Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)

The Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) degree begins with core courses in business theory to help give you a good understanding of business fundamentals. This includes topics such as international business; business operations and intelligence and economics and accounting.

You’ll focus on people management – recruitment, training, performance and retention and develop technical, analytical and practical skills in areas such as:

• industrial relations
• employee compensation
• recruitment and selection
• performance management
• job design and analysis
• workplace health and safety

Study HR On Demand and take full control over your study. Access support seven days a week, plan your study to fit around your life, view learning resources 24/7, and log into the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device.

If you’re seeking a successful career as a HR professional, this 100% online degree from UniSA Online will give you the skills and knowledge you need to achieve your career goals.

University of South Australia has extensive industry connections and global partnerships. These connections enable us to design curriculum that reflects the latest in HRM research and practice.

You’ll explore current industry practices and focus on people management – recruitment, training, performance and retention. As a UniSA Online graduate, you’ll gain a solid understanding of management systems and leadership skills in an international context.

This degree is accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) and is also recognised by the world's largest HRM body, based in the United States - the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Recommended study pattern

Note: The program structure is subject to change at any time. (Information correct as at October 2023)

Year 1

• Business and Society (BUSS 1067) or Elective
• Accounting for Business (ACCT 1011)
• Business Law (LAWS 1019)
• Quantitative Methods for Business (MATH 1075)
• Career Development in Business (BUSS 1066)
• Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange (MARK 1018)
• Principles of Economics (ECON 1010)
•  Elective 1^

Year 2

• Foundations of Human Resource Management (BUSS 2077)
• Elective 2^
• Training and Development (BUSS 2076)
• Entrepreneurship for Social and Market Impact (BUSS 2086)
• Performance and Compensation Management (BUSS 2075)
• Business Intelligence (INFS 2038)
• Management and Organisation (BUSS 2081)
• Elective 3^

Year 3

• Recruitment and Selection (BUSS 3091)
• Strategic Management (BUSS 3097)
• Managing the Employment Relationship (BUSS 3090)
• International Business Environment (BUSS 2080)
• Strategic Human Resource Management (BUSS 3092)
• Organisational Behaviour (BUSS 2078)
• HR Analytics (BUSS 3111)
• Elective 4^

^Electives may be chosen from the UniSA Online electives list. Course pre-requisites must be satisfied.

*Recognition for prior learning (RPL) may be granted for this subject to students who have completed relevant work experience as per the UniSA Online RPL framework. Further credit will be assessed in line with the UniSA RPL policy.

Award requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects its including 4 electives.

Choose your subjects

Electives

• Managing Decision Making - BUSS 3095
• International Management Ethics and Values - BUSS 3094
• Organisational Leadership - BUSS 3096
• Employment Law - COML 2019
• Organisational Entrepreneurship - BUSS 3108

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $43,797

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked as one of the best young universities in the world, and is the number one university in Australia for graduate employability. UniSA offers over 200 world-class degrees that are informed by industry and delivered with a highly practical approach to teaching and learning, and is a valuable partner with Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about UniSA.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

22

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

22

This UniSA Online degree is currently available for Commonwealth supported students. 

Applicants are required to fulfil at least one of the following requirements with a competitive result and meet any other academic requirements for the program:

• successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider
• completed an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above
• passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience
• completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification
• completed a UniSA Foundation Studies Program or equivalent
• qualified for Special Entry

Students who do not meet these criteria can start studying now by enrolling in the subjects below. Students will be eligible to apply upon successful completion of four subjects and all subjects will be credited towards the degree.

• BUSS1066 Career Development for Business
• MARK1018 Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange
• MATH1075 Quantitative Methods for Business

UniSA Online offers four start dates throughout the year so you can apply as soon as you’re ready. As part of your application, UniSA Online will share information about the next available study period for this program.

If you have previous work experience, or have studied before, you could fast-track your studies by reducing the time it takes to complete your degree.