Industrial Relations and Human Resources 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

Both the Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major and minor are available as Table S (shared pool) options.

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.

Sample pathway – Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major (48 credit points)

** 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 S, 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.

Sample pathway – Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management minor (36 credit points)

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 S, in this handbook.

Honours

Students enrolled in a degree combined with the 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.

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.