University of Bedfordshire

MSc in International Human Resource Management

What will you study?

Studying our MSc in International Human Resource Management will equip you with critical knowledge and skills in human resource management (HRM), people analytics, talent management, strategic management and international employment law, culminating in cutting-edge research skills through a Capstone project. Our comprehensive curriculum includes a specialised unit in People Analytics and HR Strategies, where you will gain essential insights and skills, preparing you to adapt and respond with agility to the ever-changing demands of the business world. You will learn to solve real-life people management issues, make strategic decisions and manage human capital effectively by aligning people practices with organisational goals and driving performance and success using People Analytics. This unit also integrates core HRM knowledge and behaviours such as analytics, value creation, ethics, talent management, and resourcing.

Moreover, our Global Human Resource Management unit further enhances your expertise by immersing you in key business areas, including equipping you with an understanding of the global business environment and its impact on HRM practices. You will learn to lead and manage diverse teams in various geographical locations while enriching your HR specialist knowledge in areas of global talent management, international employment law, intercultural communication and global HRM. At the same time, you will develop the skills to offer strategic HR advice, and engage in stakeholder management and consultancy services in a global context.

Furthermore, you will be introduced to the principles of International Employment Law that will allow you to understand the regulations that govern employment relationships. This unit will equip you with the practical skills to manage employer-employee relationships such as hiring and firing. This will allow you to navigate the complex scenarios within the parameters of employment law, such as ending employment contracts or addressing termination issues in a real-world context. At the same time, you will learn to navigate legal frameworks surrounding employment legislation with equality, diversity and inclusion in mind. Additionally, you will develop a critical and informed understanding of business environments and the business opportunities within them in our Strategy unit. Here, you will be introduced to a range of tools and concepts for strategic analysis and business modelling that will allow you to assess the strategic position of business organisations, formulate strategies, evaluate options and implement strategic decisions.

Finally, you will complete our Capstone unit that will allow you to bring theory and practice together and research a topic of your interest that is relevant to your field of study. To help you with this, you will be introduced to the processes and techniques of research methods while working with a research supervisor to develop your ideas. Since our course units are designed in alignment with the standards of leading professional bodies, such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), as well as their curriculum mapping, this course will equip you with the expert knowledge and competencies needed to succeed in the field.

How will you be assessed?

A number of different assessment methods will contribute to your development and will enhance your employability. We consider it essential that comprehensive feedback is provided in due time so it is integrated in your learning process. When group work is required the marks given will be individual following the University of Bedfordshire's regulatory scheme. In some cases, different kinds of assessment may be used in combination making sure however that there are no hidden tasks.

The intensive character of this Course's delivery as it is outlined in its Teaching and Learning philosophy is consistent with the needs of today's world for graduates who accumulate knowledge fast and are able to express the outcome of this process in a way that is meaningful and comprehensive. Welcome and induction activities will be followed immediately by a week of intensive direct contact time followed by your own contribution through individual learning will take you to your first assessment point. At the end of your six-week block, your final assessment will be due. This will be a demanding but very rewarding experience.

The overall underpinning rationale for an assessment strategy of this course is based on the following quote from QAA section 6 Assessment: "There are good reasons why forms of assessment vary widely. These include the need to ensure that types of assessment including reassessment test the intended learning outcomes accurately and fairly and are appropriate to the subject being studied the mode of learning and to the students taking the module or programme".

The assessments for this course will enable students to engage in reflection as part of independent learning providing them with both the confidence and emerging skills to react to the feedback provided to them to monitor and improve their future performance.

The below-given assessment methods are deemed appropriate for the given course/unit learning outcomes:

• Individual Written Report Essays or Literature Review: Your knowledge and skills are developed when you undertake the task of writing an individual report and the whole process contributes to your improvement when it comes to conducting postgraduate level research and developing your enterprise. The ability to perform literature-informed research to review and evaluate the relevant sources and to use an appropriate methodology in order to analyze and evaluate the relevant concepts is being assessed. These will be used mainly as summative assessments particularly for both HRM specialist units.
• Oral Presentation: A number of transferable skills will be developed including the ability to present your findings in a professional clear and concise manner. We will use this assessment type as part of learning experience both for formative and summative purpose.
• Reflective Report: Evaluating your own contribution to a task and/or team is essential in the context of this course but in the workplace as well. It serves as a good formative assessment for some innovative class activities for students for example: Designing an assessment center and role play exercises.
• Dissertation / Professional Practice / Live Project: Regardless of which masters capstone experience you opt for you will have to produce an individual independent piece of work. You will be asked to identify the research question or problem under investigation review the relevant literature and develop a sound methodology in order to explore the problem proceed with the analysis discuss your findings and make recommendations. It is the capstone of this course and builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in all Units. It will be one of the most challenging but yet enjoyable and rewarding experiences you will encounter.

The use of a wide range of sources both academic and other is a requirement for a postgraduate degree. The notions of accountability and academic integrity will be an integral part of your course. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. You will be informed about what plagiarism is and how to avoid it during the delivery of each Unit. Where an individual project is required you will be asked to show the different stages of your work or to present it in its entity upon completion. Where collaborative tasks are assigned an individual reflective report will be necessary to indicate your contribution to the team. All coursework assignments will require a thorough evaluation of the sources used and referencing will be done according to the Harvard Referencing System.

When you complete this course you will be ready to work as a human resources business partner in an international organisation giving support to other managers and able to offer critical insights into the world of people in the workplace.

You will be in a good position to progress into one or more of the following areas: human resource management; administrative services; compensation; benefits and job analysis; business development; labour relations; training development; personal coaching leadership; and leadership management. The course also opens the way to roles in researching specialist HRM fields and consultancy.

If you would like to continue with your academic studies you will have a good foundation for progression onto MPhil or PhD level.