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University of Sydney

Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 18 months
  • Course Type: Master's

Designed for students who wish to develop the skills necessary to build a rewarding and successful career in people management.

Course overview

The Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations will provide you with a sound understanding of key employment issues and equip you with the skills to respond to the rapid changes reshaping local and international work practices and policies.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Master's
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
18 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $4,962.50
More Information
Prices are calculated based on your total and full-time study load of 48 credit points.
Campus
Camperdown/Darlington
Intake
23rd February, 2026
30th October, 2026
Units
10
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist domestic students.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To be awarded the Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, students complete units of study totalling 60 credit points, comprising:

  • 24 credit points in foundation and advanced core units of study
  • A six-credit-point capstone (core) unit of study
  • 30 credit points in elective units of study

Each unit is valued at six credit points.

Core units of study

Foundation unit

  • Foundations of HRM and IR

Advanced units

  • HR Data Insights
  • Human Resource Strategies
  • Emerging Challenges in Industrial Relations
Capstone unit of study
Elective units of study

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for admission, an applicant is required to have one of the following:

  • An Australian bachelor's degree with honours or higher in any discipline with a credit average (65 per cent) or equivalent qualification.
  • An Australian bachelor's degree or higher in a related discipline with a credit average (65 per cent) or equivalent qualification.
  • An Australian bachelor's degree in an unrelated discipline with a credit average (65 per cent) or equivalent qualification, and relevant professional work experience (typically two years).
  • Any of the above combinations of qualifications and/or experience with less than a credit average (minimum 50 per cent required) and satisfactory performance in the GMAT (for guidance, the class average score is 630) or GMAT Focus Edition (for guidance, the class average score is 585) or equivalent Business School approved admissions test.
  • The University of Sydney Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations with a credit average (65 per cent).

English language requirements

You may need to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study this course.

If English is your first language you may be able to meet the requirements if you have:

  • Citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum 10 years).
  • Completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the university in an approved English-speaking country.

If English is not your first language you may be able to prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test taken within two years of commencing the course.

  • IELTS score: a minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band.
  • TOEFL - IBT score: a minimum result of 96 overall including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing.
  • Pearson Test of English: a minimum result of 68 overall and a minimum result of 54 in each band.

The university may also consider factors such as previous studies in English. Contact them for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning may reduce the number of units required, and thereby the duration of the degree.

  • Experience: Bachelor's degree in a related discipline plus two years of related professional work experience.
  • Reduction: Up to 12 CP.
  • Potential course duration with reduction: One year (48 CP).
  • Units recognized:
    • WORK5002: Foundations of HRM and IR.
    • And/or one elective unit.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

There are many employment opportunities for graduates from courses for HR, including:

  • Human resource manager
  • Workplace relations manager
  • Diversity consultant
  • Policy analyst
  • Organisation change and development specialist
  • Industrial relations advisor
  • People and culture manager
  • Industrial relations advocate

Learning outcomes

  • Apply a breadth and depth of theoretical frameworks to guide decision-making in human resource management and industrial relations practice (HRM&IR) and evaluate the challenges and opportunities of applying this knowledge in diverse contexts.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate the different frameworks, theories and concepts to assess and generate solutions in HRM&IR, while recognising the complex factors that shape them.
  • Use a range of communication strategies, including both professional oral and written communication, that are adaptable to the contexts of HRM&IR.
  • Locate, interpret and synthesise data to make informed HRM&IR decisions.
  • Generate novel solutions, ideas, insights and/or processes to address complex, HRM&IR issues.
  • Work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds, including the demonstration of cultural competence, influence, teamwork and leadership skills.
  • Integrate disciplinary perspectives in problem solving and recognise implications for HRM&IR.
  • Display a professional identity as a strategic, confident, knowledgeable, and ethically and socially aware practitioner.
  • Persuasively engage with diverse perspectives, display self-awareness and lead with confidence and responsibility.

Fees and CSP

Total indicative amount in 2026: Fee information is not yet available (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Total indicative amount in 2026: $39,700 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The indicative amounts to complete this course in 2026 are calculated based on the total credit points (48 credit points).

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per the unit you're enrolled in.
  • Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students.