UPHRMANA - Intermediate Diploma in Professional Development in Human Resource Management

The learning and teaching strategy will encompass a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and online work. This will include tutor led lectures, student led class discussions and seminar sessions, case studies, individual and group exercises. Students will be asked to take part in problem solving activities where theory and models will need to be applied to specific context. They will also be encouraged to reflect on their own experience of organisations and employment to support the development of relevant knowledge, skills and understanding. Sessions will be supported by web based resources on Weblearn and directed learning activities. Students will be issued with a module handbook, and guidance on readings, most of which will be available through the Learning Centre, others through Weblearn. All participants will be required to read relevant materials in advance of seminar sessions in order that these can be student-led. Students will be encouraged to think holistically both in class and via the assessment strategy, so that an integrated understanding of the syllabus components can be fully appreciated. Emphasis will be placed on reflection and continuing professional development.

This course focuses on the issues and challenges facing Human Resource Management professionals. More specifically it aims to:

1. Provide the opportunity for students to gain a level 5 University award in professional development which benefits individuals in occupations concerned with human resource management (HRM) to enable them to relate their practical experience to relevant theoretical and empirical research-based ideas and concepts.
2. Develop a sound understanding of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by human resources (HR) professionals whether in a specialist or a generalist role.
3. Enhance students’ awareness of current issues and strategic developments in HRM taking account of the nature and significance of national and international contexts.
4. Enable students to design and conduct their own research on an HR-related business issue.
5. Develop students’ skills in interpersonal relationships and facilitate self-reflection and ongoing continuing professional development necessary for career development and progression.
6. Provide an opportunity for students to engage in a range of HR specialisms as well as to examine HR generalist issues.
7. Provide an opportunity for applicants to gain appropriate professional body qualifications within the field of HRM.

1. Address and develop the competencies needed by an HR professional in a personal capacity and when collaborating and working with others so as to function efficiently and effectively in an organisational context.
2. Explore different ways of delivering HR objectives and emerging developments in the management of the employment relationship
3. Demonstrate how the HR function adds value for organisations and delivers HR objectives to achieve positive organisational outcomes.
4. Develop skills of research and enquiry to identify appropriate data sources to support an investigation into an area of HR practice and to synthesise and apply this data.
5. Present a viable and realistic case for improvement based on sound work-based research and an understanding of what is considered to be good practice.
6. Identify and review business and external contextual factors on the HR function.
7. Examine HR’s role in strategy formulation and implementation.
8. Engage with HR specialisms such as resourcing and talent management, employment relations, employee engagement, performance and reward management, service delivery and organisational design and development.

Business & Management

All assessment will be by coursework. All assessments will require students to present an integrated approach that demonstrates that they have met all the learning outcomes of the module being assessed. Courseworks for core modules (HR5058 and HR5059) will be submitted in week 15 (in semester 1 and 2 respectively); courseworks for the option module selected (either HR5060 or HR5061) will be submitted in week 14 so that the assessment load is not bunched. The design of the assessments will consist of one formal submission but there will also be regular opportunities for informal assessment as students complete the elements required for each piece of assessed work.
Formative feedback (and ‘feedforward’) will take place via class discussions and exercises. Summative feedback (and ‘feedforward’) will be provided via coursework cover sheets (or online through ‘turnitin’) on the piece of assessed work following established University timelines on feedback to students.

HR5058 Managing and Developing HR Professional Practice will be assessed by portfolio comprising three components (4,000 words). HR5059: Organisations and People: Context, strategy and practice will be assessed by a consultancy report (3,500 words). HR5060: Resourcing, Engaging and Delivering for Success will be assessed via coursework based on an integrative case study (3,500 words). HR5061: Managing Organisational Development, Performance and Reward will be assessed via an academic essay (3,500 words).

Students must take two core-compulsory modules: HR5058: Managing and Developing HR Professional Practice and HR5059: Organisations and People: Context, Strategy and Practice.

Students must also take either: HR5060: Resourcing, Engaging and Delivering for Success or HR5061: Managing Organisational Development, Performance and Reward.

In total students must take 2 cores + 1 designated option module to achieve the award of Intermediate Diploma in Professional Development in Human Resource Management.

The course is CIPD approved as follows:
Students must take two core-compulsory modules: HR5058: Managing and Developing HR Professional Practice and HR5059: Organisations and People: Context, Strategy and Practice.

Students must also take either: HR5060: Resourcing, Engaging and Delivering for Success or HR5061: Managing Organisational Development, Performance and Reward.

In total students must take 2 cores + 1 designated option module to achieve the CIPD’s award of Intermediate Level Diploma and to gain CIPD Associate Membership. Students must join CIPD at the start of their course.

This course provides both reflective learning and professional skills development in the context of students’ existing HR practice. Students consider their own skills set against a professional competency framework. Students are required to reflect on their own performance in carrying out a research project and what they can do as a result to develop the range and depth of their professional competence. The course includes the requirement for students to: conduct a personal skills audit, evaluate what it means to be an HR professional with reference to the CIPD’s HR Profession Map, undertake self-assessment of HR professional practice to identify CPD needs and apply CPD techniques to construct, implement and review a personal development plan.

A programme of guest speakers from industry and authors of eminent works is incorporated into our HRM courses. In addition, regular employability careers sessions for HR students are run.

Students joining CIPD will have access to the CIPD educational resources and the CIPD’s London Branch Network. This Institution is linked to the CIPD’s North London Branch which runs guest events and networking sessions for students and HR professionals.

The Intermediate Diploma in Professional Development in HRM is approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD). Students must join CIPD at the start of their course. Successful completion of the course and joining CIPD leads to the CIPD’s Intermediate Level Diploma and gives Associate CIPD membership.

For candidates who already work in an HR role and who wish to further their careers by achieving a university award and professional body recognition, completion of this CIPD approved university level 5 award will provide an opportunity to gain specialist skills, knowledge and the competencies needed to apply effective approaches to HRM within different organisational settings. This will enhance your career progression and advancement, either within your current organisation or within another organisation.

Successful completion of the Intermediate Diploma in Professional Development in HRM provides a qualification that can be used to apply for entry to the Post Graduate Diploma in HRM. The University’s Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, together with joining CIPD, leads to the CIPD’s Advanced Level Diploma, the professional body’s highest award which, together with suitable work experience, forms the foundation for application for Chartered status of the CIPD (CMCIPD or CFCIPD) further enhancing employability.

The course is open to early career stage professionals in HR such as HR assistants and others with appropriate technical experience, or junior managers.