Master of Business in Human Resource Management

The Master of Business (Human Resource Management) at The University of Queensland (UQ) is designed to connect HR theory with practical business situations. Students develop applied skills in areas such as recruitment and selection, performance management, career support, team development and strategic HR management, while UQ’s learning approach includes tutorials, seminars, research experience and opportunities for workplace learning.

A particularly strong feature is UQ’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) option. Through the professional placement course RBUS7999, students can apply theoretical and conceptual knowledge in a workplace, develop employability skills, build professional networks and engage with real-world business issues. The HR curriculum also uses small-group discussions and case-study activities, giving students opportunities to work collaboratively on realistic HR challenges.

These practical experiences are supported by UQ’s St Lucia campus, which provides modern teaching and research spaces, collaborative learning areas and access to one of Queensland’s largest research libraries.

• Work Integrated Learning: RBUS7999 Professional Placement gives eligible students the opportunity to undertake a professional placement and apply business knowledge in an actual workplace while developing employability skills and professional networks.
• HR case studies: Strategic Human Resource Management (MGTS7603) uses case-study discussions to explore evidence-based solutions to strategic HR challenges, including HR strategy, employee resourcing, performance management, rewards, and training and development.
• Small-group learning: MGTS7603 specifically incorporates small-group discussion to strengthen peer-to-peer learning and engagement during case-study discussions.
• Practical HR application: The HRM field develops applied knowledge of recruitment and selection, performance management, career support and team development, directly relevant to professional HR practice.
• Research experience: The Human Resource Management field includes research experience as part of its learning approach, allowing students to engage with evidence and contemporary HR issues.
• Career-focused learning: Career Transition (MGTS7621) is included in the program to help students prepare for their next professional step and connect their studies with career development.
• Collaborative learning spaces: UQ St Lucia has dedicated collaborative learning rooms, including spaces designed for different scales and styles of learning activity.
• Library and research facilities: UQ Central Library provides 1,100 study spaces, including individual, group, quiet and postgraduate areas, while Duhig Tower provides additional postgraduate and collaborative study spaces.
• Digital and IT facilities: UQ Library provides student computers, monitors and docking stations, presentation equipment, printing, scanning and copying facilities, supporting research, presentations and collaborative coursework.
• Business School environment: The program is delivered through UQ’s Business School, where students study specialist HR courses such as Managing Organisational Behaviour, Strategic Human Resource Management, The Fundamentals of Designing and Staffing Organisations and Performance Leadership.
• Research environment: UQ St Lucia brings together business teaching with research institutes and centres, providing students with access to a broader research-focused university environment.

The Master of Business (Human Resource Management) at The University of Queensland is designed to prepare graduates for people-focused management and leadership careers across a wide range of industries. Students build expertise in recruitment and selection, performance management, career support and team development, creating a strong foundation for progressing into specialist and managerial HR roles.

Typical career opportunities include:

• Human Resources Manager – lead HR functions, people strategies and workforce initiatives.
• Human Resources Adviser – provide specialist advice on recruitment, employee performance and workplace matters.
• People and Culture Manager – develop organisational culture, employee engagement and people strategies.
• Organisational Change Consultant – support organisations through workforce and organisational transformation.

Career development and professional opportunities:

• UQ Careers and Employability: Students can access career development support, career advice, job-search resources, application and interview preparation, internships and professional experiences. UQ's Business, Economics and Law Careers and Employability team also provides discipline-specific career guidance and access to professional opportunities.
• Employment and salary potential: UQ's current career information lists Human Resources Manager roles at approximately A$120,000–A$140,000 per year and Change Manager roles at approximately A$140,000–A$160,000 per year, based on SEEK salary data. UQ also reports that HR careers can include recruitment consulting, employee relations, talent acquisition, capability management and leadership development.
• Work-integrated learning: The Master of Business includes RBUS7999 Work Integrated Learning, which can provide a professional placement where students apply theoretical knowledge to workplace situations, develop employability skills, gain workplace knowledge and build a professional network.
• University–industry connections: UQ Business School actively works with industry through guest lectures, mentoring, graduate recruitment and internships. Its industry engagement also includes MBA Industry Projects, with students having delivered projects addressing business problems for more than 25 industry partners.
• Professional accreditation value: UQ has historically had its Master of Business (Human Resource Management) accepted for Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) accreditation, enabling eligible graduates to join AHRI as full members. However, AHRI's current accredited-course list should be checked for the latest accreditation status before relying on it as a current program benefit.
• Graduation outcomes: UQ provides graduates with continuing access to career support and professional development opportunities. The university also has a global Business School alumni community of more than 46,000 graduates, providing opportunities to build professional connections and access networks relevant to internships, work placements and graduate programs.
• Graduate progression: UQ highlights graduate outcomes including progression into workforce planning and analytics; one Master of Business graduate reported specialising in workforce planning and analytics with one of Queensland's largest employers.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Master of Business, students interested in research or academia can progress toward a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) through UQ Business School's higher-degree-by-research pathway. These programs involve independent research and a thesis, making them particularly suitable for graduates who want to develop specialist expertise, pursue academic careers or move into research-intensive consultancy and business roles