Entry requirements for MSc Human Resources and Organisations

• upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline. See international entry requirements
• a GRE or GMAT test is not required, but a strong result from either of these tests may benefit applicants. Find out more about GRE/GMAT
• no previous work experience is required
• you may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements

Your application will be considered on its academic merits. An offer of a place may be conditional on attending additional courses and/or passing qualifying examinations at a suitable standard, in addition to your degree. You should note that there are always many more applications than places available at LSE and possession of the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee that you will be offered admission. It is therefore in your interests to apply as early as possible.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
- statement of academic purpose
- two references
- CV

See further information on supporting documents

Applying for your chosen stream

You must apply for your chosen stream using the correct application code. Before making your application, it is vital that you take the time to research and choose the stream suitable for you. Successful applicants will receive an offer for a specific stream. Switching to a different stream may not be possible as it depends on availability and fit with the other cohort. Therefore, please ensure you choose your stream carefully.  The additional fee for the HRM stream cannot be refunded if students switch to a different stream after the programme starts.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, however we encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment.

Please note that to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2022/23 for MSc Human Resources and Organisations

HRM and IER streams, Home students: £27,240
OB stream, Home students: £26,232
HRM and IER streams, Overseas students: £27,240
OB stream, Overseas students: £26,232

Table of fees

Fee status

For this programme, the tuition fee is the same for all students regardless of their fee status. However any financial support you are eligible for will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of around 10 per cent of the fee.

Scholarships and other funding

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support Scheme, Master's Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships. 

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an offer for a place and submitting a Graduate Financial Support application, before the funding deadline. Funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 28 April 2022.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas. Find out more about financial support.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students. 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page. 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Part-time study
Part time study is only available for students who do not require a student visa.

Curriculum overview

This stream is designed to further develop your knowledge and skills in general HR management. On completion of the stream students will achieve the behavioural and knowledge components for the Level 7, Advanced CIPD qualification and will achieve Associate CIPD membership. Dependent on previous work experience some students will be eligible to upgrade their membership to Chartered CIPD membership. Faculty on the programme support students in this process. 

CIPD certification and membership is an indispensable qualification for a range of managerial HR roles in the UK, and is also well-regarded in the HR field across the globe. Core courses in this stream provide a solid understanding of HRM in the global context as well as a foundation in management disciplines (e.g., accounting) that are relevant to HR management. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for HR-related careers, including general HR management, talent management and HR consulting.

We are ranked #2 in the world for social science and management, and the HRO programme is founded in LSE’s tradition for academic excellence. The curriculum is designed around a compulsory core course taken by students in all three streams in the degree, Management of Human Resources: Strategies and Policy, which gives a fundamental general foundation in HR management. Each stream then has additional specialised core courses according to the specific topic.

You can also customise your programme according to your own interests and career goals with a choice of optional elective courses from leading academic departments across LSE in managerial economics, accounting, finance, and other management topics. 

You will also complete the programme with a 10,000 word dissertation project during the summer, which will enable you to specialise with in-depth knowledge in your specific area of interest.

Human Resource Management (HRM stream) compulsory core courses (3.5 units)

(* denotes a half unit)

Foundations of Human Resource Management: Strategy and Practice*
Introduces students to a range of theoretical perspectives which underpin the ways in which organisations manage the employment relationship through the deployment of HRM strategy and policy. From a practice perspective, it reviews challenges involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of both overall HRM strategy and specific practice areas.

Business Strategy, Management and Analytics* 
Provides students with an overview of the development of management disciplines (other than HRM) and will develop an understanding of the disciplinary anchors in sociology, psychology and economics. Each field will cover origins and disciplinary boundaries, triggers for growth, core concepts and the current state of play and debate.

The Management of Human People in Global Companies*
Focuses on the strategic challenges global corporations face in managing human resources across national and organisational boundaries, and the ways in which diverse stakeholders influence these strategies.

People Analytics and Technology*

Organisational Behaviour*
Helps students understand attitudes and behaviour in an organisational context. This will be done by reviewing psychological theories as they apply to organisations; demonstrating the contribution of a psychological perspective to understanding human behaviour at work; and critically evaluating the empirical evidence.

Dissertation
Provides students with the opportunity to conduct independent research in a topic of their choice. 

Optional elective courses (0.5 unit)

You will customise your programme according to your own interests with an optional elective course from the list below, to the total value of 0.5 unit.

(* denotes a half unit)

Decisions, Biases and Nudges*

The Dark Side of the Organisation*

Cross Cultural Management*

Leadership in Organisations: Theory and Practice*

Strategic Reward: Key Models and Practices*

Employment Law*

Human Rights in the Workplace*

Part-time programme structure

HRO is a full-time 12 month programme, however we can admit a limited number of students to complete the Human Resource Management (HRM) stream part-time over 2 years. 

