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    Study human resources abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying human resources as an international student.

    Find human resources programs

    Explore human resources programs abroad

    See other programs in human resources

    Human resources degrees abroad

    Human resources (HR) refers to the management, administration, and development of employees within a business or organization.

    People are the heartbeat of most companies, so their welfare and motivation are crucial to business strategy and success. As an HR student, you’ll explore the processes and principles behind successful personnel management across a range of organizational settings. You’ll be introduced to key HR practices, including recruitment, budget management, health and safety, and employee relations.

    In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, companies are always developing innovative ways to get the best out of their workforces. By studying HR abroad, you’ll gain an insight into the HR practices of thriving multinational companies. You’ll have the chance to connect with industry experts and learn from international leaders in the field.

    Human resources program structure

    HR can be studied at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Bachelor’s degrees are usually offered as a BA, but BSc courses with a more mathematical and economic focus are available. You’ll study over a minimum of three years, but you’ll be encouraged to undertake an additional placement year, usually after your second year of study, to gain practical experience in the sector.

    Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s, you can enroll in a postgraduate program. A master’s usually takes one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. A PhD can take anywhere between four and seven years to complete.

    All HR programs will be taught slightly differently, but most will be made up of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and placements. Some universities will also arrange for you to hear from industry experts at guest lectures and visit the HR departments of local companies.

    The way you’re assessed will depend on the exact module you’re taking, but exams, essays, written assignments, in-class tests, and presentations will probably feature at some point during your degree.

    HR is renowned for being a flexible program with a wide range of elective modules to choose from. However, most courses around the world will cover these core study areas:

    • HR in the workplace
    • HR policy, practice, and law
    • Global business issues
    • Financial decision making and reporting
    • Academic and career development
    • Organizational behavior
    • Resolving workplace disputes
    • Management and strategy
    Human resources program structure

    HR can be studied at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Bachelor’s degrees are usually offered as a BA, but BSc courses with a more mathematical and economic focus are available. You’ll study over a minimum of three years, but you’ll be encouraged to undertake an additional placement year, usually after your second year of study, to gain practical experience in the sector.

    Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s, you can enroll in a postgraduate program. A master’s usually takes one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. A PhD can take anywhere between four and seven years to complete.

    All HR programs will be taught slightly differently, but most will be made up of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and placements. Some universities will also arrange for you to hear from industry experts at guest lectures and visit the HR departments of local companies.

    The way you’re assessed will depend on the exact module you’re taking, but exams, essays, written assignments, in-class tests, and presentations will probably feature at some point during your degree.

    HR is renowned for being a flexible program with a wide range of elective modules to choose from. However, most courses around the world will cover these core study areas:

    • HR in the workplace
    • HR policy, practice, and law
    • Global business issues
    • Financial decision making and reporting
    • Academic and career development
    • Organizational behavior
    • Resolving workplace disputes
    • Management and strategy

    Best countries to study human resources

    Best universities to study human resources

    See all universities offering human resources programs

    How to study human resources abroad

    1. University & program search

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    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
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    Human resources study abroad programs

    Human resources undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in human resources

    • false

      Business Administration: Human Resource - BComm (Hons) University of Windsor, Canada

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      27,343 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 34,262 CAD

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resource
    • false

      Psychology (Human Resources Specialization) - BA Mount Aloysius College, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      23,110 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 23,110 USD

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Psychology (Human Resources Specialization)
    • false

      Business (Human Resources) - BA Arizona State University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      30,634 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 30,634 USD

      Start date
      August, May, January
      Show program overview about Business (Human Resources)
    • false

      Business Administration - Emphasis in Human Resource Management - BSc Campbellsville University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      25,400 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 25,400 USD

      Start date
      August, January, October
      Show program overview about Business Administration - Emphasis in Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration - Human Resources Management - BBA Florida International University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,566 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,566 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Business Administration - Human Resources Management
    See all bachelor's degrees in human resources

    Associate in human resources

    • false

      Human Resources - AASc Fox Valley Technical College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      6,600 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 6,600 USD

      Start date
      January
      Show program overview about Human Resources
    See all associate degrees in human resources

    Diploma in human resources

    • false

      Advanced Human Resource Management - PBcDip Douglas College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,365 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD

      Start date
      September, May, January
      Show program overview about Advanced Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration – Human Resources - OCADip Centennial College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,193 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Business Administration – Human Resources
    • false

      Business Administration: Human Resource Management - UGDip Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,413 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,060 CAD

      Start date
      September, May, January
      Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration: Human Resources (Salmon Arm Campus) - Dip Okanagan College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      11,524 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 14,440 CAD

      Start date
      January
      Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resources (Salmon Arm Campus)
    • false

      Business Administration: Human Resources - Dip Bow Valley College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      16 months
      Annual tuition fee
      25,139 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 31,500 CAD

