Human Resource Management MSc
About This Programme
The MSc Human Resource Management at the University of Birmingham Dubai gives an advanced grounding in people management and employment relations, nationally and globally, built around responsible business, decent work and fair people management. It runs for 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time and is open to graduates of any discipline, whether new to the field or professionals looking to advance their careers. Taught by Birmingham Business School's research-led HRM group, which combines organisational behaviour, leadership and employment relations and hosts the Work Inclusivity Research Centre, the course starts with the core functions of resource development, organisation, motivation and reward and goes on to international HRM, leadership development and the future of work. It links academic theory with practice through guest speakers from industry and practical exercises, and aims to produce critical, ethically aware and evidence-led practitioners.
Course Highlights
- Critical insight into people management and employment relationships in national and global contexts.
- Birmingham Business School hosts a leading research-led HRM teaching group and the Work Inclusivity Research Centre (WIRC).
- Modules combine theory and practice, with guest speakers, practical exercises and research-led insight.
- CIPD accreditation, with CIPD student membership and access to its resources, and triple-crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS) for the business school.
- Birmingham is ranked 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, as stated on the course page.
What You'll Study
Teaching uses lectures, seminars, class discussions, readings, case studies, media and guest speakers. Assessment includes formal exams, essays, group work and oral presentations. For the dissertation, students choose a company-based or a traditional dissertation; it includes training in research methods and in critically appraising the research approaches used in HRM and employment relations. The Programme Director is Dr Mona Mustafa, who has worked on projects in health, education, culture and diaspora studies across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Course modules
2026/27 session. 180 credits, all compulsory: six 20-credit modules and a 60-credit dissertation that incorporates research methods, over 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time.
- Human Resource Management and Ethics at Work20 credits
- Human Resource Development20 credits
- Managing Work and Organisation20 credits
- International Human Resource Management20 credits
- Leadership Development20 credits
- The Future of Work20 credits
- HRM Dissertation incorporating Research Methods60 credits
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet both the University's general entry requirements and the course's own criteria. Each application is reviewed by the course's Admissions Tutor, who decides whether to make an offer.
Careers
Graduates are well placed for key HRM and employment relations posts. Past roles include human resource manager, officer or director, labour relations specialist, occupational psychologist, management consultant, arbitrator, training and development officer, equality, diversity and inclusion officer, recruitment consultant and public service roles, and the course video also mentions organisational development and organisational change management. The Careers Network Dubai offers information, advice and guidance to identify options, build skills and reach opportunities.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation register as the Masters of Science in Human Resource Management. The course page lists CIPD accreditation, with CIPD student membership and access to its resources, and Birmingham Business School holds triple-crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS).
Programme Details
Award
Master of Science (MSc)
Start Date
September 2026 (applications closed; September 2027 details to follow)
Typical Offer
2:1 Honours degree or postgraduate diploma in any subject, or an overseas equivalent
Duration
1 year full-time (12 months); 2 years part-time (24 months)
Qualification
Masters
Subject Area
Business & Finance
Campus
Dubai
Study Pattern
Full time, Part time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 155,483/yr
AED 155,483 a year full-time or AED 77,742 a year part-time, for September 2026 entry. The fee covers tuition, examinations and graduation and is charged for each year of study, so part-time students pay it in both years; it can be paid in full or in instalments, and it does not include visa or living costs. Applications for September 2026 entry to this programme are closed, and details for September 2027 entry will be published later. Applications are made online through the University of Birmingham Dubai Admissions portal, with no application fee; postgraduate applicants upload transcripts for study completed so far, their degree certificate if available, and a CV. Decisions are usually made within 10 working days of all documents arriving. A non-returnable AED 5,000 deposit, deducted from tuition, is paid on accepting an offer. Scholarships of up to 30% are assessed from the application itself, with no separate form, and full-time students can apply for a student visa sponsored by the University.