
Opleiding: MA International Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
Learning purpose
Drawing on our internationally recognised expertise in human resource management and employment relations, the International Human Resource Management and Employment Relations masters explores the changing nature of work and people management in a globalising economy - ideal for those working, or wanting to work, in international companies, NGOs, trade unions or development organisations.
Programme
You will be introduced to the tools and techniques of human resource management in an international context, and then explore issues that are proving critical to successful economic and social development in both the industrialised and industrialising world.
You can step off at postgraduate certificate level (after two modules), postgraduate diploma (after four modules and a management report) and MA level (after four modules and a dissertation).
- Approaches to Development: Theory and Practice (30 Credits) - Optional
- The module aims to develop understanding of the processes of development through examining how notions of development have changed over time paying particular attention to changing conceptualisations of development and who defines these or constructs our development knowledge . The issue of women s status and gender inequality is used as an example throughout the module to highlight changing conceptualisations around what and who are included in development agendas and what this means for the development of these individuals. Specific attention is paid to more recent policy initiatives particularly those promoted by the International Financial Institutions and through examination of these initiatives the module aims to develop a student s ability to critically evaluate policy and the policy formulation process, including critical deconstruction of the alternative development thinking that seeks to challenge the dominant neo liberal development paradigm.
- Creating and Sustaining an Organisational Learning Culture (30 Credits) - Optional
- To create and sustain an organisational culture and environment that is driven by a strategic Human Resource Development agenda and within which individuals potential, creativity and diversity is harnessed in such a way as to create value in terms of intellectual capital, learning capability and the achievement of organisational goals.
- Dissertation (60 Credits) - Compulsory
- The dissertation is the culmination of the learning process at Masters level. It is the mechanism through which students contribute to broader theoretical debates. The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to consolidate and synthesise their learning in human resource management through a predominantly self-managed in-depth study leading to a dissertation. Research methods sessions provide students with the knowledge framework and the skills necessary for undertaking a dissertation.
- Facilitating Learning, Development and Change (30 Credits) - Optional
- To provide specialist Human Resource Development practitioner/specialist with a framework for Facilitating Learning and Development Interventions that takes a critical and strategic view of theory and practice in respect of the development of people and organisations.
- Globalisation and Work (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module aims to examine new ways of working and new production paradigms in an internationalised economy, expressed through country and sectoral case studies. Changes in the international division of labour will be studied and government, employer, NGO, international financial institutions and trade union responses recorded. Particular attention will be focused on debates and controversies surrounding corporate social responsibility and international labour standards.
- International Migration and the Law (30 Credits) - Optional
- To provide students with a general knowledge and understanding of how international migration may be regulated; To enable students to understand the practical, political, social and other contexts which influence regulation; To examine UK immigration control as a case-study; to enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of an aspect of migration law.
- International Strategic HRM (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- This module provides an overview and understanding of international businesses and the variables which shape their aims. Develops participants appreciation of the challenges and complexities faced when managing people and the HRM function beyond national boundaries, particularly the cultural dimensions. It provides the opportunity to devise and implement appropriate people management strategies to support and add value to organisations and the people in them operating across national boundaries. It enables students to integrate all aspects of HRM in a coherent whole, looking at internal choices and strategies of the HRM function. In addition it enhances participants personal skills which impact upon the effectiveness of the individual managing or dealing with people across national boundaries.
- Managing the Employment Relationship (30 Credits) - Optional
- This module complements generalist management foundations and provides a specialist overview of contemporary employment relations focusing on the individual aspects associated with employee resourcing, collective aspects associated with employee relations and the legal and regulatory aspects common to both areas.
- Recruitment Selection and Assessment (30 Credits) - Optional
- To equip those studying the programme with the knowledge and operating skills in all the principal aspects of People Resourcing
- The Organisation in International Context (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- This core module develops a critical appreciation of how the behaviour of groups and individuals within organisations has shaped and been re-shaped by global changes in product and service markets. Special reference will also be made to the difficulties and ethical considerations encountered when managing organisations within differing political, economic and social contexts.
- Total Reward (30 Credits) - Optional
- Total Reward is a strategy that organisations adopt to motivate staff by financial and non-financial means, whilst aiming for high performance. All the usual pay and benefits subjects will be covered, together with a substantial input on performance management. The latter part of the programme will cover subjects such as recognition, effective leadership, learning and development, and the working environment which can strongly influence satisfaction at work.
Entry Requirements
We welcome applications from graduates with a good honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject. We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.
English language requirements
You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (paper based) 575 or TOEFL (internet based) 90 with specified minimum scores for each component.
Professional perspective and employment market
Our MA International HRM and Employment Relations graduates are highly successful in obtaining well-paid employment and many receive several job offers. As a graduate you will have excellent career prospects and the range of potential employers will be vast including within the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
Where do our graduates go?
Based on data from the respondents of the 2007 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey, six months after graduating
- 93% of Middlesex HRM graduates were in employment
- 3.5% were assumed to be unemployed
- 3.5% were doing something else, such as travelling

