PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement B1 COURSE SPECIFICATION Course Title: Postgraduate Diploma/aster of Science in Human Resource anagement (PgD/Sc in HR) This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he or she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities provided. ore detailed information on the specific learning outcomes, context and the teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the module descriptions in Section B5. 1.1 Awarding Institution/Body University of Ulster 1.2 Teaching Institution University of Ulster 1.3 Location Jordanstown 1.4 Course Accredited by Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development 1.5 Final Award PgD/Sc in Human Resource anagement 1.6 ode of Attendance Part-time 1.7 Specialisms Business and anagement Studies 1.8 Course Code PgD B635PJ; Sc B840PJ 1.9 EDUCATIONAL AIS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE The overall aim of the PgD/Sc in Human Resource anagement is to educate, develop and enhance professional competence in non-cognate and cognate students who have experience in the HR field and who wish to build on that experience through a structured programme of study accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The development of their knowledge, intellectual qualities, professional/practical and transferable skills will equip students for middle management and senior appointments within public, private and social economy sectors of the business community. Within the overall aim, the objectives of the course are as follows: B1
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement to advance the study of organisations, their management and the changing external, local and global context in which operate; to prepare students for and/or to develop their career in human resource management by developing and enhancing the intellectual skills necessary for leading and managing at a general and strategic level; to develop students ability to analyse complex people management and development problems critically, rationally and rigorously, and to make informed decisions by creatively and systematically applying the knowledge and understanding of HR concepts and best practice; to develop students enterprise and innovation skills; and to enhance students lifelong learning skills, continuing personal and professional development so as to enable them to work with selfdirection and originality as thinking performers, thus contributing to the business performance and society as a whole. 1.10 AIN LEARNING OUTCOES 10K Knowledge and Understanding of Subject The PgD in HR provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding: K1 K2 K3 K4 Environmental influences - economic issues, government policy, legal requirements, corporate social responsibility, technological and ethical considerations, and their impact upon the strategic direction and management of organisations. Concepts of organisational theory and organisational behaviour, including management of change. Functional concepts and processes - managing finance, information, statistics, operations, and continuous improvement; Employee resourcing, development, relations, retention, recognition and reward; and the integration of personnel and development with business strategy. B2
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement K5 The concepts and principles of employment law. In addition to the above, the Sc provides the opportunity to: K6 K7 Understand the nature of social science research and evaluate methods and methodology. Develop expertise in a specialised subject area through research for completion of the dissertation. Learning and Teaching ethods In addition to lectures, seminars, group work, directed reading, electronic resources and case studies, knowledge and understanding of the subject are acquired through methods that reflect the distinctive features of a postgraduate master s programme. Thus work contexts are used in most learning situations in applied assignments and projects (individual and team) which are a feature of the course. Visiting speakers and practitioners master classes are used, reflecting again the applied nature of learning. Through the use of group discussions, students will be encouraged to learn from the experience of others workplaces. Another distinctive feature of the course is the residential activity that, in both years 1 and 2 of the PgD, provide a rich source of additional experience for subsequent analysis. The dissertation will facilitate a deeper understanding and application of knowledge to the organisation. Assessment ethods Coursework, class tests, project, management report, oral presentation, seen and unseen written examinations, dissertation. 10I INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES The PgD in HR provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following intellectual qualities: I1 I2 I3 Critical evaluation of arguments and evidence. The ability to locate, extract and analyse data from multiple sources and critically evaluate their relevance and validity. The ability to consistently apply knowledge and intellectual skills. In addition to the above, the Sc provides the opportunity for students to: B3
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement I4 Identify, analyse and draw reasoned conclusions from data and complex problems. Learning and Teaching ethods Problem-based learning resources, research-based teaching materials, student-led discussions, and project/dissertation work. Assessment ethods Coursework, presentations, project, management report, seen and unseen written examinations, dissertation. 10P PROFESSIONAL/PRACTICAL SKILLS The PgD/Sc provides opportunities for students to dmonstrate the following professional/practical skills: P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 The ability to identify appropriate management and leadership styles to motivate and influence individual and group behaviour, and resolve conflict through collaborative approaches. Awareness and analysis of differing learning styles, requirements and processes. The ability to interview in a variety of situations such as employee selection and appraisal. Giving and receiving feedback. Keep abreast of current legal developments and apply legal principles to range of practical situations. Recognition of ethical issues and behaviour reflected in integrity of decision-making and operational activity. Enterprise skills via business understanding. Learning and Teaching ethods Group discussions, experiential learning, self-assessment, project work, residentials, research for dissertation. B4
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement Assessment Coursework, individual and group assignments, presentations and project work, examinations. 10T TRANSFERABLE SKILLS The PgD/Sc in HR provides the opportunity to demonstrate the following transferable skills: T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 Personal drive, initiative and effectiveness in planning and implementing projects and accomplishing objectives together with the ability to manage time and work to deadlines. Self-awareness, learning autonomy and appreciation of need for Continuing Professional Development. Diagnosis of and coping with individual and organisational stress. Effective oral and written communication using a range of media. Participate constructively in teams and assess the relevance and importance of the ideas of others. Effective listening, negotiating, persuading or influencing others. Effective use of technology for management of information, including use of spreadsheets, databases, word processing and, in the case of the Sc, statistical analysis packages. Numerical skills and the ability to manipulate data and appreciate statistical concepts. Learning and Teaching ethods Lectures, seminars, group discussions, practical/laboratory sessions, residentials. Assessment ethods Coursework, presentations, projects, management report, CPD log, dissertation. B5
