The Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management is ideal both for specialist HR practitioners and for general managers who would like to improve their portfolio of skills. Accredited by the CIPD, it offers a thorough and highly relevant learning programme which you can customise to meet your specific career needs.
CIPD membership
CIPD membership is highly sought after by employers looking to recruit to HR positions and our course prepares you to meet the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements of the profession. The University of Derby is an approved centre, and all modules are based on the Profession Map, which is the international standard for the people profession. Membership benefits include career development tools, networking via local branches, professional designations to assist with your career development as well as discounts on CIPD training and books.
On successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management you will have completed the knowledge criteria requirements for Advanced CIPD membership and you will automatically gain Associate status of the CIPD. Your membership shows employers you have the knowledge you need to excel in your role.
When you can also demonstrate evidence of the necessary activity and behaviour criteria, you will be ready to apply for Chartered Membership status. This can advance your career further still – opening doors to promotion, a higher salary and an increased range of job opportunities.
During your Diploma studies, we’ll give you help and guidance to make your online application for the appropriate CIPD membership level. We work closely with the local CIPD branch to encourage you to network and develop your skills further and to become strategic partners in your own organisation.
Deliver genuine business impact
Our course explores people management practices and policies, with a strong emphasis on how they help organisations achieve improved performance.
We set the HRM specialism firmly within the broader field of business, management and corporate strategy. You’ll gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of organisations, how they are managed and the external challenges they face.
We draw on latest thinking, pioneering research and fascinating case studies, including looking at HRM in an international context.
Professional credibility
This course is your stepping stone towards Chartered Membership of the CIPD, a major advantage if you want to raise your professional profile and improve your career prospects.
From the start of the course you will join the CIPD so that you have full access to restricted member information sources on its website and to local branch network events which will support your studies.
Once you complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, you will gain Associate status of the CIPD and the Institute will recognise that you’ve fully satisfied the knowledge criteria. You will then be able to apply for Chartered member status (MCIPD) through the CIPD where you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experience at a strategic level.
Real-world learning in action
All your assignments and reports reflect real-world scenarios and are usually based on your own workplace practice and experiences.
Where our students choose to continue to the Master's stage and Independent Study modules, they undertake projects which are directly relevant to their role and the needs of their employer. mental health and wellbeing, diversity, artificial intelligence and talent management to the evaluation of training. You’ll gain new perspectives and insights into the HR role, along with ideas which you can take back to your own workplace.
Build your networks
Figures from the profession will share their knowledge with you. You’ll be invited to masterclasses and guest lectures delivered by influential thinkers. Such as our Visiting Professors in HRM, Dr Linda Holbeche and Professor Lynette Harris we also run ‘expert witness’ sessions where you can question senior HR managers about their careers.
We work closely with the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire branch of the CIPD which boasts 3,000 plus members. They hold events at the University where you can make new contacts in a professional forum. You’ll hear first-hand what happens at the sharp end of the HR business across many different organisational cultures – from the challenges of identifying talent to how it feels to attend a tribunal.
Chart your career direction
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management is for professionals who want to look realistically and confidently towards the higher levels of HR management. Career development planning is at the heart of the course and you will be fully prepared to meet the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements of your profession.
From the outset, you will reflect on your experience, practice, ambitions and skills gaps to create a clear route to future success. You will be allocated a personal tutor with strong HR experience who will help you develop your critical self-analysis skills and build your professional identity.
We encourage you to look ahead to your next career steps, including the opportunity to ‘top up’ your qualification to the in one further year of part-time study.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
You will develop your knowledge through taught lectures, case studies, role play, debating, student presentations – both formative and summative – enquiry-based learning, and problem-solving activities. At every stage of the programme you are encouraged to apply your learning to work-based scenarios so that you can make an immediate business impact. We will challenge your ways of thinking and behaving as you seek solutions to complex business problems.
We will also encourage your commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth and help you develop a reflective, self-aware and self-critical approach. The course builds your ability to present and justify intellectually rigorous arguments.
Throughout you will develop and continuously improve skills which will serve you well in your future career: leadership, team working, partnership, networking and communication.
This programme is approved by by the CIPD therefore any changes to their Professional Standards and programmes will be reflected in our programmes as appropriate.
Lecture times
Classes for both the Certificate and Diploma stage take place on Thursdays 2-7pm (please note: the finishing time may vary between tutors and the sessions that are running)
How you are assessed
The CIPD recognises that assessments need to be more innovative, practical and work based in order to provide application to the workplace. Therefore the assessments on this programme range from traditional coursework, through to Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects embedded into assignments, AI literacy skills and digital portfolio designs.
For anyone aspiring to – or already in – a HR role, our Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management proves invaluable for career development, progression and professional status. As people are a vital component of any organisation, it also delivers an advantage if you are entering or considering a more general management role.
Our graduates now work across the world in HR management and director positions in public, private and not-for-profit organisations, including Boots, the NHS, Rolls-Royce, Toyota and local authorities. On completing this course, the majority of our students go on to gain promotions or secure more senior roles in other organisations.
Wherever your career takes you, we equip you with the critical self-analysis and reflective practice skills which will have a lasting impact on your success. They will underpin your career development planning, support your lifelong learning and encourage your personal growth and development.
Ongoing careers support
Throughout your studies, you will benefit from our Personal Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and refine your career ambitions.
Our support continues once you’ve completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.
(August 2026 - July 2027)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | N/A | £1,125 per 20 credits |
| International | N/A | |
Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.
* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable
About postgraduate awards
Please note at postgraduate level, you'll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.
| Award | Credits |
|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate | 60 Credits |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 Credits |
| MA or MSc | 180 Credits |
This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc.
Funding your studies
Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.
Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies
Alumni discount for Derby graduates
We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.
Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount
Download programme specification
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
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