Human Resource Development

Course overview

If you’re passionate about the growth and development aspects of human resources, consider the Human Resource Development MSc. Delivered by the triple-accredited Aston Business School, this programme is designed for individuals who want to focus on cultivating employee potential, enhancing organisational capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Although Human Resource Development is rooted in the broader HR function, it emphasises developing people and organisations to increase long-term effectiveness and adaptability. This MSc equips you with skills to employ organisational development and coaching interventions that drive cultural, behavioural, and developmental change.

As an Human Resource Development specialist, you’ll be prepared to create and implement strategies that streamline processes, enhance organisational culture, and build a skilled, adaptable workforce. Unlike traditional HR programmes focused on compliance and policy, this course centres on talent and career development, organisational learning, and strategic workforce management - empowering you to shape the future of any organisation.

Improving our students’ learning experience and wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do, and that is why we are implementing an innovative learning approach known as block teaching. This will enhance our students’ educational journey and emotional wellbeing.

“I joined a graduate scheme which involved a masters degree and I chose Aston University. I really benefitted from the support from my tutors and forward-thinking academic research.”

Amy McCarthy

Management Consultant, KPMG

Why Human Resource Development at Aston University?

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

5th in the UK

We have been ranked 5th in the UK (Human Resource Management; Eduniversal Best Masters Rankings, 2024)

Gain the advantage

Get ahead of the competition with the Aston Global Advantage professional development module

66th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024)

Top 100 in Europe

We've been ranked 17th in the UK and 97th in Europe (Financial Times European Business Schools ranking 2024)

Gain a competitive edge

As well as opening doors, an Aston University postgraduate degree builds on your experience, develops your skills and gives you a competitive edge in a crowded job market.

We're serious about employability

As a postgraduate student, you will have access to dedicated careers guidance with specialist support from our experienced team of careers consultants

Course description

MSc Human Resource Development

Our MSc Human Resource Development programme focuses on areas such as cultivating employee potential, enhancing organisational capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. You will benefit from applied learning, research-informed teaching and constructive assessment. You will engage in workshops, insightful discussions and hands-on opportunities to apply your knowledge effectively.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a willingness to learn and an ambition and drive to excel. You must have an interest in how an organisation can develop people and increase long-term effectiveness and adaptability.

What skills we teach
This programme will develop you into a leader who can enhance individual, team and organisational capabilities. With its strong focus on training and development, coaching, mentoring and leadership and succession planning, you will learn how to facilitate change, enabling growth and development in organisations to improve long term effectiveness.

Career prospects
This programme sharpens both your business and human resource development knowledge. It will allow you to specialise and focus on training, development and organisational change in the workplace, making you an invaluable asset to employers across the public and private sectors worldwide.

How you will learn

Our programme is designed to offer you a flexible learning experience, enabling you to explore, test and apply your knowledge in a manner that suits your preferences. We employ innovative teaching methods ranging from lectures and tutorials to practical workshops, case studies and presentations. Group work fosters the sharing of insights and gathering of diverse perspectives in an open and inclusive environment, while also refining your communication and negotiation skills. Regular visits from guest industry speakers, such as those from Network Rail and the Civil Service, allow for the communication of their expertise.

The degree places a strong emphasis on practical application throughout, providing ample opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to business scenarios via case studies and simulations. You will hone your strategic thinking and decision-making skills as you recommend the best course of action in response to a variety of challenging scenarios. Through the Aston Business Clinic, this learning experience can be elevated to assisting real-world businesses in addressing their issues.

In the Aston Global Advantage module, you will enhance your employability and global citizenship through experiential learning and reflective practice. Dedicated employability support, skill-building workshops and diverse learning streams will prepare you for both academic and professional success.

Student holding laptop in student study space

Gain the advantage

Our flagship professional development module provides a range of opportunities to apply your learning and increase your employability.

The Aston Global Advantage

What you will learn

Throughout this programme, you will cover a large breadth of human resource topics from leadership for transformational change to digital HR and people analytics. You will look at areas such as people resourcing and talent management and strategic learning and development. You will also specialise in the areas of HR that are key to development - coaching and organisational development.

Focusing on these areas will allow you to increase your knowledge and skill-set and prioritise individual, team, and organisational growth through practical coaching and organisational strategies. In the Strategic Workplace Learning and Development module, you'll gain hands-on experience in designing, delivering, and evaluating impactful training programmes that align with business goals.

In the dissertation phase, you will complete an independent project, showcasing your ability to conduct independent research with a clear consideration of ethics, theory and methods in human resource development.

