Global HRM MSc
Prepare to lead human resources in different cultures and contexts, helping companies achieve their business goals Online,
About your course
Study at a triple-accredited Business School in a worldleading university. Prepare to lead human resources in different cultures and contexts, helping companies achieve their business goals.
Research-driven and practice-led, our 100% online MSc Global HRM covers a breadth of content spanning HR, employment relations, organisational behaviour, strategy and research. The relevancy of course content is assured by input from King’s world-leading HR academics. The programme aims to enhance your understanding of issues central to HRM, organisations, and business. It prepares you for further career development in HRM, business, and management.
Who’s the course for?
This MSc is primarily designed for HR professionals seeking career advancement. It also targets senior managers and leaders who acknowledge the increasing significance of specialised HRM knowledge in strategic decisionmaking. The course addresses key contemporary challenges in the people profession, including talent management, well-being, and high performance. It also examines sustainable HR and advanced analytical techniques for identifying employee insights. You’ll apply and hone your skills in a research and consulting project based on a real-world HR challenge, gaining the practical experience to enhance your attractiveness to existing and potentially future employers.
Key details
Delivery: online, part-time
Duration: two years
Start dates: January, May and September
Tuition fees: * ^ £20,232
* These tuition fees may be subject to increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
^ Depending on your country of residence, you may also have to pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) in addition to your tuition fees. You can find further information on the King’s Goods and Services tax page.
Career outcomes
This MSc in Global HRM readies you to enhance workforce performance and organisational development in today’s dynamic global business landscape. Equipped with a grasp of current organisational issues and the tools to address them, you’ll be prepared to evaluate HR practices, make decisions confidently, and communicate persuasively. You’ll also develop a range of transferable skills, including adaptive communication, problem-solving, cultural and international awareness, team building, and project management.
Depending upon your current role, the typical roles to which you may expect to progress include HR manager, senior HR manager, HR director, management consultant or employee relations specialist.
Careers service
At King’s, we’re dedicated to providing you with the tools and platforms you need to step into flourishing careers. Our Careers Service is open to all students, offering careers guidance and industry connections via our CareerConnect portal. Search for jobs, connect with employers and access masterclasses and other events.
Study with a world-leading faculty, 100% online
King’s College London has a heritage of pioneering thinking, which is a tradition we continue within our triple-accredited Business School. Our world-class faculty collaborate with researchers, governments, professional bodies, agile startups, and leading organisations around the world to uncover new approaches to HRM. We focus on practical applications that produce real impact in HR, underpinned by responsible leadership.
King’s Business School is ranked
#7
King's College London is a CIPD Accredited Programme Provider. Our Global HRM MSc is mapped to the CIPD Profession Map. On successful completion of this master's and with active CIPD membership, you'll receive Associate Membership (Assoc CIPD). You may also be eligible to upgrade to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow, depending on your experience.
#5
#31 globally in the UK
King’s College London is in the UK
Module overview
You’re required to take modules totalling 180 credits. King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules on offer may change from year to year.
Required modules
You’re required to take:
Human Resource Management in Practice (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll be introduced to the core domains of HRM in practice including employee resourcing, employee reward, training and development, talent management, performance management and employee engagement. You’ll also explore the strategic role of the HR function and examine HRM from an international perspective, considering a range of dilemmas faced by HRM practitioners and line managers.
You’ll examine these topics from a critical, evidence-based perspective and apply relevant theories to understanding practical HRM situations. The module is also designed to help you develop key people management skills and competencies required in a global context.
Motivation, Wellbeing, and Performance (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll address issues on employee motivation, performance, and wellbeing. You’ll cover theories and human resources management practices for employee motivation, performance, and wellbeing.
Specifically, you’ll cover principles and practices for performance management, including job analysis, performance measurement, evaluations, and feedback. You’ll be introduced to motivation theories, including reinforcement theory, need theory, self-determination theory, expectancy theory, goal-setting theory, and equity
theory, to understand the motivational mechanism behind work performance from different angles. Meanwhile, you’ll also discuss motivation practices, such as compensations, rewards, and job design, for how managers and organisations can shape employee motivation, performance, and wellbeing.
Finally, you’ll address two important topics on employee wellbeing, workplace stress and work-life balance, by discussing theories and human resource management practices on stress management and flexible work arrangement.
You’ll have opportunities to apply what you learn to analyse cases reflecting real-world managerial issues from different angles, including different stakeholders’ perspectives. You’ll also be offered activities to reflect on your work experiences and apply the knowledge learnt from the module to your work contexts.
MSc course guide - 5
Employment Relations (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll gain a critical perspective on the employment relationship, including how it’s inherently conflictual, with tensions between managers and workers. You’ll discover that the employment relationship encompasses different actors, including trade unions, governments, managers, and employees. You’ll also learn that across different countries and contexts, different institutions impact the employment relationship and its actors, and this has implications for inequality.
You’ll cover the unequal employment relationship and the role of industrial relations and institutions in relation to work and organisations. You’ll develop an understanding of how this impacts diversity and inclusion, wage inequality, job quality and skills. You’ll look at macro perspectives and how these impact the workplace. You’ll gain a critical appraisal and an appreciation of a sociological
perspective that tackles inequality, along with an understanding of how micro-HR initiatives can alleviate some inequalities. Therefore, you’ll see how different theories, cases and evidence relate to employment relations.
HR Data and Analytics (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll be introduced to the use of data analytics in global HRM. You’ll focus on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks presented by data analytics, including ethical implications of these practices. You’ll learn how to carry out quantitative and qualitative analyses, how to interpret the outputs from these processes, and how to effectively communicate the findings to key stakeholders in order to positively impact organisational decisionmaking, strategy development and policy implementation. The module is designed to develop key skills in contemporary digital technologies, analysis, and communication.
Global and Comparative HRM (15 credits)
The global context of HRM challenges us to consider how national culture and regional institutions shape management practices, employment opportunities and work-related experiences. It further offers unique sets of opportunities and constraints for multinational corporations (MNCs) for running their business and managing international human resources. This module is designed to help you understand how, and to what extent, national institutional characteristics shape the design and impact of HRMrelated policies and practices. You’ll analyse MNC’s international strategies, the role of culture and institutions in HRrelated variations between countries, and the impact of globalisation on workers around the world.
Research and Consultancy Skills in HRM (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll be introduced to both research methods and consultancy skills which can then be used to analyse and resolve management and HRM problems and explore business opportunities. The emphasis will be on evidence-based and problem-based learning. With research methods, you’ll be introduced to, and expected to apply, a range of research methodologies and methods. This module will also critique different frameworks of consultancy. You’ll be introduced to consultancy theory and tools and expected to develop process awareness, understanding and consulting skills through various practical activities and applications.
Leadership and Change (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll focus on the role of leadership in organisational change management. You’ll first cover theories and perspectives of leadership, including trait, behavioural, contextual, and relational perspectives, approaching leadership from different angles. Next, you’ll discuss organisational change from a process perspective. You’ll be introduced to a process model of change and use this as a framework to discuss the importance of stakeholder management, communication, reactions to change, learning and culture, and employee proactivity in the change process.
You’ll examine the role of leadership in change under each topic of change management. You’ll be provided opportunities to apply the knowledge learned from the module to analyse cases reflecting real-world issues in organisational change management across different business and geographical settings. You’ll also be offered activities to reflect on your work experiences and apply the knowledge learned from the module to your work contexts.
Strategic and Contemporary HRM (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll examine strategic and contemporary HRM that is applicable to a global context. You’ll consider Strategic HRM as compared with more operational HRM and critically consider the strategic role of HRM in addressing current organisational challenges and dilemmas.
You’ll examine strategic and contemporary HRM from a critical, evidence-based perspective and apply relevant theories to understanding practical Global HRM situations. The module is also designed to promote your global mindset, with the development of a range of key people management skills and competencies required in a national and international context.
Responsible HR and Sustainability (15 credits)
In this module, you’ll explore Responsible HR and Sustainability to develop your insight into the important internal and external contribution that HR can make.
