Student Handbook
September 2011
MA Human Resource Management
1
Dublin Business School Campus
DBS is a city centre campus, the main building is situated on Aungier Street, behind St Stephens
Green Shopping Centre. Please refer to the Map for the location of our other buildings.
Buses servicing Aungier Street directly are 16, 16A, 19, 19A, 65, 65B, 83 or 122. All Bus, DART, Luas
and Rail routes service the city centre with terminals close to the College.
Room Legend and Access Codes:
AS: 13/14 Aungier Street
BL: Bow Lane (Door Code 9214)
CH: Castle House, George’s Street
DS: 19/22 Dame Street (Door Code 1295)
BSA: 6/9 Balfe Street Block A (Door Code 6305)
BSB: 6/9 Balfe Street Block B (Door Code 6305)
DBS is city centre based with our main campus building situated on Aungier Street, behind St
Stephens Green Shopping Centre. Please refer to the Map for the location of our other buildings.
WELCOME TO DUBLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL
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September 2011
Dear Student
Welcome to the School of Business at Dublin Business School. Our objective is to create graduates
with the knowledge, skills and confidence to meet the challenges of today’s rapidly changing
workplace in Ireland and abroad.
Our business programmes cover a broad spectrum of subject areas such as Accounting and Finance,
Information Technology, Leisure and Recreation Management, Marketing and Management. All
programmes at the School of Business are designed to provide you with an appropriate grounding
and understanding of all business subjects. However we know that you will have your own career
aspirations and that you may wish to specialize in your own preferred area of study and all our
programmes are designed to allow you that option.
The Business School is committed to providing you with a learning environment that encourages you
to meet your potential both personally and professionally. A wide range of support services are
available through the Business School to provide you with advice and guidance needed to identify,
achieve and excel in your chosen career. Full information on our support services and relevant
contact details are available in your student handbook.
Academic studies at this level will be thought provoking, challenging, interesting and exciting. Your
studies should prove beneficial for both your personal and professional development and will
prepare you for a life of continuous learning. We are confident that you will find this experience to
be highly rewarding.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact any member of staff at
the Business School. We look forward to talking with you in the future.
Dr. Adrian Guckian
Head of School of Business & Law
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WELCOME TO THE MA HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
September 2011
Dear Student
Welcome to Dublin Business School (DBS) and the MA Human Resource Management Programme.
The purpose of the handbook is to provide you with a ready and concise source of information about
the programme and the many learning and support facilities available to you. The aim of the
programme management team is to ensure that you derive maximum benefit from your studies in
DBS and at the same time, thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Academic studies at this level will be challenging, demanding, exciting and consequently very
beneficial for your personal development. We are confident that you will find this experience to be
highly rewarding in both personal and professional terms.
Should you have any queries and/or require clarification of any information in the handbook please
do not hesitate to contact Cian McHugh (Programme administrator) or myself.
I wish you a successful and enjoyable year.
Sharon Harris Byrne
MA in HRM Programme Leader
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PROGRAMME AND COURSE STRUCTURE
The programme contains a number of innovative features that are discussed elsewhere within this
document. It is designed to be academically rigorous and will require students to develop learning
skills quickly and apply these in an intensive programme. Assessment methods vary but will
concentrate on students managing the process themselves through allowing as much choice as
possible, for example through individually research projects, group reports and oral presentations.
The taught stage develops knowledge in the core areas of HRM, develops and enhances research
skills and the students are encouraged to challenge and critique the theories HRM and their
application in real life companies.
There are three stages to the programme although students only obtain a specific stage award
(Certificate or Diploma) if they withdraw before successful completion. The first (Postgraduate
Certificate) is awarded to those who successfully complete any four modules of the programme and
the second stage (Postgraduate Diploma) for successful completion of a further four modules.
Please note that students can only commence the dissertation element if all eight preceding
modules have been successfully completed.
There are eight modules on the programme, four per semester, 15 credits each. The masters’ stage
comprises of a Dissertation (60 credits). Total 180 credits (see Appendix also).
Programme Objectives

To provide an academically rigorous framework through which students understand and
critically appraise the philosophy and practice of HRM.

To develop student awareness of the business and strategic context of contemporary HRM and
the role of the HRM practitioner as a business partner.

To facilitate an intellectual environment in which students’ powers of critical analysis, evaluation
and problem solving are enhanced.

To demonstrate the contribution of specific HRM activities to an overall HRM strategy, and the
role of HRM within corporate strategy.