Opportunities for growth

Ruth Kanu found the Aston Global Advantage module instrumental in boosting her confidence. She gained first-hand experience working for RSS Infrastructure, where she acquired transferable skills invaluable to future employers.

Discover Ruth's journey

Learn business, do business

Our classroom goes beyond traditional lectures, focusing instead on real-life projects and hands-on experiences.

Student experience

Course objectives

Provides a programme of study that meets the needs of local, national and international candidates, enabling them to learn by the exchange of experience as well as formal academic study.
Meets the needs of recent graduates, and those already in employment to acquire specialist skills and knowledge in Human Resource Development (HRD) in order that they may embark or progress successfully on their chosen career.
Provides you with an excellent learning experience that draws on the research and consultancy of Aston University academic staff, utilising the University’s links with businesses, professionals, and public sector organisations to provide real world experiences.
Provides you with opportunities to enhance your employability by cultivating life-long learning habits and engaging
in continuous professional development (CPD), ensuring personal and professional growth aligned with evolving sector demand.
Undertake independent research by formulating well- defined research questions, critically evaluating, and applying appropriate research techniques, and drawing informed conclusions and recommendations.

Modules

Modules and programme outcomes

Taught stage modules

In the taught stage you will study the following core modules in Term 1:

Module Title	Credits
Leadership for transformational change This module explores the dynamic interplay between leadership, change management, and organisational culture. It delves into the complexities of leading organisations through transformational change, emphasising the role of leadership in shaping, sustaining, and evolving organisational culture.	15
Organisational Development To survive, organisations have to continuously evolve and develop – but how can they do this to future proof their relevance and sustainability? You will grapple with this complex dilemma, drawing on relevant theory and contemporary examples, to learn the frameworks for engaging in organisational diagnosis around structure and culture, and interventions for promoting organisational development.	15
Working effectively in organisations Organisations face ongoing challenges associated with managing and leading their people. Drawing on relevant theory from psychology and organisational behaviour, you will consider these challenges whilst also reflecting upon your own leadership, management and team working skills.	15

In Term 2 you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
People resourcing and talent management Attracting, selecting and retaining talent is the key challenge facing organisations that want to stay relevant in a complex, global and changing environment. You will engage with current theoretical debates in this field, enabling them to deliver effective solutions to people resourcing and talent management.	15
Strategic workplace learning and development The module will to share the latest evidence-based knowledge with you regarding different aspects of learning and talent development in organisations. It aims to raise awareness of how different management functions can be enhanced through human resource development (HRD) initiatives and how HRD relates to business strategy and effectiveness.	15
Aston Global Advantage The Aston Global Advantage is our professional development programme that runs throughout all MSc programmes at Aston Business School. Focusing on professional development and employability, this integrated module gives you the opportunity to identify, develop and apply the key transferrable skills you will gain throughout the year.	15

In Term 3 you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Digital HR and people analytics Technologies, like artificial intelligence, are reshaping the people management landscape and this module exposes you to the current tools, debates and controversies around this discipline. Studying this module will enable you to understand the use of digital technologies for managing people in the workplace. You will understand the power of data driven decisions and how this can be done effectively.	15
Coaching Self and others This module equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills to coach both themselves and others effectively, a critical competency in today's dynamic business environment. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and experiential learning, you will develop the self- awareness, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills required for effective coaching.	15
Applied research methods and skills This is an exciting opportunity for you to develop key problem solving and research skills which will allow you to follow your passion, use the strengths and interests developed during your degree, and creatively learn how ethically to explore this. This module equips managers and leaders of the future with the skills critically to evaluate research-based information. It covers various research methods and techniques, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.	15

Dissertation stage modules

In the dissertation stage you will study the following core module:

Module Title

Credits

Independent Project
The research project offers a unique opportunity for you to take the initiative and dive deep into a specific topic, fostering personal and academic growth. Building on the foundational knowledge gained in the taught portion of the programme, this module sharpens essential analytical and academic skills for lifelong learning in today's dynamic business landscape. By conducting independent empirical or theoretical research, you gain a deeper understanding of their chosen subject and contribute to the field. Additionally, this module serves as a stepping stone for those considering further research degrees.

Programme outcomes

On successful completion of both the taught and dissertation stage, you will be able to:

Examine and critically evaluate the strategic role and contribution of Human Resource Development for sustainable organisational effectiveness.
Compare and contrast the key concepts, principles, and theories related to people management, including their application to core HR functions.
Explain and justify the role of leadership in delivering effective people management.
Critically examine the role of HR Metrics to drive strategic and ethical decision making for organisational effectiveness.
Critically reflect on personal and professional values in a global working context, and apply a diverse set of transferable skills essential for a successful career in HRD, contributing to enhanced employability.
Undertake independent research by formulating well-defined research questions, critically evaluating and applying appropriate research techniques, and drawing informed conclusions and recommendations.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

One of the following:

2:2 (lower second-class honours) degree or equivalent
Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University (see international students tab below for more information)

You will also need to provide:

A professional reference
- If you are a current student or recent graduate (within the last 2-3 years), we will ask for an academic reference
- If you are currently employed and not a recent graduate, we will ask for a professional reference
An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
A completed application form.

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study but also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

How to apply

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications.

Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09:30-16:30)

Read our guide to applying

Sukhwinder Salh programme director Human Resource Management

Meet your programme director

Sukhwinder Salh
Programme Director, MSc Human Resource Development

If you have any questions about the course or modules you will be studying, you can get in touch via email and I will be happy to answer your queries.

Get in touch

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:

£12,000

International students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:

£23,500

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Fees and funding

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore scholarships for UK students

Explore scholarships for international students

Assessment

There are a variety of assessment methods, including coursework, poster design, presentations and group work. For our assessments, we use real or fictitious business scenarios. The practical assessments help you to develop the skills and competencies required for future job roles.

Career prospects

Our MSc Human Resource Development programme will prepare you for a breadth of roles in business and HR across the public, private and third sectors. Some potential roles include:

Learning and development manager
Organisation and employee coordinator
Organisational development advisor
HR advisor
HR manager

Our graduates achieve amazing things all over the world – whether it’s setting up their own businesses, landing jobs with high profile organisations, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

Why study Human Resource Development at Aston University?

You will gain the skills to employ organisational development and coaching interventions that drive cultural, behavioural, and developmental change. As a Human Resource Development specialist, you will be prepared to create and implement strategies that streamline processes, enhance organisational culture, and build a skilled, adaptable workforce.

You will focus on talent and career development, organisational learning, and strategic workforce management - empowering you to shape the future of any organisation and equipping you with the skills to recruit the right people and develop them.

What is the ‘Aston Global Advantage’?

Embedded in all our masters degrees, this assessed, year-long credit-bearing module aims to develop professional and personal transferrable skills relevant to any workplace and create a bridge between the degree and the world of work.

The Aston Global Advantage

Why should I study my postgraduate degree at Aston University?

There are lots of benefits of studying a postgraduate degree at Aston University.

Watch this video from MBA student, Monique, who talks about just a few of them:

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham

What will my timetable look like?

We understand how important it is to know your timetable in advance for planning around work, childcare, or other responsibilities. Here's some basic guidance on what to expect regarding your student timetable.

Full-time programmes

As a rough estimate, full-time postgraduate students in the College of Business and Social Sciences should expect to spend about 12-15 hours per week in lectures and on-campus seminars. This is in addition to independent study, and there may be additional guided learning activities during certain weeks. The exact distribution of these hours will vary depending on your course and module choices.

Part-time programmes

Part-time students will have fewer weekly on-campus hours compared to full-time students. This reduction is proportional to the number of modules you're enrolled in.

Timetable availability

Complete timetables are usually released shortly before the start of your programme. This timing is necessary to ensure that we accommodate all course requirements and that rooms are allocated based on the number of students likely to enrol on each programme. We aim to provide these timetables as early as possible, to assist you in your planning.

As your induction week approaches, you will be sent more information about your timetable via email, and you will be able to access your timetable by logging into MyAstonPortal. For any further queries or information regarding your timetable, you can reach out to your programme director or the Student Support team.

Online/distance learning programmes

The above information also applies to students enrolled in online/distance learning programmes. Please note that both full-time and part-time distance learning students are still required to attend scheduled synchronous learning sessions.

MyAstonPortal

What can I get involved in at Aston Business School?

At Aston Business School, you will dive into a dynamic blend of innovative learning and hands-on experiences. With our acclaimed triple-crown accreditation, we offer you academic excellence and a track record of producing successful graduates.

Located in Birmingham, the UK's vibrant second city, Aston Business School provides you with a culturally rich environment and superb connectivity. You will benefit from real-world business engagements, international study opportunities and entrepreneur support programmes like BSEEN and Pitchfest.

You can also engage in practical consultancy at the Aston Business Clinic and collaborate with global peers in events such as the Maastricht Case Competition or the Universities Business Challenge. Our partnership with The Prince’s Trust, alongside a range of student clubs including TEDx and Enactus further enriches your learning experience.

Discover more