University of Portsmouth Open Experience Day
21 Mar 2026, 08:30
Portsmouth
Overview
You're a passionate and qualified Human Resource (HR) practitioner looking to progress your career. You've already successfully achieved the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Advanced Level 7 qualification and you're looking to progress your HR training to Master's level. This MSc Human Resource Development Top-up will help take you there, boosting your skills and employability.
Human Resource Development (HRD) is a more specialised field, with a specific focus on the learning and development of people within organisations. HRD activities include training, coaching, mentoring, well-being, management development, technology-enhanced learning strategies and many more.
You'll enhance your HR knowledge and skills through a 3-day intensive research methods workshop at the University, before completing a dissertation proposal and dissertation on a related subject of your choosing. As you progress through your studies, you'll get support from your dissertation supervisor through online tutorials.
You'll graduate as a highly competent HR practitioner, with the specialist skills needed to achieve success in your chosen career path. Depending on your choice of dissertation, you'll be awarded with either an MSc Human Resource Management (HRM), or an MSc Human Resource Development (HRD) qualification.
The University of Portsmouth is an Approved Centre for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR specialists and the world's largest Chartered HR professional organisation.
Course highlights
Complete a 3-day intensive research skills development workshop, where you'll develop the skills needed to complete your dissertation
Focus on a specialist topic which has real meaning for you, and get help and support in progressing your dissertation proposal from your dedicated supervisor
Work through pre-course reading and proposal development activities, further deepening your knowledge of the field
Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection
Careers and opportunities
To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry.
What can you do with a Human Resource Development (Top-up) degree?
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
business development and consultancy
management
recruitment
personnel
human resources
training
Other graduates have set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
What you'll study on this MSc Human Resource Development (Top-up) degree course
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
On this course you'll study a module worth a total of 60 credits.
Modules currently being studied:
You'll be assessed through: dissertation
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Advanced Level 7 Qualification either through the completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management or Personnel Management or the level 7 qualification at a CIPD accredited centre. If a PG Diploma was gained more than 5 years previously, Chartered Fellows and Chartered Members of the CIPD may be eligible to apply through a specific RPL route.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. |
| PTE Academic | 65 | An overall score of 65 with a minimum of 62 in each skill. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 91 | 91 with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
| Trinity ISE | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components. |
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £4200 | Year 1 |
| England | £4200 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £4200 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £4200 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £4200 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £4200 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £4200 | Year 1 |
| International | £5970 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship.
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
For further fee information please see the corresponding University of Portsmouth course page or visit https://www.port.ac.uk/study/masters-and-postgraduate-taught/fees-and-funding
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