MSc, 1 year full time
Register your interest for 2015 entry
Subject overview
- Our courses are taught by world-renowned faculty with a strong background in relevant areas of research.
- Our range of courses builds on Sussex’s strong foundation of interdisciplinary study, encompassing corporate risk management, entrepreneurship, international finance, and international and innovation management.
- Our teaching is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to compete effectively in the fast-paced world of work. We tailor our taught courses to meet current and future employer demands, and will continue to adapt to the changing employment market.
- Our courses offer a choice between practice- and research-oriented study opportunities. They have been developed drawing on the expertise and input of experienced practitioners from industry and professional bodies. These experts complement our own expertise in research and help to enrich your learning experience.
Global perspective
55th in the world for international outlook
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013-2014
Academic quality
14th in the UK
43rd in Europe
111th in the world
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014-2015
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1,600 km2 of South Downs
National Park area -
4,600
students live on campus -
700,000 books and e-books, and
30,000 journals in the library -
13,800
students study at Sussex -
Around 4,500 full- and
part-time jobs advertised each year
Over 900 paid internships
advertised in the last 18 months
300 careers events each year -
£500-million future investment
in campus buildings and facilities -
Over 95 countries across the world
are home to Sussex graduates -
956 academic staff
1,214 professional services staff -
140 student societies and
over 30 sports clubs -
28,000-seater American
Express Community Stadium -
£24.7-million
research income -
< 9 minutes to Brighton
< 30 minutes to Gatwick Airport
< 60 minutes to central London
< 90 minutes to Heathrow Airport
Accreditation
This MSc is pending accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional association of HR professionals in the UK. Pending the completion of this accreditation, the course will lead to a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management. This is the highest level of accreditation by the CIPD.
You will have the option to become a Student Member of the CIPD during your studies. The CIPD provides a number of events and other career opportunities designed to enhance your employability. As a graduate – once you have successfully demonstrated the required level of expertise – you can use this on your CV, offering you a significant advantage in the job market.
Programme outline
This is a new and fascinating course for those interested in the field of human resource management. The course is open to applicants from all backgrounds and encourages those with a first degree from a wide range of social sciences including Business and Management, Psychology, Economics, Sociology, Social Policy, Law, Politics, Education, etc.
The course offers specialised knowledge of human resource strategies, policies and practices, placing them in their wider economic and social context. It provides students with an in-depth theoretical and practical understanding of the world of work. It also equips them with critical thinking skills that contemporary HR managers need to deal effectively and responsibly with the challenges of an increasingly uncertain environment.
The members of staff who teach in this course are international experts in their respective fields, and specifically in the areas of employee engagement, strategic HRM, employee voice, international careers, and diversity management. All members of staff are committed to research-led teaching and student-centred approaches to provide you with best possible student experience.
In this course you should expect to learn how to challenge conventional wisdom, think “outside of the box” and develop your confidence. You are given an opportunity to develop key analytical and problem-solving skills and work effectively under conditions of pressure. This course offers an environment for collaborative learning including teaching in the state-of-the-art Jubilee Building that was opened in September 2012.
The course also offers you the opportunity to attend a wide range of career-enhancing events organised by our Careers and Employability Centre and provides you with access to potential employers. In addition, your studies benefit from lecture and seminar series featuring international speakers and leading professional experts.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by a combination of briefing papers, reports, essays, group presentations, group project reports, unseen exams and a research project.
We continue to develop and update our modules for 2015 entry to ensure you have the best student experience. In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the Modules tab.
Our course is designed to meet CIPD accreditation standards.
Autumn term: You take four core modules: Work, Employment and HRM in Context • Employment Relations • Leading, Managing and Developing People • Developing Skills for Business Leadership
Spring term: You take four core modules: International Human Resource Management • Talent Management • Research Methods • Strategic HRM and Employee Engagement
You also take one option from among Managing Knowledge • Management of Negotiation • Corporate Governance and CSR • Critical Perspectives on Management, Organisations and Innovation
Summer term: you take Research Project (Human Resource Management) and work on your independent project.
Current modules
Please note that these are the core modules and options (subject to availability) for students starting in the academic year 2015.
Core modules
- Developing Skills for Business Leadership
- Employment Relations
- International Human Resource Management
- Leading, Managing and Developing People
- Research Methods (Management and Human Resources Management)
- Research Project in Human Resource Management
- Strategic Human Resource Management and Employee Engagement
- Talent Management
- Work, Employment and Human Resource Management in Context
Options
Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
This module is aimed at students on the range of 'conversion' type of MSc programmes across the department and is delivered in the International Accounting and Governance programme as a core. The focus is on contemporary perspectives and practices within the broadly defined areas of Corporate Social Responsibility and Governance.
