International Human Resource Management and Comparative Industrial Relations: The University of Manchester

Course description

Advancing technology means the world is getting smaller. Put your HR career on the global stage with a degree that focuses on managing people across borders and putting human resources into an international context.

With more and more people working for international corporations or global international supply chains, the study of international human resources and industrial relations is becoming ever more important. The increasing globalisation of the economy and pan-national employment legislation also means the ability to compare processes and practices across continents is a sought-after skill.

This CIPD-accredited course is extremely advantageous in securing a career in HRM. It gives you an understanding of the differences between the employment practices and industrial relations systems of varying countries and multinationals, and how they are influenced by social and economic factors. You also look at the influence of economic integration on changing systems of employment and industrial relations.

Successful completion of the course entitles you to Graduate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Module details

Typical compulsory and optional course units include:

• Comparative Industrial Relations*
• Human Resource Management: Strategy and Practice*
• Research Methods for Organisations*;either Human Resource Management: Context and Organisation* or International Management
• Multinational and Comparative Employment Systems*
• International Labour Law and Regulation*
• International Human Resource Management*; and either Management of International Change* or Organisation Development.

* These courses are compulsory in order to achieve CIPD recognition.

Career opportunities

It will be particularly helpful for those intending to pursue careers within multinational companies based in the UK or elsewhere and broaden the international understanding of HR professionals who wish to work in a global context.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: They normally look for a UK bachelor degree with upper second class honours, or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.

When assessing your academic record, they take into account your grade average, position in class, references and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification. They particularly welcome applications from institutions of high ranking and repute.

English language: If English is not your first language, you are required to take an English language test to prove your level of proficiency.

They accept the following tests and minimum scores:

• IELTS: 7.0 with no individual element below 6.0
• TOEFL Paper-based: 623
• TOEFL Internet-based: 100 with no individual element below 20
• Cambridge Proficiency Examination (CPE): Minimum grade C. Please note Cambridge First Certificate is not accepted.
• Cambridge Advanced Examination (CAE): Minimum grade B. Please note Cambridge First Certificate is not accepted.
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Minimum grade A with no element below C