MSc Human Resources and Organisations

This programme bridges the gap between theory and practice. You’ll learn how different organisations approach managing teams and individuals and develop your skills as an adaptive, innovative and strategic manager.

You’ll build valuable experience and industry connections through a consulting project with an external client such as Unilever, Save the Children, HSBC, Accenture or Revlon.

All students taking this programme study the foundations of HR management and strategy. Building on this foundation, you’ll then follow one distinct stream to suit your interests and career goals:

• Human Resource Management stream (CIPD accredited)

This stream will help you develop your knowledge and skills in general HR management. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a career in HR management, talent management, or HR consulting. This stream is CIPD accredited, an internationally recognised qualification that will set you apart from other graduates in the employment market.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to succeed in HR or people management in a rapidly changing business world.

• International Employment Relations stream (IER) (CIPD accredited)

The International Employment Relations (IER) stream is CIPD accredited. The CIPD certification and membership is an indispensable qualification for a range of managerial HR roles in the UK and is also well-regarded in the HR field across the globe. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for careers in a variety of areas including HR, employment relations, government, labour organisations and international bodies such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This stream provides a strong theoretical foundation for further study at PhD level.

• Organisational Behaviour stream

The Organisational Behaviour stream is designed to develop your specialist knowledge of behaviour and change in organisations. You'll develop expertise in analysing and managing organisational change and employee behaviour at the macro (ie, group) and micro (ie, individual) levels. Core courses take a multi-disciplinary approach and are grounded in theories, concepts, and empirical research from psychology, sociology, and management studies. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for careers in a variety of people-management areas, including HR and general consulting, organisational psychology, employee engagement, and learning and development. This stream also provides a strong theoretical foundation for further study at PhD level.

This programme is fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management guidelines for postgraduate study.

LSE is ranked sixth in the world for social sciences and management, so you’ll benefit from our globally renowned research and teaching.

Read more about the LSE student experience on our student blog, The Student Lens.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

The HRM and IER streams are designed to further develop your knowledge and skills in general HR management. On completion of these streams you'll achieve the behavioural and knowledge components for the Level 7, Advanced CIPD qualification and will achieve Associate CIPD membership. Dependent on previous work experience some students will be eligible to upgrade their membership to Chartered CIPD membership. Faculty on the programme support students in this process.

Read more about CIPD

Society for Human Resource Management

The MSc Human Resources and Organisations programme is recognised by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and aligned with their HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, part of SHRM’s Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in University and Business Schools.

HRO students are eligible to become a SHRM Certified Professional by taking an examination at the end of the degree, benefitting from a reduced student fee and being exempt from providing evidence of work experience in HR. This applies to all streams on the Programme.

Read more about SHRM