Bachelor of Business with a major in Human Resource Management

What you’ll learn:

1. Communication: Build strong relationships by delivering clear, constructive, and engaging messages at every level of an organisation.
2. Conflict Resolution: Navigate workplace challenges, mediate disputes, and create a culture of collaboration and respect.
3. Strategic & Critical Thinking: Use data and insights to identify problems, make informed decisions, and drive meaningful change.
4. Negotiation & Influence: Advocate for employees, resolve disagreements, and foster win-win outcomes that benefit both people and business.
5. Leadership & Organisation: Master time management, goal setting, and team coordination to keep workplaces productive and people-focused.
6. Problem-Solving for Impact: Approach challenges with creativity and a solutions-focused mindset to help businesses and employees thrive.

What is the Bachelor of Business – Human Resource Management?

Swinburne Online’s Bachelor of Business with a major in Human Resource Management equips you with the tools to foster a genuine culture of workplace inclusivity.

You’ll learn to navigate complex dynamics and drive positive change through ethical leadership — whether you’re shaping culture, leading transformation, or advocating for diversity and inclusion.

Our units focus on the essentials of organisational behaviour, industrial relations, and performance management, all while championing employee well-being and innovation.

You’ll graduate with the expertise and confidence to build a better future for businesses and the people who power them.

Who is this course for?

• Aspiring people and culture leaders who want to influence workplace culture, employee experience, and organisational performance.
• Recent school leavers seeking a comprehensive undergraduate foundation in business with a specialised focus on the human element of workplaces.

How you’ll study

• The Bachelor of Business – Human Resource Management runs across three Teaching Periods per year.
• Expected study load is between 8–10 hours per unit, per week.
• Set your own study pace by taking one or more units per Teaching Period.
• You’ll have 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards, and learning content.
• Learning is delivered through interactive materials, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams, and written content.

Recommended study pattern

To be awarded the Bachelor of Business with a major in Human Resource Management you must complete 24 units in total made up of:

• 7 Core Business Units
• 8 Organisational Major Units
• 8 Elective Units
• 1 Core Business Practice Unit

Each year is split into 3 Teaching Periods. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, depending on your preference.

What you'll study: 

Core Business Units

These are foundational units in major business study areas:

Learning and Communicating for Innovative Business Practice (COM10011)

Financial Information for Decision-Making (ACC10007)

Economics for Business Decision-Making (ECO10005)

Contemporary Management Principles (MGT10009)

Business Digitalisation (INF10024)

Marketing and the Consumer Experience (MKT10009)

Business Consulting Project (BUS30032)

Core Business Practice Units

You must complete one (1) of the following units:

Planning for Career Success

Sustainable Business Practice

Human Resource Management Major Units

HRM major units are designed to dive into practical, future-focused study:

Business for Sustainability, Social Change & Impact (BUS10014)

Human Resource Practice (HRM10004)

Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations (HRM20016)

Managing Workplace Relations (HRM20017)

Organisational Behaviour (MGT20007)

Human Resource Analytics (HRM30011)

Digital Management and the Future of Work (HRM30012)

Law of Employment (LAW30005)

Recommended electives

Tailor your course to suit your strengths, interests, and career goals by choosing elective units — free-choice units that can be from any discipline. Here’s what our Swinburne Online academic staff recommend for this course:

Managing Workplace Relations (HRM20017)

Integrated Marketing Communication (MKT20021)

Big Data Management (INF20016)

Law of Commerce (LAW20019)

Planning for Career Success (CAR10001)

Events Management (PUB30001)

Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM20003)

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Business with a Major in Human Resource Management, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

• Five [5] business fundamentals units (62.5 credit points)
• Three [3] business practice core unit (37.5 credit points)
• Eight [8] units of study from the Human Resource Management discipline (100 credit points)
• Eight [8] units of other studies (100 credit points) from the two available advanced minors and/or from electives of your choice.

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

Indicative total fee $52,197

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.

Study on your own terms with this forward-thinking university.

It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

15

Applicants are required to meet one of the following minimum entry requirements:

• A completed or partially completed tertiary qualification (e.g. relevant Certificate IVs, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, incomplete or complete Bachelor’s degree); or
• 4+ years of relevant work experience; or
• Recent Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent completion, with the required English study score.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have completed recent prior studies, you may be eligible to request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your prior studies related to your chosen subjects.

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, where every applicant is assessed individually.