Strategic People Management (PGDip)
The Strategic People Management PG Diploma is for anyone aiming to lead and improve people practices in organisations.
Covering broad Human Resource Management (HR) and specific People Management skills, this CIPD-accredited course equips you with the skills to make a meaningful impact in today’s business world.
The course focuses on two main stages. Part one, the PG Diploma, introduces the essentials of people management, preparing you to lead at a strategic and operational level. By completing this stage, students achieve the prestigious CIPD Level 7 Associate status, an internationally recognised HR standard. Part two, for those wishing to go further, leads to the full Strategic People Management MA.
During the course, you will learn to guide people practices that support business growth and improve employability, helping you prepare for the challenges of managing and inspiring a team. The programme covers international HR perspectives, exploring people practices from a global view, which is valuable in our connected world.
With a focus on practical skills, this course takes an interdisciplinary approach, allowing you to address people management issues from multiple perspectives and adapt your knowledge across various business contexts. For anyone ready to take the next step in their HR career, the Strategic People Management PGDip offers essential skills and qualifications to make a real difference in any workplace.
Course details
- On-campus
- Part-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our philosophy emphasises a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, fostering a deep understanding of strategic people management. We aim to develop leaders who can drive organisational success through effective people practices, ensuring our graduates are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern HR management.
Year 1
In the first year, you will explore the foundational aspects of strategic people management, including understanding the business context, shaping cultures and behaviours, and driving change. You will gain insights into building business cases and driving performance, setting the stage for advanced studies in employment law and talent management.
Year 2
The second year delves deeper into specialised areas such as advanced employment law, supporting learning, and resourcing and talent management. You will also focus on driving your development and applying your knowledge in practical settings, preparing you for leadership roles in strategic people management.
Compulsory
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 Credits)
(15 Credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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2:2 honours degree 
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
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or relevant professional qualification eg. CIPD Intermediate qualification, ILM, CIM
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or those who do not meet the above criteria may be admitted to the course provided their professional or managerial experience is deemed to be appropriate.
Alternative entry routes 
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Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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There are no exams. Assessment will be via reports, academic posters, portfolios, practical demonstrations, short presentations and the creation of learning resources for managers.
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Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Additional costs include mandatory CIPD student membership and optional purchase of textbooks.
Student Membership of the CIPD costs £109 per year, plus a £40 joining fee. -
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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The qualification will enable students to apply for positions requiring level 7 CIPD status and subject to one year’s experience, for Chartered Membership of the CIPD.