Course overview
Transform your organisation with strategic people management
In today's fast-paced and competitive business landscape, effective people management is the key to maximising organisational success. Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) is no longer just a supporting function, but a critical driver of business performance and growth. By understanding how to manage and develop your people, you can gain a competitive edge, drive innovation, and achieve your strategic objectives.
This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to think strategically about your organisation's human assets. You'll learn how to structure your organisation, manage culture, and develop your people to achieve exceptional performance. With a focus on practical application and real-world examples, you'll be able to apply your learning to your own organisation and start seeing results from day one. Whether you're a seasoned manager or an aspiring leader, this course will provide you with the tools and expertise needed to succeed in today's people-driven business environment.
What you’ll learn
This course provides a comprehensive overview of strategic Human Resource Management (HRM), covering key topics such as structuring your organisation, jobs, and roles to meet strategic objectives, managing organisational culture, and recruiting and selecting employees. You'll also learn about performance management, employee development, and talent management, including the role of inclusion and diversity in driving business success.
Through a combination of theoretical foundations and practical applications, you'll gain a deep understanding of how to manage people through change, and how to apply HRM principles to achieve competitive advantage. You'll also explore the ethical dimensions of HRM, and develop the skills and knowledge needed to critically evaluate the fundamental elements of strategic HRM, and apply topic-specific knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Why strategic human resource management matters now
Maximising organisational success in a rapidly changing world requires a deep understanding of the critical role that human resource management plays. Organisations are navigating increasing competition, technological advancements, and shifting workforce demographics. Despite knowing what approaches are effective, many organisations struggle to implement them, highlighting the need for a systematic and strategic approach to managing people. By prioritising strategic HRM, organisations can unlock the full potential of their employees, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth.
Who should attend
This course is designed for strategic and general managers or leaders, rather than HRM specialists, as it puts particular emphasis on the practice of managers in inspiring and developing employees with a view to enhancing performance. It is ideal for those who aspire to senior management roles or are already in such positions and want to improve their skills and abilities in leading and managing people.
How you’ll learn
This is an MBA online course delivered over 12 weeks, with approximately 100 hours of study.
You'll learn through a mixture of pre-recorded lectures, case studies, and online tutorials. The online tutorials are live interactive sessions where you will review the topics covered in lectures using case studies or other materials to help embed and deepen your understanding. These are a great opportunity to share experiences and learn from the other participants. Online tutorials are typically scheduled every 2 weeks on weekdays from 12–2pm, most often on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, with final scheduling confirmed within eight weeks of the course start date.
Participants will be joining the existing Online MBA cohort, which provides an excellent opportunity for networking and idea exchange. The pace is designed to work alongside a full-time role but assumes steady weekly engagement.
Assessment and certification
At the end of the course, you will complete an individual assessment. This is designed to embed your learning and help you practically apply your newly acquired skills and strategies in your workplace. In the assignment, you will analyse and present unique features of an organisation’s strategic HRM practices (can be your own organisation). Using frameworks and best practices discussed in the course, you will critique the organisation’s actions and make recommendations for improving practices and assessing the effectiveness of the initiatives.
On successful completion, you will receive a University of Edinburgh Business School certificate, plus 10 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credits, equivalent to 5 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits. These credits can be put towards the University of Edinburgh MBA or Online MBA.
Course impact
By attending this course, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to make a significant impact on your organisation's performance. You will learn how to think systematically and strategically about managing your organisation's human assets, and how to implement effective HRM policies to achieve competitive advantage. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to critically evaluate the links between strategic success and people management, and apply this knowledge to drive business results and enhance your own leadership capabilities. With a deeper understanding of strategic HRM, you will be able to inspire and develop your employees, manage organisational culture, and navigate change, ultimately contributing to the long-term success of your organisation. By developing your skills in these areas, you will not only enhance your own career prospects but also become a more effective and influential leader, capable of making a lasting impact on your organisation.
Course lead – Dr Lila Skountridaki
Lila is a Senior Lecturer in Organisation Studies and is the Deputy Director of Research Ethics and Integrity at the Business School. Her research interests include the sociology of work and employment relations. Starting with a UKRI/ESRC funded project on remote work during the pandemic in 2020, Lila has developed expertise on flexible work and industrial relations. She has led a range of studies on home-based work, hybrid work, the 4-day week and their relation to physical space, employee voice and the quality of working life.
Previously, Lila's research focused on the professions and professional ethics. She has focused on the working lives and ethics of lobbyists in Brussels, human resource managers in the UK, medical doctors in Greece and Turkey and data scientists in Scotland. Her research is published in world leading journals such as Sociology, Business & Society, the Industrial Relations Journal, Tourism Management, Work, Employment and Society, and the Antipode as well as published and mentioned in practitioner and news outlets of wide circulation such as the HR Magazine, The conversation, The Times and The Herald.
Course dates
2 December 2026 – 3 March 2027
Course fees
£2000
Application terms
Applications are accepted until 5pm UK time on Tuesday 17 November 2026.
Our participants typically hold a 2:1 honours degree or higher. We do, however, take a holistic view of every application. If your academic background does not meet these specific criteria, your application may still be considered if supported by a good professional track record.
Successful applicants must also evidence a minimum of three years’ management experience.
Before applying, please ensure you have gathered all the required supporting documents, including a CV and your sponsor letter (if applicable). For further details, please see the application form.
Cancellation requests must be received by 5pm UK time Wednesday 9 December 2026 to qualify for a full refund. After this date, a refund will no longer be possible.
For more information about this course, please email us: executive@business-school.ed.ac.uk