Professional Diploma in Human Resource Management

Course Overview
Learn the appropriate skills and knowledge essential for effective human resource management.
Comprehensive Human Resource Management (HRM) course designed to enhance your HRM career prospects within an organisation.
This course is validated by Griffith College. This course focuses on the development of professional skills; while it does not sit on the national framework, the modules are drawn from Griffith College's suite of QQI-validated degree programmes.
Why study Human Resource Management at Griffith College?
The Professional Diploma in Human Resource Management will provide students with the appropriate skills and knowledge essential for effective human resource management in an organisation. It explores the relationship between an organisation’s strategy, its culture and its HRM policies and procedures.
The course is aimed at a wide audience. Today, it is absolutely necessary that all businesses and service providers understand the impact and potential of new procedures and how best to leverage these for business purposes. This course is aimed at those looking to build an effective presence, and will be of interest particularly to those who own a business or manage a HRM department. It will also be of interest to those who are involved in employee relations, who specifically need to gain a greater understanding of the proliferation of human resource management techniques that users now expect businesses to be present on and be willing to engage on. The course will provide a comprehensive overview of the techniques and principles and how to manage these effectively amongst staff members.
- Learn the key human resource management principles and practices to improve business operations.
- Gain knowledge of business techniques to inform best practice human resource management.
- Understand the essential aspects of Irish law to the operation of a business.
- Analyse how human resource management has evolved and continues to evolve
- Draw on your own experience to develop a clearer understanding of HRM.
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
- Dublin - Online - September 2025
- Dublin - City Centre - Part-Time - September 2025
- Cork - Part-Time - September 2025
What our students say

"As a recent graduate of the Diploma in HR management, I can say that it has transformed my understanding and proficiency in the field of HR. The courses' well-thought-out design helped me to apply my knowledge to a variety of situations by fusing academic knowledge with useful case studies and real-world experiences. Anyone wishing to improve their job chances and have a significant effect in the human resources industry should definitely choose this program"
Diploma in Human Resource Management