To enable students to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and continuous
professional development.
The table below illustrates the structure of the programme:
Taught Stage: FULL TIME (8 Modules x 15 credits = 120 Credits)
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
SEMESTER 1
Module Title
Code *
CORE
People Management
BM694
CORE
HRM in a Changing World
BM693
CORE
Employment Relations
BM697
CORE
Managing Resourcing Strategy
BM696
SEMESTER 2
Module Title
Code *
CORE
Research Methods
BM695
CORE
Managing Organisational Learning & Change
BM698
CORE
The Management of Performance
BM699
CORE
Strategic Implications of HRM
BM6910
Codes may be updated with new numbers – new codes will be emailed to students
Dissertation Stage
The dissertation is weighted 60 credits. All modules are weighted at 15 credits.
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Taught Stage: PART TIME (8 Modules x 15 credits = 120 Credits)
YEAR 1
Semester 2
Semester 1
People Management
HRM in a Changing World
Managing Resourcing Strategy
Employment Relations
YEAR 2
Semester 1
Semester 2
The Management of Performance
Strategic Implications of HRM
Managing Organisational Learning & Change
Research Methods
Dissertation Stage
The dissertation is weighted 60 credits. All modules are weighted at 15 credits.
A wide range of teaching and learning methods are used in the programme. These include

Analysis of case studies with focus on strategic HRM

Visiting professors from other Irish and UK universities lecturing on HRM concepts and
philosophies

Exercises requiring students to reflect upon their own competencies.

Lectures by members of the faculty, with the emphasis on academic theories and literature
versus practice in the HRM world.

Presentations of real life case materials in a variety of modules

Workshops and round-table debates with practitioner guest speakers from leading Irish
companies
Assessment Objectives
The aims of the assessment procedure are to:
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
Ensure that the award is academically rigorous and an appropriate reflection of the student's
ability and his/her effort throughout the programme.

Provide the means to monitor students' progress for each module of the programme and
inform their development and aid reflection

Ensure the assessment workload on students is consistent with that placed on students on
similar fourth level programmes both internally and externally.
A variety of assessment methods are combined to ensure a wide range of student abilities are
assessed over the duration of the programme. These methods will include:

Individual and group assignments.

Management reports.

Case studies.

Group activities.

Group and individual oral presentations.

Time constrained assessments
Assessment Schedules
Assessment schedules are provided for all students for all modules at the beginning of the academic
year. These schedules are designed to limit the number of assignments students have to submit at
any one time. It is organised such that assignments are spread out across the semester, where
possible. This serves as a useful time management tool for students.
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT
Module
Assessment method
People Management
100% Continuous Assessment
HRM in a Changing World
100% Final Examination
Managing Resourcing Strategy
50% Continuous Assessment 50% Final Examination
HRM Research Methods
100% Continuous Assessment
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Employment Relations
100% Continuous Assessment
Managing Organisational Learning & Change
100% Continuous Assessment
The Management of Performance
50% Continuous Assessment 50% Final Examination
Strategic Implications of HRM
100% Continuous Assessment
Dissertation
100% Continuous Assessment (20,000 Words)
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PROGRAMME STAFFING
Head of Department
:
Dr. Patricia Moriarty
patricia.moriarty@dbs.ie
Programme Leader:
David Wallace
david.wallace@dbs.ie
Business School Manager:
Emma Balfe
emma.balfe@dbs.ie
Programme Administrator:
Cian McHugh
cian.mchugh@dbs.ie
PLEASE NOTE: All DBS email addresses are of the form firstname.surname@dbs.ie. Please remember
that lecturing staff will be lecturing during the day also, and thus may not reply immediately.
Module
Module Leader
People Management
Eddie McConnon
HRM in a Changing World
Bill Kirwan
Managing Resourcing Strategy
Gay White
HRM Research Methods
Dr. Chris McLaughlin
Employment Relations
Bill Kirwan/Aidan Finnegan
Managing Organisational Learning & Change
Eddie McConnon
The Management of Performance
Ann Masterson
Strategic Implications of HRM
Claire Devlin
PLEASE NOTE: All DBS email addresses are of the form firstname.surname@dbs.ie. Please
remember that lecturing staff will be lecturing during the day also, and thus may not reply
immediately.
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MOODLE
DBS MOODLE is the Dublin Business School student website designed to provide you with a range of
course material which will enhance and support your learning experience with DBS. MOODLE does
not replace classroom activity but enhances and enables the provision of a rich multi-media learning
environment.
You can access MOODLE from any computer with Internet access. If you have a problem logging-in
you should contact moodleadmin@dbs.ie or ask any of the technicians in the labs.
To access course material self-enrolment may be requested. If so, you need the enrolment key for
the course - your module leader will give this to you if he/she wishes you to self-enroll.
A contact list of lectures and programme manager will available on the DBS MOODLE home page.
(http://student.dbs.edu/login/index.php)
You will be provided with a DBS Moodle Student User Guide and account details at induction.
Support is provided by computerservices@dbs.ie and IT academic staff throughout the year.
Code of Practice for all users of DBS Moodle
All users of DBS MOODLE are bound by the Terms and Conditions of Use as outlined on the DBS
website Terms & Condition.
http://www.dbs.ie/TermsConditions/tabid/649/Default.aspx
Class Representative
Each Programme will be asked to appoint two class representatives. The function of class
representatives is to liaise between students and faculty and to co-ordinate student feedback. and
student input to the course review process. Class representatives should also make contact with
Student Services if necessary.
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Participant Feedback
A number of feedback mechanisms are in place and include:

