International Human Resource Management MSc at Coventry University

Effective human resource management (HRM) is an integral part of any successful organisation and, within the context of a competitive global market, the demand for skilled staff is now increasing within every business sector, in multinational organisations and companies throughout the world.

Designed specifically for those who want to pursue global careers in HRM, this course covers the essential theoretical knowledge, intellectual frameworks and practical skills required by today’s employers in a range of international business contexts. You should gain an understanding of the key theories in HRM, an in-depth knowledge and understanding of country-specific practices and international HR issues, alongside the real-world experience and skills needed to operate across national borders as an HR professional.

Why Coventry University?

An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.

Course information

The course focuses on strategic people management and development within an international organisational context, placing special emphasis on global employment issues, including national cultures, legislation and strategies. For example, we consider the role of HR professionals in managing skilled and unskilled migration and how this impacts on organisational effectiveness.

Our course team benefits from a close relationship with the CIPD, organising and hosting CIPD local branch events. Your programme of study will reflect the CIPD’s professional standards and expectations, broadening your awareness of HR generalist and specialist functions in an international context and providing you with the essential requirements needed to work within the broad context of international people management and development.

We will aim to develop your strategic awareness of global business operations, for example, by considering how the individual goals and strategies of businesses drive their marketing, production, employee or customer orientation, as well as learning and development strategy. We will also look at how HR professionals can add value in organisations through HR practice within an international employment context, such as ensuring cultural diversity through recruitment and selection practices or global talent management programmes.

You will have the chance to study a range of technical modules, such as HR Analytics and Managing Organisational Change Projects using project management, in addition to core HR accredited modules to achieve Associate CIPD membership and Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accreditation. We also ensure that you gain a genuinely internationalised learning experience, developing your awareness of a range of international contexts. For instance, the ‘Comparative Global HRM’ module allows you to select two regions from four to compare HR practices, enabling you to tailor your studies depending on your personal requirements and in line with your future career aspirations.

Career prospects

Organisations in every area, in every country have HR departments, so having the experience and these essential skills can take you anywhere in the world, regardless of whether you work as a generalist or a specialist with particular expertise in one area of HR.

Opportunities now exist to explore HR in every sector imaginable and at many different levels, covering everything from training and recruitment, pensions, compensation, benefits, and payroll and redundancy to implementing employment law and relocation packages.

You should gain a clear understanding of a broad range of HR, managerial and business principles, practices and competencies in different regions of the world. You should develop specialist technical competence, strong analytical and problem-solving skills in managing organisational change or employment law, and HR analytics.

There will be opportunities to work with employers on problem-based assessments and will gain experience producing policy documents relevant to the changing world of work.

Our Faculty has designated Employment Personal Tutors (EPT), aligned to their area of study, to work with you throughout your course. Our EPTs have previously worked in industry and have experience of being a recruiter; because of their experiences, they understand the labour market, the skills employers look for and the processes used by employers to select candidates.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University’s Careers and Employability team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Many of our graduates have found employment positions within generalist HR, general management, specialist pay and reward, people development and employee relations roles in organisations such as BNP Paribas.