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement 1.11 COURSE STRUCTURE AND REQUIREENTS FOR THE AWARD The PgD/Sc is offered on a part-time basis and the normal duration of study is three years. Students can, however, choose to complete the PgD (years 1& 2) at a slower pace depending upon their family, work and other commitments. All modules in year 1 are compulsory except for students who have advanced standing with the CIPD and are, therefore, eligible for exemption. An example of this would be someone who had already completed an BA and is eligible for exemption from the Core anagement and People anagement and Development modules offered in year 1 of the PgD. Students normally take three -point modules in semester 1 of year 1 and one -point module together with one 30-point module in semester 2 of year 1. odules in year 2 are generalist in nature and all four are compulsory. Students normally take two -point modules in each of semesters 1 and 2 of year 2. Students who successfully complete the PgD achieve Graduate embership of the CIPD. ost students choose to exit at this point with approximately 8-10 students progressing to the Sc each year. The Sc comprises one taught module and completion of a dissertation which totals 60 credit points. Normally, students complete this part of the course within one year. Additional time may be given for writing-up depending upon the individual s circumstances. The course design is compatible with the University Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CATS). The PgD consists of eight -credit point modules and one 30-point module. The Sc comprises one taught module and completion of a dissertation which totals 60 credit points. This gives an overall credit point total of 210 which is 30 points more than the normal reequirement for a masters programme. This is necessary to fulfil the requirements of the CIPDs professional standards. Explain. Details of the modules and the corresponding credit level are listed below. B6
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement odule Title Credit Level Credit Points odule Status (compulsory/ optional) Awards (indicate exit awards) Core anagement anaging for Results anaging and Leading People anaging in a Strategic Context anaging Information for Competitive Advantage People anagement and Development (includes Applied Personnel and Development field) People anagement and Development 30 Specialist and Generalist Personnel and Development (4 to be chosen) People Resourcing Employee Relations Employment Law Organisation Change and Transition PgD Research ethods and Dissertation 60 Sc 1.12 SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING B7
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement Students and their learning are supported in a number of ways: Induction course introducing study skills Student Handbook odule Handbooks Course specific hands-on library induction and study skills pack Extensive library and other learning resources Computer laboratories with a wide range of software Intranet with a wide range of learning support material PgD Year 1 and Year 2 Tutors; Sc Dissertation Supervisor 1.13 CRITERIA FOR ADISSION TO THE COURSE Applicants must satisfy the University s general entry requirements and specific requirements for admission to the course are detailed below: A degree in any discipline One-year s experience in an HR role 1.14 EVALUATING AND IPROVING THE QUALITY AND STANDARD OF LEARNING AND TEACHING echanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the cur riculum and outcome standards: odule monitoring Annual subject monitoring University appointed external examiners CIPD appointed external moderator Peer teaching observations and feedback Student evaluation of teaching Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality: Staff Student Consultative Committee Course Committee Board of Examiners School Board Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee Staff Development includes: B8
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement Updating knowledge and skills through research and scholarship embership of the Institute/Academy? of Learning and Teaching Consultancy projects 1. REGULATION OF STANDARDS General course regulations are in accordance with the current University of Ulster charter statutes, ordnances and regulations and are updated annually in the student handbook for the course. Assessment Rules Passmark for each module assessed by either coursework or examination is 50%. Full details of module assessment are set out in each module handbook. Classification of Final Result for the Sc in HR To qualify for the award of the Sc in HR students must pass or receive condonement for all modules and achieve 210 credit points. To qualify for the award of the Sc in HR with distinction students must achieve an overall average mark of 70% or more, with a mark of at least 70% being achieved in modules amounting to 90 credit points, including the Research ethods and Dissertation module. In the case of direct entrants to the Sc in HR, to qualify for the award, students must pass the Research ethods and Dissertation module and achieve 60 credit points. In the case of direct entrants again, to qualify for the award of the Sc in HR with distinction, students must achieve a mark of 70% or more in the Research ethods and Dissertation module. Classification of the Final Result for the PgD in HR To qualify for the award of the PgD in HR students must pass or receive condonement for all modules and achieve 0 credit points. To qualify for the award of the PgD in HR with distinction students must achieve an overall average mark of 70% or more, with a mark of at least 70% being achieved in modules amounting to 75 credit points. Role of the External Examiner B9
PGD/Sc in Human Resource anagement Two External Examiners are appointed by the University who have the expertise to examine all of the module areas. External Examiners will fulfil their role as set out in the University s Handbook for External Examiners. In addition an Accredited Examiner is appointed by the CIPD who will fulfil their role as set out in the CIPDs (to be added) 1.16 INDICATORS OF QUALITY RELATING TO LEARNING AND TEACHING In the 2001 QAA Subject Review of Business and anagement the maximum score of 24 was awarded. any members of the teaching team are members of the Institute/Academy of Learning and Teaching. embers of the teaching team hold embership of CIPD at Chartered and Graduate level. In the 2002 Research Assessment Exercise a rating of 3A was achieved. In 2002 the PgD was revised in alignment with the new Generalist/Specialist and People anagement and Development standards and approved by CIPD and the University. B10