Curriculum overview
This stream is designed to further develop your knowledge and skills in general HR management. On completion of the stream students will 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.
Your fee for this stream includes student membership of CIPD which can be converted to Associate membership when you graduate. 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 HR-related careers, including general HR management, talent management and HR consulting.
We are ranked #3 in the world for social science and management, and the HRO programme is founded in LSE’s tradition for academic excellence. 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 will 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.
Human Resource Management (HRM stream) compulsory core courses (3.5 units)
(* denotes a half unit)
Foundations of Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice*
Introduces students to a range of theoretical perspectives which underpin the ways in which organisations manage the employment relationship through the deployment of HRM strategy and policy. From a practice perspective, it reviews challenges involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of both overall HRM strategy and specific practice areas.
Business Strategy, Management and Analytics*
Provides students with an overview of the development of management disciplines (other than HRM) and will develop an understanding of the disciplinary anchors in sociology, psychology and economics. Each field will cover origins and disciplinary boundaries, triggers for growth, core concepts and the current state of play and debate.
The Management of People in Global Companies*
Focuses on the strategic challenges global corporations face in managing human resources across national and organisational boundaries, and the ways in which diverse stakeholders influence these strategies.
People Analytics and Technology*
Organisational Behaviour*
Helps students understand attitudes and behaviour in an organisational context. This will be done by reviewing psychological theories as they apply to organisations; demonstrating the contribution of a psychological perspective to understanding human behaviour at work; and critically evaluating the empirical evidence.
Dissertation
Provides students with the opportunity to conduct independent research in a topic of their choice.
Two x half-unit core course:
People Analytics and Technology*
The Management of People in Global Companies*
Optional elective courses (0.5 unit)
You will customise your programme according to your own interests with an optional elective course from the list below, to the total value of 0.5 unit.
(* denotes a half unit)
Decisions, Biases and Nudges*
Leading Organisational Change*
The Dark Side of the Organisation*
Cross Cultural Management*
Leadership in Organisations: Theory and Practice*
Strategic Reward: Key Models and Practices*
Employment Law*
Human Rights in the Workplace*
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 2 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 1 unit and a maximum of 3 units in each year with a recommendation that they take 2 units each year as follows:
First year
Second year
Please note that we are 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.
For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.
You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.
You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.