2025/26 entry
MA Strategic People Management and Practice
About this course
LJMU's Strategic People Management and Practice MA focuses on the practical application of knowledge in different organisational contexts, business sectors and areas of operation.
- Study in a CIPD-approved centre
- Work towards accreditation against the internationally recognised CIPD Profession Map.
- Top up your CIPD Level 7 Diploma from another university or college to a Masters degree
- Part Time Study Option
Increasing labour costs are amongst the most expensive operational spend for many organisations, and their evolving needs demand knowledgeable and capable human resource and people management teams. This course helps support and add value to business growth and development.
As a postgraduate in this specialist area you will be part of an HR community, engaging in study and research with practitioner input through taught sessions, master classes and CIPD Liverpool Group and Branch activities.
The programme provides you with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Advanced (Level 7) Standards. On graduation student members upgrade to Chartered Member, evidencing experience, behaviours and academic achievement.
Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University is a member of AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide. Through membership, accreditation, research, thought leadership, professional development, and advocacy, AACSB partners with over 1,500 organizations, from more than 90 countries globally. Membership or participation in the Global Education Alliance does not imply accreditation.
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Joshi Jariwala, Programme Leader for MA Strategic People Management and Practice
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Lucy shares her experience of studying Strategic People Management
Professional body recognition
LJMU is a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) approved centre and assessment is set internally, with external examiner approval. Completion of this programme results in approval against the knowledge requirements of the CIPD's Advanced Diploma Level Standards.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Successful completion of the MA Strategic People Management and Practice gives you the knowledge requirements at Level 7 from which, with appropriate experience, you will be able to apply for Chartered Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
The emphasis throughout the programme is on analysis and evaluation of different organisational approaches and academic perspectives, enabling you to operate professionally across a range of organisation contexts.
The value placed on the LJMU Masters in Strategic People Management and Practice by employers is clear from the number of public and private sector employers who have repeatedly sent their human resources and people management staff to study at LJMU.
The student experience
Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core modules
Developing Inclusive, Personal and Business Ethical Behaviours
10 credits
This module sets the foundation for the postgraduate programme in human resource management, enhancing your ability to make strategic and ethical business decisions whilst also promoting lifelong learning and self-development. By completing this module, you will develop a set of core skills such as perception, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. It is designed to promote understanding of how actions and inclusive behaviour impact on ethics and the organisation. By critically evaluating and applying theories and conceptual frameworks you will examine how the development of individual and interpersonal competencies can drive good working practices which are inclusive and influential.
People Management and Practices in a Changing Business Context
20 credits
This module develops a critical understanding of the relationship between human resource management practices and the changing macroenvironment and microenvironment. It builds a strategic awareness of the advances in people management and explores the evolving range of practices required within the workplace of today and the future.
Strategic People Management and Developing Performance
20 credits
The module explores how people professionals create value and deliver outcomes for organisations and employees, and how contributing to the achievement of business objectives improves performance and enhances the employee experience.
Strategic Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
10 credits
This module creates space to allow you to think critically about individual and organisational approaches to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging, understand underpinning social concepts such as stereotyping, discrimination etc. and reflect how these influence organisational strategy and policy within the workplace. You will critically appraise the competing drivers for diversity, inclusion and belonging and their relationship with the labour market including an understanding of equal treatment and diversity approaches to equality both conceptually and in terms of workplace interventions to develop an inclusive culture.
Managing People Recruitment and Developing Talent
20 credits
This module explores the sociodemographic and legislative considerations to effective talent and development management. You will explore the strategic approaches to managing and developing talent and investigate how to sustain agile and effective people planning initiatives. You will critically evaluate succession planning and inclusive approaches to unlock internal talent within a business and analyse the influence of digitalisation and technological advancements in managing and developing talent, whilst also exploring strategic approaches to sustaining a pipeline of future talent within an organisation.
Managing and Leading Employment Relations
20 credits
This module explores the different approaches organisations and people managers undertake to manage and develop employment relations. It investigates the historical development of collective workplace negotiations, the relationship with trade unions and staff representatives and the move towards the individualisation of the employer / employee relationship. You will critically evaluate employment relations theories and conceptual frameworks and how these influence leadership approaches and relationship management within contemporary organisational settings.
Organisational Development, Change and Strategic Reward
10 credits
This module focuses on the principles of organisational development and change to achieve strategic goals and support organisational success. Particular emphasis is on the role of strategic reward in attracting, motivating and retaining people at work in order to direct the actions and behaviours of individuals, teams and the organisation towards the achievement of organisational goals.
Business Research in People Management and Practice – Research Methods
10 credits
This module will involve you applying research philosophical approaches to a real-life workplace challenge. You will learn the whole research process through participating in workshops and conducting online exercises, working on a real research problem that will develop your skills in designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative research methods. The module will support your development of competencies in effective methodological approaches, decision-making, and designing qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method research and ethical research practice. It provides you with the core skills and knowledge in readiness to undertake research in a chosen area of interest.
Business Research in People Management and Practice - Literature Review and Professional Inquiry
60 credits
This module aims to strengthen your academic and professional reading and writing skills. Through supported workshops, you will develop an independent academically rigorous research project using primary and or secondary research methods. This module requires you evaluate a range of sources, including academic journal papers, textbooks, government and sector reports, research by professional bodies and other material to compile your professional inquiry. You will produce a robust and business centred cost benefit analysis of your research to demonstrate the ability to translate your findings, conclusions, and recommendations to a practice base setting.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Full and Part time cohorts are taught together allowing for and resulting in wider networking opportunities.
The full-time programme (one year) will be running between September 2023 and July 2024, incorporating 3 semesters.
Students will be expected to attend lectures and seminars at the following times: Monday: 14:30hrs - 19:30hrs Tuesday: 14:30hrs - 19:30hrs and three Wednesday block days
Teaching methods
A variety of learning approaches are used including: electronic resources such as e-journals and resources which can be accessed on and off-campus; our virtual learning environment containing session notes which can be accessed in advance of sessions and module guides including indicative reading lists for each session which allow pre-reading of chapters prior to classes.
During the workshop sessions there is a mix of lecturer input; facilitated discussions of organisational approaches; presentations to develop learning of the whole group; discussion groups around research, journal articles; reading; organisational approaches/practice and case study work.
Applied learning
LJMU has an engaged academic team within the Strategic People Management and Practice MA, who are committed to your development and continued success. All members of our teaching team have worked in professional HR and people management-related roles and are Chartered Members or Fellows of CIPD, bringing a professional perspective as well as an academic focus to their sessions.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Assessments on this course include:
- Written assignments reviewing the implications of major pieces of contemporary research for contemporary organisations
- Written assignments advising on and developing HR strategy and policy in specific organisation/sectoral contexts
- Two examinations (50% of each exam is based around a seen case study)
- Portfolio evidencing development
- A research proposal in preparation for the Masters-level dissertation
- The Masters-level dissertation
There will be opportunities in workshops to discuss assignments, clarify requirements with the module tutor and discuss possible approaches to the work with your colleagues in the group. In the examined modules there will be discussion of approaches to examinations and a revision session at the end of the module. The case study is available two weeks prior to the examination on our virtual learning environment.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Supporting students to make the link between academic theory and concepts about human resources and strategic people management and the actual working practice in the real world is the driving force behind our programme. I want our programme to challenge, develop, stretch and energise our students. I want our students to go out in to the workplace with the confidence and skills to make a difference in the world of HR.
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Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
School facilities
What you can expect from your School
The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool 's growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, and a café. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies.
Liverpool Business School also has a dedicated Management Development Suite, based in a listed building in the historic Georgian Quarter of Liverpool and a short walk from the Redmonds Building. The building has recently undergone £1.2 million investment to provide a professional learning space.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- a minimum 2:2 honours degree
Additional requirements
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Relevant work experience
- experience in the field of HR, Training, Development or related area OR aspirations to work in this area
International requirements
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IELTS
- IELTS 6.0 (Minimum of 5.5 in each component)
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Other international requirements
- International students applying to study a full-time taught Masters, MRes, MPhil or PhD at LJMU should check if they require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate. Contact International Admissions Team for more details
- International students entering on a Student visa cannot study part-time
Further information
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Extra Requirements
- Additional qualifications will be considered e.g. Level 5 CIPD Intermediate standards
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RPL
- RPL is accepted on this programme
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.