Human Resource Management and Training MSc, PGDip, by distance learning
2 - 2.5 years
Our programmes in HR management and training gives you the flexibility to work from home, so you don’t fall behind in your professional life. Without strategic guidance and education, employees and organisations have a tough time making real progress. With high-level knowledge and skills in human resource management and training, you'll be the one that makes all the difference.
Course information
UK fee £10,950
International fee £10,950
Taught by School of Business
Admissions enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 5281
Submit a course enquiry
Course enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 2041
ulsb@le.ac.uk
Course description
Course description
This degree looks in-depth at human resource management and training processes and their relationship with organisational performance and culture. You will acquire the specialist knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a professional in the field of HR management and training.
You will gain a comprehensive grounding and critical understanding of a variety of human resource management topics including recruitment, managing labour relations, workplace learning and employee development. You will also look at the culture of organisations and the workplace and the broader environmental factors that can impact on the decision-making of human resource management and training professionals.
This degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge to engage critically with theories and practices around training and learning in the workplace and the role of the human resources practitioner. It will also develop your practical transferable skills such as oral and written presentations, problem solving, team-working, self-appraisal, and independence in the planning and management of learning.
This course has been design to meet your needs if you are either a newly qualified graduate or an experienced professional looking to enhance your career prospects.
In addition the masters route gives you the choice of completing your studies in two or two and half years. In the standard two and half year model you will study all of the modules sequentially before moving onto your dissertation. In our accelerated two-year model you will study module one before studying modules two and three simultaneously, before going on to study your fourth module and then your dissertation.
You'll also have the opportunity to gain a Level 7 CIPD qualification at the same time as studying your MSc Human Resource Management and Training. This will incur costs by joining CIPD as a student member.
We have over 30 years experience of offering distance learning education that gives you the flexibility to fit your study around existing commitments and enhance your careers prospects without having to leave employment, as well as the opportunity to build your global network.
What's the difference?
If you take the Postgraduate Diploma you will follow the same course structure and use the same course materials as the MSc but will not complete a dissertation. If you register for the Postgraduate Diploma and at the end of the final module have enough pass marks, you can transfer to the MSc, pay the fee difference and complete the dissertation.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A first- or second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant field
- Or an approved professional qualification coupled with three years or more suitable professional experience
If you do not hold a relevant qualification but have three or more years of substantial work experience in human resources, management, training or employee relations then you can be considered for the course based on providing a copy of your CV and a personal statement of 500-1,000 words detailing your suitability and relevant work experience.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in October 2025 and April 2026
- MSc: £10,950
- PGDip: £7,295
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding. A Sanctuary Scholarship is available on this course for refugees/asylum seekers and their dependants.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you're eligible.
International Students
Starting in October 2025 and April 2026
- MSc: £10,950
- PGDip: £7,295
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding. A Sanctuary Scholarship is available on this course for refugees/asylum seekers and their dependants.
Accreditation
Accreditation
The University of Leicester School of Business is a CIPD Accredited Programme Provider.
The CIPD has been championing better work and working lives for over 100 years. It helps organisations thrive by focusing on their people, supporting our economies and societies. It's the professional body for HR, L&D, OD and all people professionals - experts in people, work and change. With almost 160,000 members globally - and a growing community using its research, insights and learning - it gives trusted advice and offers independent thought leadership. It's a leading voice in the call for good work that creates value for everyone.
When you graduate, you can become a CIPD Associate Member and use the designation Assoc CIPD. You may also be eligible to become a CIPD Chartered Member or CIPD Chartered Fellow, depending on your experience.
This will incur costs to join CIPD as a student member.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our business, management and human resource management courses have been developed with the professional in mind and offer many opportunities for career enhancement. Our courses are both intellectually stimulating and relevant to career needs, a fact endorsed by over 20,000 School of Business graduates from over 100 countries.
Studying for a distance learning qualification can help your career prospects – you will gain the deeper knowledge and high-end skills that will set you apart. Studying with us gives a clear signal to employers. It demonstrates that you have the spark, ambition and commitment to take your career to the next level. Your employer will also benefit directly from your newly acquired understanding and capabilities.
By taking the MSc in Human Resource Management and Training, you will acquire the latest academic and professional knowledge in the areas of recruitment, selection, managing labour relations, training and career development, employee and organisational development, which will enhance your professional development and career prospects. The course has been designed to meet the needs of newly qualified graduates as well as experienced professional looking to enhance their career prospects.
Professional Support
Our dedicated School of Business Careers Team will support you to develop both personally and professionally.
Working closely with the programme team, we aim to equip you with the tools and knowledge to maximise career progression and business impact.
Our career and professional development support includes:
Business-Focused Events
We work closely with business contacts to give you opportunities to interact with industry professionals and alumni and gain insights into a wide range of business areas including sector insights, leadership essentials and journeys along a variety of potential careers paths. Through events, including our Career Development Exhibition, Investment Conference and Management Conference, you will have the opportunity to network with business representatives at all levels from SMEs to large corporates. Previous organisations represented have included J P Morgan, Santander, Lloyds, GSK, Goldman Sachs, Boots, NatWest, DPD, British Gas, National Grid, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Cummins, LinkedIn, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ericsson and M&C Saatchi.
Career and Professional Development Resource
Our on-line resources contain a wealth of resources to inform and guide you at every stage of your career journey. There are links to available opportunities, upcoming careers and employability events, awards and competitions, together with recordings of careers sessions and seminars. A selection of interviews with industry professionals and University alumni provides a first-hand insight into a range of business sectors and career success stories. You will also find resources to support you in skills and career planning, including CV and application advice and interview tips.
Career Hub @ Brookfield
If you are ever visiting Leicester, our Career Hub @ Brookfield is open daily. The Hub provides an opportunity to talk about all things careers and employability-related and signpost you to available opportunities and further areas of support.
Business Start-up and Enterprise Support
We offer support if you are considering starting your own business, are in the early stages of business or how have an established business you wish to develop. Support includes events, online resources and our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme.
Lifelong Support
Our careers support to you is lifelong and continues even after you have completed your studies and we have welcomed you into our alumni community.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Related courses
Course structure
MSc
MSc
Firstly you take a non-credit bearing module before moving on to study:
- Employee Development and Workplace Learning
- Managing Human Resources in a Business Context
- Implementing Improvements in Organisational Performance
- Managing Change and Technology at Work
- Research Methods and Dissertation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
PGDip
PGDip
Firstly you take a non-credit bearing module before moving on to study:
- Employee Development and Workplace Learning
- Managing Human Resources in a Business Context
- Implementing Improvements in Organisational Performance
- Managing Change and Technology at Work
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
You have the flexibility and choice to study an accelerated or standard route through the programme, choosing to complete your studies in two or two and a half years. Whichever route you choose the total course fee is the same and you can change your mind when you start the programme.
You'll have the opportunity to visit the School of Business to attend our week-long Leicester Masterclass held every August at Brookfield. The Leicester Masterclass is a great opportunity to meet your tutors and network with your distance learning students.
At Leicester you will be taught by leading experts, who have both an excellent academic reputation and real-world industry experience.
The School of Business attracts students and academics from all over the world, ensuring a truly global feel and letting you become part of an inclusive, diverse and professional international network.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
Our programme gives you the flexibility to fit your studies around your professional and personal commitments, while ensuring that you meet the learning and progression requirements.
As a distance learning student you will receive support throughout the course from module tutors and personal tutors to enable you to make the most of your studies.
You will use online study materials available electronically via Blackboard, our virtual learning environment. This will give you online access to materials to support each module. You will also have live seminars which are undertaken in small groups and scheduled so that they re convenient for different time zones.
You will be invited to attend our Leicester Masterclass held on campus at the University. This week-long programme of lectures, activities and workshops takes place every August and is open to students on any School of Business distance learning course at any point in their studies.
Assessment
You will be assessed during each module by a variety of course work assignments. Your final piece of work, the dissertation, will be 10,000 words.
Distance Learning
Online learning is an important feature of this course, therefore it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.
As a distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library's electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books.
If you live close to Leicester you can, of course, visit the Library and the School of Business facilities in person. For UK-based students who wish to use other libraries, we can issue you with a card which allows you to do so. This is a national scheme which allows distance learning students to borrow material from up to three other participating libraries.
Key dates
Start date: 6 October 2025
Application deadline for October 2025 start: 15 September 2025
Start date: 13 April 2026
Application deadline for April 2026 start: 23 March 2026
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Human Resource Management and Training | Qualification MSc | Duration 2 years part-time | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Human Resource Management and Training | Qualification MSc | Duration 2.5 years part-time | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Human Resource Management and Training | Qualification PGDip | Duration 2 years part-time | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
My time at Leicester has given me confidence in my work and helped me learn so much more about the Human Resources field. The lectures have been interesting and relevant, and I have learned a lot here that will help me in the future.