Personnel and Development: University of Westminster

Introduction

Westminster is one of only a few universities delivering Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) qualifications to be designated a 'Centre of Excellence' by the Institute. This well established masters course, together with evidence of Continuing Professional Development, will enable you to obtain not only Graduate of the CIPD status, but also immediate upgrading to Chartered Member, if you can demonstrate the requisite managerial experience.

This MA Personnel and Development develops your skills and competences in both the general management and human resource management areas. It offers the opportunity to apply your learning to relevant organisation-based assignments, to work in small groups with other students in human resources from a wide range of organisations and to involve your organisational sponsor in supporting your learning and development.

The programme is organised on a semester basis. Students attend two 3-hour sessions per week - either one afternoon and evening session from 14:30-21:00 or two evenings a week from 18:00-21:00. Please indicate clearly on your application your preferred mode of study. You are expected to spend at least the same amount of additional time each week in personal study and completing assignments.

Course Content

Year 1

• Corporate Management Decision Making
• Managing Information for Competitive Advantage
• Managing and Leading People
• People Management and Development
• Research Methods

Year 2

Generalist options

Two from:

• Learning and Development
• Employee Relations
• Reward Management
• People Resourcing

Specialist options

Two from:

• Assessment Centres and Selection Testing
• Employment Law
• Management Development
• International Personnel Management
• Managing Culture and Change
• Design and Delivery of Training
• Managing Equality and Diversity in Employment
• Knowledge Management
• Strategic Personnel and Development

A Research Project is also undertaken during Year 2 and submitted towards the end of the course.

Teaching and Assessment

The course will be delivered using a mixture of lectures, tutorials, small group working and individual study. You will be assessed by a range of methods, including competence-based assignments, portfolios, reports, examinations and a management research project. Examinations usually take place during mid-January and mid-May.

The course requires attendance for six hours per week over two years. In addition there are up to eight sequential study periods on a Friday and Saturday during the first year of the course. Details of these will be released at induction.

Entry Requirements

The requirements for the MA Personnel and Development are:

• A first degree from a recognised institution (minimum 2:2)
• Applicants must be working in a HR environment and have a year's experience within the last three years, as a number of the assessments require investigation and critical analysis of in-company practices. It is essential that you have access to all HR activities and have the backing of your manager.

Please note that non-graduates with relevant work experience will be considered, and may be called for testing. Upon successful completion of the tests, they become eligible for a place. However a place is not guaranteed. The CIPD's Certificate in Personnel Practice is not an automatic basis for entry. Such applicants are considered as non-graduates and may be called for testing.

The main entry point to the course is September each year but a limited number of places are available for entry in January. Direct Entry to Year 2 is also possible for suitably qualified applicants.