In addition to considering the employee and organisational perspective, you’ll locate HRM within its broader societal and environmental context. Examining challenges from a critical and strategic, evidence-based perspective you’ll apply relevant concepts and theories to build your skills to ensure that you’re well placed to lead the way in enhancing Global HRM, for example with promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Green HR.
The module is designed to develop your global mindset and key people management skills and competencies required in a global context, including ethical decision making, adaptive communication, and problem-solving.
Research and Consultancy Global HRM Project (45 credits)
This practice-based module gives you the opportunity to undertake research into, and consultancy on, a specific HRM organisational problem. It’s designed to give you experience in defining and researching a specific academic topic in HRM, building on subject knowledge and professional insights and skills gained through taught modules.
You’ll apply methodological principles and consulting skills developed on the Research and Consulting Skills in HRM module. This will involve original research, the application of research techniques (including quantitative or qualitative approaches), the use of intervention styles in consultancy, and evidence of problem-solving skills to address the business issue with actionable recommendations. The module requires you to apply a global mindset.
Entry requirements
Standard requirements
A 2:2 honours degree in a related area.
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a master’s or PGDip).
Non-standard entry requirements
Even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, your application will be considered and assessed on a case-by-case basis.
For example, you may be offered a place with a lower degree qualification if you bring with you relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications. You may be offered a place if you performed exceptionally well in an unrelated degree.
English language requirements
English language band: D
To study at King’s, it’s essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You’re usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed:
• An undergraduate degree (at least three years duration) within five years of the course start date
• A postgraduate taught degree (at least one year) within five years of the course start date
• A PhD in a majority English-speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page. MSc course guide - 9
Disability support
At King’s, our Disability Support Team offers information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students with disabilities. When we refer to the term ‘disability’ we also include long-term medical or mental health conditions and Specific Learning Difficulties. If you require disability support, please email disability@kcl.ac.uk as soon as possible. Further information can be found on our website.
Application process
We recommend applying as early as you can to secure your place. To apply, you’ll need to first register on our online application system “King’s Apply” where you can submit your application online. Please ensure that you send in all relevant documentation with your online application.
You’ll need to submit degree certificates and all other documents required for your application before we can process it. International education documents will need to be translated to English by an official translator before submission. Once submitted, your application will be assessed by our admissions team. You will be able to track and contact us about your application, using King’s Apply.
Personal
statement and supporting information
You’ll need to submit a personal statement and two reference letters as part of your application.
You’ll also need to submit a copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
You’ll need to submit your CV as part of your application to highlight your experience.
About us
Founded in 1829, King’s College London is one of the top universities in the world, ranked in the top 40 in the Times Higher Education World Rankings 2025. We are recognised internationally for our focus on excellence and the distinctive contribution we make to society through our world-leading research.
This course is run by the Department of Human Resource Management and Employment Relations within King’s Business School. A leading management institution, the Business School is proud to be among the one per cent of business schools globally to achieve triple accreditation. In recognition of our world-
class education that is relevant to the needs of the world around us, we’ve been awarded the three major Business School accreditations (AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA).
Our staff undertake ground-breaking research across the disciplines of management, business, economics, and finance, all of which is improving the way people do business. Over 90% of our research was rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
King’s has made every effort to ensure that this information is both helpful and accurate but some changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees, may become necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory or academic reasons. King’s will endeavour to keep changes to a minimum and to keep applicants informed appropriately. For this reason, it is important that you regularly check the website for updates or contact King’s using the contact details contained within this document. www.kcl.ac.uk
At King’s College London, we are proud to be delivering our online degrees to students in over 150 different countries across the world. The broad applicability of our qualifications means that our graduates move into a wide variety of different job roles and further study opportunities, some of which are governed by specific regional regulatory requirements. Before joining, we recommend that you seek advice from any relevant accrediting bodies in your intended country of domicile to ensure that this course is qualified to meet your intended career or further study outcomes.
If you have any questions about studying online with King’s, please contact our Enrolment Advisors by completing the form on our Contact us page.
