MSc Strategic Human Resource Management

Course Overview

The new MSc Strategic Human Resource Management has been devised to prepare business professionals like you for today’s rapidly evolving human resource management sector, helping you take on your future senior-level role with confidence.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and aligned with The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Australian HR Institute (AHRI). This mark of quality will provide you with professional recognition that enhances your career prospects across the globe.

Your course materials will cover all the essential emerging topics that are moving the human resources (HR) industry forward, including people analytics, globalisation, and disruptive technologies, providing you with the most up-to-date knowledge of contemporary HR operations and innovations, and the ability to apply this to leverage strategic people management. This critical application of your learning will help you develop the skills you need to respond creatively and effectively to the dynamic and global HR world of tomorrow, and to advance to the very highest levels of your profession.

The course has a ‘real world’ focus, using live case studies and practical scenarios to ensure you graduate with the experience and knowledge employers need right now. We also work closely with expert industry partners so that your modules are all current and future-focused, covering the latest advancements, opportunities, and challenges in the field.

That means that by the end of the course, you’ll have developed the real-world skills needed to strategically lead and manage in today’s agile HR environment. This, combined with your knowledge of how to utilise people, data analytics, and new technologies to create organisational value will give you a powerful, modern skillset sought after by leading employers in a range of exciting industries.

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – we are more than happy to discuss your application.

What do you need to study with us?

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.

That’s why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection. With this one tool, you’ll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively.

We’ll also support you with getting access to the resources you need, wherever you study from, including assistance with obtaining any software you need to successfully complete the course.

Eligibility

To be eligible for our MSc Strategic Human Resource Management, you should normally have:

A UK Honours Degree at a minimum of second class (2.2) or equivalent.
We will also consider applications from students who lack formal qualifications but can demonstrate their motivation to study the course and possess relevant work experience.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
Fee per year:	£10550

Uk Fee	Fee
Total fee:	£9500

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 90; or equivalent.
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Apply for the Course

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Course details and modules

Your course modules have been designed to advance your knowledge and skills in strategic people and business management. You’ll cover a broad range of in-demand HR topics, such as people analytics, resourcing, well-being, and development, as well as the strategic and ethical utilisation of people to create lasting value for your organisation – helping you graduate with the specialised skills to excel in the future of HR and beyond.

How do we assess you?

Assessments

Assessments on the MSc Strategic Human Resource Management have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios in the modern HR environment. That means you’ll have the opportunity to align your studies to how you’ll help transform your current or future organisation’s operations and functions once you have completed the course.

Practice-driven – No exams in sight!

You won’t take a single exam on this course. Your course assessments will be practice-driven, drawing from live case studies so that you can apply your learning in real time. This innovative, modern approach will provide you with the unique opportunity to engage in industry relevant consultations and respond to real-world organisational challenges within a range of local and global contexts.

Research Project

The MSc Strategic Human Resource Management course culminates with an independent research project pertaining to an issue or question within Human Resource Management. You’ll be expected to identify and examine a relevant topic of your choice and make robust recommendations based on your findings, helping you gain transferable skills for your future.

Other assessment methods

Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through additional assessments. Designed with industry feedback to meet the needs of today’s employers, each assessment will impart both subject knowledge and desirable workplace skills. These include:

Case based problem solving exercises
Formal reports in response to client live case studies
Presentations
Skills-based exercises
Consultancy case studies
Dioramas
Autoethnography
Research project

Strategic Planning and Ethical Decision Making (20 credits)
People Analytics and Value Creation (20 credits)
Strategic Employment Relations and Employment Law (20 credits)
Organisational Development, Culture and Change (20 credits)
People Development, Well-being and Performance (20 credits)
Resourcing and Rewarding Talent (20 credits)
Research Project (60 credits)

Career prospects

The course will help you develop your existing skills and knowledge in the area of people and business management, alongside the newest theoretical, practical, and technological advancements in the field. By immersing you in the HR world of tomorrow, the course will prepare you for senior HR management roles in practically any industry.

What can I do after Arden University?

The MSc Strategic Human Resource Management will help you develop the latest knowledge and skills you need to accelerate your career to a senior-level role in HR. Some of the positions you may want to consider after graduation include:

Human Resource Manager
General Manager
Pay and Reward Specialist
Human Resource Business Partner
Organisation Development
Director of HR
Chief People Officer
People Consultant

What will the MSc Strategic Human Resource Management do for me?

You’ll graduate from the course with the hands-on strategic HR, leadership, and technical skills required to effectively manage people and excel in today’s evolving HR sector. You’ll also have expanded your knowledge of contemporary HR operations, all within a real-world context. Because the course prioritises a future-focused, practical application of your syllabus, you’ll gain pertinent, advanced expertise that will help you become a future HR leader.

This course provides you with the valuable opportunity to:

Develop in-depth knowledge of contemporary HR practices, including people analytics and technological advancements.
Respond effectively to increasingly complex, dynamic, and diverse external business environments.
Critically evaluate and apply strategic people management ‘next’ practice in a range of contexts.
Acquire the real-world skills needed to transition to a more senior level role.

Part-time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the MSc Strategic Human Resource Management online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Distance learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Full time, blended learning in Berlin

How does it work?

This course is available to study full time through our blended learning study mode at our campus in Berlin, Germany. When you choose our blended learning study mode, you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at our centrally located Berlin campus. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Full time study in Berlin is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who are attracted by the opportunity to move to Germany to study, where you can take advantage of the employment opportunities available for overseas students.

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your Strategic Human Resource Management degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Careers support in-person and online available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
Free online access to our Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which we’ve carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us.
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support