MSc International Human Resource Management
Validated by University of Essex Online
Duration
2 yearsStudy Mode
OnlineTotal Tuition
£13,884Monthly Payment
£575Qualification
Master’s Degree (MSc / MA / MPH)Start Date
October January, March May JulyProgramme Overview
The MSc International Human Resource Management from the University of Essex is designed for professionals who want to develop advanced expertise in managing people, talent and organisational performance within an increasingly globalised workplace. Delivered 100% online and part-time, the programme allows students to pursue a UK Master's degree while continuing their employment and professional responsibilities. The curriculum moves beyond traditional personnel administration to examine strategic human resource development, talent management, diversity, leadership, coaching, people management and research. For Caribbean professionals working in government, financial services, tourism and hospitality, healthcare, education, manufacturing, telecommunications, professional services and other sectors, these competencies are directly relevant to organisations seeking to develop and retain talent while responding to changing workforce needs.
The programme is particularly relevant to students in the English-speaking Caribbean because Caribbean organisations operate in increasingly regional and international environments. Employers across CARICOM and the wider Caribbean must manage multicultural workforces, succession planning, employee development, recruitment, leadership pipelines, performance and organisational change. The international orientation of this MSc gives Caribbean professionals an opportunity to examine HR practices from a global perspective while applying those concepts to their own organisations and national environments. Its online delivery is also well suited to working professionals who may not be able or willing to leave the Caribbean for two years of campus-based study overseas. Students can study from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and other eligible locations without relocating for their degree.
The degree is awarded by the University of Essex and delivered online by Kaplan Higher Education UK. The University of Essex Business School states that its AACSB accreditation covers the MSc International Human Resource Management. University of Essex Online is also a recognised member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and is registered with the Office for Students (OfS). Graduates receive a University of Essex degree certificate; the online delivery mode is not stated on the degree certificate, although it is recorded on the transcript. The programme therefore combines a globally oriented HR curriculum with the academic standing and quality-assurance framework of a UK university.
Entry Requirements
Applicants may qualify through one of two routes:
Academic Entry Route
Applicants must normally have:
An undergraduate degree from an approved institution equivalent to a UK Honours degree; or
A relevant Level 6 professional qualification.
Work Experience Entry Route
Applicants without the required undergraduate qualification may be considered through the professional experience route if they have:
At least three years of relevant work experience.
All applications are assessed individually. Applicants must also successfully complete the first assignment during the two-week induction period in order to continue on the programme.
Documents Required
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
Government-issued photo identification — such as a passport or other official ID.
Current CV/resume — particularly important for applicants applying through the work-experience route. The CV should clearly describe responsibilities, achievements and relevant HR, management or professional experience.
Personal Statement — explaining why the applicant wants to study the MSc, why the programme is relevant to their career and how they intend to use the qualification.
Academic certificates and/or transcripts, where applicable.
Professional qualification documentation, where applicable.
References, if requested as part of the admissions assessment.
Any additional documentation requested by the Admissions Team to verify qualifications or professional experience.
English-language testing is excluded from this list for the intended English-speaking Caribbean audience.
Who is this course for?
This MSc is suitable for:
Human Resource Managers and HR Officers
HR Business Partners and HR specialists
Recruitment and talent-management professionals
Learning and Development professionals
Training and organisational development practitioners
Employee relations professionals
Managers with responsibility for people and performance
Government and public-sector HR professionals
Professionals preparing for senior management roles
Professionals seeking to transition into human resource management
Business professionals who want a stronger strategic understanding of people management
Experienced professionals who want to formalise their HR knowledge through a Master's degree
The programme can also be relevant to experienced professionals who do not hold a conventional undergraduate degree, because Essex Online provides a work-experience entry route for applicants with at least three years of relevant work experience.
Career Opportunities
Human Resources Manager
HR Business Partner
Human Resources Officer
Talent Management Manager
Learning and Development Manager
Training and Development Officer
Employee Relations Adviser/Manager
Recruitment and Talent Acquisition Manager
Organisational Development Manager
Management Consultant / HR Consultant
Programme Highlights
This module establishes the foundations of global human resource management and talent management. Students examine how organisations attract, develop and manage people across different organisational and international environments. For Caribbean professionals, this is particularly relevant to recruitment, succession planning, talent retention and workforce development in economies where organisations often compete for highly skilled professionals. The module provides a foundation for understanding how strategic talent decisions can support organisational performance.
This module examines Human Resource Development from a strategic perspective, including learning, development and talent-development policies and practices. Students consider HRD at the individual, team, organisational, national and international levels. This is particularly valuable for Caribbean organisations seeking to strengthen employee training, leadership pipelines, succession planning and workforce capability while aligning professional development with organisational objectives.
Students explore diversity management and the development of diverse talent within organisations. The module considers how effective diversity policies and practices can contribute to organisational performance, problem-solving and decision-making. For Caribbean professionals, the subject has particular relevance because Caribbean organisations operate across culturally diverse populations and increasingly interact with international employees, customers, partners and markets.
This module focuses on mentoring and coaching as tools for developing people and improving organisational effectiveness. Students examine different models and frameworks and consider how organisations can use mentoring and coaching to support professional growth. The knowledge can be applied to leadership development, employee engagement, succession planning and the development of emerging managers within Caribbean organisations.
Students examine leadership and management development within a global context, including the design and implementation of leadership interventions, policies and strategies. This is particularly relevant for Caribbean organisations developing the next generation of supervisors, managers and executives. The module connects HR strategy with leadership capability, helping students understand how people-development initiatives can contribute to broader organisational objectives.
This module examines the economic, institutional, social and global environments in which people management takes place. Students consider how globalisation, demographic changes, social developments and technological advancement influence HR strategy. For Caribbean professionals, this provides a useful framework for understanding how regional organisations can respond to workforce changes, digital transformation, migration, demographic trends and changing employee expectations.
Students develop Master's-level research skills, including approaches to collecting, analysing, organising and presenting information. The module encourages critical engagement with academic literature and develops independent and reflective thinking. These skills are valuable for HR professionals who need to analyse workforce information, evaluate HR initiatives, conduct organisational research and use evidence to inform management decisions.
The final 40-credit module allows students to undertake a substantial independent research project on a business or management topic of their choice. Students can investigate a significant organisational challenge and apply the knowledge developed throughout the programme. For a Caribbean professional, this creates an opportunity to research an issue directly relevant to a local or regional organisation—for example, employee retention, leadership succession, talent development, workforce transformation, employee engagement or HR digitalisation.
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