MSc Human Resource Management

Course Overview

The professionally accredited MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM at University of Galway, is a one-year taught programme that is research-led and practice-driven. Students will go beyond the traditional classroom by developing insights into new and emerging themes in HRM, based on sustainability, managing change and the employment relationship, ethics, business and society and analytics. The programme is designed with a focus on decent work and leadership of self and others, and building professional and academic competencies such as critical thinking and business and people development skills.

We have designed the programme such that students can pursue one of two pathways an Internship or Consultancy, thus allowing students to gear their Masters towards their own particular interests and focused career path. This personalisation of the Master’s offers students an opportunity to tailor the programme to suit their aspirations and ambitions in the way that best suits them.

The programme covers: HRM in Practice, Employment Relations and Law, Sustainable HRM, Business and Society, Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills, Business and Professional Development Skills, Leading Change and Business Transformation, Business Negotiations, International HRM and Project Management.

This is one of very few CIPD accredited MSc. Programmes in Ireland, that offers an Internship and Consultancy pathway. Both pathways require the student to undertake an applied project, where students will get to tackle a real business problem and develop suitable recommendations.

The MSc Human Resource Management programme has achieved alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM. It is the third programme in Ireland and among the first 10 in Europe to have achieved this recognition.

Meet our students

Class of 2022–23

Class of 2021–22

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Normally a H2.1 degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in business or a related discipline. However, candidates with a H2.2 honours degree and who have a minimum of 2 years relevant work experience will also be considered. IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.

Academic entry requirements standardised per country here.

English language requirements here.

Our students have gone on to pursue careers in a wide range of human resource management roles right up to senior executive level including recruitment and talent acquisition, HR generalist roles, Business Partners, compensation and benefits, learning & development, subject matter experts e.g. pensions. Employers of previous graduates of the MSc in Human Resource Management come from a wide variety of industry sectors and include Aerogen, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Merit Medical, Eli Lilly, MSD, Charles River, Zimmer Biomet, Hollister, Sanofi Aventis, L’Oreal, Glanbia, ESB, KPMG, PwC, Accenture, EY, Mazars, Sigmar Recruitment, INTEL, Dell, AWS, LinkedIn and Paypal to name a few.

We have a close relationship with the University of Galway Career Development Centre who provide high quality career guidance and information services focused on facilitating and empowering our students to manage their own career development and make effective career transitions.

Services include: Jobs Fairs, Seminars and panel discussions, Employer Presentations / Activities, Workshops and support with applications and work-related skills. Visit our Career Development Centre for more information.

Internship Opportunity

Students have the option to pursue an internship opportunity incorporating an Applied Management Report. The internship gives students an edge in the job market on completion of their programme. Most of our students are offered graduate roles by their internship organisation on completion of their course.

CIPD Accredited

The MSc HRM is accredited at the Advanced Standards Level (the highest achievable) by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), the largest professional HR body globally. Students on this programme can achieve Associate Membership of CIPD.

On successful completion of these programmes, students will acquire Associate Membership of the CIPD. After graduation, as students build professional experience, they can progress through the professional stages of CIPD membership from Chartered Member to Chartered Fellow.

The MSc HRM is one of the very few CIPD accredited MSc. Programmes in Ireland that offers an Internship and Consultancy pathway. Both pathways require the student to undertake an applied project, where students will get to tackle a real business problem and develop suitable recommendations.

Opportunity Alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

We are delighted to announce that the MSc Human Resource Management programme has achieved alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). It is the third programme in Ireland and among the first 10 in Europe to have achieved this recognition.

Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Virginia, USA, the Society for Human Resource Management is the world's largest HR professional society. SHRM promotes the role of HR as a profession and provides education, certification, and networking to its members. Since its inception, the Society has been serving the needs of its members and advancing the practice. Students enrolled in SHRM HR aligned programmes are provided with the opportunity to earn their SHRM-CP credential prior to graduating, providing them with a competitive advantage in the job market. Throughout the world, over 500 programs in approx. 425 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and templates.

Opportunity CIPD Award on the MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM)

J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics is delighted to announce the establishment of a new award for the MSc HRM programme.

This new award will be presented to the student with the best Applied Management Report. The award is sponsored by CIPD, and will be referred to as:

• The CIPD Award for the Best Applied Management Report, MSc in Human Resource Management

The winner will receive CIPD membership for one year and a certificate noting their achievement. CIPD Ireland and UK have also committed to disseminating the winning students' research and ideas with other CIPD students and professionals across the world, through a bespoke blog. This is a great opportunity to reward high-achieving students on the MSc HRM.

Medtronic Award for MSc in Human Resource Management

This prize will be awarded annually on the recommendation of the Management Discipline, to the student achieving first place (highest aggregated ratified overall mark) in the MSc (Human Resource Management) programme, provided an overall result of Second Class Honours, Grade 1 has at a minimum been achieved. In the event of a tie, the award will be divided equally.

Scholarships

Scholarship for MSc HRM:

www.universityofgalway.ie/business-public-policy-law/cairnes/scholsprizes/businesspostgraduatemeritscholarships

University of Galway Scholarships:

www.universityofgalway.ie/postgraduate_scholarships

Opportunity Alumni Network

The MSc HRM has a strong alumni network and we nurture the ties between the Discipline of Management, our current students and our graduates. To facilitate professional and social contacts between graduates, current students and faculty members we established a LinkedIn Alumni Group. Members communicate regularly through this alumni group sharing job vacancies, knowledge or just helping alumni reconnect with past colleagues. Many alumni support regular activities organised by faculty for our current students.

Many HRM alumni have supported activities organised by faculty for our current students for example:

• Graduates spoke to classes about their areas of expertise (training, rewards, employment law) providing specialist input for modules including Human Resource Development, Reward Systems and Employment Law.
• Graduates discussed their current employment and progression with current students providing career guidance.
• Graduates have supported our Internship programme.