The module starts from the premise that CSR is a contested, problematic and developing area of study. There is an acceptance that an understanding of ethical frameworks is required to inform debate on this subject and that research generated evidence and insights are necessary to substantiate assertion.
The focus is also practical, and you will individually undertake research into an organisation's orientation and practice towards its stakeholders. A critical and questioning approach to this will be encouraged and required to 'see beyond' the often platitudinous veneer that can characterise this relationship.
Throughout the module the emphasis will be on devloping your own coherent and informed view of matters such as corporate and governance, together with issues of professional ethics within a globalised context. In particular, we examine the extent to which corporate governance practices are moving towards convergence.
The coursework requires you to work individually to produce a case study analysis of contemporary stakeholder issues and to thereby further your understanding and exercise research skills and judgement. Supporting and underpinning this is a week by week seminar programme requiring you to ascertain and appreciate your own and others' 'ethical profiles', locate and interpret research-based insights and undertake case study analysis of organisational practices and professional ethical dilemmas.
An examination will test your grasp of relevant concepts, theory and ability to apply insights.
Developing Skills for Business Leadership
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
Employment Relations
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
International Human Resource Management
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
This module aims to introduce you to concepts, issues and debates around human resource management and employment relations within the context of the growing internationalisation of business. It will look at the implications of the rise of multinational corporations and foreign direct investment for employment, and the particular challenges of managing a workforce across national borders. The module will adopt a comparative perpective for the discussion of the variability of key human resource practices across different national contexts. The module will weave together two key themes of international differences in HR management and the HRM practices of corporations that operate in multiple country locations.
Some of the topics that may be included are as follows:
- Specific HRM function areas (such as pay/rewards systems, working time, employee voice at the company or sector level)
- The variability in the interpretation of high performance HRM systems
- The global diffusion of HRM practices
- Different 'home country' effects shaping MNC employment practices
- International assignments as an HRM tool
- The gendered dimensions of MNC HRM practies
- The role of culture in global diversity management
- Corporate social responsibility issues
- Global talent management
- Implications of outsourcing and off-shoring for HRM etc
Leading, Managing and Developing People
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
Management of Negotiation
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
This module equips you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to manage the negotiation process at the tactical and strategic levels. Managing negotiations is inherently interdisciplinary and multi-functional, therefore the approach is integrative. Organisational, behavioural and psychological elements are studied together, with the objective of improving the effectiveness of negotiations.
The principal argument is that the main techniques are common to all negotiations, however organisational, behavioural and psychological considerations constrain choices and actions in specific contexts.
The module provides participants with a broad understanding of the negotiation process and the development of negotiating strategies and tactics across a range of contexts. Conceptual foundations are studied and combined with role play and live scenario building (including video feedback), enabling you to formulate and explore ideas, and providing opportunities to extend your negotiating skills.
Managing Knowledge
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
This module outlines the key institutional and organisational forms underpinning the emerging knowledge economy, looking closely at the pivotal role that knowledge workers play in the creation, application and diffusion of knowledge within and between firms.
You will consider new approaches to managing learning processes in the firm, including recent developments such as knowledge management and novel organisational structures. You will explore the role of labour mobility through different types of knowledge worker communities and networks. You will also consider the role of open-source innovation and knowledge transfer within and across epistemic communities, the role of new human resource management approaches, and network mapping techniques. You will go on to consider how certain skills are coming to play a critical role in the knowledge economy, such as knowledge brokering and gate-keeping. Finally, you will explore how labour market institutions that impact on careers shape different approaches to knowledge generation, and be introduced to key concepts associated with knowledge transfer, including social capital, knowledge exploration and exploitation, and the role of key actors in knowledge transfer.
Research Methods (Management and Human Resources Management)
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
Research Project in Human Resource Management
45 credits
Summer teaching, year 1
Strategic Human Resource Management and Employee Engagement
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
Talent Management
15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
Work, Employment and Human Resource Management in Context
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
Entry requirements
UK entrance requirements
A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in a management, humanities or social science subject would be the best preparation for this course; applicants from science, technology or quantitative subjects will need to demonstrate that their previous study required extensive reading. Applicants with an equivalent professional qualification will also be considered.
Overseas entrance requirements
- Overseas qualifications
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If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
The following table is given as a general guide for our taught postgraduate degrees requiring a first- or upper-second class undergraduate honours degree. If you have any questions, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Country Overseas qualification Australia Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division Brazil Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8 Canada Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+) China Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university Cyprus Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5 France Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13 Germany Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better Ghana Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division Greece Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7 Hong Kong Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division India Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent Iran Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15 Italy Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105 Japan Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent Malaysia Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0 or B+ Mexico Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8 Nigeria Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.5/5.0 Pakistan Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3 Russia Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 South Africa Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70% Saudi Arabia Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent South Korea Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent Spain Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4 Taiwan Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university Thailand Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent Turkey Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university United Arab Emirates Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent USA Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university Vietnam Masters degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each section.