Part-time students take classes alongside full-time students, but with fewer units each year. This opportunity is intended for those who are already working in HR and are seeking to obtain the Level 7, Advanced CIPD qualification.

Part-time students on the HRM stream will follow the standard regulations and classification scheme for a four unit Master's degree. These students are expected to take a minimum of 1 unit and a maximum of 3 units in each year with a recommendation that they take 2 units each year as follows:

First year

• Michaelmas Term:   2 x half unit core courses (Business Strategy, Management and Analytics* and Organisational Behaviour)
• Lent Term:   1 x half unit core course (The Mangement of People in Global Companies) AND 1 x half unit optional course from the following: Leadership in Organisations: Theory and Practice OR Strategic Reward: Key Models and Practices
• Summer Term: None

Second year

• Michaelmas Term:   1 x half unit core course (Business Strategy, Management and Analytics) and 1 full unit core course (Dissertation)
• Lent Term: 1 x half unit optional course
• Summer Term: None

Please note that we are not able to make special allowances for students in regards to their timetables. Students will be required to manage their time to make sure they can attend the scheduled lectures and seminars.                     

 For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.

From 2022/23 entry, graduates of the IER stream can now achieve Associate CIPD membership upon successful completion of the programme. 

Curriculum overview

This stream is designed to develop your analytical skills enabling you to shape and evaluate HR practice, employment relations and policy making in a global context. On completion of the stream students will achieve the behavioural and knowledge components for the Level 7, Advanced CIPD qualification and will achieve Associate CIPD membership. Dependent on previous work experience some students will be eligible to upgrade their membership to Chartered CIPD membership. Faculty on the programme support students in this process. CIPD certification and membership is an indispensable qualification for a range of managerial HR roles in the UK, and is also well-regarded in the HR field across the globe.

Core courses are underpinned by a multi-stakeholder approach to HR and employment relations challenges, including diverse issues raised by representative bodies ranging from trade unions, employer associations and public agencies through to civil society groups. Special emphasis is placed on comparing practice and learning from a variety of political and economic contexts across the world. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for careers in a variety of areas including HR, employment relations, government, labour organisations and international bodies such as the ILO. This stream also provides a strong theoretical foundation for further study at PhD level.

We are ranked #2 in the world for social science and management, and the HRO programme is founded in LSE’s tradition for academic excellence. The curriculum is designed around a compulsory core course taken by students in all three streams in the degree, Management of Human Resources: Strategies and Policy, which gives a fundamental general foundation in HR management. Each stream then has additional specialised core courses according to the specific topic.

You can also customise your programme according to your own interests and career goals with a choice of optional elective courses from leading academic departments across LSE in managerial economics, accounting, finance, and other management topics. 

You will also complete the programme with a 10,000 word dissertation project during the summer, which will enable you to specialise with in-depth knowledge in your specific area of interest.

International Employment Relations (IER stream) compulsory core courses (3.0 units)

(* denotes a half unit)

Business Strategy, Management and Analytics*
Introduces students to a range of theoretical perspectives which underpin the ways in which organisations manage the employment relationship through the deployment of HRM strategy and policy. From a practice perspective, it reviews challenges involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of both overall HRM strategy and specific practice areas.

International Employment Relations*
Introduces students to different employment relations systems in North America, Europe, and Asia, examining the causes of these national differences and their consequences for employees and firms.

Organisational Behaviour*
Helps students understand attitudes and behaviour in an organisational context. This will be done by reviewing psychological theories as they apply to organisations; demonstrating the contribution of a psychological perspective to understanding human behaviour at work; and critically evaluating the empirical evidence.

The Management of People in Global Companies*
Focuses on the strategic challenges global corporations face in managing human resources across national and organisational boundaries, and the ways in which diverse stakeholders influence these strategies.

Dissertation
Provides students with the opportunity to conduct independent research in a topic of their choice. 

Optional elective courses (1.0 units)

You will customise your programme according to your own interests with optional elective courses from the lists below, to the total value of 1.0 units.

(* denotes a half unit)

Two 0.5 unit courses from the following list:

Negotiation Analysis*

Organisational Theory and Practice* 

Organisational Behaviour*

Strategic Reward: Key Models and Practices* 

Decisions, Biases and Nudges* 

Foundations of Business and Management for Human Resources* 

The Dark Side of the Organisation*

Cross Cultural Management*

Leadership in Organisations: Theory and Practice*

Interest Representation and Economic Policy - Making in Europe*

European Models of Capitalism*

The Political Economy of European Monetary Integration*

The Political Economy of European Welfare States*

Labour Markets and the Political Economy of Employment in Europe* 

International Migration and Immigration Management*

Employment Law*

Human Rights in the Workplace*

Corporate Social Responsibility and International Labour Standards*

To find the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.

