Date of Revision Date of Previous Revision Programme Specification (2015-16) A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University s Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual. Programme Title MSc Human Resource Management Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) Master of Science (PG Diploma in Human Resource Management) Programme Code MGT- MSC-HR UCAS Code N/A JACS Code N600 Criteria for Admissions (Please see General Regulations) Applicants will normally be expected to have an undergraduate Honours degree, the equivalent of a UK Honours degree first class or upper second class, in discipline from a suitably quality-assured university. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates so we will also consider previous work experience alongside academic qualifications. We encourage candidates to submit a detailed CV. Candidates who lack the prerequisite academic qualification or equivalent are eligible for consideration under the RPEL route. Additional information for International Students In addition to the information presented above, international applicants should also have one of the following:- An IELTS score of 6.5 with not less than 5.5 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking, and writing, taken within the last 2 years A TOEFL (Internet based test) score of 90 or higher, taken within the last 2 years, with minimum marks in the four component elements of Listening (17), Reading (18), Speaking (20) and Writing (17) An alternative English Language qualification recognised by Queen s University Belfast 65% in the INTO English Language Exit Test A first or good second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location where the medium of instruction is English Additional Relevant Information The programme is subject to the University Regulations as detailed in the General Regulations: University Calendar for Postgraduate
Students. The MSc HRM programme combines provision of academic theory with the development and enhancement of relevant skills in order to enhance a range of people management and consultancy capabilities. Mode of Study (Full-time, Part-time, other) Full-time; Part-time Type of Programme Masters single subject Length of Programme Full-time: 1 year; Part-time: 2 years Total Credits for Programme 180 Masters (Exit Diploma 120) Awarding Institution/Body Queen s University Belfast Teaching Institution Queen s University Belfast School/Department Management School Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level Level 7 http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informatio nandguidance QAA Benchmark Group http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsand quality/subject-guidance/pages/subjectbenchmark-statements Collaborative Organisation and form of Collaboration (if applicable) Accreditations (PSRB) ATAS Clearance External Examiner Name: Professor Rona Beattie Ms Jayne Forster Professional Development: Accreditation Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The relevant QAA Benchmarking Group for the MSc Human Resource Management is the Masters Level Business and Management Benchmark Statement for Type 1 Specialist Master's degrees either for career entry or career development. N/A Date of next scheduled accreditation visit Academic year 2017-2018 External Examiner Institution/Organisation Glasgow Caledonia University NI Civil Service Dept of Human Resources Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations (Please see General Regulations) Programme Specific Regulations No The MSc Human Resource Management is based on the University-wide modular framework. The class of degree awarded to the student (Fail, Pass, Commendation and Distinction) is based on the
student s performance in 8 taught modules plus the dissertation. Module marks are combined over the first and second semesters that, together with the dissertation mark, are used to produce an aggregate mark. Marking is based on University agreed marking scale. Students must pass all taught modules of the programme and the dissertation to be eligible for the award of a Master s degree. The pass mark for each taught module and the dissertation shall be 50%. Students who obtain an overall mark of 50% or more across the taught modules and who fail to achieve a mark of at least 50% in the dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma only. Students who fail a module at the first attempt shall be permitted to retake the module at the next available opportunity for a maximum of 50%. Students may proceed to the dissertation module, with caution, once they have successfully completed modules to the value of at least 105 CATS, which must include MGT7173 Research Methods for Business. Students who fail any module at the second attempt may be required to withdraw from the University. Each individual case will be discussed at the appropriate Exam Board before a final decision is made. Only one resubmission of the dissertation will be permitted and normally for a maximum of 50%. Students with protected characteristics Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations N/A Please indicate NO (Please see General Regulations) Length of Programme Full-time: 1 year; Part-time: 2 years
Educational Aims of Programme On completion of the programme the student will be able to: The overall aim of the programme is to provide an academically stimulating and professionally challenging programme for students in the broad area of human resources management. Through the programme, students will be given opportunities to develop skills and knowledge that will help to develop and enhance their personal competencies. Within the context of striving towards the University s Vision, the MSc Human Resource Management aims to: (i) Provide advanced study of human resources management theory and strategy, employee relations, people resourcing and the changing environment in which they function. (ii) Prepare students for a career and/or enhance their career in business and human resources management by developing and enhancing the transferable and intellectual skills necessary for management at a variety of levels. (iii) Develop an international perspective on HRM related business issues. (iv) Develop students ability to analyse complex human resources management problems critically, rationally and rigorously. (v) Encourage students to make informed decisions by creatively and systematically applying their understanding of core topics to contemporary issues and specialist fields of human resources management. (vi) Enhance students employability skills, as well as their continuing personal and professional development so as to enable them to work with self-direction and originality. (vii) Maintain a supportive working environment in which there is respect for social and cultural differences and openness, fairness, and equality of opportunity in relation to selection, learning assessment and support. Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: Problem solving Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Modules are conducted via lectures, tutorials, directed reading, student presentations, group projects, peer review, and private study. Cognitive skills are developed across all the modules within the degree programme, although the precise balance will vary across modules. All modules have some quantitative Methods of Assessment Both summative and formative assessment methods are used throughout the degree. Formative assessment takes a number of different forms, including in-class discussion, in-class exercises, short homework exercises, reading and commenting
