International Human Resource Management MBA

Study level: Postgraduate
Student pointing to a white board showing recruitment process

Build a successful strategic management career, developing people in the complex and fast-changing world of the contemporary workplace.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Course code

LONT079

Start date

September 2025
January 2026

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.


Course overview

Responding to global market trends, the digital economy and constant change, the MBA International Human Resource Management course addresses the needs of leaders by exploring the creation, development and sustainable growth of businesses globally.

  • Gain an understanding of how and why people function at work, and of the relevant legal frameworks governing human resource management.
  • Deepen your understanding of how to find, develop and engage the most appropriate talent for any organisation.
  • Develop an analytical understanding of international business in the context of a changing environment with a focus on people practice and related developments.
  • Study at our exciting London campus - full-time for one year or part-time for two years.
Globe icon

Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

Icon of human figure in front of a whiteboard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

Resume icon

Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

  • CIPD and CMI accreditation1
    Study on a course with professional accreditation from some of the UK’s leading professional HR and Management bodies. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
  • Real-world experience2
    As far as possible, this course will aim to help you deal with the kind of challenges you’ll face in the workplace. As part of your learning, you might develop your own recruitment and talent management campaign, a bespoke training programme, and/or an employee engagement strategy. You might work with peers on the course or colleagues at overseas institutions to analyse international HR issues.
  • Industry insight
    You’ll be taught by helpful, supportive and highly qualified academics with extensive career experience in human resource management, a majority of whom are members of the CIPD (please note staff are subject to change). They will apply their experience to illustrate your learning, and give you valuable insights into networking and professional development.
  • London location
    Our campus is based in the heart of the City of London, close to the headquarters of some of the most famous organisations in the world. You’ll be surrounded by businesses of every description, from start-ups to multi-nationals, and will have opportunities to explore the dynamics of the way they manage their human resources.
  • Prepare for your future
    You will have opportunities to mix with employers and to build your CV. You could do a dissertation on a current HRM topic or take up an internship2 in the HR department of a notable London organisation. Should you wish to start your own business, we offer business start-up advice and support through our Enterprise Hub. MBA students also have the opportunity to take part in our Professional Development Programme, developed in collaboration with corporate learning and development specialists to help you develop key industry competencies.

Accreditation and professional recognition

CMI logo

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

The following modules are mapped to the requirements of the CMI:

  • 7002MFH Marketing in a Global Age
  • 7005MHR Leadership - Towards Mastery of Leading Change & Inclusivity
  • 7002MHR Leadership - Towards Mastery of Leading Self & Global Cultures
  • 7009MHR Global Strategic Management
  • 7025 AFE Managerial Finance
Upon successful completion of all these modules (achieving a pass grade), you will be eligible for the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice subject to successful registration and CMI moderation. Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through its quality systems.


Memberships

Successfully completing all mapped CIPD modules in this course will make you eligible for Associate membership of the CIPD. You may then be eligible to upgrade to Chartered membership (depending on your professional experience), provided you join the CIPD as a student member at the start of your course. Membership fees apply. To register with the CIPD you must pay yearly registration fees. For more information visit the CIPD website.

The following modules are mapped to the requirements of CIPD:

  • 7002MHR Leadership - Towards Mastery of Leading Self & Global Cultures
  • 7005MHR Leadership - Towards Mastery of Leading Change & Inclusivity
  • 7013MHR Global Resourcing and Talent Management
  • 7012MHR Learning, Coaching and Technology-enabled Practices
  • 7011MHR Employee Relations, Engagement and Well-being
  • 7002MFH Marketing in a Global Age
  • 7002MFH Managerial Finance
  • 7009MHR Global Strategic Management
  • 7014MHR/7004MHR Dissertation/ Internship Consulting Project

Coventry University’s accreditation with CIPD is ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by CIPD through its quality systems.

Immerse yourself in Coventry University London’s global community and emerge as a talented, career-ready graduate with an international outlook.

More than just a degree

Lecturers support the students to understand and complete the modules in the best way possible. The course director provides the best learning approaches along with many opportunities to improve your knowledge of HR through external and internal workshops, events, exhibitions and resources.

Parvaneh Sayyah Khabisi, International Human Resource Management student, quoted in 2021
Two students using a study space on the Coventry University London campus

What you'll study

Your main study themes are:

  • Strategy
    You’ll look to develop a wide range of Strategic Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Finance skills which are transferable across all industries.
  • Professionalism
    You’ll aim to learn to adhere to the highest levels of professional conduct, and dependent on which modules you decide to take you could be accredited by one of the world’s leading professional associations for management and HR.
  • Globalisation
    You’ll seek to learn how approaches to issues such as labour, ethics, sustainability and finance differ globally, equipping you to work overseas, within a multi-national, or within an importing/exporting organisation.
  • Talent
    You’ll aim to deepen your understanding of how to identify, attract, recruit, motivate, develop, engage and reward the very best people for any given role or context.

