Hi, I need some advice on HR qualification, I have a BSc in Human Resources Management and have approx 3 yrs HR admin/assistant experience. I have now just started a job as a HR manager but am the only person in the HR department in a company with 10 employees.

I now want to further my qualification in HR but not sure which path to take. Would it be best to do a CPP? The full CIPD? A masters in HRM? Or something else?

Im confused! Also, I dont really enjoy studying which is why i have left it this long.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Hi

 My advice would to undertake a Masters degree in HRM (or similar) but make sure that you get your CIPD qualification as part of that - a number of Masters are accredited by the CIPD. Once you have the qualification you can request a quick upgrade to MCIPD, depending of course on your experience but effectively that can be backdated.

Like you, studying was not top of my list of activities. The compromise for me was a part-time course sponsored by my employer (you will need that as the courses are not cheap), 1/2 day a week release from work and a two-year course. Be prepared to give up one weekend a month to write your essays and a long-term thesis in the second year.

To be honest, the value is not only in achieving a further HR qualification and your CIPD but it allows you to network across all the other HR people on your course - that for me was very useful and eye opening!

Hope that helps

Dear Mark,

Please I need some advice from you as well.

My employer was thinking of sending me to do a Master degree in HRM (or something similar) but I did not have any HR qualification before. I went to university and studied account but now I am working on a completely different area. I do enjoy my work and am willing to further my HR knowledge. I was wondering the Masters degrees accredited by CIPD you were talking about, what kind of entry level is that? Or is it better for me to do a MSc instead?

Thanks.

Cindy

Cindy,

The entry point for a Masters degree in HRM (or similar) tends to vary from one educational establishment to another. It has to be flexible because of the huge variation of backgrounds and educational levels of those in HR and interested in this type of course - that can vary from someone who has just completed their first degree and is now progressing straight on to a masters, or someone who has been in HR for 10 years and is simply looking to cement their knowledge and gain accreditation or a qualification, or someone who has a differnt professional background and is now switching to HR. Most 'unis' will have some form of 'interview' or selection criteria with students and will be able to gauge the fit for their specific course. Shop around because those criteria may vary. Not sure where you are based but if you are in London then Thames Valley Uni might be an option. If you are up here in Derbyshire (or close!)  - I sent some of my team members on their Masters last year at Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield Unis.

Hope that helps

Not sure I quite understand the point about an MSc - I have seen HR specific qualifications badged as MAs and MSc - both are Masters. Not all of the courses however allow you to gain your CIPD acreditation concurrently so watch out for that.

Mark

Dear Mark,

Thanks for your fast and professional reply!!

Where I work is in central London however I live in Bedford ;)  Also another question, study a part-time Master, usually how often do you have to release from work?

Thanks,

Cindy

I suspect that this again will vary, however I attended TVU from 2-9.00pm every Tuesday - that meant a full day worth of lectures but only 1/2 day off work. In addition there were a couple of weekend sessions in the year as well, to cover things like 'mock' ETs.

Be aware that a Masters is hard work, not least of all because of the time committment to write your essays (I gave up every other weekend throughout the term time) and then you have a disertation to write in the last year (assuming it is a 2 year course).

I have attached a link to the City Uni web site which has the full details on their MA course - that may be close to you?

http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/pgprospectus/courses/human-resource-management-ma.cfm

Mark

Hi Mark,

I realise these comments were made some time ago, but I'm in the same situation. I'm interested in doing an MA in HR in London...London Met seems to have a terrible reputation. How does Thames Valley compare? Do you have any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance