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Course type
Diploma
Credits
120

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.
How long it takes
2 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management

Course code: E87

This qualification begins by examining the research and theory about the work of HR professionals, 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 choosing between looking at the concepts of employment relations and employee engagement or how coaching and mentoring supports learning in the workplace.

  • Gain an understanding of the HR professional’s role, addressing ethical dilemmas, EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), and sustainable HR management.
  • Develop essential people management skills such as interviewing, training, and managing performance.
  • Learn to manage people effectively and responsibly using people analytics
  • Option to include a focus on either employee relations or workplace learning.
Course type
Diploma
Credits
120

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.
How long it takes
2 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

How to register

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

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits and we recommend that you study the modules in the following order:

90 credits from the following:

Compulsory modules Credits Next start
The role of the human resource professional  (B810)  

This module introduces the various requirements of a human resource professional in an organisation.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
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.

See full description

Register
 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.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025

plus 30 credits from the following:

Option modules Credits Next start
Employment relations and employee engagement  (B813)  
Examine how employment relations and practices operate within changing economic, political and social contexts and at various levels.

See full description

Register
 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.

See full description

Register
 30 02 May 2026

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 40 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

If you later choose to progress to the MSc in Human Resource Management (F93) you are advised to register for a higher-level award in the first instance. The MSc in Human Resource Management is the only qualification which provides a route to CIPD Membership .

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes.

Credit transfer

If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website. 

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PgDip HRM (Open) after your name.

You can progress from this Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management to our Masters in Human Resource Management (F93).

Regulations

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; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 18 March 2025.

You must hold a bachelors degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree, to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.

You will need to be able to draw on experience of working in or with organisations. This experience can be drawn from a wide range of situations such as employment in public and private sector organisations and in self-employed or voluntary roles.

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 score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

How long it takes

Most students study the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management part-time, completing 60 credits a year over two years. Typically, this means 12–14 study hours each week.

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

Career relevance

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 human resource 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 your organisation.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

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