The MBA International Human Resource Management is an exciting, vibrant and intensive course that prepares students for successful careers in Human Resource Management and Business Management roles globally. There are eight mandatory modules on this course and a final term project. Some of these relate to business and leadership in general (so you may have the opportunity to study alongside students on some of our other MBA courses), whereas others are specific to human resource management. In all cases, your learning will be both internationalised and applied, with many practical opportunities for personal and professional development. In your last term, you’ll do a final major project offering an internship2, or the more traditional dissertation.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

Global business connections

Our strong global business connections provide students with access to real-life work experience, so you can put your skills into practice and make connections in the world of work.


How you'll learn

What you’ll learn on this MBA course is a true reflection of what’s current in industry, and will help to deliver the skills employers are looking for. That’s because we work hard to build strong relationships with professional associations (both in general management and in HR) and also with employers, especially when it comes to designing the content of the course.

  • Teaching methods may include lectures, seminars, textbooks, workshops, debates, case studies, consultancy projects, and online collaborations.
  • Develop your critical-thinking and decision-making skills. Besides time spent in lectures and seminars, you’ll tackle practical exercises and collaborations, and could do real work experience2. You’ll be challenged by realistic business simulations, group projects and case studies. Beyond the classroom, you’ll be encouraged to go out and explore the learning opportunities that London offers the HR professional.
  • Our wide network of prestigious alumni, leading academics and industry leaders means you’ll also be able to enjoy a fascinating programme of guest lectures2.In the past, this has included people from Amazon and a former contestant on The Apprentice. Your tutors may also organise visits to businesses, trade shows and/or conferences2.
  • Take part in extra-curricular activities such as our Student Enterprise Business Society, student mentoring programmes and you could apply to take part in volunteering opportunities to develop your personal and professional skills. You could also take part in our High Flyers programme, to help you develop the personal and professional skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world, through a suite of extra-curricular, non-course specific workshops.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please contact registry.london@coventry.ac.uk for more information about studying this course part-time.


Teaching contact hours

In your first and second semester, you will typically receive around 12 hours of contact teaching per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials. A strong emphasis is placed on the project module in your final semester and therefore total teaching contact hours may be reduced. In addition, you will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed studying and revising in your own time each week, which may include, for example, guided study using hand-outs, online activities.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

The assessments on this MBA course are designed to reflect the work you’ll undertake in industry, helping you to prepare for the workplace and for appraisals there. Your tutors will take an employer’s perspective, as well as an academic one, when assessing the content and delivery of your work. You will be assessed regularly, rather than relying on a few major events. This will help you to stay focused on your ongoing learning and will enable both you and your tutors to be aware at all times of how you’re performing and where you may need some additional study or support.

The course is infused with practical HR assessments such as creating a performance-management and reward-management system; a resourcing and talent-management strategy; a live training workshop; a learning and development strategy for a global client; and/or an employee-engagement survey.

You’ll be encouraged to prove your subject knowledge while demonstrating your ability to write professional reports, structure logical arguments, analyse data, and make compelling presentations. Your assessments will therefore consist of a mixture of seminar and workshop activities, debates, presentations, written assignments, and individual and group work.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

As indicated by its title, this course has been designed to take a globalised approach, aiming to prepare you to work with people and organisations from different cultures, upon successful completion. You’ll learn how and why HR practices and frameworks vary around the world, and how to apply effective strategies when working cross-culturally and/or in a multi-national organisation. You’ll also explore how to track and respond to significant and far-reaching economic, social, technological and geo-political changes affecting the contemporary workplace – changes which demand different patterns of thinking and behaviour from those who wish to manage and lead.

The course also offers a truly multi-cultural experience because you may get the opportunity to study alongside students from other countries, each offering their own contexts, experiences and insights. You may also participate in an international field trip; past trips have gone to France, Switzerland, Japan and the Czech Republic, where students witnessed HR in action in SMEs and multi-national companies.

Coventry University Group aims to give you global opportunities needed to become a truly global graduate, enhancing your employability on a global scale. Choose from language classes, studying or working abroad, international field trips2, leadership development or work experience2. Opportunities such as these have enabled previous students to obtain higher starting salaries and develop the global skills employers require and achieve better career progression.

Human resource management is now at the forefront of all organisations, leading and managing teams. The course is infused with practical HR assessments such as creating a performance management and reward management system, a resourcing and talent management strategy, a live training workshop, a learning and development strategy and an employee engagement survey that prepare you for the dynamic corporate world of managing people.

