This is the only UK-based university course recognised by three global HR professional bodies.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), granting you Assoc CIPD designation upon graduation and raising your professional profile. It is also aligned with The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and HR Certification Institute (HRCI). In addition, we are a member of The Australian HR Institute (AHRI).
The new MSc Strategic Human Resource Management has been devised to prepare business professionals like you for today’s rapidly evolving human resource management sector, helping you take on your future senior-level role with confidence.
Your course materials will cover all the essential emerging topics that are moving the human resources (HR) industry forward, including people analytics, globalisation, and disruptive technologies, providing you with the most up-to-date knowledge of contemporary HR operations and innovations, and the ability to apply this to leverage strategic people management. This critical application of your learning will help you develop the skills you need to respond creatively and effectively to the dynamic and global HR world of tomorrow, and to advance to the very highest levels of your profession.
The course has a ‘real world’ focus, using live case studies and practical scenarios to ensure you graduate with the experience and knowledge employers need right now. We also work closely with expert industry partners so that your modules are all current and future-focused, covering the latest advancements, opportunities, and challenges in the field.
That means that by the end of the course, you’ll have developed the real-world skills needed to strategically lead and manage in today’s agile HR environment. This, combined with your knowledge of how to utilise people, data analytics, and new technologies to create organisational value will give you a powerful, modern skillset sought after by leading employers in a range of exciting industries.
Your course modules have been designed to advance your knowledge and skills in strategic people and business management. You’ll cover a broad range of in-demand HR topics, such as people analytics, resourcing, well-being, and development, as well as the strategic and ethical utilisation of people to create lasting value for your organisation - helping you graduate with the specialised skills to excel in the future of HR and beyond.
I had been searching for over six months to try and find the best university to study at and Arden covered everything I needed and more.
After conducting extensive research and comparing various options, I chose Arden for several reasons: the degree is CIPD-accredited, I could study online, and the application/onboarding process was very structured and smooth. The training and guidance provided were excellent and helped me quickly establish a routine that worked well for me. The platform and modules are easy to understand and work with, and the support from teachers and other Arden staff was always prompt and professional.
Assessments on the MSc Strategic Human Resource Management have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios in the modern HR environment. That means you’ll have the opportunity to align your studies to how you’ll help transform your current or future organisation’s operations and functions once you have completed the course.
You won’t take a single exam on this course. Your course assessments will be practice-driven, drawing from live case studies so that you can apply your learning in real time. This innovative, modern approach will provide you with the unique opportunity to engage in industry relevant consultations and respond to real-world organisational challenges within a range of local and global contexts.
The MSc Strategic Human Resource Management course culminates with an independent research project pertaining to an issue or question within Human Resource Management. You’ll be expected to identify and examine a relevant topic of your choice and make robust recommendations based on your findings, helping you gain transferable skills for your future.
Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through additional assessments. Designed with industry feedback to meet the needs of today’s employers, each assessment will impart both subject knowledge and desirable workplace skills. These include:
At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study your degree in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.
That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection. With this one tool, you'll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively.
We’ll also support you with getting access to the resources you need, wherever you study from, including assistance with obtaining any software you need to successfully complete the course.
To be eligible for our MSc Strategic Human Resource Management, you should normally have:
We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.
Dr Aaron Taylor has been involved in teaching and training for over 20 years, both in the UK and internationally. During this time, he has built up expertise in teaching and learning specifically across postgraduate HRM programmes. Prior to his role as Head of School of Human Resource Management at Arden University, Aaron was a Principal Lecturer at the University of Sunderland and a Principal Lecturer in HRM at Coventry University London. Aaron is an External Examiner for HRM programmes at the University of Suffolk and the University of Sussex. He is a CIPD academic member, a Senior Fellow of the HEA and a certified management and business educator (CMBE).
The course will help you develop your existing skills and knowledge in the area of people and business management, alongside the newest theoretical, practical, and technological advancements in the field. By immersing you in the HR world of tomorrow, the course will prepare you for senior HR management roles in practically any industry.
You’ll graduate from the course with the hands-on strategic HR, leadership, and technical skills required to effectively manage people and excel in today’s evolving HR sector. You’ll also have expanded your knowledge of contemporary HR operations, all within a real-world context. Because the course prioritises a future-focused, practical application of your syllabus, you’ll gain pertinent, advanced expertise that will help you become a future HR leader.
This course provides you with the valuable opportunity to:
The MSc Strategic Human Resource Management will help you develop the latest knowledge and skills you need to accelerate your career to a senior-level role in HR. Some of the positions you may want to consider after graduation include:
Our MSc Strategic Human Resource Management is accredited by the CIPD at level 7.
The Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD), the leading professional body for HR professionals in the UK, and the second largest globally. This course is accredited by the CIPD, which sets the industry standards for human resource management and people development.
For Arden students, the cost of your CIPD membership is also included during your studies, giving you access to a range of additional resources and networking events.
Arden graduates will also have the chance to upgrade their membership and become a prestigious Chartered Member (Chartered MCIPD), a mark of your pursuit of continuous professional development in the field of human resource management.
This course aligns with SHRM, the world’s largest HR association with over 300,000 members in 165 countries, ensuring your degree is globally recognised. It is also aligned with AHRI, the professional body supporting HR in Australia, and HRCI, a leading HR certification provider in the US.
Your course modules have been mapped to SHRM and HRCI membership requirements. That means upon completing your degree, you will be eligible for SHRM and HRCI certifications, valued globally by employers. We are also an organisational member of AHRI, allowing students to benefit from member-only products and services.
Arden is the only UK university offering CIPD accreditation alongside these alignments and memberships.
Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.
This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.
The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.
As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.
All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.
With LinkedIn Learning, you can: