Human Resource Management

Normally a H2.1 degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in business or a related discipline. However, candidates with a H2.2 honours degree and who have a minimum of 2 years relevant work experience will also be considered. IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.

Academic entry requirements standardised per country here. 

English language requirements here.

Our MSc HRM recognises prior learning and acknowledges that learners’ knowledge and skills can be acquired through various learning experiences. Thus, applicants who hold a Second-class honours, (2.2) degree and possess at least two years of relevant work experience will also be considered. Our RPL approach to eligibility encourages broader accessibility. The facilitation of a diverse group of learners amplifies the advantages of peer learning and contributes to a richer classroom experience, fostering an environment that is conducive to robust discussions, collaboration, and growth.

Our students have gone on to pursue careers in a wide range of human resource management roles right up to senior executive level including recruitment and talent acquisition, HR generalist roles, Business Partners, compensation and benefits, learning & development, subject matter experts e.g. pensions. Employers of previous graduates of the MSc in Human Resource Management come from a wide variety of industry sectors and include Aerogen, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Merit Medical, Eli Lilly, MSD, Charles River, Zimmer Biomet, Hollister, Sanofi Aventis, L’Oreal, Glanbia, ESB, KPMG, PwC, Accenture, EY, Mazars, Sigmar Recruitment, INTEL, Dell, AWS, LinkedIn and Paypal to name a few.

We have a close relationship with the University of Galway Career Development Centre who provide high quality career guidance and information services focused on facilitating and empowering our students to manage their own career development and make effective career transitions.

Services include: Jobs Fairs, Seminars and panel discussions, Employer Presentations / Activities, Workshops and support with applications and work-related skills. Visit our Career Development Centre for more information.

Internship Opportunity

Students have the option to pursue an internship opportunity incorporating an Applied Management Report. The internship gives students an edge in the job market on completion of their programme. Most of our students are offered graduate roles by their internship organisation on completion of their course.  

CIPD Accredited 

The MSc HRM is accredited at the Advanced Standards Level (the highest achievable) by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), the largest professional HR body globally. Students on this programme can achieve Associate Membership of CIPD. 

On successful completion of these programmes, students will acquire Associate Membership of the CIPD.  After graduation, as students build professional experience, they can progress through the professional stages of CIPD membership from Chartered Member to Chartered Fellow. 

The MSc HRM is one of the very few CIPD accredited MSc. Programmes in Ireland that offers an Internship and Consultancy pathway.  Both pathways require the student to undertake an applied project, where students will get to tackle a real business problem and develop suitable recommendations.

Opportunity Alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

We are delighted to announce that the MSc Human Resource Management programme has achieved alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). It is the third programme in Ireland and among the first 10 in Europe to have achieved this recognition. 

Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Virginia, USA, the Society for Human Resource Management is the world's largest HR professional society. SHRM promotes the role of HR as a profession and provides education, certification, and networking to its members.  Since its inception, the Society has been serving the needs of its members and advancing the practice.  Students enrolled in SHRM HR aligned programmes are provided with the opportunity to earn their SHRM-CP credential prior to graduating, providing them with a competitive advantage in the job market. Throughout the world, over 500 programs in approx. 425 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and templates. 

Opportunity CIPD Award on the MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM)

J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics is delighted to announce the establishment of a new award for the MSc HRM programme. 

This new award will be presented to the student with the best Applied Management Report. The award is sponsored by CIPD, and will be referred to as:

• The CIPD Award for the Best Applied Management Report, MSc in Human Resource Management

The winner will receive CIPD membership for one year and a certificate noting their achievement. CIPD Ireland and UK have also committed to disseminating the winning students' research and ideas with other CIPD students and professionals across the world, through a bespoke blog. This is a great opportunity to reward high-achieving students on the MSc HRM.

Medtronic Award for MSc in Human Resource Management

This prize will be awarded annually on the recommendation of the Management Discipline, to the student achieving first place (highest aggregated ratified overall mark) in the MSc (Human Resource Management) programme, provided an overall result of Second Class Honours, Grade 1 has at a minimum been achieved. In the event of a tie, the award will be divided equally.  

Scholarships

Scholarship for MSc HRM: 

www.universityofgalway.ie/business-public-policy-law/cairnes/scholsprizes/businesspostgraduatemeritscholarships

University of Galway Scholarships:

www.universityofgalway.ie/postgraduate_scholarships

Opportunity Alumni Network

The MSc HRM has a strong alumni network and we nurture the ties between the Discipline of Management, our current students and our graduates. To facilitate professional and social contacts between graduates, current students and faculty members we established a LinkedIn Alumni Group. Members communicate regularly through this alumni group sharing job vacancies, knowledge or just helping alumni reconnect with past colleagues. Many alumni support regular activities organised by faculty for our current students. 

Many HRM alumni have supported activities organised by faculty for our current students for example:

• Graduates spoke to classes about their areas of expertise (training, rewards, employment law) providing specialist input for modules including Human Resource Development, Reward Systems and Employment Law.
• Graduates discussed their current employment and progression with current students providing career guidance.
• Graduates have supported our Internship programme.

The MSc in Human Resource Management is for you if you:

• Recognise the importance of professional HR practice and the value it can add to organisations
• Are seeking to begin or advance your career in management, with a specific interest in people management 
• Enjoy a variety of individual and team-based assignments that are both academic and practical
• Are willing to commit one academic year to intensive study and self-development

Faculty and 2021-22 Graduates

 On graduation, you will be able to: 

1. Solve business, policy and societal problems within a global context.

2. Make a positive societal impact through critical thinking, innovation, and collaboration.

3. Examine and critically evaluate the challenges of doing business across national boundaries from the perspective of an individual manager, or organisation.

4. Apply knowledge, understanding and competency in a broad range of cross-disciplinary internationally focused fields using theories, concepts and frameworks relevant to contemporary

5. Critically evaluate and apply tools, techniques or different methodological approaches to investigate pertinent questions, scenarios or cases in an international management context.

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Dr Fiona Sheridan
E: fiona.sheridan@universityofgalway.ie

Cathy Melia
Programme Administrator
T: +353 91 493 771
E: management@universityofgalway.ie

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