Human resource management

A company’s people are its most important asset.

UNSW Business School on campus

What is human resource management?

A company’s people are its most important asset. That’s what human resource management (HRM) is all about. Effective and responsible human resource practices provide the foundation for any organisation’s success.

Why study human resource management? 

The success of any organisation is dependent on its workforce, and every company has people at the helm. Studying human resource management you’ll learn about employee management, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, organisational change, health and safety, international HRM and organisational behaviour – skills that will set you up for success in a diverse and rewarding career.

Why choose UNSW?

We're a global leader in business education, with UNSW Business School consistently ranking as one of Australia’s top business education hubs. Join a program that puts you in front of the right people to further your career – with work integrated learning, work experience opportunities, networking, and mentoring. You’ll have the training you need to work as an HR professional in a range of contexts across the industry.

Completion of the Human Resource Management major also successfully meets the criteria for accreditation by the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)

Your career opportunities

Career opportunities in human resources are vast – because it’s all about people, and every organisation employs people.

Career options include:

  • Employment relations or consultant
  • Human resources coordinator
  • Human resources advisor
  • Learning and development officer
  • People and culture specialist
  • Recruitment officer
  • Remuneration officer
  • Staff development officer
  • Training coordinator
  • Business administration officer 

Study with us

Entry requirements

Entry to the above degrees varies between undergraduate and postgraduate, as well as whether you’re applying as a domestic student or international student.

Undergraduate
Entry to the above undergraduate degrees will be based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or an equivalent rank. You’ll find a full list of alternative entry pathways under ‘entry requirements’ on each degree page.

Postgraduate
Admission to a postgraduate degree at UNSW requires you to hold a recognised undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification). Some degrees may require a minimum credit average (WAM or GMAT). You may also be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if you’ve studied an undergraduate degree that relates to human resource management, allowing you to take fewer subjects and graduate sooner.

International students
Undergraduate international students can find the admission requirements and minimum ATAR equivalents specific to their country on each degree page. Select ‘International’ from the drop-down menu and search for your home country.

Postgraduate international students must hold a recognised undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) to gain entry to the above postgraduate courses. A minimum credit average may be required and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be possible based on relevant subjects you’ve studied previously.

UNSW Global has university pathway programs that provide a seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. Learn more.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW. English language skills are vital for engaging with the coursework, including lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.

You can also check the specific English language entry requirements for each program on the degree page. Select ‘International’ from the drop down and scroll to find ‘English language requirements’.

What our graduates say

“Each of the HRM courses allowed me to learn a different area of human resources from quality teachers in the field who shared their experiences and made HR very interesting. My studies were brought to life by internships at IBM and Bayer.” 

- Tiffany Cheung, People Partner, Accenture