Accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute
#2 business school in Victoria for career impact
#1 Victorian university for business course satisfaction
Why choose human resource management at Deakin
Advance your career in human resources (HR) with a postgraduate degree designed for HR professionals and managers navigating increasingly complex, data-driven workplaces.
Study online at the #2 university in Melbourne for career impact and build practical skills in strategic workforce planning, employee experience and wellbeing, HR analytics, change management and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). Tailor your studies with a business specialisation, including AI for business or leadership, or enhance your choice of electives with short professional skills units.
Through applied learning experiences, you will address real organisational challenges and strengthen your capability in managing people, culture and performance. Graduate with advanced HR expertise and meet the demand for professionals who can lead people-focused change through workforce transformation, new technologies and changing organisational needs.
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Top-ranked business school
Study a Master of Human Resource Management at a top 3 business school in Victoria with strong career outcomes.
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Degrees shaped by employers
Study an industry-informed curriculum aligned with current workplace trends and people management practice.
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Rewarding learning
Choose a business school ranked #1 in Victoria for postgraduate course satisfaction in business and management and #2 for career impact.
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Flexible postgraduate study
Fit study into your busy life with Deakin’s premium online learning and complement your HR learning with a range of business specialisations.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build advanced strategic capability, preparing you for senior HR leadership roles across complex, evolving organisations.
Human resources manager
Lead an organisation's HR function, overseeing recruitment, performance, employee relations and workforce planning to support strategic business goals.
- $130k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 16.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction
People and culture manager
Lead an organisation's people strategy, shaping culture, engagement and workforce planning to support a positive, high-performing workplace. Statistics
- $150k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 11.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Human resource business partner
- Talent acquisition manager
- Learning and development manager
- Diversity and inclusion manager
- Organisational development consultant
“I was able to take what I was learning back into my job and make a difference for my organisation right away. The course makes real connections between the assessment tasks and the real world of your work, and between the practice of HRM and the business of your organisation.”
JoshMaster of Human Resource Management
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
Yes. Human resources is a rewarding and versatile career that plays a vital role in helping organisations attract, develop and retain talent. As workplaces continue to evolve, HR professionals are increasingly sought after to lead workforce planning, employee engagement, organisational change and people strategy initiatives. The course is professionally accredited by the Australian HR Institute (AHRI), helping ensure your skills align with industry standards and employer expectations.
Yes. The Master of Human Resource Management can be fast-tracked from 1.5 years to one year (8 credit points) through recognition of prior learning (RPL) for relevant postgraduate qualifications in a related field. If you've completed the AHRI Practising Certification (APC) Program, you may qualify for up to four credit points of RPL. Check the entry requirements on the course page for full details.
Yes, a Master of Human Resource Management can be valuable if you want to move into HR advisory, people and culture, recruitment, workforce planning or organisational development roles. Deakin’s course develops employment relations, people analytics, organisational behaviour and strategic HR capability, supporting professional pathways across many sectors.
Deakin's Master of Human Resource Management develops skills in employment relations, workforce planning, recruitment, organisational behaviour, people analytics, change and strategic HR.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Human Resource Management?
This course builds your expertise in managing people, culture and organisational performance, combining strategic HR knowledge with practical business skills.
Reinforce HR strategy with business foundations
Understand strategic HR practice
Learn how people strategies align with organisational goals, supporting performance, culture and long-term success.
Develop workforce and people insights
Explore staffing, workforce capability and workplace relations in contemporary and evolving work environments.
Build analytical and business capability
Strengthen your skills in decision-making and people analytics to support evidence-based HR practice.
Advance and apply your expertise
Tailor your learning
Choose a specialisation that complements your HR focus or align your studies with leadership or consulting pathways.
Apply your learning in professional contexts
Build the confidence and capability to lead people and contribute to organisational outcomes.
Explore change and future of work
Complete your studies with a final-year capstone project examining how organisations manage transformation, new ways of working and emerging workforce trends.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Human Resource Management, you must pass 8 or 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 cp microcredentials) to earn up to 4 credit point(s) of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Deakin stackable short course options.
Faculty-wide specialisations
Refer to the details of each specialisation for availability.
- Accounting
- Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Digital Finance
- Digital Transformation
- Event Management
- Finance
- Financial Planning
- Information Systems
- International Trade and Business
- Leadership
- Management Consulting
- Marketing
- Marketing Technology
- Professional Practice
- Project Management
- Property and Real Estate
- Supply Chain Management
The 4 credit points of electives may be selected from:
Recommended electives^
a postgraduate business specialisation^^ or any business unit not previously studied
postgraduate units offered by the University (subject to eligibility)
Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials)
^Recommended electives:
^^Recommended postgraduate business specialisations:
Professional recognition
Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide
The Master of Human Resource Management is accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). As a graduate, you may be eligible for entry into the AHRI Practising Certification (APC) Program. This may include credits for up to four units completed as part of the APC professional accreditation program. Students who wish to enter the AHRI Practising Certification (APC) program are advised that it is their responsibility to ensure that they take the appropriate units required for entry.
Graduates who have met the requisite work experience requirements will be eligible for direct entry into the Unit 4 Capstone: Applied Project in Organisational Capability of the APC Program. If you have any questions about the APC Program, contact enquiries@ahri.com.au.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Integrate advanced understanding of a contemporary body of knowledge in human resource management to operate as a skilled HR professional in business |
| Select and apply advanced appropriate communication skills within the context of the management of people and resources in organisations |
| Select and apply appropriate digital technologies to identify and disseminate complex information, concepts and theories in human resource management |
| Review, critically analyse, consolidate and synthesize human resource related knowledge to respond to specialised and authentic contexts encountered by human resource professionals |
| Relate and develop advanced problem solving skills necessary to conceptualise and solve human resource issues in the workplace |
| Employ a range of advanced skills in undertaking independent learning in human resource management |
| Apply team working skills in addressing human resource issues in the contemporary workplace |
| Evaluate emerging global human resource issues as they effect organisations |
- Award granted
- Master of Human Resource Management
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- M782
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$35,000
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Applicants who have completed the AHRI Practising Certification Program (2016-current) may be eligible for up to 4 credit points of RPL.
Find out more about RPL with business partners
Find out how to apply for postgraduate study
Note: Recognition of prior learning into the Master of Human Resource Management may be granted to students who have completed appropriate postgraduate studies in a related discipline. However, Recognition of prior learning cannot be granted on the basis of relevant work experience alone as this is a requirement of entry. It may be considered on a case-by-case basis in addition to formal postgraduate level equivalent learning.
Alternate exits
- Graduate Certificate of Human Resource Management (M515)
- Graduate Diploma of Human Resource Management (M615)