Curriculum overview

This stream is designed to develop your specialist knowledge in behaviour and change in organisations. You will develop expertise in analysing and managing organisational change and employee behaviour at the macro (i.e., group) and micro (i.e., individual) levels. Core courses take a multi-disciplinary approach and are grounded in theories, concepts, and empirical research from psychology, sociology, and management studies. Graduates from this stream will be qualified for careers in a variety of people-management areas, including HR and general consulting, organisational psychology, employee engagement, and learning and development. This stream also provides a strong theoretical foundation for further study at PhD level.

We are ranked #2 in the world for social science and management, and the HRO programme is founded in LSE’s tradition for academic excellence. The curriculum is designed around a compulsory core course taken by students in all three streams in the degree, Management of Human Resources: Strategies and Policy, which gives a fundamental general foundation in HR management. Each stream then has additional specialised core courses according to the specific topic.

You can also customise your programme according to your own interests and career goals with a choice of optional elective courses from leading academic departments across LSE in managerial economics, accounting, finance, and other management topics. 

You will also complete the programme with a 10,000 word dissertation project during the summer, which will enable you to specialise with in-depth knowledge in your specific area of interest.

Organisational Behaviour (OB stream) compulsory core courses (2.5 units)

(* denotes a half unit)

Foundations of Human Resource Management: Strategy and Practice*
Introduces students to a range of theoretical perspectives which underpin the ways in which organisations manage the employment relationship through the deployment of HRM strategy and policy. From a practice perspective, it reviews challenges involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of both overall HRM strategy and specific practice areas.

Organisational Behaviour*
Helps students understand attitudes and behaviour in an organisational context. This will be done by reviewing psychological theories as they apply to organisations; demonstrating the contribution of a psychological perspective to understanding human behaviour at work; and critically evaluating the empirical evidence.

Organisational Theory*
Introduces students to various topics including institutional theory and corporate culture, sensemaking, population ecology and social networks.

Dissertation
Provides students with the opportunity to conduct independent research in a topic of their choice. 

Optional elective courses (1.5 unit)

You will customise your programme according to your own interests with optional elective courses from the list below, to the total value of 1.5 unit.

(* denotes a half unit)

Strategic Reward: Key Models and Practices*

The Dark Side of the Organisation*

Foundations of Business and Management for Human Resources*

Cross Cultural Management*

Leadership in Organisations: Theory and Practice*

The Management of Human Resources in Global Companies*

Corporate Communications*

Decisions, Biases and Nudges* 

Organisational Culture* 

Knowledge Processes in Organizations*

Employment Law*

Human Rights in the Workplace*

To find the most up-to-date list of optional courses please refer to the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.

The LSE learning experience

The curriculum is designed to challenge your view of the world, and of human resource management as a discipline. You will be asked to read the latest research to understand the underlying reasons why today’s organisations and HR structures exist as they do across the world, and the practical implications for HR managers in practice. You will critically assess trends, conflicts and patterns in organisational practice, and form your own opinions to defend and debate with your classmates in seminars. You will learn how to develop and communicate well-reasoned arguments, and to tackle complex decisions and problems in the context of the real socio-economic and geo-political architecture in which organisations operate across the globe.

Teaching and assessment

Most courses are taught in lecture and seminar format. Lectures introduce the core theoretical and technical concepts whilst their associated seminars (where students meet in smaller groups with an instructor) allow students to discuss and apply these concepts through exercises and in-depth study. Teachers adopt a variety of teaching methods to deliver their courses such as class exercises, team presentations, individual or group work, or case study discussions. Some courses combine the lecture and seminar elements into a single interactive classroom session.

Given the high level of academic performance expected from students, a significant amount of independent study and preparation is required to get the most out of the programme. Half-unit courses can be assessed by two hour unseen examinations, coursework assignments, class participation or group/individual project work.

You can view indicative details of hours and assessment for all courses listed in the online Programme Regulations.

Academic support

You will also be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE. LSE LIFE is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as student counselling, a peer support scheme and arranging exam adjustments. They run groups and workshops. 

IT help – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.  

LSE Faith Centre – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.  

Language Centre – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers ­– with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library – founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding. 

PhD Academy – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice – this offers discounted private dental services to LSE students. 

St Philips Medical Centre – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advocates and advisers – we have a School Senior Advocate for Students and an Adviser to Women Students who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in extracurricular activities. From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think London is a fantastic student city, find out about key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners. Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about London on a budget. 

Student profiles

Joschka, Germany

WATCH VIDEO >

Saima, Pakistan

WATCH VIDEO >

Class profile

The three streams of the MSc Human Resources and Organisations programme attract a diverse range of students each year, from a wide variety of employment backgrounds and international locations. The programme is designed around the diversity of its students, bringing together a variety of real-world experience and international perspectives to form a close-knit academic community.

The programme is well-suited to pre-career applicants, and no previous work experience is required. However applicants with some work experience are also welcome, bringing a variety of experience to the class.     

Read more about the LSE student experience on our student blog, The Student Lens >  

Watch the a day in the life of HRO student Monika vlog         

Programme Directors

Prof Connson Locke
Professorial Lecturer in Management
HRO Programme Director

Dr Milena Tekeste
LSE Fellow
CIPD and HRM Stream Director

Core teaching team                

Dr Friden Wenten
Assistant Professor of Management

Dr Yally Avrahampour
Associate Professorial Lecturer of Management

Dr Jonathan E. Booth
Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management 

Dr Hyun-Jung Lee
Assistant Professor of Employment Relations and Organisational Behaviour 

 
Dr Chunyun Li
Assistant Professor

Career development with the MSc Human Resources & Organisations

The HRO programme will develop your intellectual and practical skills as a talented and well-rounded manager of human resources within organisations, with the ability to thrive and innovate with challenges in today’s complex and fast-moving business world. 

With a strong foundation of knowledge in general HR management, plus specialist knowledge from your chosen stream, and practical skills developed with case studies and practical projects, you will graduate with a unique and well-rounded portfolio of skills and knowledge to set you apart in the job market. Your practical and professional management skills will be developed and polished during the programme, including communication and presentation skills, team working, cultural intelligence gained from close collaboration with classmates from around the world, and an opportunity for client management experience from the Links Scheme project.

LSE Careers

LSE Careers will provide tailored individual support with your professional development and job search throughout the programme. They offer one-to-one Career Consultant sessions, access to employers with career fairs, seminars and workshops, a vast database of employment opportunities via the LSE Career Hub, and help with job hunting, CVs/resumes and interviews. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.

Graduate destinations

LSE is ranked #5 in the world for its reputation with employers, and HRO graduates have taken roles across a wide variety of sectors, in companies across the globe. A common career path is to enter HR management consulting with graduates taking up roles with employers such as KPMG, Deloitte and PwC. Beyond this, opportunities are extremely broad, and HRO graduates have also gone on to excel in careers in a wide range of organisations, from Unilever to DKNY.

Here are some examples of the companies and organisations which our alumni now work for: 

• American Express
• Aviva
• Barclays
• BP
• British Airways
• BT
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Deloitte
• Deutsche Telekom
• DKNY
• Groupon Busch
• Hertz
• IBM
• ILO
• Informa
• JP Morgan
• KPMG
• NGOs
• Nokia
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Samsung Electronics
• Schlumberger
• Shell
• Trade Unions
• Unilever

For more than 30 years, LSE has teamed up with leading organisations in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors to enable students in MSc Human Resources and Organisations to conduct joint applied research projects.

As an essential part of their professional education, participating students research a topic suggested by their host organisation using a case-study approach that entails gathering and analysing data, and producing a Business Report for the organisation, alongside a dissertation for LSE.

The best topics for a Links research project are those that are important for the host organisation, but not urgent. Links project teams most commonly consist of two students with access to LSE’s research resources and academic supervision, and can achieve sufficient depth and independence of analysis to kick-start further action and debate on these sorts of topics within the host organisation.

Host organisations gain access to independent research and analysis on a people-related issue that is of practical importance for them. They can also use the Links projects as a way to spot and test talent to cover their future recruiting needs. Sponsors often see their participation as a way of supporting future members of their professional community, LSE and higher education in general. 

Project timeline

Research projects are outlined during the autumn. Students are assigned to projects in January and research is conducted between January and September.

September - November - LSE contacts potential host organisations and assists in developing a research project brief

December - ‘Meet the Sponsors’ event

Early January - Sponsors interview students (optional). Students are allocated to projects.

February - July - Research undertaken (NB students unavailable over exam period in May-June)

August - September - Project finalised, dissertation and business report prepared for submission

Further information

Download our Links brochure to learn more about the programme, including examples of past projects and participating organisations.

For organisations interested in pursuing a project, please contact Ashley Bouchard, Corporate Relations Manager

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus. Experience LSE from home. 

Visit LSE

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour. Find out about opportunities to visit LSE. 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing and Recruitment travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders. Find details on LSE's upcoming visits. 

Programme and admissions enquiries

With questions related to your application or the admissions process, please check our admissions frequently asked questions page.

If you have any queries which are not answered on the website, please contact the Programme and Admissions Team:

Email: dom.msc.admissions@lse.ac.uk