Bachelor of Business with a major in Human Resource Management

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.

Great workplaces don’t happen by chance - they’re built by passionate leaders who put people first. With a major in Human Resource Management, you’ll gain the skills to create workplaces where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work.

Learn how to foster a culture of inclusivity, navigate workplace dynamics, and drive positive change through ethical leadership. Develop expertise in organisational behaviour, industrial relations, and performance management while championing employee well-being and innovation. With a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, you’ll be equipped to implement policies that truly make an impact.

As an HR professional, you won’t just help organisations grow - you’ll help people thrive. Whether you’re shaping workplace culture, leading change, or advocating for diversity and inclusion, you’ll have the confidence and expertise to build a better future for businesses and their people.

Recommended study pattern

A total of 24 units are taken to complete the Bachelor of Business with a major in Human Resource Management, including seven business fundamental units, the choice of one of two core business practice units, eight Human Resource Management major units and eight electives. You'll collaborate with your peers and solve real business problems, giving you the confidence to step into the workforce with practical experience.

Business Fundamental Units

• Learning and Communicating for Innovative Business Practice (COM10011)
• Contemporary Management Principles (MGT10009)
• Marketing and the Consumer Experience (MKT10009)
• Financial Information for Decision-Making (ACC10007)
• Economics for Business Decision-Making (ECO10005)
• Business Digitalisation (INF10024)
• 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

• Business for Sustainability, Social Change & Impact (BUS10014)
• Human Resource Practices (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

• 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)
• Management Accounting for Planning and Control (ACC20007)
• Business for Sustainability, Social Change and Impact (BUS10014)

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 $50,976

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.

Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. 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.

Learn more about Swinburne.

Explore Swinburne courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

17

If you’re applying to Swinburne but haven’t completed Year 12, don’t worry! You can still apply if you have:

• Completed or partially completed an approved tertiary qualification (like a diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, or degree).
• Relevant work experience and English language skills, or a STAT result (Special Tertiary Admissions Test), may also be considered.

If you have completed Year 12 (the Victorian Certificate of Education – VCE, or an equivalent qualification from interstate or internationally), you can apply based on that.

• Minimum ATAR requirements may apply for some courses.

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Credit Transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.

Applicants who have completed a Diploma in a related discipline may be eligible for credit of up to 8 units; the equivalent of a third of the course. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.