MSc Human Resources and Organisations

This programme bridges the gap between theory and practice. You’ll learn how different organisations approach managing teams and individuals and develop your skills as an adaptive, innovative and strategic manager.

All students taking this programme study the foundations of HR management and strategy. Building on this foundation, you’ll then follow one distinct stream to suit your interests and career goals:

• Human Resource Management stream (CIPD accredited)

This stream will help you develop your knowledge and skills in general HR management. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a career in HR management, talent management, or HR consulting. This stream is CIPD accredited, an internationally recognised qualification that will set you apart from other graduates in the employment market.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to succeed in HR or people management in a rapidly changing business world.

• International Employment Relations stream (IER) (CIPD accredited)

The International Employment Relations (IER) stream is CIPD accredited. The CIPD certification and membership is an indispensable qualification for a range of managerial HR roles in the UK and is also well-regarded in the HR field across the globe. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for careers in a variety of areas including HR, employment relations, government, labour organisations and international bodies such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This stream provides a strong theoretical foundation for further study at PhD level.

• Organisational Behaviour stream

The Organisational Behaviour stream is designed to develop your specialist knowledge of behaviour and change in organisations. You'll develop expertise in analysing and managing organisational change and employee behaviour at the macro (ie, group) and micro (ie, individual) levels. Core courses take a multi-disciplinary approach and are grounded in theories, concepts, and empirical research from psychology, sociology, and management studies. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for careers in a variety of people-management areas, including HR and general consulting, organisational psychology, employee engagement, and learning and development. This stream also provides a strong theoretical foundation for further study at PhD level.

This programme is fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management guidelines for postgraduate study.

LSE is ranked sixth in the world for social sciences and management, so you’ll benefit from our globally renowned research and teaching.

Read more about the LSE student experience on our student blog, The Student Lens.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

The HRM and IER streams are designed to further develop your knowledge and skills in general HR management. On completion of these streams you'll achieve the behavioural and knowledge components for the Level 7, Advanced CIPD qualification and will achieve Associate CIPD membership. Dependent on previous work experience some students will be eligible to upgrade their membership to Chartered CIPD membership. Faculty on the programme support students in this process.

Read more about CIPD

Society for Human Resource Management

The MSc Human Resources and Organisations programme is recognised by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and aligned with their HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, part of SHRM’s Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in University and Business Schools.

HRO students are eligible to become a SHRM Certified Professional by taking an examination at the end of the degree, benefitting from a reduced student fee and being exempt from providing evidence of work experience in HR. This applies to all streams on the Programme.

Read more about SHRM

GRE/GMAT requirement

A GRE or GMAT test is not required, but a strong result from either of these tests may benefit applicants.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

The curriculum for the HRM stream is comprised of five compulsory core courses that provide a strong foundation in Human Resources Management, including HRM strategy, management in global companies, and people analytics. There is only one optional elective course in this stream because of the requirements of CIPD accreditation.

You'll also complete the programme with a 10,000 word dissertation project during the summer, which will enable you to specialise with in-depth knowledge in your specific area of interest.

Part-time programme structure

HRO is a full-time 12 month programme, however we can admit a limited number of students to complete the Human Resource Management (HRM) stream part-time over two years.

Part-time students take classes alongside full-time students, but with fewer units each year. This opportunity is intended for those who are already working in HR and are seeking to obtain the Level 7, Advanced CIPD qualification.

Part-time students on the HRM stream will follow the standard regulations and classification scheme for a four unit master's degree. These students are expected to take a minimum of one unit and a maximum of three units in each year with a recommendation that they take two units each year as follows:

First year

• Autumn Term: two half unit core courses (Foundations of Human Resource Management: Strategy and Practice* and Organisational Behaviour)
• Winter Term: one half unit core course (The Mangement of People in Global Companies) AND People Analytics and Technology
• Spring Term: none

Second year

• Autumn Term: one half unit core course (Business Strategy, Management and Analytics) and one full unit core course (Dissertation)
• Winter Term: one half unit optional course
• Spring Term: none

Please note that we're not able to make special allowances for students in regards to their timetables. Students will be required to manage their time to make sure they can attend the scheduled lectures and seminars.

Core courses are underpinned by a multi-stakeholder approach to HR and employment relations challenges, including diverse issues raised by representative bodies ranging from trade unions, employer associations and public agencies through to civil society groups. Special emphasis is placed on comparing practice and learning from a variety of political and economic contexts across the world. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for careers in a variety of areas including HR, employment relations, government, labour organisations and international bodies such as the ILO. This stream also provides a strong theoretical foundation for further study at PhD level.

