a project report (90%).
7.	What is the required length of the capstone project?
	The research proposal is about 4,000 words, and the project report is about 15,000 words.
8.	How can I join the CIPD membership and how much does it cost?
	Students can join CIPD as student members upon successful application of the MA HRM programme. For details of student member fees, please visit the link.

Application Code	2280-HR137A	Apply Online Now
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Days / Time

• Saturday, 2:00pm - 7:00pm

Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

This is an exempted course under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

Modules	Credits
1. People Management Strategies in Context	30
2. Employment Relations and Employment Law	30
3. Ethical Resourcing	30
4. Delivering Change in a Contemporary Workplace	30
5. Capstone Project	60

Students are required to complete and pass all the 5 modules totalling 180 credits in order to be awarded Master of Arts Human Resource Management. Under extenuating circumstances, students who complete 120 credits will obtain a general Postgraduate Diploma and students who complete 60 credits will obtain a general Postgraduate Certificate awarded by the University of Plymouth.

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Application Fee

HK$200 (non-refundable) as initial handling fee

Course Fee

• Total fees: HK$118,000, paid in 5 instalments.
  Instalment 1: HK$21,720
  Instalment 2: HK$21,720
  Instalment 3: HK$21,720
  Instalment 4: HK$21,720
  Instalment 5: HK$31,120

Applicants should have:

• a bachelor’s degree, awarded by a recognized institution, of at least second-class honours; OR
• a professional qualification recognized as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

If the degree or equivalent qualification is from an institution where the language of teaching and assessment is not English, applicants shall provide evidence of English proficiency, such as:

• an overall band of 6.5 or above in the IELTS; or
• an overall score of 90 or above in the TOEFL iBT; or
• HKDSE Examination English Language at Level 4 or above; or
• HKALE Use of English at Grade C or above; or
• equivalent qualifications.

Applicants of other qualifications and relevant experience, and applications for the accreditation of prior experience and/or learning (APEL) will be considered on an individual basis.

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ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH

The University of Plymouth (UoP) is one of the UK's most prominent and dynamic universities with an educational history dating back to 1862. Their vision is to be “a broad-based, research-intensive university, open to all who can benefit from a University of Plymouth education, and delivering excellent interdisciplinary research, experiential education and civic engagement.

The University of Plymouth is #5 in the UK for Top Young Universities under the THE World University Rankings, and #41 in the Guardian UK University Guide 2022.