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An image to illustrate the Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
The qualification is designed to provide you with specialist skills, knowledge and capabilities in human resource management. You’ll begin by examining the research and theory related to the work of HR professionals and develop the skills needed to work as an effective HR professional. You’ll progress to exploring the contexts within which HR strategies and policies are developed and the implications of adopting the different strategies to an organisation. You’ll also gain training in academic and research skills as preparation for further study and research in the field of human resource management.
You'll be learning from experts at a top triple-accredited business school:
Association of MBAs (AMBA) logo
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) logo
This certificate is the first stage of a study programme that progresses to the postgraduate diploma and finally the MSc in Human Resource Management.
To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits. You'll study two compulsory 30-credit modules.

ModulesCreditsNext 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
3007 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: 01 May 2027
See full description
3001 May 2027
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 Certificate in Human Resource Management, you’ll:
You’ll learn through online modules, multimedia resources and tutor-supported activities that link HR theory directly to practice.
You’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Management upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Cert HRM (Open) after your name.
Your postgraduate certificate 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 or contact us.
Most students study the Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Management part-time, completing 30 credits a year over a two-year period. Typically, this translates to 12–14 hours of study per week.

You can also complete this qualification in one year by studying two modules concurrently. If you wish to stay at this faster rate, you’ll need to devote 24–28 hours each week to your studies.

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 Certificate in Human Resource Management within four 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:
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.
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 of 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, as well as 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 overall score of 6.5  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.

£4,150*
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 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.
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)
Association of MBAs (AMBA) logo
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) logo

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, a website, interview simulation and 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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