Course overview

This course by block delivery (CIPD supported distance learning) is aimed at individuals who wish to pursue a career in the management of human resources and provides the opportunity for participants to take a critical approach and examine, challenge and extend their understanding of human resource management (HRM) processes and their influence on organisational and individual effectiveness. Throughout the pathway emphasis is placed on the development of reflective practitioners and 'thinking performers' by encouraging students to relate their learning experiences in previous and current working roles by both discussion within the learning groups, discussion topics via the VLE and also by assessments designed in order that issues within their workplaces can be explored using critical theory application.

Additional course information

Upon completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse the theories and principles underpinning leading, managing and developing people and HRM.
2. Advise on and implement a range of operational and tactical systems and processes in the field of HRM.
3. Use problem solving, analytical and interpersonal skills that can be transferred, with confidence, to the workplace.
4. Identify, analyse and respond to political, social, economic, technological, legal and ethical factors influencing the operations of their employing organisations and its HRM policies.
5. Create and implement initiatives and procedures in response to internal and external pressures on the organisation.
6. Critically examine current thinking concerning the strategic role of HRM in relation to the competitive advantage of organisations.
7. Analyse the future potential role of HRM as a strategic component of management.

Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management will provide students with the underpinning knowledge for professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as an associate member, chartered member or chartered fellow

This course focuses upon the furtherance of appreciation of the global marketplace in terms of impact upon labour markets and issues for HR practitioners working in a multi-national corporation within an international environment. The course will address and consider the changing nature of employment further to the global credit crunch and the changing nature of the economic climate or world order. As such it will provide great benefit for professional practitioners who wish to develop their skills and appreciation for people management from an international and comparative perspective.

Assessment

Assignment, portfolio and examination

Additional assessment information

The summative assessment of the modules will be a 4,000 word, a portfolio or 3 hour examination. Initially it will assess for example, the analysis of the concept of employee engagement, and the empirical and philosophical connections between employee engagement, managerial leadership, strategic aspirations and explore the critical contribution of employee engagement. Then it will further require an analysis of the relationships, causal or correlational, between levels of employee engagement and organisational performance and the systematic evaluation of levels of employee engagement and creation of justified, cost-effective and strategically defensible action plans.

Special features

Block Learning

Facilities

Classrooms, VLE, Digital library

Meet the team

Dr Diane Keeble-Ramsay
Dr Andrew Armitage
Dr Theresa Simpkins
Dr Ten-Guan Khoo

Associated careers

HR Director, HR Manager, HR Officer, Training Officer

Additional careers information

Personnel roles

Links with industry/Professional recognition

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

CIPD awarded qualifications are offered at centres with no qualification awarding powers, in this instance CIPD awards the qualification.

CIPD approved qualifications are offered at centres that have qualification awarding powers, e.g. university awards and university validated awards, in this instance the centre awards their own qualification which CIPD has approved as being of equivalent content and value to a CIPD qualification.

For CIPD awarded Advanced level qualifications, there is a network of examiners and moderators who play a key role in the quality assurance arrangements. A CIPD external moderator is appointed by CIPD and is responsible for checking the quality of proposed assessments in order to ensure they meet the requirements of the qualification and level. They are assigned to a number of centres and sample assessments and complete moderation reports for their centres and regional moderator and CIPD. The management research reports are subject to benchmarking with the National Standards Moderating Team.

For CIPD approved Intermediate and Advanced level qualifications, centres must appoint a minimum of two external examiners, one academic and one experienced practitioner. They should be Chartered or Academic members of the CIPD. The general role of external examiners is to look at draft assessment materials and samples of candidates' coursework and examination scripts. They also review borderline cases and take part in decisions made by the Board of Examiners. They write annual reports on centres and make recommendations for improving quality. These reports are forwarded to CIPD to inform quality assurance monitoring, in addition to management research reports being subject to sampling by the CIPD National Standards Moderation Team.

Entry requirements

Degree or equivalent