Opportunities for informal feedback to module leaders

Opportunities to meet programme leader

Institutional modular evaluation surveys

School evaluation surveys

Student representatives, to be nominated by peers, via class representative meetings and
attend Board of Study Meetings

Staff/Student forum
Attendance
High levels of attendance at class are essential for academic success. In order to encourage high
attendance levels, the College invests a substantial time and resources in tracking and following up
on poor attendance. To achieve your potential at Dublin Business School, it is imperative that you
attend all your classes. The minimum required level is 80%; students who have less than this level of
attendance are hindering their overall performance.
Student Services and Facilities
Contact Details
International Students Officer Louise Butler-Norris
Education & Welfare Officer
Caitriona McGrattan
Sports & Societies Officer
Tony Peoples
General Queries
Tel: 01 4170603 louise.butlernorris@dbs.ie
Tel: 01 4178748 caitriona.mcgrattan@dbs.ie
Tel: 01 4177585 tony.peoples@dbs.ie
Tel: 01 4177680 student.services@dbs.ie
Introduction
The Student Services Office is concerned with assisting students in all non-academic affairs. Working
alongside the Student Council and the International Student Office, they deal with a variety of issues
faced by students.
Introduction
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As part of the Library, Careers and Student Services Department, the Student Students team aim to
assist students during their time in DBS through a number of support services including a counselling
referral service, drop-in hours for international students and a welfare office. Students are also
encouraged to engage with the College and their fellow students through a range of social and
sporting opportunities.
Accommodation
The Student Services Dept has produced a number of guides and accommodation listings for
students seeking accommodation including a guide to the various student properties available in
Dublin’s City Centre, which is available on the Student Services website. There is also an
Accommodation Notice-board on the ground floor of Aungier Street.
Welfare
The Education and Welfare Officer administers the College’s counselling referral service. DBS
provides crisis counselling to students in conjunction with the Elmwood Centre for Counselling and
Psychotherapy in Baggot Street. Students may avail of three sessions free of charge and an
additional three on the request of their therapist/counsellor. Students may request a counselling
referral letter, needed to cover the cost of the sessions, directly from the Education and Welfare
Officer. Students can be reassured that their decision to attend counselling is kept private and that
their name will only be noted by the Student Services Officer who issues the letter for financial
reasons.
Dublin Business School is linked to the Aungier Street Medical Centre (Phone: 01-4005708). A
reduced fee of €40 per consultation is charged on production of a valid DBS student card. The Clinic
is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 11am – 3pm. There is an
appointment system in operation so please remember to make one. Urgent cases will be seen
without appointment. There is also a nurse in attendance who deals with family planning, cervical
smears, blood pressure screening, dietary advice and advice on asthma and diabetes.
Please Talk
Please Talk is a national mental health awareness campaign, which urges students to understand
that talking is a sign of strength, not of weakness. And that if they experience problems while at
college, there are people they can talk to. At the centre of the campaign is the PLEASE TALK website,
www.pleasetalk.ie, which provides a list of support services that are available to students at their
college or university. DBS has a page on the PLEASE TALK website, which lists the support services
available to our students.
Student Complaints
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Student complaints should be directed to your Springboard liaison in the first instance who will
direct your complaint onwards as appropriate. Academic appeals should be directed to the
Examinations Office. Further details can be obtained on DBS’s Examinations Office webpage at:
