Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
Study in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management (IR&HRM) equips students with essential skills, knowledge and behaviours to build a career in the ‘people’ function in organisations. Students examine the major HR functions and roles across the employment lifecycle including recruitment and selection, remuneration and reward, performance management and employee training and development. This is balanced with the study of industrial (or employment) relations, covering important topics such as employment contracts, labour markets, employment legislation and policies and collective bargaining and trade unions.
Options for studying Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management is available as Table A major and minor options in the Bachelor of Commerce, the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Advanced Computing and Bachelor of Commerce.
Please note. Students cannot complete both a major and a minor in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management for their degree.
Pathways through major and minor
The requirements for a major/minor in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management are spread out over three years of the degree (possibly four years if students are completing a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree).
(i) Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major
To achieve a major in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, students must complete 48 credit points comprising:
- 12 credit points of 1000-level core units of study;
- 12 credit points of 2000-level core units of study;
- 6 credit points of 3000-level core units of study; and
- 18 credit points of 3000-level selective units of study.
A sample pathway for the Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major (over three years of a degree) is listed below.
| Year | Session | Units of study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 | Core: WORK1003 Foundations of Work and Employment | |
| Semester 2 | Core: WORK1004 Foundations of Management | ||
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: WORK2203 IR Policy and Processes | |
| Semester 2 | Core: WORK2205 HR Strategies and Processes | ||
| Third | Semester 1 | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major |
| Semester 2 | Core: WORK3600 IR & HRM in Practice ** | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major | |
** Capstone unit for major – completed in final semester of study
Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in the table above.
For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management section of the unit of study table, Table A, in this handbook.
(ii) Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management minor
To achieve a minor in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, students must complete 36 credit points comprising:
- 12 credit points of 1000-level core units of study;
- 12 credit points of 2000-level core units of study; and
- 12 credit points of 3000-level selective units of study.
A sample pathway for the Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management minor (over three years of a degree) is listed below.
| Year | Session | Units of study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 | Core: WORK1003 Foundations of Work and Employment | |
| Semester 2 | Core: WORK1004 Foundations of Management | ||
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: WORK2203 IR Policy and Processes | |
| Semester 2 | Core: WORK2205 HR Strategies and Processes | ||
| Third | Semester 1 | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for minor | |
| Semester 2 | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for minor | ||
Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in the table above.
For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management section of the unit of study table, Table A, in this handbook.
Honours
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced studies who complete a major in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management (within the first three years of their degree) may be eligible to complete honours in Work and Organisational Studies as their fourth year of study in this program.
For details the requirements for admission to honours and the structure of the honours program, please refer to Business School Honours.
Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) accreditation
Students wishing to satisfy the requirements for professional membership of AHRI should complete an Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major as part of their degree. All undergraduate degrees incorporating a major in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management are AHRI-accredited.
Further information
For further information regarding study in industrial relations and human resource management at the University of Sydney, please refer to the Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies.