Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science
- Duration
- 12 months
- How to apply
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | Y | N | N | N |
Course overview
This new and improved HR course will shape the next generation of HR professionals, practitioners and line managers.
- Become a highly skilled and knowledgeable specialist who can strategically and practically contribute to people management leadership, organisational decision-making and performance within the UK and internationally.
- Graduates will be prepared to influence how employees are valued and treated within organisations, upholding the principles of fairness, dignity at work and social responsibility; core values championed by the University of Manchester.
- Students can take the international pathway to deepen their insights into how different economic, institutional and production systems can shape Employment Relations and HRM practices across the globe.
- This Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) accredited course, at a triple-accredited and top UK business school, will provide you with the essential knowledge, skills and expertise for your future career journey.
Open days
Alliance Manchester Business School and the university both hold regular events throughout the year, including webinars, information sessions and the annual on-campus Master’s Expo. All of which offer the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses from our academic and admissions staff.
This year sign up for webinars as part of our ‘
Original Thinking for the Next Generation
’ Webinar series, exclusively at Alliance Manchester Business School. Join a webinar to hear from academics and employers about the skills students gain, how they are applied in the workplace, and where they could take you next.
We also attend a number of education fairs both in the UK and overseas throughout the year. For more details on how you can meet us,
Fees
Fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026 were as follows:
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £15,800
International, including EU, students (per annum): £31,000
The fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs.
Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information .
Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.
Learn more about - student finance options for UK students.
Learn more about - fees and finance for international students.
Graduates of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ and Manchester Metropolitan University can receive a 10% discount on their master's degree tuition fees as part of our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount scheme.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School/Faculty overview
-
Alliance Manchester Business School was established in 1965 as one of the UK's first two business schools. Today, we are the UK's largest campus-based business and management school, and 'Original Thinking Applied' is at the heart of everything we do. .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Application and selection
How to apply
Course details
Course description
People are at the heart of any workplace. Managing and developing them is essential to help organisations achieve their goals, and support employees to thrive and lead meaningful working lives.
- Develop up-to-date knowledge of the theoretical foundations and real-world practice of human resource management and employment relations, both in the UK and internationally
- Understand the impact of AI and digitalisation on the world of work.
- Build an in-depth understanding of contemporary developments in HRM.
- Academic skills development workshops to help transition into master's level coursework requirements.
- Emphasise your professional skill development with opportunities to participate in the annual MSc HRM and case study competition, inter-university student debate, a live negotiation exercise and career development workshops.
- The independent dissertation project provides an opportunity to engage and conduct research with real-world employers'
- Learn from experienced academics and researchers who are part of the University of Manchester’s Works and Equalities Institute (WEI) a leading international employment research centre.
This programme offers a comprehensive analytical and practical understanding of the management and development of people (HRM) and managing the relationship between management/employers and workers (employee/employment relations). This is studied within the international socio-economic, digital, institutional and political context in which organisations are embedded globally. The programme has a rich legacy of teaching and research on HRM, employment relations and regulation of more than three decades.
Students will gain fundamental knowledge to operate effectively across all domains of HRM.
At AMBS we offer a critical understanding of the complex interplay between organisations and their external environment. You’ll learn about the diverse ways in which contextual factors and national/supranational developments, such as technological innovation, digitalisation, and labour migration create opportunities and constraints for HRM and employment relations, shaping people management strategies within organisations.  
Special features
Manchester Industrial Relations Society Debate: 
An annual competition hosted by AMBS, this event brings together students on the HRM and Employment Relations programme to compete with other universities. Hone your critical thinking and argumentation skills, while learning about recent issues in the HRM and employment relations field.
Annual MSc HRM Conference: 
Featuring a case study competition judged by industry leaders in HR, this event sees students provide solutions to real-life industry problems. The conference provides an excellent opportunity to network and develop students’ consultancy skills. The event also invites alumni and practitioners as guest speakers.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Conference: 
An opportunity to learn about the latest HR trends, meet HR solution providers and hear from industry experts. The Annual CIPD Conference and Exhibition, held in Manchester, features numerous free sessions for students to attend.
Professional and Interpersonal Skills
Alongside your studies you can access a wide-range of additional activities and events to help you develop your professional and interpersonal skills, both essential for HR roles.
Beyond the classroom series:
Beyond the classroom offers a rich programme of activities that complement your academic studies and help you make the most of your time at Alliance Manchester Business School. From networking with peers, alumni and industry professionals to enhancing your academic and professional skills, the programme is designed to support your personal development, career ambitions and overall student experience throughout the year.
Careers Support and Skills Development:
Students also benefit from exposure to real-world workplace challenges through professional conferences, negotiation exercises, industry guest speakers and career-focused events delivered in partnership with organisations such as the CIPD, ACAS and the Manchester Industrial Relations Society. Alongside dedicated support from the Postgraduate Careers Service, the programme provides valuable opportunities to develop professional skills, expand networks and apply classroom learning to contemporary workplace contexts.
Teaching and learning
The MSc HRM and Employment Relations course combines a variety of theoretical approaches, alongside the development of practical and transferable skills. Lectures are complemented by practical activities and sessions with expert professionals. The teaching approach is both interdisciplinary and research-driven, and it is led by a group of passionate and internationally recognised academics.
Students have the chance to participate in a live negotiation exercise, debate and an annual conference with a case study competition which allows students to interact with industry professionals and gain insight into their postgraduate careers.
The programme is taught by academics who collectively have studied all aspects of HRM and Employment relations including, employment relations, comparative HRM, regulation at work, fairness, equality diversity and inclusion as well as digital aspects of HRM and employment.
Course unit details
During the course you will be taking 180 credits. The eight taught modules during semester one and two total 120 credits and consist of both compulsory and optional taught units which can be viewed in the list below.
In the summer semester, you will carry out your Research Dissertation, worth 60 credits. This will provide you with the practical opportunity to work with real-world businesses and organisations, developing critical business research and problem-solving skills on a topic of your interest. 
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
This programme will equip graduates for careers in HR and employment relations and broader people management leadership roles (e.g., line management in various organisational departments), across the private, public and third sector (e.g. NGOs).
Students will be able to take positions in people-focused teams such as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion roles, people development, recruitment and culture development.
Prepare for future roles such as; People Analytics Specialist, AI & Digital HR Lead, and Organisational Development, that drive business results through data-informed, human-centric, and adaptable people strategies.
Recent recruiters
Air Astana, Amazon, Balfour Beatty, Ernst & Young, Lloyds TSB, Mckinsey and Company, MPA Consulting, Morrisons, Nestlé, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Reed Global, Shoppers Stop Ltd, Sony, TATA Consultancy Services and Tesco plc.
AMBS Career's Service
AMBS Master’s students have dedicated careers support designed to build employability and connect you with employers. You’ll have access to employability sessions covering applications, CVs, interviews and LinkedIn; tailored workshops with feedback; and one-to-one support with a careers consultant. You can also engage with employer and alumni insights through guest speaker events, and keep track of opportunities through the online careers platform. The AMBS postgraduate careers support works closely with the University Careers Service, giving access to careers fairs, employer presentations and advertised vacancies.