http://www.dbs.ie
Entertainment
During the term you will find many events organised by Student services. In fact there will be
celebrations for any excuse we can find during the year. Halloween and Christmas balls, sports and
societies nights are just some of the events you’ll expect to see. Upcoming events will be advertised
on notice boards in DBS buildings, so keep an eye out.
Sports
At DBS we believe happy, healthy students do better in their study, that’s why we strive to provide a
wide range of quality sporting activities to suit everybody. DBS in recent years has claimed National
titles in golf, basketball, cricket and badminton. DBS offers sports scholarships to outstanding
athletes, which reflects the college’s desire to be amongst the leaders of College sport in Ireland.
DBS boasts some of the best sports coaches in Irish College Sport, such as Richard Sadlier, Dave
Baker and Jenny King. We hope more success can follow this year, but more importantly that
everyone gets involved in a sporting activity to get fit, have fun and make friends.
Student Societies
Societies are organized by and for students and they exist because students want them to exist. The
popularity of DBS societies such as the Drama Soc, Paintballing Soc and Radio DBS has seen more
students than ever signing up to become members or even putting themselves forward to sit on the
committees that run the societies. If you would like to setup a society and would like to know the
procedures then contact your Societies officer (below). Students at DBS realize that there’s more to
college than exams, coursework and lectures. To mark the college’s commitment to student
societies DBS is a full member of the Board of Irish College Societies (BICS) and this year travelled to
Galway to compete against the very best student societies in Ireland.
To mark DBS’s commitment to Sports and Societies, Tony Peoples is your Sports and Societies
Development Officer. Tony works in the student service department and you can find him in the
Aungier Street and Castle House offices. The big day for Sports and Society Sign Up is all day Tuesday
the 4th of October in the Reception area of Aungier Street. For a full list of the 30 + Clubs visit
www.dbs.ie/studentservices. So what are you waiting for, sign up to your favourite society now.
Merchandise
Student Services have DBS-branded hoodies for sale. The hoodies are available in navy, grey or green
and in sizes small to x-large. They cost €20 and are available from either Student Services’ Offices.
Lockers
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Lockers are available to rent in Augnier Street and Dame Street. They cost €20 for the academic year
(including the exam period and a week’s grace to clear it out). Students wishing to rent a locker in AS
should contact Caitríona, while those looking for a Dame Street locker should contact Tony or Louise.
Computer Services
The Computer Services department offers support to the student body in College IT related issues. Email, internet, online storage space, Moodle (intranet for notes etc) and course related software are
all provided for students at no extra charge. Students can contact the Computer Services
Department via the on-line form on the web link below, in person on the first floor of the Aungier St
building or by telephone on 01 4177573.
Visit the Computer Services website at: http://www.dbs-students.com/CompServ
Facilities
The Facilities Department maintain the fabric of the building and manage the many services
providers to the college such as cleaning, security etc. In conjunction with these, this department is
also responsible for Health & Safety and Timetabling
Visit the Reception website at: http://www.dbs-students.com/Reception
Library
The Library service at Dublin Business School comprises an Undergraduate Library at Aungier Street
and Postgraduate/Law Library at Dame Street.
DBS Library has evolved into a library without walls with a rapidly expanding e-book collection,
45,000 full-text e-journals and an extensive portfolio of electronic databases. Off campus access to
all of the Library’s electronic resources is available 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world. The
Library Catalogue, e-books and EBSCO databases can also be searched via handheld devices.
DBS Library collections comprise:



