Course overview
Our MSc Human Resource Management (HRM) programme is designed to capture the realities of the contemporary Human Resource (HR) profession and seeks to develop the HR careers of our students. The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), whose qualifications are the recognised professional standard for HR and training specialists working across Ireland, the UK, the Middle East and Asia.
A mix of research-led academics and senior HR professionals teach on the programme. Adopting a strategic focus, the MSc HRM equips HR professionals to successfully deal with the challenges facing the HR function in contemporary organisations. The duration of the programme is one year for full-time students and two years for part-time students.
Recognition
Study method
- Blended
- In-class
- Online
Duration study load
- 1 Year Full-time
- 2 Years Part-time
Entry requirements
Minimum Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8, or equivalent) (eg Higher Diploma)
Applicants who do not meet the minimum primary degree requirement will be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) on the basis of other qualifications and relevant professional experience in the field of human resource management, industrial relations, training and development, employment policy, or related field. An interview may form part of the application process in this regard.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information, please submit an enquiry.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure, please submit an enquiry.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants; please check the fact file above. For more information, please submit an enquiry to find out more.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.
Professional recognition
Accredited by CPD
Assessment
We use a variety of approaches to assessment across the programme. While a small number of formal written examinations must be undertaken, the broad choice of assessment adopted in the programme is designed to help develop the professional skills needed in an HR career.
Assessment includes presentations, role plays and negotiations, organisational analysis, and report compilation, etc.
Who's it for?
This programme has been designed specifically to enable students to develop a successful career in the broad HR domain. Our strategic focus encourages students to strengthen their critical thinking skills regarding the role of the HR function in contemporary firms.
We designed our MSc Human Resource Management modules carefully so that they capture the realities of the HR profession with a specific focus on emerging and significant issues such as data analytics, healthy organisations, and talent development. The teaching team on this programme is made up of world-class academics and expert practitioners, and there is a strong focus on professional development skills to help prepare students for the next step in their careers.
A series of distinguished speakers from key international firms contribute to the delivery of the programme, providing students with expert advice on the most important HR issues affecting the industry. The Applied Research Project allows students to conduct research on a real-life HR issue, developing their consultancy, communication, and analytical skills.
Delivery
The MSc Human Resource Management programme is delivered twice a week per semester for full-time students and once a week per semester for part-time students. We have a blended approach to teaching with content delivered in-class, online, as well as through a variety of workshops. As a level 9 MSc, there will be considerable reading hours on this programme.
Students will work individually as well as in groups. In the Applied Research Project (MG6825), in Part II of the programme, students partner with an organisation to conduct research on a real-life HR issue, during which time they receive dedicated mentoring from academic staff.
Subjects
This programme comprises two parts with a total of 90 credits.
About University College Cork
University College Cork is ranked in the top 1.1% of universities in the world. It is Ireland’s leading institution for the delivery of research impact and the top Irish institution for highly cited researchers. We are the leading global university for sustainability and the Irish university with the highest level of industry collaboration.
The university was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen's Colleges located in Belfast, Cork, and Galway. It became University College, Cork, under the Irish Universities Act 1908. The Universities Act 1997 renamed the university as National University of Ireland, Cork, and a Ministerial Order of 1998 renamed the university as University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork, though it continues to be almost universally known as University College Cork.
