The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: Online professional course (20 credits) Study duration: 13 weeks
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Interested in how human resource and people management professionals operate in a global context? Find out more in this online professional course. 

The course examines the economic, institutional, social and global contexts of people management. You’ll also consider globalisation and the demographic, social and technological advancements affecting HR strategies.  

You’ll cover a range of interesting topics, including: 

  • the internal environment of an organisation 
  • technological advancements shaping HRM and people management 
  • the nature of organisations from an ethical standpoint 

At the end, you’ll have the opportunity to progress on to one of our popular postgraduate courses. 

Why we’re great 

  • Develop a comprehensive awareness of how employees, managers, leaders and HR professionals work within global organisations.  
  • Hone your teamwork and management skills. 
  • Study 100% online, part-time. 
  • Gain 20 academic credits on successful completion – transferable to further study.  
  • Receive your online professional course certificate from the University of Essex, a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2025).  

You’ll study the following topics as part of the online professional course: 

  • nature of organisations in an ethical global context 
  • globalisation and its influence on people management and sustainability 
  • an organisation’s internal environment  
  • an organisation’s external environment 
  • the labour market and environmental competitiveness that HR, leaders and managers must respond to with ethical considerations 
  • demographical changes shaping HRM and people management  
  • societal changes shaping HRM and people management 
  • technological changes shaping HRM and people management 

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to complete your qualification when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or in a café. 

Our online professional courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including: 

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments 
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the module content with fellow students 
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors 
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals 
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team 

To ensure you receive high-quality tutor support, each class is capped at 20 students. 

 

Assessment methods 

You’ll be assessed exclusively through assignments. These include assessed discussion forums, written assignments and journal entries. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start 
  • you’ll be able to clearly view your marks in your gradebook whenever you log on to the learning platform 
  • there’s a seven-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

  

Study duration 

Our Global Environment and People Management online professional course has a study duration of 13 weeks, including a one-week induction to help you settle into online study. 

The Global Environment and People Management online professional course offers a whole host of opportunities. On successful completion, you’ll receive a digital certificate confirming you’ve achieved 20 academic credits at postgraduate level. This will be beneficial whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder or take the first step into a role in organisational psychology– helping you stand out in a competitive job market. 

If you wish to continue your studies and boost your prospects, you could choose additional organisational psychology online professional courses. Alternatively, you could progress on to the PG Cert Organisational Psychology (60 credits); PG Dip Organisational Psychology (120 credits); or the MSc Organisational Psychology (180 credits). 

Please note, acceptance on to a postgraduate qualification is subject to meeting the entry requirements of your chosen programme. 

No formal qualifications or experience is necessary.  

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency of English is required. If English isn’t your first language, your ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.  

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you’re a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries. 

Full tuition fee:
£1,386 UK / £1,455 International (2024-25) Δ
 

  • Our online professional courses are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included. 
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you’re a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.   
  • We offer a 14-day moneyback guarantee, so if you decide your course isn’t for you during the first 14 days, we’ll give you a full refund. Terms and conditions apply. 

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach on our Global Environment and People Management online professional course are experts in the business field.

What our students say

Agnisha Bose -MSc Psychology

I aspire to become a mental health professional and start my own private practice one day.

I was born and raised in Maharashtra, India and I’m currently staying in Delhi. I was always fascinated to interact with people from different countries and wanted to know more about their languages and cultures. When the whole world came to a standstill during the COVID pandemic, the University of Essex Online helped me continue my education in a field of my interest.  I did my undergraduate studies in economics at Symbiosis International University. However, I found that my strength lies in interacting...

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