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    Study human resources abroad

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

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    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

    Best countries to study human resources

    Best universities to study human resources

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    How to study human resources abroad

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    Human resources study abroad programs

    Human resources undergraduate programs

    Diploma in human resources

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      Human Resource Management - Dip MAHSA University, Malaysia

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      30 months
      Tuition fees per year
      4,200 USD
      Start date
      January, April
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration – Human Resources - Dip Centennial College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      3 years
      Tuition fees per year
      16,531 CAD
      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Business Administration – Human Resources
    • false

      Business Administration (Human Resource Management) - Year 2 - Dip Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Tuition fees per year
      16,102 CAD
      Start date
      January, May, September
      Show program overview about Business Administration (Human Resource Management) - Year 2
    • false

      Post-Baccalaureate in Human Resources Management - UGDip Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Tuition fees per year
      12,853 CAD
      Start date
      January, May
      Show program overview about Post-Baccalaureate in Human Resources Management
    • false

      Human Resources – Business Administration - Dip Durham College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      3 years
      Tuition fees per year
      14,907 CAD
      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Human Resources – Business Administration
    See all undergraduate diplomas in human resources

    Bachelor's in human resources

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      Management (Human Resources Management) - BSc St. Francis College, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Tuition fees per year
      26,688 USD
      Start date
      January, May, September
      Show program overview about Management (Human Resources Management)
    • false

      Human Resource Management - BSc Fisher College, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Tuition fees per year
      31,992 USD
      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration: Concentration in Human Resources - BBA Westcliff University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Tuition fees per year
      14,700 USD
      Start date
      January, March, May, June, August, October
      Show program overview about Business Administration: Concentration in Human Resources
    • false

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

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Tuition fees per year
      30,634 USD
      Start date
      January, May, August
      Show program overview about Business (Human Resources)
    • false

      Human Resource Management - BSc University of Illinois at Chicago, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Tuition fees per year
      29,800 USD
      Start date
      January, May, August
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    See all bachelor's degrees in human resources

    Pathway in human resources

    • false

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

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      2 years
      Tuition fees per year
      10,900 USD
      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management and Business (Foundation)
    • false

      International Business and Human Resource Management Pathway - UGP Glasgow Caledonian University, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      4 years
      Tuition fees per year
      11,845 GBP
      Start date
      August
      Show program overview about International Business and Human Resource Management Pathway
    See all undergraduate pathways in human resources

    Certificate in human resources

    • false

      Human Resource Management - Cert Trent University, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      -
      Tuition fees per year
      23,529 CAD
      Start date
      -
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    See all undergraduate certificates in human resources

    Associate in human resources

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      Human Resource Management - ASc University of Findlay, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Tuition fees per year
      32,330 USD
      Start date
      January, August
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    See all associate degrees in human resources

    Human resources graduate programs

    Master's in human resources

    • false

      Human Resource Management - by coursework - MBM RMIT University, Australia

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Tuition fees per year
      37,440 AUD
      Start date
      February, July
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management - by coursework
    • false

      International Business, Marketing and Human Resource Management - MA (Hons) University of Dundee, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      18,150 GBP
      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about International Business, Marketing and Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration / Human Resource Management - MBA University of Newcastle, Australia

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      18 months
      Tuition fees per year
      36,690 AUD
      Start date
      February, July, September
      Show program overview about Business Administration / Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management - MSc University of Stirling, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      15,950 GBP
      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management - MSc University of Limerick, Ireland

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      13,814 EUR
      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    See all master's degrees in human resources

    Diploma in human resources

    • false

      Human Resource Management - GDip London Metropolitan University, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      9,465 GBP
      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Business Administration - Human Resources - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      20 months
      Tuition fees per year
      16,022 CAD
      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Business Administration - Human Resources
    See all postgraduate diplomas in human resources

    Certificate in human resources

    • false

      Human Resource Management - PGCert RMIT University, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      6 months
      Tuition fees per year
      18,720 AUD
      Start date
      February, July
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resource Management - PGCert University of Newcastle, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      6 months
      Tuition fees per year
      18,345 AUD
      Start date
      February, July, September
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management
    • false

      Human Resources Management - PGCert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      16,532 CAD
      Start date
      January
      Show program overview about Human Resources Management
    • false

      Human Resources Management - PGCert Centennial College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      16,531 CAD
      Start date
      January, July, September
      Show program overview about Human Resources Management
    • false

      Human Resources Management - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      16,022 CAD
      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Human Resources Management
    See all postgraduate certificates in human resources

    Pathway in human resources

    • false

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

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      4 months
      Tuition fees per year
      15,200 USD
      Start date
      March, July, November
      Show program overview about Human Resources Management (Global Pathways)
    • false

      Human Resources Management (with Placement Year), Pre-Masters - PGP University of Surrey, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      6 months
      Tuition fees per year
      11,500 USD
      Start date
      February, September
      Show program overview about Human Resources Management (with Placement Year), Pre-Masters
    • false

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

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      8 months
      Tuition fees per year
      9,500 USD
      Start date
      January, April
      Show program overview about International Human Resource Management Pre-Master's
    • false

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

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      8,950 GBP
      Start date
      April
      Show program overview about Human Resource Management, Pre-Masters Program
    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.