"The course offers a lot of practical elements, demonstrating how to apply various techniques in the workplace and this is what I most enjoyed about the programme. The lecturers were extremely helpful throughout my studies and this made the course a lot more enjoyable."
Diploma in Human Resource Management
Course Details
Modules
On successful completion of this module, learners will be able to:
- Assess the roles and skills of managers at various levels of the business hierarchy.
- Examine the core management functions needed to manage a business.
- Apply the tools and techniques of management and assess the changing environment in which organisations operate.
- Discuss the importance of corporate social responsibility and ethics as critical elements of management practice.
- Demonstrate and apply key managerial skills, i.e. analysis, critical thinking, decision-making, time management and report writing.
The focus of this module is on the core legal principles relevant to the conduct of business in Ireland and the EU. The syllabus is organised around key legal areas such as contract, tort, company law, employment law, and consumer protection, as well as broader themes including compliance, whistleblowing, and directors' duties. Learners explore the sources of law, legal reasoning through precedent, and the concept of legal risk, including available remedies. The role of agency in business is also examined, along with the legal responsibilities of corporate actors and the implications of insolvency. Legal content is contextualised through contemporary examples and real-world scenarios to support the application of theory to practice
On successful completion of this module, learners will be able to:
- Explain the essential elements of human resource management and ethical practices in organisations.
- Discuss the importance of the link between human resources and an organisation's success.
- Explain the importance of the employment relationship in terms of the changing legislation and its impact on organisations.
- Discuss how human resource management has evolved and continues to change.
- Display critical ability in terms of the application of human resource activities in organisational settings.
This module examines organisational behaviour theories, exploring the factors that influence individual and group behaviours within organisations. It provides a learning environment that helps learners identify key issues such as ethics, diversity and change affecting a company’s effectiveness. Throughout the module, learners engage in discussions, analysis, and evaluations of various concepts, theories, and frameworks, considering their relevance and application in understanding organisational behaviour from a contemporary perspective.
Timetables
Exams will take place on campus for courses delivered on campus and online. It is mandatory to attend exams in person.
Dublin Main Campus: This course will next commence in September 2025. It will run one evening per week (Wednesday) from 6.00 pm - 9.30 pm over 24 weeks, course dates outlined below.
Online Delivery: This course will next commence September 2025. It will run one evening per week (Thursday) from 6.00 pm - 9.30 pm over 24 weeks, course dates outlined below.
Dublin City Centre: This next intake of this course will commence in mid September 2025. It will run one evening per week from 18.15 - 21.45 over two 12-week semesters, course dates outlined below.
Cork Campus: This course will next commence on Wednesday, 25th September 2024. It will run one evening per week from 6.30pm - 9.45pm over 24 weeks, course dates outlined below.
Campus Timetables
This course is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 24th September 2025.
This part-time evening course will run one evening per week (Wednesday) from 6.00 pm - 9.30 pm over 24 weeks, course dates outlined below.
Year 2025 – Semester 1
- Sep: 24
- Oct: 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
- Nov: 12, 19, 26
- Dec: 03, 10, 17
Year 2026 - Semester 2
- Feb: 04, 11, 18, 25
- Mar: 04, 11,25
- Apr: 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
Course dates are subject to change. Contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie for further information.
Classes will be delivered live online using Zoom and will commence on Thursday, 25th September 2025.
This part-time evening course will run one evening per week (Thursday) from 6.00 pm - 9.30 pm over 24 weeks, course dates outlined below.
Year 2025 - Semester 1
- Sep: 25
- Oct: 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
- Nov: 13, 20, 27
- Dec: 04, 11, 18
Year 2026 - Semester 2
- Feb: 05, 12, 19, 26
- Mar: 05, 12, 26
- Apr: 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
Course dates are subject to change. Contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie for further information.
This course is scheduled to commence week commencing 22 September 2025.
Please contact admissions.citycentre@griffith.ie (01-4150450) for further information.
This part-time evening course will run one evening per week (Wednesday for Autumn Semester) from 18.30 - 21.30 over two 12 week semesters, course dates outlined below.
Autumn 2025 Semester
- Sept: Week commencing 22/09, 29/09
- Oct: Week commencing 06/10, 13/10, 20/10, 27/10
- Nov: Week commencing 03/11, 10/10, 17/10, 24/11
- Dec: Week commencing 08/12, 15/12
Spring 2026 Semester
- Feb: Week commencing 03/02, 10/02, 17/02, 24/02
- Mar: Week commencing 03/03, 10/03, 17/03, 24/03, 31/03
- Apr: Week commencing 07/04, 14/04, 21/04
Please note course dates and times are subject to change.
This course is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 25th September 2024.
Contact admissions.gcc@griffith.ie for further information.
This part-time evening course will run one evening per week (Wednesday) from 6.30pm - 9.45pm over 24 weeks, course dates outlined below.
Year 2024 - Semester 1
- Sept: 25
- Oct: 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
- Nov: 13, 20, 27
- Dec: 04, 11, 18
Year 2025 - Semester 2
- Feb: 05, 12, 19, 26
- Mar: 05, 12, 26
- Apr: 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
Note: Course dates and times are subject to change.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
All applicants must be a user of Microsoft Office.
English Language
If English is not your native language, you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard. For further information please contact a member of the Admissions Team.
How to Apply
Directly to Griffith College
Applicants under 23 years of age:
Minimum of 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades, to include Maths and a language (English, Irish or another language) in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent award
Or
FETAC Level 5 Full Award with 3 Distinctions
Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students):
Direct Entry - If you are 23 years or over from the 1st January of this year, you can apply for this course directly using the College’s online application form.
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Dublin Part Time: EUR 2,000
Dublin Part Time: EUR 2,000
Cork Part Time: EUR 1,800
Flexible Payment Options
Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to professionalacademy@griffith.ie
Progression
Academic Progression
Graduates from this programme may develop their skills further by completing a BA in Business Degree or BA (Hons) in Business Degree (HRM) at Griffith College and will be considered for exemptions.
