All students on the course begin their studies with a short introductory module called Academic Writing Skills. This prepares you for the academic requirements of the course and introduces you to the range of resources available to ensure you are confident as you progress to your first module.

This module considers the nature of workplace learning with particular reference to informal modes of learning at work. The material also covers the impact of workplace learning on the employment relationship and examines various methods used by organisations to identify learning needs.

This module critically considers both formal and informal systems of predicting individual behaviour then explores the psychology of group membership and the dynamic interactions that occur between individuals and the collective identity, purpose and behaviour of the group. The latter part of the module examines how organisational and employee development can establish a shared sense of purpose and a commitment in order to manage change.

This module provides students with an understanding of what is meant by an organisation and the context within which learning is provided to its members. It introduces them to the theory and practice of management within the organisation, and considers the emerging importance of leadership, HRM, and how the two functions are interrelated in modern organisations. Finally, it introduces the concept of the learning organisation and shows how organisations can achieve collective and continuous learning.

This module reflects on the similarities and differences between personnel management and HRM. It looks at the contemporary use of information technology in organisations. The module then explores the various stages of HR resourcing, from manpower planning through job analysis to recruitment and selection of individuals. Lastly, this module examines the legal framework which underpins the terms of conditions of employment.

This module seeks to identify important global processes and examines how these processes affect human resource management and the national environments in which HRM situates. It also identifies the rise of multinational corporations (MNCs) within the ‘convergence-divergence’ debate.

The emphasis of the case study – which is very different from that of the dissertation – is to use a workplace environment to examine a HR concept, model or principle that the student comes across in previous modules, such as team working and mentoring.

This module serves as a broad introduction to social science research methods, covering a range of quantitative and qualitative methods such as survey research and interviewing. It also discusses more complex issues such as epistemology and ontology and prepares you for the dissertation.

This module is delivered by distance learning. The dissertation, is 9,000 words based on independent supervised research.