Roopa Nagori, International Human Resource Management MBA Course Director, 2021
Roopa Nagori, Course Director

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

An honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) or equivalent in an academic discipline relevant to Business and Management. Applicants with a degree in another discipline may be admitted after consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience are encouraged and will be considered on an individual basis. Careful monitoring of applications to ensure that successful applicants are suited to the course takes place. Where necessary, applicants are interviewed, especially those that do not appear to meet standard admissions criteria. Where deemed appropriate, a written exercise may be administered to establish suitability.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with the International Pathways Programme. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) or equivalent in an academic discipline relevant to Business and Management. Applicants with a degree in another discipline may be admitted after consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience are encouraged and will be considered on an individual basis. Careful monitoring of applications to ensure that successful applicants are suited to the course takes place. Where necessary, applicants are interviewed, especially those that do not appear to meet standard admissions criteria. Where deemed appropriate, a written exercise may be administered to establish suitability.

English language requirements

  • IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£20,350  
Request fee information

EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£20,350 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£22.550 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees -£22.550  
Not available

The following are additional costs not included in the fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • CIPD Registration cost of £170 per year (approximate cost of registration, for students wishing to achieve the CIPD Qualification)

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our International Human Resource Management MBA students have access to a wide range of resources4 to help you build a successful strategic management career, developing people in the complex and fast-changing world of the contemporary workplace. Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities4 available to you.

large room with tables and chairs

Enterprise Hub

Our Enterprise Hub4 supports student entrepreneurs by providing extensive industry knowledge and guidance to help develop ideas into viable ventures. It is a dedicated space for enterprising students and professionals to solve problems, network professionally and collaborate on projects.

recruitment session two ladies and one man

The Talent Team

Need employability support? Our dedicated Talent Team is on hand to help. It can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate level jobs and offer skills development workshops. The team also aims to organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts (subject to availability).

Male student standing in finance district of London

Professional Development

MBA students have the opportunity to take part in our Professional Development Programme, developed in collaboration with corporate learning and development specialists to help you develop key industry competencies. You will be assigned a professional coach as part of the programme.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the impact of contextual forces such as economic, environmental, social, legal, and technological change issues, international developments and corporate governance to apply concepts and frameworks in Strategic Management for a range of business and people management contexts.
  • Systematically assess social and ethically responsible leadership, organisational strategies and practices in relation to their response to diverse and uncertain international market environments, to evaluate the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders and develop plans and proposals that achieve business outcomes in a sustainable manner.
  • Evaluate the policies, concepts and processes in the production and marketing of goods and/or services and apply business acumen to maximise the management of resources, efficiency of operations in a range of international business and people management contexts.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of Finance and Management Accounting principles and regulations to apply the relevant analytical tools for business and people practice decision-making.
  • Analyse the theories and practices for the management and development of people within international organisations relating to Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management practices, Change Management to resolve contemporary people issues in an ethical and inclusive manner, formulating a critical assessment of your own professional practice.
  • Critically investigate complex business and people management issues by analysing a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods/techniques, applying business acumen to recommend appropriate options in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) environment.
  • Evaluate the management and exploitation of relevant information systems, digital media and technologies and utilise analytics for decision-making, reviewing ethical challenges presented by these for a range of business and people management contexts.
  • Collaborate with and lead diverse cross-cultural teams to develop inclusive business policies and organisational strategies to adapt and innovate in changing contexts and communicate professionally through a flexible and personalised learning experience.

We aim to help our International Human Resource Management MBA graduates develop skills which are in high demand from employers in private, public and third-sector organisations around the world.

You should complete the course with well-developed powers of analysis, clear perspectives on strategy and strategic thinking, and highly effective communication and research skills. You’ll graduate with the skills you need to impact positively and strategically on human resource management, and to lead and influence organisations at the highest levels.

Importantly, you’ll also get the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of international and globalised perspectives on HR, equipping you to work, or to advise, across different cultures, faiths and countries. In summary, the course will prepare you well to launch or develop a successful career in senior HR management. However, if you would prefer to start your own business, start-up advice and support is available to you during the programme.

Where our graduates work

Our graduates can expect to have the choice of several management and leadership careers in HR, whether in-house with an organisation or working at an agency or consultancy. There are many generalist HR roles, or you could specialise in recruitment, employee relations, reward systems, employee engagement, or learning and development. For example, you might go on to work as a HR business partner, an HR data analyst, a researcher, or a benefits advisor/analyst. You could also work for a search and selection consultancy, advising organisations and identifying the talent they need to meet their business goals. Our graduates have gone on to work at The Ritz, NHS, Handelsbanken, SCOR and The British Council.

Further study

As part of the journey of professional and role development, students are encouraged to continue their academic journey through access to a range of higher degrees, including PhD and other taught doctorates.


How to apply

You may also like

Coventry University London (City of London) Student presenting graphs on large displays

Global Business MBA

Coventry University London (City of London) Lecturer with a student in a study booth in  London campus

Management MSc

Coventry University London (City of London) 4 professionally dressed young students sitting in a study booth

Enterprise and Innovation MSc