Programme Overview
This diploma covers HR as a strategic function, not just an administrative one — engagement, leadership development, global talent and reward, and employment law, aimed at HR professionals ready to shape organisational people strategy.
Why Study This Programme?
HR's role has shifted from process administration to strategic partnership, and this diploma reflects that shift directly — strategic HR, engagement, talent and reward, and the employment law grounding a senior HR professional actually needs.
Who Is This Programme For?
- HR professionals and managers seeking advanced, strategic HR knowledge
- Professionals moving into HR business partner or leadership roles
- Managers responsible for people strategy in their organisations
- Consultants working in people and talent management
Is This Programme Right for You?
This programme may be suitable if you:
- Want to develop genuine, structured knowledge in human resource management
- Want a GTEC-approved, internationally structured qualification
- Want a credible academic pathway rather than a one-off certificate
- Are ready to meet this programme's specific entry requirements
- Want assignment-based, coursework-led learning
- Want to keep options open for further OTHM study or university progression
What Does Level 7 Mean?
Level 7 is a Postgraduate / Master's level qualification (RQF Level 7) — the same RQF level as a master's degree. OTHM's Level 7 Diplomas represent practical knowledge, skills and competences assessed as equivalent to a master's degree programme. However, at 120 credits they are shorter than a full master's (typically around 180 credits); learners normally need to complete a further dissertation stage (around 60 credits) with a university partner to convert the Diploma into a complete master's degree.
Qualification Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Human Resource Management |
| Level | 7 |
| Qualification Type | Postgraduate Diploma (Master's Level) |
| Awarding Organisation | OTHM Qualifications |
| Ofqual Reference | 603/5897/X |
| Regulation Start Date | 28/05/2020 |
| Operational Start Date | 01/06/2020 |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Credits | 120 |
| TQT | 1,200 Hours |
| GLH | 600 Hours |
| Assessment | Coursework |
| Grading | Pass / Fail |
| Delivery Mode | [CIC TO CONFIRM] |
| Language | English |
| GTEC Status | GTEC Approved |
Entry Requirements
Standard Entry
An honours degree in a related subject, or a UK Level 6 diploma or an equivalent overseas qualification. Mature learners with relevant management experience may also be considered (to be confirmed with CIC prior to registering).
Mature Learner Entry
Applicants over the qualification's standard age threshold with relevant work or life experience may also be considered, subject to CIC's and OTHM's mature-entry provisions. This should be confirmed with CIC Admissions at the point of application.
Programme Structure — Units
| Unit | Credits |
|---|---|
| Strategic Human Resource Management | 20 |
| Engagement of Employees and Organisational Learning | 20 |
| Leadership Development and Performance Management | 20 |
| Global Resourcing, Talent and Reward Management | 20 |
| Managing Employment Relations and Employment Law | 20 |
| Business Research Methods | 20 |
Programme Objectives
This programme is designed to build strategic human resource management and employee engagement and organisational learning, alongside the broader subject knowledge summarised in the Programme Overview above. Detailed, unit-level learning objectives are set out in the official OTHM qualification specification.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion, learners are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate strategic human resource management
- Demonstrate employee engagement and organisational learning
- Demonstrate leadership development and performance management
- Demonstrate global talent and reward strategy
- Demonstrate employment relations and employment law
- Demonstrate business research methods
Skills You Will Develop
Assessment
Assessment is conducted through coursework and structured assignments in accordance with the applicable OTHM qualification specification. Learners are assessed on their achievement of each unit's specified learning outcomes and assessment criteria, with work internally assessed and quality assured by the centre, and externally verified by OTHM.
Why Assignment-Based Learning?
Coursework and structured assignments let you apply what you're learning directly, build genuine research and critical-thinking skills, and demonstrate your understanding through written, evidence-based work rather than a single exam. This is not "easier" — it still requires meeting the qualification's full learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Career Opportunities
Potential career areas may include:
- HR Manager
- HR Business Partner
- Talent Manager
- Learning and Development Manager
- People/HR Consultant
- Employee Relations roles
Career Sectors
Professional Development
Certain professions require additional professional registration, licensing, practical experience or professional certification. Completion of this OTHM qualification does not automatically confer a professional licence unless specifically recognised by the relevant professional or regulatory body.
Academic Progression
Progression from one level to the next is subject to meeting that level's own entry requirements — it is never automatic, and not every learner progresses through every level.
University Progression
Graduates may be able to progress to a Master's degree top-up or Doctoral programmes (postgraduate level), subject to the admission, recognition and credit-transfer requirements of the receiving university.
International Progression
International progression opportunities may be available, subject to the receiving institution's admission, recognition and credit-transfer requirements. Recognition is not guaranteed by every university worldwide.
Career Pathway
Why CIC?
- GTEC-approved academic programme portfolio
- Internationally structured OTHM UK qualifications
- Student-centred, assignment-based learning
- Guidance on realistic academic and career progression
- A college that treats this qualification as one step in a longer pathway, not a one-off certificate
Student Experience
[CIC TO CONFIRM — specific facilities, support services and student life information for this programme area.]
Illustrative Student Profile
The People and Talent Professional
Background: An HR professional or manager with hands-on experience but limited formal strategic HR training.
Motivation: Wants to move from HR operations into strategic HR leadership.
Why this level:
Potential next step: The strategic HR capability to shape organisational people strategy.
Academic Integrity
Learners are expected to submit original work, reference sources appropriately, and follow CIC's and OTHM's academic policies on research ethics and plagiarism. Academic misconduct, including undisclosed collaboration or unattributed sources, may affect a learner's results.
Responsible Use of AI (proposed website guidance)
Where AI tools are used in study, they should support — not replace — independent learning. Students remain fully responsible for submitted work, must verify any AI-assisted content, and must follow CIC's and OTHM's assessment rules. Undisclosed or prohibited use of AI-generated work may constitute academic misconduct.
How to Apply
- Choose your programme.
- Check entry requirements.
- Submit application.
- Provide supporting documents.
- Application review.
- Admission decision.
- Enrolment.
- Begin studies.
Documents Required
- Identification [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Academic certificates [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Academic transcripts [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Passport photograph [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- CV, where required [CIC TO CONFIRM]
- Proof of English proficiency, where applicable [CIC TO CONFIRM]
Fees
Programme Fees: Contact CIC Admissions for current fees and payment information.
Next Intake
Next Intake: Contact CIC Admissions for the current intake schedule.