You can also customise your programme according to your own interests and career goals with a choice of two optional elective courses from leading academic departments across LSE in management topics.

You'll also complete the programme with a 10,000 word dissertation project during the summer, which will enable you to specialise with in-depth knowledge in your specific area of interest.

This stream is designed to develop your specialist knowledge in behaviour and change in organisations. You'll develop expertise in analysing and managing organisational change and employee behaviour at the macro (ie, group) and micro (ie, individual) levels. Core courses take a multi-disciplinary approach and are grounded in theories, concepts, and empirical research from psychology, sociology, and management studies. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for careers in a variety of people-management areas, including HR and general consulting, organisational psychology, employee engagement, and learning and development. This stream also provides a strong theoretical foundation for further study at PhD level.

While this stream does not include CIPD accreditation, it does provide more opportunity for customisation by offering a choice of three optional elective course to be taken in the second term.

You'll also complete the programme with a 10,000 word dissertation project during the summer, which will enable you to specialise with in-depth knowledge in your specific area of interest.

Our mission

Welcome to the Department of Management. Our mission is to inspire superior management practices by fostering a comprehensive understanding of individuals, teams, organisations, and markets, along with the psychological, social, political, and technological contexts that influence them.

By studying with us, you'll gain access to a world-leading centre for education and research, uniquely positioned within a world-class social science institution at the heart of a truly global city.

The environment

Join a vibrant intellectual community comprising world-renowned faculty, astute students, dedicated and responsive professional services staff, and high achieving alumni. Through pioneering research and high-level teaching, you'll receive comprehensive, intensive, and rigorous methodological training to help you become an expert in your specialist fields.

The rich and culturally diverse learning environment at LSE’s Department of Management, will not only enrich your experience through developing a broad perspective and understanding, but also unlock an invaluable network of global peers.

Create a better world

We go beyond the boundaries of a traditional business school by integrating diverse disciplines such as economics, marketing, data, and analytics. Our comprehensive approach ensures that students gain a profound and multifaceted understanding of the business world, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to excel in a dynamic global environment.

Join us in our vision to create a better world, where a profound understanding of management drives positive change in both business and society.

Discover more about our programmes and research.

Department of Management

Who's who

Hyun-Jung Lee

Programme Director

Bethania Antunes

Deputy Programme Director

Jiaqing (Kathy) Sun

Course leader

Xu Li

Course leader

Lourdes Sosa

Course leader

Frido Wenten

Course leader

Chunyun Li

Course leader

Francesca Manzi

Course leader

Your application will be considered on its academic merits. An offer of a place may be conditional on attending additional courses and/or passing qualifying examinations at a suitable standard, in addition to your degree. You should note that there are always many more applications than places available at LSE and possession of the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee that you'll be offered admission. It's therefore in your interests to apply as early as possible.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two academic references
• CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Applying for your chosen stream

You must apply for your chosen stream using the correct application code. Before making your application, it's vital that you take the time to research and choose the stream suitable for you. Successful applicants will receive an offer for a specific stream. Switching to a different stream may not be possible as it depends on availability and fit with the other cohort. Therefore, please ensure you choose your stream carefully. The additional fee for the HRM and IER streams cannot be refunded if students switch to a different stream after the programme starts.

Speak to an Admissions specialist

If you have any queries which are not answered on the website or would like to chat with an admissions specialist, we run one-to-one Zoom chats on a weekly basis for prospective students and offer holders:

• Book a one-to-one session (prospective students)
• Book a one-to-one session (offer holders)

Contact us

For questions related to your application or the admissions process, please check our admissions frequently asked questions page.

If you have any queries which are not answered on the website, please contact the Programme and Admissions Team at dom.msc.admissions@lse.ac.uk.

Please note: the applications, intake and ratio values below include the three streams of the programme.

The MSc Human Resources and Organisations programme attract a diverse range of students each year, from a wide variety of employment backgrounds and international locations. The programme is designed around the diversity of its students, bringing together a variety of real-world experience and international perspectives to form a close-knit academic community.

The programme is well-suited to pre-career applicants, and no previous work experience is required. However applicants with some work experience are also welcome, bringing a variety of experience to the class.

Read more about the LSE student experience on our student blog, The Student Lens.

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

HRM and IER streams (2025/26)

Home students: £31,900

OB stream (2025/26)

Home students: £30,900

Membership of CIPD

Your fee for the HRM and IER streams includes student membership of CIPD which can be converted to Associate membership when you graduate.

Deposit

To secure a place on the programme offer holders will be required to pay a deposit of 10% of the tuition fee within six weeks of receiving their offer.

HRM and IER streams (2025/26)

Overseas students: £31,900

OB stream (2025/26)

Overseas students: £30,900

Membership of CIPD

Your fee for the HRM and IER streams includes student membership of CIPD which can be converted to Associate membership when you graduate.

Deposit

To secure a place on the programme offer holders will be required to pay a deposit of 10% of the tuition fee within six weeks of receiving their offer.

Given the high level of academic performance expected from students, a significant amount of independent study and preparation is required to get the most out of the programme. Half-unit courses can be assessed by two hour unseen examinations, coursework assignments, class participation or group/individual project work.

LSE Links

For more than 30 years, LSE has teamed up with leading organisations in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors to enable students in MSc Human Resources and Organisations to conduct joint applied research projects.

As an essential part of their professional education, participating students research a topic suggested by their host organisation using a case-study approach that entails gathering and analysing data, and producing a Business Report for the organisation, alongside a dissertation for LSE.

The best topics for a Links research project are those that are important for the host organisation, but not urgent. Links project teams most commonly consist of two students with access to LSE’s research resources and academic supervision, and can achieve sufficient depth and independence of analysis to kick-start further action and debate on these sorts of topics within the host organisation.

Host organisations gain access to independent research and analysis on a people-related issue that is of practical importance for them. They can also use the Links projects as a way to spot and test talent to cover their future recruiting needs. Sponsors often see their participation as a way of supporting future members of their professional community, LSE and higher education in general.

• Project timeline

Research projects are outlined during the autumn. Students are assigned to projects in December and research is conducted between February and July.

September - November - LSE contacts potential host organisations and assists in developing a research project brief.

December - Students are allocated to projects.

February - July - Research undertaken (NB students unavailable over exam period in May-June)

August - September - Project finalised, dissertation and business report prepared for submission

• Further information

Download our Links brochure to learn more about the programme, including examples of past projects and participating organisations.

For organisations interested in pursuing a project, please contact Ardy Cheung, Corporate Relations Manager.

Career development with the MSc Human Resources and Organisations

The HRO programme will develop your intellectual and practical skills as a talented and well-rounded manager of human resources within organisations, with the ability to thrive and innovate with challenges in today’s complex and fast-moving business world.

With a strong foundation of knowledge in general HR management, plus specialist knowledge from your chosen stream, and practical skills developed with case studies and practical projects, you will graduate with a unique and well-rounded portfolio of skills and knowledge to set you apart in the job market. Your practical and professional management skills will be developed and polished during the programme, including communication and presentation skills, team working, cultural intelligence gained from close collaboration with classmates from around the world, and an opportunity for client management experience from the Links Scheme project.

Graduate destinations

HRO graduates have taken roles across a wide variety of sectors, in companies across the globe. A common career path is to enter HR management consulting with graduates taking up roles with employers such as KPMG, Deloitte and PwC. Beyond this, opportunities are extremely broad, and HRO graduates have also gone on to excel in careers in a wide range of organisations, from Unilever to DKNY.

Here are some examples of the companies and organisations which our alumni now work for:

• American Express
• Aviva
• Barclays
• BP
• British Airways
• BT
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Deloitte
• Deutsche Telekom
• DKNY
• Groupon Busch
• Hertz
• IBM
• ILO
• Informa
• JP Morgan
• KPMG
• NGOs
• Nokia
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Samsung Electronics
• Schlumberger
• Shell
• Trade Unions
• Unilever

Our Careers Alumni and Employer Relations (CAER) team support you in preparation for whichever path you choose to follow beyond LSE. Complementing your academic programme, we engage you with our 24,000 strong alumni community and connect you with CEMS corporate and social partners such as Gartner, Accenture, Merlin Entertainments, Grow Movement and European Space Agency.

We work alongside you each step of the way; from researching different sectors and opportunities available, to identifying internships, jobs or further study, and then navigating the application and interview process.

Take advantage of one-to-one careers appointments (that continue when you're a graduate), complemented by a wide range of events and engagements throughout the duration of your programme, including:

• industry-focused alumni panels
• alumni and employer networking evenings
• employer skills seminars
• business projects
• office visits
• mock assessment centres/interviews
• careers skills boot camps.

All Department of Management students have access to the services of our team in addition to the support of the central LSE Careers team, who support the wider university.