Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management | Open University

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An image to illustrate the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management

This qualification begins by examining the research and theory about the work of HR professionals and helps develop the skills needed to be an effective HR professional. You’ll explore the contexts within which HR strategies and policies are developed, the choices an organisation may make about its HR strategy, and the implications of adopting the different strategies. There is also an analytical element, as you’ll learn how to manage people effectively and responsibly through analytics. The compulsory modules lay the foundations for looking at employment relations and employee engagement concepts, or how coaching and mentoring support learning in the workplace.

You'll be learning from experts at a top triple-accredited business school:

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits. You'll study three compulsory 30-credit modules and choose one 30-credit option module.

Modules	Credits	Next start
You'll study the following:
The role of the human resource professional (B810) This module introduces the various requirements of a human resource professional in an organisation. Next start date: 07 Nov 2026 See full description	30	07 Nov 2026
Human resource management in context (B811) This module examines how HR policies and practices operate within economic, political and social contexts at organisational, societal and international levels. Next start date: 02 May 2026 See full description	30	02 May 2026
Creating evidence-based value in people management (B812) This module explores evidence-based approaches to people management and will develop your ability to evaluate and apply evidence to people management decisions and policies. Next start date: 07 Nov 2026 See full description	30	07 Nov 2026
You'll choose one from:
Employment relations and employee engagement (B813) Examine how employment relations and practices operate within changing economic, political and social contexts and at various levels. Next start date: 02 May 2026 See full description	30	02 May 2026
Learning and development at work (B814) This module covers organisational development; succession planning; career and talent development; and learning, training and development strategies and implementation. Next start date: 02 May 2026 See full description	30	02 May 2026

If you would like to apply for professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) on completion of your qualification, we recommend you register for the MSc in Human Resource Management (F93) in the first instance, as it is the only human resource management qualification the OU offers which provides a route to CIPD Membership.

By studying the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, you’ll:

You’ll study through tutor-supported online learning, specialist resources and structured activities.

You’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip HRM (Open) after your name.

Your postgraduate diploma may be awarded with a distinction or a merit. The qualification regulations explain the criteria you’ll need to meet to earn one of these classifications.

If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.

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

We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our

Academic Regulations

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You’ll study the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management part-time, completing 60 credits per year over a two-year period. Typically, this translates to 12–14 hours of study per week.

The recommended hours include time to work through that week’s online study planner, complete recommended reading, and attend tutorials.

You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management within five years.

At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.

As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.

Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:

Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.

Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.

For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.

See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.

Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:

The Open University provides advice and guidance to help students who have disabilities, long-term health conditions, specific learning difficulties or mental health difficulties.

For more information, visit our Disability support page.

Discover how the OU’s Disability Support Team helps students with advice, adjustments and resources.

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:

Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.

We recommend that you hold a UK bachelors degree (or equivalent), or have had experience of working in a development-related agency (international or local), in either a paid or voluntary capacity, prior to starting this qualification. However, these requirements are not compulsory, and you will not be required to provide any supporting documentary evidence.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.

If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.

You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.

For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

You’ll pay for your qualification one module at a time, rather than the full cost upfront. The fee for each module is listed in its description.

£8,300*

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

There are some additional costs that aren’t included.

Further information is available in the module descriptions.

*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Learn more about spreading the costs with monthly instalments and our other funding options below.

Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.

More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.

We’ll show you how you can pay by bank transfer or combine payment methods.

You may be eligible for:

This qualification provides knowledge and skills relevant to HR practice in the workplace. It will also provide training in academic skills that will prepare you for future study in the field of HR.

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 your organisation.

The Open University Business School is also one of the few institutions worldwide that is triple-accredited by AMBA, EQUIS and the AACSB. These internationally recognised quality standards independently validate the quality of the School's teaching, research, and operations. The School undergoes regular reviews to ensure that standards are maintained and has successfully retained its triple-accredited status since 2004. This qualification is accredited through inclusion in these reviews.

Association of MBAs (AMBA)

European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

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