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resources
    See all undergraduate diplomas in human resources

    Certificate in human resources

    • false

      Business Studies: Human Resources Management (Kelowna Campus) - Cert Okanagan College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      11,524 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 14,440 CAD

      Start date
      January, July, September, May
      Show program overview about Business Studies: Human Resources Management (Kelowna Campus)
    • false

      Human Resource Management - Cert Merritt College, USA

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      7,950 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resources - Cert Bow Valley College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      8 months
      Annual tuition fee
      12,703 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,917 CAD

      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Human Resources
    See all undergraduate certificates in human resources

    Pathway in human resources

    • false

      Human Resource Management and Business (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,942 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management and Business (Foundation)
    See all undergraduate pathways in human resources

    Human resources graduate programs

    Master's in human resources

    • false

      Business Administration (16 subjects) with Human Resource Management - MBA Charles Sturt University, Melbourne, Australia

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      18 months
      Annual tuition fee
      24,342 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 31,936 AUD

      Start date
      November, July, March
      Show program overview about Business Administration (16 subjects) with Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration - Human Resource Management - MBA Seattle Pacific University, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      44,604 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 44,604 USD

      Start date
      March, September, January
      Show program overview about Business Administration - Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management - MSc Texas State University, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      15,034 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,034 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management - MHR University of Newcastle, Australia

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      18 months
      Annual tuition fee
      27,546 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 36,140 AUD

      Start date
      September, July, February
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration: Human Resource Management - MBA University of Nicosia, Cyprus

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      18 months
      Annual tuition fee
      8,247 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 6,930 EUR

      Start date
      September, June, February
      Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resource Management
    See all master's degrees in human resources

    Doctorate in human resources

    • false

      Business Administration: Human Resources Management - DBA Lincoln University, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      5 years
      Annual tuition fee
      9,000 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 9,000 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resources Management
    • false

      Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      6 years
      Annual tuition fee
      11,172 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 8,150 GBP

      Start date
      February, October
      Show program overview about Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management
    See all doctorates in human resources

    Diploma in human resources

    • false

      Business - Human Resources - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      14 months
      Annual tuition fee
      12,707 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,922 CAD

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Business - Human Resources
    • false

      Human Resource Management - GDip London Metropolitan University, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      12,975 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 9,465 GBP

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management - GDip Douglas College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      18 months
      Annual tuition fee
      14,365 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      International Human Resource Management - PGDip University of Essex Online, UK
      • Online

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      16 months
      Annual tuition fee
      10,257 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 7,482 GBP

      Start date
      January, October, July, April
      Show program overview about International Human Resource Management
    See all postgraduate diplomas in human resources

    Certificate in human resources

    • false

      Human Resource Administration - GradCert Central Michigan University, USA
      • Online

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      9,555 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 9,555 USD

      Start date
      May, January, August
      Show program overview about Human Resource Administration
    • false

      Human Resource Management - PGCert RMIT University, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      6 months
      Annual tuition fee
      14,268 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,720 AUD

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management - PGCert University of Newcastle, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      6 months
      Annual tuition fee
      13,983 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,345 AUD

      Start date
      September, July, February
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management - PGCert Trent University, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      8 months
      Annual tuition fee
      18,778 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 23,529 CAD

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management (Co-op) - PGCert (with placement) Sheridan College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      16,620 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 20,825 CAD

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management (Co-op)
    See all postgraduate certificates in human resources

    Pathway in human resources

    • false

      Human Resource Management, Pre-Masters - PGP University of Surrey, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      6 months
      Annual tuition fee
      15,765 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 11,500 GBP

      Start date
      September, February
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management, Pre-Masters
    • false

      Human Resource Management, Pre-Masters Program - PGP Keele University, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      12,269 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 8,950 GBP

      Start date
      April
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management, Pre-Masters Program
    • false

      Human Resources Management (Global Pathways) - PGP Northeastern University, USA

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      4 months
      Annual tuition fee
      15,200 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,200 USD

      Start date
      March, November, July
      Show program overview about Human Resources Management (Global Pathways)
    • false

      International Human Resource Management Pre-Master's - PGP Kingston University, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      8 months
      Annual tuition fee
      13,023 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 9,500 GBP

      Start date
      April, January
      Show program overview about International Human Resource Management Pre-Master's
    See all postgraduate pathways in human resources

    Future human resources careers

    Businesses are always looking for ways to outperform their competitors and reach their targets. As an HR graduate, you’ll have the tools to help organizations take their performance to the next level. You can apply your skills across several sectors and roles, including:

    • HR manager
    • Recruitment manager
    • Talent director
    • Organizational development professional
    • Diversity and inclusion manager
    • Corporate communication specialist
    • Training and development officer
    • Careers adviser

    To boost your employability, try and secure some work experience or an internship during your gap year or university holidays. This will help prove your commitment and capabilities to prospective employers.