Print/Audiovisual Materials: The Library has a combined print and audiovisual collection of
approximately 50,000 items. All books and audiovisual items are listed on the Library
Catalogue which is available on the Library Website.
Print Journals: The Library subscribes to 205 print journals.
E-Journals: The Library provides access to 45,000 full-text e-journals searchable on the
Library Website via EBSCO’s A-Z journal software
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

E-books: The Library has a rapidly expanding e-book collection available via Dawsonera
which now contains 900 titles.
Online Databases: The Library subscribes to an extensive portfolio of databases. Examples of
databases that the Library subscribe to include: Academic Search Complete, Business Source
Complete, Computer and Applied Sciences Complete; Emerald, Firstlaw, FT.com, Film and
Television Literature Index with Full-text. Hospitality and Tourism Complete, JSTOR, Justis,
Lexis Nexis, LISTA Full-text, Marketline, Mintel, Pep Archive, PsycArticles, PsycInfo,
SOCIndex, WARC, Westlaw.
The Library offers:




Library inductions for all new students in the classroom setting.
Library tours for new and returning students.
Subject specific information literacy instruction in the classroom setting within the academic
timetable, as requested by faculty.
A selection information literacy classes are run on a weekly basis throughout the academic year.
These classes are open to all students, with separate classes for Business, Arts and Law students.
The selection of classes includes:
o Writing & Referencing Assignments (this class also covers ‘Avoiding Plagiarism’)
o Finding Materials for Assignments
o Literature Research for Dissertation
o Using Zotero (Reference Management Software)
These classes are delivered supplementary to the academic timetable, and are run in either
a classroom or computer lab setting, depending on the session content.
Visit the Library Website at: http://library.dbs-students.com
Visit the Library blog at: http://dbslibrary.blogspot.com
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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What logins do I need to access the Library’s electronic resources?
All the log-ins details that you need to access various Library and IT resources at DBS will be emailed
to you shortly after you register with the college. You must activate your college email account to
access this email. If you do not receive this email, please contact the Library or follow the following
format/procedure when logging-on to the various resources:
PCs: The first time you log in, enter your student number for both the username and password.
You will then be prompted to create your own password. Henceforth your log-in details will be as
follows:
o
o
Username: student number
Password: ‘password of your own choice’
 Library Account: via the Library Catalogue.
o
o
Reader number: student number
PIN: 4 digits (issued by the Library staff)
 Searching electronic resources (for off-campus only)
o
o
Username: student number
Password: date of birth – dd/mm/yyyy
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 E-Books
o
o
Username: student number
Password: date of birth – dd/mm/yyyy
What other facilities are available in the Library?
The Library provides access to:





PCs
A wireless network
Printing facilities including wireless printing
Photocopying facilities including colour photocopying
Study rooms for collaborative study
PCs and Study rooms can be booked via the Library Website.
How do I contact the Library?
Each Library site has a dedicated information point where staff can assist you with your enquiries.
You can also contact Library staff by phone, email or via the Library’s instant messaging service
called ‘DBS Ask a Librarian’ which is available on the Library website. DBS Ask a Librarian enables
you to chat live with Library staff via the Library Website. You can also follow Library
developments via the Student Blog, Facebook and Twitter, links to which are provided on the
Library Website.
Key telephone numbers:
Information Desk, Aungier Street, Tel: 01 -4177572
Information Desk, Dame Street, Tel: 01 -4178745
Email: library@dbs.ie
Website: http://library.dbs.ie
How Can I learn more about using the Library?
 Library Classes: DBS Library employs a dedicated Information Skills Librarian, who provides
students with Library tours and inductions. She also runs a variety of classes on how to
evaluate and use information safely; essay writing, avoiding plagiarism and referencing.
Please consult the Library Website for further information.
 Library Guides/Handbooks: guides on how to use various Library resources as well as guides
on essay writing, referencing, avoiding plagiarism, conducting a literature review, etc. are
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available on the Library website and in hardcopy in the Library. The Library also produces its
own student handbook as well as a quick guide to Library Resources. These are also available
on the Library Website.
 Information Points: Each library has an Information point that is manned by professional
staff who are there to help you get the most from the Library resources and facilities. Please
feel free to approach the desk with any Library query… big or small. Alternatively you can
phone, email or instant message the Library.
 Ask a Librarian instant messaging: this is available via the Library website. Just type in your
question and a member of the library staff will message you back straight away.
 Online Database Tutorials: Various databases also provide users with online tutorials and
help guides on how to use their search and browse facilities and much more.
Appendix
Credit Structure
The adoption of a system of credits is a key component of the development of the European Higher
Education Area under the Bologna process. ECTS is becoming a generalised basis for credit systems
in higher education, and it has a proven track record in facilitating student mobility and international
curriculum development, and is developing into a credit accumulation, as well as a credit transfer
system. Thus, in line with Ireland’s commitment to and participation in the European Higher
Education Area, the national approach to credit will be compatible with ECTS.
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Under ECTS, one credit is assigned to learning outcomes achievable in 20-25 hours of workload. The
ECTS convention is that 60 credits measures the workload of an average full-time student during one
academic year. Workload refers to the notional time within which the average learner might expect
to complete the required learning outcomes. The structure and content of the programme is
outlined using ECTS credits where 7.5 ECTS equals 15 CATS.
Structure and Content

The course is made up of two parts. Part I is the taught element consisting of compulsory
and optional modules (ECTS: 7.5 (15 CATS) per module giving a total of 60 credits (120
CATS)). Part II consists of a dissertation (30 ECTS/60 CATS credits). There are a total of 90
ECTS/180 CATS credits for the course.

To be awarded their degree, students must pass both Part I and Part II of the scheme and
thereby accumulate 90 ECTS /180 CATS credits.

Candidates who complete Part I and accumulate 60 ECTS/120 CATS credits, but do not
complete Part II can exit with a Postgraduate Diploma. A Postgraduate Certificate is also
available to students who pass 30 ETCS/60 CATS credits or more in Part I.
A student will not be entitled to formally commence the Dissertation Stage until an examination
board has confirmed that the taught stage has been successfully completed and 60 credits awarded.
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