For more information, refer to What qualifications do I need?
Visas and immigration
Find out more about Visas and immigration.
Additional entry information
If you are a non-EU student and your qualifications (including English language) do not yet meet our entry requirements for admission directly to this degree, we offer a Pre-Masters entry route. For more information, refer to Pre-Masters for international students.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex
For pre-application enquiries:
Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
For post-application enquiries:
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
Related courses
Fees and funding
Fees
Fees for studying on courses available on a part-time basis will be charged at 50 per cent of the full-time fees listed below.
Home UK/EU students:
£6,060 per year1
Overseas students:
£14,450 per year2
1
The fee shown is for the academic year 2015.
2
The fee shown is for the academic year 2015.
For more information on fee status, visit Fees
Scholarships
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
Visit Postgraduate taught scholarships 2015
Visit Career development and part-time work
For more information on scholarships go to the Scholarships web pages.
Faculty interests
Prof Katie Bailey
Professor Of Management
K.Bailey@sussex.ac.uk
Research interests: callings, Change Management, employee engagement, gender and employment, HRM in the public sector, Human resource management, knowledge-intensive firms, meaningful work, strategic human resource management
Dr Odul Bozkurt
Senior Lecturer in International Human Resource Management
O.Bozkurt@sussex.ac.uk
Research interests: economic sociology, globalization and work, international human resource management, Japan, managerial and high skilled careers, retail employment, skills and employment, social class and employment, Sociology of work and organizations, UK retailing
Dr Benjamin Everly
Lecturer In Organisational Behaviour
B.Everly@sussex.ac.uk
Research interests: Diversity management, gender and management, Intergroup relations, Race and gender equality
Dr Andreas Kornelakis
Lecturer in Human Resource Management
A.Kornelakis@sussex.ac.uk
Research interests: Banking Sector, Collective Bargaining, Comparative Studies, Employee Voice, Europe, Flexibility, Human resource management, Labour relations, Pay Determination, Pay Systems, Political economy, Telecommunications, Work
Dr Matias Ramirez
Senior Lecturer in Management
Matias.Ramirez@sussex.ac.uk
Research interests: Land Use
Dr Cathrine Seierstad
Lecturer in International Human Resource Management
C.Seierstad@sussex.ac.uk
Research interests: corporate governance, Diversity management, gender, Human resource management, Race and gender equality, Women and leadership, women on boards, work-life balance
Dr Hataya Sibunruang
Lecturer In Organisational Behaviour
H.Sibunruang@sussex.ac.uk
Research interests: Organisational behaviour
Careers and profiles
This course provides you with a professional qualification (CIPD membership). This is essential for an HR career in the UK, since the majority of UK employers do require it from prospective employees. This will likely enhance your employability and make your CV much more attractive in the job market.
This course also provides you with a comprehensive curriculum to enter a range of careers in the field of human resources and take up roles such as: Compensation & Benefits Advisor; Diversity & Inclusion Manager; Employee Engagement Consultant; Employee Relations Expert; Head-hunter; HR Generalist; HR Information Systems Advisor; Recruitment & Development Administrator; Reward Manager.
Finally, this course offers you an advanced research methods training and the opportunity to carry out an independent piece of research. This may well prepare you for further study at PhD level or for careers in research consultancies and research institutes.
School and contacts
Contact us
School of Business,
Management and Economics,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SL, UK
T +44 (0)1273 872668
E bmec@sussex.ac.uk
School of Business, Management and Economics Online Open Event
Find out more about the taught postgraduate (Masters) courses offered by the School, and understand how they can boost your career prospects.
Wednesday 15 April to Wednesday 29 April
To secure your place, register for our Online Open Event today
Visit the Department of Business and Management
Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
If you cannot make it to our Postgraduate Open Day, you are welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in autumn, spring and early summer and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.
Book your place on one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
Other ways to visit Sussex
We run weekly guided campus tours year round.
Book your place on one of our guided campus tours
You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.
Our online campus tour can also give you an excellent introduction to the University.
Overseas visits
Meet with Sussex staff in your country at exhibitions, visits to schools and universities, and at a wide range of other events. Forthcoming visits are planned all over the world:
Bahrain • Brazil • Brunei • Canada • China • Colombia • France • Germany • Ghana • Greece • Hong Kong • India • Indonesia • Iraq • Italy • Japan • Kenya • Kuwait • Malaysia • Mexico • Nigeria • Norway • Pakistan • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Singapore • South Korea • Spain • Sri Lanka • Taiwan • Thailand • Turkey • UAE • USA • Vietnam.
In-country representatives
In the International Office, we manage a network of overseas representatives who have been trained to support international students with their application to study at the University. Services representatives provide can include pre-departure information, support in submitting your housing application and advice regarding applying for a UK Student Visa.
Find out more about our overseas visits and in-country representatives
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