MSc — 2027 entry International Human Resource Management
People are at the heart of organisational success. This MSc International Human Resource Management programme combines theory and practice to develop your understanding of global HR and people management. You'll learn how to manage talent, performance and workforce issues across diverse cultural, national and institutional contexts.
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Why choose
this course?
- Prepare for a career in global people management – explore international HR through topics such as cross-cultural leadership, workforce mobility and managing people across borders.
- Build skills for a wide range of industries and markets – prepare for careers in multinational organisations and diverse global industries with expertise that can be applied across international business environments.
- Develop practical, career-relevant expertise across a broad range of HR and people management topics – including recruitment, talent development, employee relations and performance management.
- Learn in an international classroom – learn alongside students from around the world, broadening your understanding through different cultural, professional and personal perspectives.
- Join a programme built on established HR expertise – delivered by a School with a strong reputation for postgraduate human resource management (HRM) education.
Statistics
14th in the UK
And 100th in the world for business and economics in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Top 75 in the world
For management and top 100 for business administration in the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026
What you will study
Designed to address the needs of an increasingly global and mobile workforce, this MSc explores the vital role HR professionals play in developing and managing global talent to support organisational success.
This programme combines global HR strategy, analytics and professional practice, to give you a strong understanding of people management challenges and the ability to evaluate them critically and responsibly.
Through classroom teaching, industry engagement and international guest speakers, you will examine current and emerging approaches to HR from a range of global perspectives. Topics include: ethical employment practices, workforce wellbeing, inclusion, and the role of HR in supporting responsible and sustainable organisations.
You can also tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions through a choice of optional modules, which include People Analytics, Performance, Engagement and Wellbeing, and International Business Management.
This programme is ideal for those seeking a global career who have a strong interest in people, different cultures and how organisations can manage and support employees across borders. It would particularly suit someone who is a confident communicator, enjoys solving problems and wants to help individuals succeed in the workplace.
Practical experience
Shaped by strong connections between academia and current organisational challenges and professional practice, this programme will develop your professional skills through applied projects and assessments that reflect contemporary HR practice.
Throughout the masters, you’ll connect your academic learning with real-world HR management practice through engagement with experienced business practitioners and senior industry leaders. Guest lectures, expert panels and practitioner-led sessions will give you insight into current HR business challenges and how management concepts are applied across different sectors and organisational contexts.
You’ll tackle case studies, organisational problem-solving exercises, role-play activities and consultancy-style projects, applying HR theory to workplace challenges in global contexts while strengthening your communication, influencing and decision-making skills.
Your dissertation will also give you the opportunity to investigate a contemporary issue in human resource management or international people management in depth, developing your research capability and critical understanding of organisations operating across global contexts.
Shaped by strong connections between academia and current organisational challenges and professional practice, this programme will develop your professional skills and encourage you to apply your new learnings.
Your dissertation will give you the opportunity to investigate a contemporary issue in human resource management or international people management in depth, developing your research capability and critical understanding of organisations operating across global contexts.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Teaching and learning
You will learn from academics whose research and teaching expertise spans key areas of people management, including employment relations, diversity and inclusion, organisational behaviour, and strategic HR management.
Through their engagement with organisations, professional networks and practitioner communities, the programme team brings valuable insight into the challenges facing organisations and workforces around the world. Their expertise ensures that your learning is informed by the latest research, emerging trends and current industry practice.
We are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and engaging learning environment where you can develop both your knowledge and professional skills. Teaching combines lectures, seminars, guest speakers and interactive learning activities, encouraging participation, collaboration and critical discussion.
You will benefit from clear assessment expectations, timely feedback and dedicated academic support from module leaders and personal tutors throughout your studies. The variety of academic, cultural and professional backgrounds of our students enrich classroom discussions, helping you gain a broader understanding of HR issues and practices from different perspectives.
Learning methods
- Group work
- Independent study
- Lectures
- Practical sessions
- Project work
- Research work
- Seminars
- Trips
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment
Assessment is designed to help you apply your learning to practical HR challenges while developing the skills valued by employers.
Throughout the programme, you'll complete a range of assessments, including:
- Reports
- Presentations
- Projects
- Examinations
- Applied workplace-focused tasks.
Regular opportunities for feedback will help you build your knowledge, strengthen your analytical skills and track your progress throughout the course.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable during Welcome Week. In later semesters, at least one week before the start of the semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled for one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
The international focus of the programme makes it well suited to leadership roles in multinational organisations, global businesses and organisations operating across different cultural and regulatory environments. Graduates will feel prepared for a wide range of global careers across:
- HR management
- Talent management
- Learning and development
- Employee relations
- Recruitment
- Organisational development
- People analytics.
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on some courses, and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
- Fees for part-time routes are applicable in each year of the course
- These fees apply to the academic year 2027-28 only. Fees are reviewed annually, and tuition fees may increase for courses running over more than one year.
Read our tuition fees guidance to find out more about payment schedules and how to pay.
Additional costs
Find out more about additional costs that may be incurred during your time at Surrey.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Register your interestAdmissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate taught admissions explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally, there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.