Strategic Human Resource Management

MA

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

  • September 2026

This qualification galvanises learners with a depth and breadth of understanding of people practice and management to furnish them with the insight and strategy development skills required to operate and lead in an organisational setting at this level.

This course is designed to give learners an in-depth understanding of Strategic HRM and its associated functions. It is suited to individuals who: 

  • Are experienced people practitioners
  • Are working in a senior people practice role and wish to extend and deepen their skills and understanding to shape strategy, policy and people
  • Wish to shape people practice, creating value for a wider audience
  • Are currently leading and managing people and practice within organisations.

Students will be already working within the HRM profession or associated roles. This course will enable graduates to access HRM roles at the highest levels within organisations.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Strategic Human Resource Management

Duration

University of Staffordshire postgraduate courses are usually 1 academic year duration when studying full-time and 2-3 academic years duration for part-time.

This qualification galvanises learners with a depth and breadth of understanding of people practice and management to furnish them with the insight and strategy development skills required to operate and lead in an organisational setting at this level.

This course is designed to give learners an in-depth understanding of Strategic HRM and its associated functions. It is suited to individuals who: 

  • Are experienced people practitioners
  • Are working in a senior people practice role and wish to extend and deepen their skills and understanding to shape strategy, policy and people
  • Wish to shape people practice, creating value for a wider audience
  • Are currently leading and managing people and practice within organisations.

Students will be already working within the HRM profession or associated roles. This course will enable graduates to access HRM roles at the highest levels within organisations.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Strategic Human Resource Management

Duration

University of Staffordshire postgraduate courses are usually 1 academic year duration when studying full-time and 2-3 academic years duration for part-time.

Course content

The course is designed to give students a broad breadth of knowledge and understanding across the HR function. Topics will include Organisational performance and culture, Employment relations, Evidence based practice, Learning and Development, Talent management, Reward management and Employment law.

The course is designed to give students a broad breadth of knowledge and understanding across the HR function. Topics will include Organisational performance and culture, Employment relations, Evidence based practice, Learning and Development, Talent management, Reward management and Employment law.

Professional body accreditation

Approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 2 compulsory modules
Business Research In People Practice 60 credits

Entry requirements

2.2 in Related subject/ Level 5 CIPD qualification/ Experience working in a Human Resource function

2.2 in Related subject/ Level 5 CIPD qualification/ Experience working in a Human Resource function

Careers

This award will be invaluable to students and HR professionals, who wish to progress their career to the top levels of HR and people management  

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

This award will be invaluable to students and HR professionals, who wish to progress their career to the top levels of HR and people management  

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Methods used to deliver this curriculum are designed to provide the student with a critical view of the’ best’ or ‘good’ practice, set into the context of the latest theories, models and frameworks. There will be a focus on a problem and practised based learning and teaching strategy.  Which is designed to develop the academic critical analysis skills and the practical HR skills needed to be an effective HR professional. The methods of teaching and learning used will vary according to the nature of the subject.

Assessment

The assessment for this award is assignment-based. The assignments are varied, some based on skills assessments, reports and reflective statements allowing students to gain skills that are needed and necessary for a career in people management and HR.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on all your assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission of your assessment. For some assessments the feedback period will be less than 20 working days. However, it may be the case that the 20 day rule for some assessments cannot be met for justified reasons (for example, modules on which a large number of students are enrolled). However, it is anticipated that this will apply to only a small number of modules on your award and, in those cases, the feedback return period will not exceed 25 days.

Teaching

Methods used to deliver this curriculum are designed to provide the student with a critical view of the’ best’ or ‘good’ practice, set into the context of the latest theories, models and frameworks. There will be a focus on a problem and practised based learning and teaching strategy.  Which is designed to develop the academic critical analysis skills and the practical HR skills needed to be an effective HR professional. The methods of teaching and learning used will vary according to the nature of the subject.

Assessment

The assessment for this award is assignment-based. The assignments are varied, some based on skills assessments, reports and reflective statements allowing students to gain skills that are needed and necessary for a career in people management and HR.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on all your assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission of your assessment. For some assessments the feedback period will be less than 20 working days. However, it may be the case that the 20 day rule for some assessments cannot be met for justified reasons (for example, modules on which a large number of students are enrolled). However, it is anticipated that this will apply to only a small number of modules on your award and, in those cases, the feedback return period will not exceed 25 days.

Staff

The teaching staff for this course are a mix of academics with many years of experience in HRM subjects and HR practitioners that have or are currently working in the HR Profession.

Please note, teaching team staff members may change during your studies.

Andrew Hanks

Senior Lecturer

Postgraduate HRM Award Leader Andy joined Staffordshire University in the summer of 2015 after spending four years at Keele University whilst he completed a PhD in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations. Before entering academia as…

Andrew's profile

Lynne Williams

Senior Lecturer

Lynne is a lecturer in Leadership, Management and Innovation. She is responsible for developing micro and small business start ups, scale ups with innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.

Lynne's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,435 per course £17,500 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Not included in the fees:

Whilst studying this CIPD qualification, it will be mandatory that you become a Student Member of the CIPD if you wish for your results to be mapped against the CIPD Professional Map.

Whilst studying this CIPD qualification, it will be mandatory that you become a Student Member of the CIPD if you wish for your results to be mapped against the CIPD Professional Map.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply now to Strategic Human Resource Management

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Full-time, September start 21 September 2026 Applications are not currently open for this course.

Apply now to Strategic Human Resource Management

Applications are not currently open for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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Study options
Full-time
Part-time
January start
for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025

TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021