Human Resources and Employment Relations MSc

About the Course

The course is designed for those who wish to become human resource and employment relation’s practitioners and/or undertake further research in academic, consultancy or commercial settings. Practitioners seeking a more academic Master's qualification in human resource management, rather than an MBA, will find the course of interest.

Aims

The aim of this MSc is to provide a critical theoretical and applied knowledge and understanding of human resource management and employment relations. Graduates as prospective entrants to human resources management roles, as 'thinking performers', should be able to address business and professional situations knowledgeably making contributions to improved organisational performance and delivery of sound personnel/human resources practice and services.

Enquiries

Sharon Coote

Course Enquiries
For questions about the degree itself or Home/EU enquiries prior to application.
Contact: Sharon Coote
Email: masterbbs@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 267124 or 265278
 
Application Enquiries (Home/EU)
For Home/EU applications already submitted.
Email admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265265

International Students
For ALL questions related to this degree or to follow up on your application.
Email brunel-international@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265519

Accreditation

• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Course Content

Core Modules

Organisational Behaviour
This module explores the main theories and key functions of leadership and management and their application, and you will be able to critique these as well as appreciate the contemporary issues facing leaders and managers.  You will also be able to critically evaluate characteristics of effective management and how this differentiates from leadership, and discuss and assess relative strengths and limitations of key approaches to developing leaders and managers in organisations.

Human Resource Management: Contexts, Concepts and Policies (Part 1 + Part 2)
Main topics of study include: HRM/HRD contexts and imperatives; the changing nature of work and employment; HRM/HRD influence on organisational strategy and change; the claims and substance of HRM theory; the role of the personnel specialist and the CIPD; employee contracts; personnel information systems, recruitment and selection; performance review and staff appraisal; remuneration policy and practice, motivation and satisfaction; grievance and disciplinary handling. HRM and organisation culture/development, training and development strategies. Staffing costs, HRM service delivery (quality evaluation) and outsourcing including use of IT. Overview of HRM and ethics, professionalism, equal opportunities.

International and Comparative Human Resource Management
Main topics of study include: international business and management HR issues; the elements of an international human resources strategy and implementation in local contexts and cultures; cross-cultural and multi-cultural issues arising from HRM in the UK; international versus domestic HRM; Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-American approaches, Japanese perspectives and influences; managing HRM in Europe - commonalities and differences, the EU and its influence on HRM; managing people in China/Southern Africa/India; Multi-national projects and teams; managing HRM across borders: recruitment issues and methods, employee development and the 'international manager'; supporting international/ multicultural teams at staff, project and board levels; payment systems, benefits and expatriate rewards; trends and comparisons in employment law systems; employee communications and involvement; information system support for international HRM; managing the pressures of an international job.

Issues in Employment Relations
Main topics of study include: foundations of employment relationship; globalisation, multinational corporations and employee relations; trade unions; managerial approaches to managing the employment relationship; collective bargaining; employee involvement and participation; role of the state in employee relations; changing nature of work (flexible labour market).

Understanding Business and Management Research
Main topics of study include: the notion of research and the issue of knowledge claims; the role of theory in management and business domain; epistemology and ontology assumptions in positivism and social relativism/constructivism; empiricism; research methods and techniques; research designs (i.e. experimental, longitudinal, case studies, comparative); application of qualitative and quantitative methods to management problems; using extant information and data sets to model complex management problems; the potential and limitations of case study research and survey research methods; planning a research project (writing a research proposal; the role of literature review and secondary research); practical considerations for a research epistemology, method, techniques and execution; criticality and ethical issues, trusting the knowledge claims of others.

Dissertation
A research-based dissertation is an integral element of the programme to which considerable importance is attached. You are required to base your dissertation on empirical research into a human resources/employment relations problem or issue of your choice (subject to approval). Dissertations are supervised by full time members of the academic staff of the School who have a wide range of research interests and expertise in the areas of human resource management, employment relations and organisational behaviour and change. The dissertation must be submitted by the end of the academic year during which you complete all of the taught modules of the course.

Elective (one from)

Global Diversity Management
This module provides an insight into Global Diversity Management by examining how organizations plan, coordinate and implement a set of management strategies, policies, initiatives such as training and development activities that seek to accommodate diverse sets of social and individual backgrounds, interests, beliefs, values and ways of work in organizations with international, multinational, global and transnational workforces and operations.

International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
This module focuses on business ethics and corporate governance in the international context.  Both areas will be addressed from the perspective of the dual ‘business’ models of the shareholder and the stakeholder approaches. Further the broader societal impacts of business activities will be considered in-depth. The full range of businesses will be considered – from large corporations through to SMEs. Empirical studies will be used to apply the theoretical resources of moral philosophy, CSR and corporate governance.

Strategic Management
This module enables students to appreciate the issues and challenges that confront managers responsible for strategic management.  It introduces students to concepts, topics and methodological approaches and tools relevant to the analysis of the strategic position of the organisation and the development and implementation of strategies and policies, and their major operational implications.

Assessment

Taught modules are normally assessed either by coursework or by a combination of coursework and formal examination.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £7,130 full-time

International students: £12,650 full-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

At least a good honours degree (2.1) or equivalent normally in a cognate discipline eg management, business studies or other related social science subject.

Entry Requirements for 2011 Entry (click to expand)

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
• TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
• Pearson: 59 (51 in all subscores)

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.