HR-related and specific courses: Kingston Business School is one of 11 CIPD Centres of Excellence in the UK. It offers a portfolio of HR programmes to suit all stages of HR development
- BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management: This three-year undergraduate degree (or four years with a one-year work placement leading to Graduate Membership of the CIPD) provides a thorough grounding in the key business disciplines, with a particular focus on HRM.
- Diploma in Internal Communication Management: The only one of its kind in the UK, this one-year part-time course is designed for those who are responsible for internal communication within their organisation.
- Postgraduate Diploma / MA in HRM / International HRM: one year full-time / two years part-time, plus six months for MA. This programme meets the Professional Standards of the CIPD Professional Development scheme. Successful completion of the course leads to graduate membership of the CIPD
- MA in HR Strategy and Change: This one-year part time programme is for senior HR managers seeking an understanding of the strategic role of HRM in the modern business environment. A unique version of the course for those working in or with the public sector is operated by the National School of Government (formerly CMPS) the government’s learning and development organisation.
The school also offer a comprehensive range of general and specialist undergraduate, diploma, master’s courses and doctoral programmes. The Kingston MBA is one of 36 accredited by AMBA in the UK, and the DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) was one of the first of its kind when launched in the UK in 1999.
Founded: Formerly a polytechnic, which attained university status in June 1992. Kingston University’s roots can be traced back over 100 years to the Kingston-Upon-Thames School of Art and Science and Technical Institute.
College CV: Kingston Business School is rated “excellent” for its teaching quality by the Higher Education Funding Council of England, and is one of only a few of the 120 business schools in the UK to receive this recognition. In addition to its status as a CIPD Centre of Excellence, it enjoys accredited centre status from the Association of MBAs (AMBA). It works closely with professional bodies across the principal business disciplines, and is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, the Chartered Management Institute, the Law Society, the Institute of Direct Marketing and the Market Research Society (MRS).
Entry: Each couse has its own specific entry requirements, but the school emphasises that applications are looked at on their own merit and that it is happy to consider students with non-standard qualifications or experience.
Star academics: Professor Christine Edwards is head of the HRM School. She has sat on a number of boards and is currently a member of the executive of the International Industrial Relations Association. Professor Katie Truss runs SHaPe (Strategic Human Resources Management and People Research Unit), which aims to develop a network of academics and practitioners who can advance and disseminate knowledge and expertise in HR strategy and change management.
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Alumni: There is a dedicated alumni network for the business school, with a specialist interest group for HRM graduates and students.