Human Resource Management - Admission with Credit (12 month fast-track route to the MA)
MA
Find out more about our courses by joining a live master’s webinar
Start dates: September 2025 / September 2026
Part time: 12 months
Location: Headington, Distance learning
Department(s): Oxford Brookes Business School
Overview
It’s no secret that the working environment is changing at a lightning-fast pace. And human resource management has an essential role to play in tackling issues in organisations around the world – from remote working after the pandemic to finding talent during the global shortage.
This course is suitable if you already have a level 7 PG diploma (120 credits) from Oxford Brookes or another recognised institution. You might be an experienced HR professional, already working at a senior level and wanting to consolidate previous learning into an MA. This can be a personal achievement, a desire to strengthen your own research skills and conduct research in HR, or an opportunity to strengthen your CV.
You’ll research a topic of interest to you. This could be a theoretical study exploring an aspect of HR that you are interested in or it could be applied to an actual issue that you are currently working on in your workplace. Ignite your potential and contribute effectively to your workplace development.
Why Oxford Brookes University?
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Flexible learning
Study from wherever you are, and fit the degree around your work and home commitments.
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Expert teaching
Learn from highly capable research staff.
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Support networks
As well as receiving high levels of personal support, you can network with graduates and their employers at our Annual Postgraduate HR Research Conference
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No exams
We’ve moved away from an exam assessment structure, so you’ll be graded on written assignments when studying Research Methods and an individual research project.
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Grow your career
Springboard your progression in the HR profession, with many graduates entering management or consultancy roles.
Course details
Course structure
We’ve designed this course to take you from postgraduate diploma (level 7, 120 credits) to a full MA award in human resource management.
The backbone of this degree is our module in critical investigation skills. Here, you’ll deepen your organisational knowledge and research skills through an individual written assignment and portfolio.
You’ll then combine theory, practice and critical reflection as you complete your research project. This is where you can focus on an area of human resource management that interests you. You could address broad issues in HRM or research a specific issue within an organisation.
You can opt to study online or a mix of online and in-person. Take part in group-based learning, virtual tutorials, discussion forums and find resources in our vast online library. You will also be able to participate in a range of classes at our Headington campus.
We care about your personal development and offer a supportive environment to learn in. Our student support coordinators will look out for you and your interests throughout your course.
Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Research
There are two research clusters in the International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies and the Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice which relate to this subject:
- Work and Organisations
- Management and Entrepreneurship Education.
Careers
By the end of this CIPD-accredited course, you’ll be able to work as a more informed practitioner, ready to enhance your professional practice. You can apply your knowledge to your current role, to projects within a large organisation, or even a family business.
You’ll be confident carrying your ideas through and will be ready to lead innovative projects – shaping the future of the business and all its intricate procedures.
Our MA graduates report that the course has supported them to enter management and consultancy level roles. Now, where could this course take your career?
Related courses
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
A Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (120 level 7 credits) from a recognised institution. At least two year’s relevant professional experience and a degree or equivalent, relevant professional qualification. Applicants are normally graduates with experience in a full-time HR role and a Postgraduate Diploma in HRM from any educational provider.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you will need to have the following level of English language competency:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 (with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in listening and speaking).
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
International qualifications and equivalences
How to apply
Application process
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Optional costs
| Additional costs | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
International Business in Practice Study Trip module (inc. accommodation for seven nights, insurance, company visits and group transportation for all activities). This fee did not include international airfare, visa application fee (if relevant), dinners and activities during your free time. |
£350-1500 |
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
| You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) |
£94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) |
£122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £10 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
All financial support and scholarships
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.