Course overview

Description

This specialist course is suitable for students already employed, or those who are contemplating a career in human resource management, industrial relations or a related area.

The Master of Human Resource Management and Employment Relations produces graduates who are effective strategic business partners, confident employee advocates, knowledgeable change agents, and organisational leaders.

The course aims to produce graduates who demonstrate an understanding of contemporary work and employment issues, critical thinking skills to solve complex business- related employment problems, broad range of communication competences to influence and engage a diverse group of employees and stakeholders and excellent research skills to analyse and respond to the rapid changes reshaping local and international labour markets, work practices and policies.

The program is accredited by the Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI).

Course title
Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations (coursework)
Award abbreviation
MHR&ER
Course code
41660
Course type
Master's degree by coursework only
Status
Current / 2025
Administered by
UWA Business School
CRICOS code
083269F

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year and mid-year
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
Maximum course duration
2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
Professional accreditation
Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations (coursework) is accredited by: Australian Human Resources Institute.
Time limit
5 years
Delivery mode
Internal
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
Postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Dr Renata Casado
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Students are required to complete all core units plus 24 points chosen from a combination of Options A, B or C.

Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Commerce or a bachelor's degree majoring in employment relations and/or human resources may be required to complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points, as advised by the Faculty.

Take all units (48 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2EMPL5450Sustainability and Employment Relations
Prerequisites
EMPL5412 Employment Relations
Seminars: 12 x 3 hour seminar as per normal Masters unit delivery.
S2EMPL5501Strategic Workplace Relations
Prerequisites
EMPL5412 Employment Relations
lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week
S1EMPL5511Employment Relations in a Global ContextNonelectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week
S2EMPL5514Negotiation and Dispute ResolutionNonelectures/seminars: 5 sessions (7–8 hours each) over 6 weeks
S1HRMT5501Diversity and InclusionNone3 hours per week, over 12 weeks.
S2HRMT5502People Analytics
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
41660 Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations (ID 45)
or Course Enrolment 42270 Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics (ID 1458)
or Course Enrolment 42630 Master of Business Analytics (ID 1478)
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology (ID 1408)
lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week
S1HRMT5518Strategic Human Resource Management
Prerequisites
HRMT5504 Introduction to Human Resource Management
lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week
S1HRMT5530Career Development and EmployabilityNonelectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week

Students may choose units to the value of 24 points from Group A.

Group A
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2EMPL5555Employee Relations Law
Incompatibility
LAWS5555 Employee Relations Law
up to 3 hours seminar
S2MGMT5506Ethics and Sustainability Management
Incompatibility
MGMT5526 Principles for Responsible Management
Up to 6 hours per week which may include seminars/lectures/workshops/dedicated meeting time with the unit coordinator as well as self-directed learning. Delivery of this unit is over two days per week and may include some Saturday sessions.
S1, S2MGMT5511Introduction to Global Business
Prerequisites
BUSN5100 Applied Professional Business Communications.
or WACE/TEE English or equivalent
lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week
S1MGMT5660Applied Project Management
Incompatibility
MGMT5665 Project Management
lectures/seminars: up to 3 hours per week

Students may choose units to the value of 12 points from Group B.

Group B
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1PSYC5514Assessment and Selection
Prerequisites
Enrolment in 53580 Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
or 01880/54580 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 41680 Master of Commerce
or 41660 Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations
and Successful completion of
HRMT5502 People Analytics
lectures/tutorials: 36 hours (12 x 3 hours). Attendance to lectures is compulsory.
S2PSYC5515Organisational Development and Change
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
41680 Master of Commerce
or 41660 Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations
or 43550 Master of Commerce (coursework) and Master of International Commercial Law (coursework)
or 52330 Graduate Diploma in Work Health and Safety
or 62540 Master of Ocean Leadership
or 53580 Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
or 01880/54580 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 73290 Graduate Certificate in Business Psychology
up to 3 hours per week for 12 weeks, mix of lectures & activities
S2PSYC5556Work Design
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
41660 Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations
or 53580 Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
or 01880/54580 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 73290 Graduate Certificate in Business Psychology
3 hours per week for 12 weeks, mix of lectures and activities

Students may choose units to the value of 6 points from Group C.

Group C
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
N/AHRMT5531Work-Based Learning Project
Prerequisites
Enrollment in the Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations and a minimum of 36 core unit points and an average of 70%
Incompatibility
SVLG5003 Wicked Problems
This is an experiential learning unit and requires no formal class contact. Students will be expected to be in regular contact with the Course Coordinator (supervising lecturer) as agreed in the approved project proposal. It is anticipated that the 150 hours requirement for regular academic units will be met.
NSSVLG5003Wicked Problems
Prerequisites
any bachelor's degree.
permission/approval is required to enrol
The unit is a 6 week intensive. Attendance at the service learning location is required every day for the first week. In the remaining weeks, students will work independently in project teams, with classroom time reduced to around 15-20 hours altogether.
NS, S1, S2WILG5001Work Integrated Learning Internship Program
Prerequisites
Completion of 24 points of post graduate units and approval from the unit coordinator.
Industry experience: 100 hours Online sessions with Unit Coordinator: 1-2 hours

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4.(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and either:

(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;

or

(c) at least two years professional experience in a relevant occupation; or

(2) completed a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources and Employment Relations or Graduate Certificate in Commerce at UWA.

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) The following courses form part of an articulated sequence:

  • 41260 Graduate Certificate in Human Resources and Employment Relations (24 points)
  • 41280 Graduate Certificate in Commerce (24 points)
  • 41660 Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations (96 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations course before completing it, but after fulfilling the requirements of a lesser award in the above sequence, may apply for the relevant award.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which include conversion units to a value of 24 points.

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

(3) Students who have completed a Bachelor of Commerce or a bachelor's degree majoring in employment relations and/or human resources are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules
Alternative exit award

14. A student who withdraws from the course before completing the course requirements but after completing core units to the value of 48 points for the Graduate Diploma in Human Resources and Employment Relations may apply to the Faculty to be awarded the relevant qualification.