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The role of the human resource professional

This module considers the role and contribution of the HR professional and provides opportunities for you to examine and develop your skills for this role. Topics covered will include an introduction to human resource management, managing performance, leadership and change management, and the nature of professionalism and ethics. You'll also develop the skills needed to work effectively as an HR professional. These include self-management, leading and working in teams, people analytics, communication skills, using ICT and managing financial resources. 

Vocational relevance

This module is part of a qualification that is intended to provide a route to professional membership of the CIPD if you wish to develop a career in HR management. It will also provide training in research and academic skills if you want to develop an academic career in the field of HR management.

More generally, by studying a postgraduate business qualification, you can expect your salary to increase and for it to have a positive impact on your career progression, as well as bringing improvements to the organisation.

Qualifications

B810 is a compulsory module in our:

B810 is an optional module in our:

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.

Module

Module code
B810
Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
30
Study level
Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU postgraduate modules correspond to these frameworks.
OU Postgraduate
SCQF 11
FHEQ 7
Study method
Distance learning
Module cost
See Module registration
Entry requirements

Find out more about entry requirements.

Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

In this module, you'll consider the role of the HR professional and the skills needed to be effective in this role. You'll also consider the implications of recent research findings in human resource management for your practice, for example, in increasing levels of engagement and improving performance, in acting ethically and in managing change. You'll compare this with the practice of HR professionals in other contexts, drawing on case studies and the experience of your fellow students working in different geographical areas and sectors, and you will also look at the development over time of thinking about the role of HR professionals to understand how this may influence current thinking. The emphasis throughout will be on considering what HR management practices are associated with positive organisational outcomes.

You'll develop and practise the skills you'll need to be effective as an HR professional, including as a leader and a senior manager. These include self-management, leading and working in teams, making decisions, managing and communicating information, including people analytics, an awareness of EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), financial information, consultancy skills and helping others to learn.

Perhaps most importantly, this module will develop your skills as a reflective practitioner who is committed to continuously learning from reflection on your practice and the critical application of new theories and ideas to inform this practice.

You will learn

By studying this module, you will learn to:

  • understand the role of the HR professional, the nature of professionalism and approaches to addressing ethical dilemmas
  • review recent research and assess its relevance for practice in a range of contexts
  • assess the relevance of theory for practice and apply it where appropriate to improve practice
  • review theoretical approaches to leadership and teamwork and develop the skills needed to be effective as a leader and as a team member
  • critically assess the range of concepts and issues that are associated with managing performance in the workplace and the interrelationships between these factors 
  • develop the skills and understanding needed to address change management issues and to work at a strategic level in the organisation
  • develop the skills essential for HR work.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Your tutor will help you with the study material, mark and comment on your assignments and provide advice and guidance. They will also lead the compulsory online day school. You'll be able to contact your tutor by email, phone or via your tutor group forum on the module website.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box.

There is a compulsory seven hour online day school which is assessed on the basis of attendance and participation. This will take place in January 2026 and further details will be made available when you start the module. 

Course work includes

2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment

Future availability

The role of the human resource professional starts once a year, in November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in November 2029.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Entry requirements

All entrants must hold a BA/BSc degree awarded by a recognised university or equivalent. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Register

Start End England fee Register
01 Nov 2025 Apr 2026 £1960.00

Registration closes 16/10/25 (places subject to availability)

Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in November 2029.

Future availability

The role of the human resource professional starts once a year, in November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in November 2029.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

Ways to pay for this module

We know there’s a lot to think about when choosing to study, not least how much it’s going to cost and how you can pay.

That’s why we keep our fees as low as possible and offer a range of flexible payment and funding options, including a postgraduate loan, if you study this module as part of an eligible qualification. To find out more, see Fees and funding.

Study materials

What's included

You will have access to a module website with an extensive variety of specially written resources presented in different media (print and online) and designed exclusively for this module. This includes:

  • audio and video content
  • case studies
  • published articles
  • a week-by-week study planner
  • online tutorial access
  • access to The Open University library
  • online day school.

Computing requirements

  • Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
  • Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
  • Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
  • Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
  • Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
  • Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.

If you have a disability

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available on the module website. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader.

If you’re using printed materials as part of reasonable adjustments to support your studies, note that printed versions of online materials are unavailable for this module.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.

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