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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

      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. Universities & programs

        Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

      2. Application assistance

        Be guided through your application process

      3. Visa & embassy guidance

        Maximise your chances of being granted a visa

      4. Enrollment & travel advice

        Get support all the way to your first day at university

      Speak to a personal advisor (free service)

      Human resources study abroad programs

      Human resources undergraduate programs

      Bachelor's in human resources

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        Business Administration: Human Resource Management - BA Keiser University, USA

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Tuition fees per year
        33,120 USD
        Start date
        January, August
        Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resource Management
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        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
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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)
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        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
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        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)
      See all bachelor's degrees in human resources

      Diploma in human resources

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        Human Resource Management - UGDip 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
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        Business Administration: Human Resources - AdvDip Alpha College, Canada

        Program type
        Undergraduate diploma
        Duration
        1 year
        Tuition fees per year
        15,940 CAD
        Start date
        January, May, September
        Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resources
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        Business Administration – Human Resources - OCADip 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
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        Business Administration (Human Resource Management) - Year 2 - UGDip 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
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        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
      See all undergraduate diplomas in human resources

      Associate in human resources

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        Human Resources - AASc Fox Valley Technical College, USA

        Program type
        Associate
        Duration
        2 years
        Tuition fees per year
        6,600 USD
        Start date
        August, January
        Show program overview about 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
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        Human Resources - ASc Montana State University Billings, USA | Online

        Program type
        Associate
        Duration
        2 years
        Tuition fees per year
        9,010 USD
        Start date
        January, September
        Show program overview about Human Resources
      See all associate degrees in human resources

      Pathway in human resources

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

        Program type
        Undergraduate pathway
        Duration
        2 years
        Tuition fees per year
        10,900 GBP
        Start date
        January, September
        Show program overview about Human Resource Management and Business (Foundation)
      See all undergraduate pathways in human resources

      Certificate in human resources

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        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

      Human resources graduate programs

      Master's in human resources

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

        Program type
        Master's
        Duration
        2 years
        Tuition fees per year
        9,000 USD
        Start date
        January, August
        Show program overview about Business Administration: Human Resources Management
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        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
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        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
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        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
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        Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management - MPhil University of Portsmouth, UK

        Program type
        Master's
        Duration
        2 years
        Tuition fees per year
        16,300 GBP
        Start date
        October, February
        Show program overview about Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management
      See all master's degrees in human resources

      Doctorate in human resources

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

        Program type
        Doctorate
        Duration
        6 years
        Tuition fees per year
        8,150 GBP
        Start date
        October, February
        Show program overview about Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management
      See all doctorates in human resources

      Diploma in human resources

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        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
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        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
      • false

        Human Resources – Business - OCDip Durham College, Canada

        Program type
        Postgraduate diploma
        Duration
        28 months
        Tuition fees per year
        14,907 CAD
        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Human Resources – Business
      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
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        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
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        Human Resource Administration - GradCert Central Michigan University, USA | Online

        Program type
        Postgraduate certificate
        Duration
        1 year
        Tuition fees per year
        9,555 USD
        Start date
        August, January, May
        Show program overview about Human Resource Administration
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        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
      See all postgraduate certificates in human resources

      Pathway in human resources

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        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)
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        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 GBP
        Start date
        February, September
        Show program overview about Human Resources Management (with Placement Year), Pre-Masters
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        International Human Resource Management Pre-Master's - PGP Kingston University, UK

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