Logical reasoning Independent enquiry Critical evaluation and interpretation component and help to develop problem solving and logical reasoning skills. The classroom time will be made up of formal lecturing time whereby key concepts will be introduced. This will be accompanied by interactive tasks which will help the students to sharpen their skills and ability to reason logically when presented with a range of scenarios. The workshop time will focus predominately on skills development and enhancement including logical reasoning Independent enquiry is a key element in all modules. Students will be presented with a range of complex issues, ideas and theories and expected to undertake independent enquiry to better understand these. Class time will be devoted to discussing these ideas from a variety of different perspectives. Key concepts and ideas will be explored and developed in the formal lecture and more interactive tutorial/workshop environment. Students will be trained to evaluate the concepts using a range of frameworks. on journal articles and peer review. Summative assessment also takes a variety of forms including examinations and a range of continuous assessment elements, including oral presentations, independent research, case study analysis, scenario planning and examinations Each coursework component and formal exam will test the students ability to reason logically and select/propose the most appropriate solution from a range of alternatives. Several forms of assessment both short case studies, weekly readings, essays, the dissertation module etc will require the student to undertake independent research All forms of CA whether these are take home papers, case study analysis, essays and the extended dissertation will require the students to use their judgement and to evaluate and interpret a range of
Self assessment and reflection Self-assessment and reflection are developed by formative feedback across all of the modules, e.g. on presentations, assignments, and through peer review. Students will have opportunities to reflect on their own performance both formatively and summatively. Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: The ability to synthesise and evaluate information/data from a variety of sources including from databases, books, journal articles and the internet The preparation and communication of ideas in both written and presentational forms The ability to work both independently and in groups Organisation and time management Problem solving and critical analysis Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The teaching and assessment methods used will depend on the nature of the module being taught, the overall aims of the module and the balance between theory and practice. Oral communication skills are developed in the workshop settings in particular by means of student presentations (both on an individual basis and as part of a group). Written communication skills are developed throughout the programme through essay writing, analysis of journal articles and current practitioner thinking. Problem solving is developed through scenario planning, case study analysis, analysis of theory and its implication to practice and interaction with HR practitioners. This will be a central component in all taught modules. Methods of Assessment Both formative and summative assessments, across modules, will require students to demonstrate all of the listed transferable skills. Assessment will include: individual student assignments, case analysis, oral presentations, group work, the dissertation on a human resources management issue and examinations. All modules will require all skills, although the balance will vary across modules. Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: The nature of human resources strategy - encompasses the various processes, procedures and practices for effective management of human resources strategy. It includes theories, Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students acquisition of core knowledge is achieved primarily through the lecture and Methods of Assessment Assessment: students will complete individual student assignments, oral presentations, group and individual
models, frameworks, tasks and roles of human resources strategy employees. The management of elements of the human resources function - encompassing the different internal functions of employee relations, talent management, reward and remuneration and people resourcing, and how these functions interact with the firm and its external environment External environment the interactions between firms, governments and society both within a national and international context. This encompasses a wide range of factors, including economic, environmental, ethical, legal, political, sociological and technological, together with the effects of national and multinational enterprises at local, national and international levels Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to The ability to use statistical and simulation techniques to analyse human resource management problems The ability to apply contemporary management tools and techniques to address human resource management issues The ability to gain a practical understanding of human resource management problems The ability to critically evaluate key human resource management issues and propose feasible solutions workshop environment across the 8 taught modules and a dissertation. The modules are delivered using a range of face-to-face teaching sessions, lectures, group work, case studies and seminars and workshops. In addition, students may be required to participate in online discussion fora. Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The teaching and assessment methods depend on the nature of the module being taught, the overall aims of the module and the balance between theory and practice. These methods include lectures, seminars, problem-centred techniques such as case studies, non-book media, individual research, oral presentations, group projects, online discussion forums and practitioner workshops. This combination allows students to have a high degree of involvement and participation in the learning process. case study work, examinations and independent research work. Methods of Assessment Assessment methods include problem-centred techniques such as case studies, non-book media, individual research, oral presentations, group projects, online discussion forums and practitioner workshops. This combination allows students to have a high degree of involvement and participation in the learning process.
Programme Requirements Module Title HRM Theory and Strategy Module Code Level / stage Credits Availability Duration Pre-requisite Assessment S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Examination % 50% MGT7146 7 15 12 weeks None Essay 30% Group presentation 20% HRM in Context MGT7147 7 15 12 weeks None Coursework 60% Performance MGT7148 7 15 11 weeks None Coursework Management 100% Reward Management MGT7172 7 15 12 weeks Assignment 70% Coursework 30% Resourcing & Talent Management Managing Employment Relations MGT7149 7 15 12 weeks None Essay 40% Interview report 60% MGT7150 7 15 12 weeks None Coursework 100% 40% Human Capital Development Research Methods for Business (HRM) MGT7171 7 15 11 weeks None Coursework 100% MGT7173 7 15 10 weeks None Research Proposal 70% 30% Dissertation MGT9152 7 60 Successful completion of taught modules equating to the value of at least 105 Cats points which must include MGT7173 100%
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