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Postgraduate human resources and leadership

Career change is closer than you think.

When you study a postgraduate degree in human resources or leadership with Curtin, you’ll broaden your understanding in subjects such as strategy, attraction and retention of staff, learning and development, workplace relations and how to create sustainable solutions to complex business problems.

Why choose Curtin?

Industry connections

Over the past year, our HR students have engaged with organisations such as Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Western Australia Police Force, SAP Australia and Politis Group.

Competitive salary

The employment outlook for Human Resource Managers is strong, with a projected increase of 16.3% by 2026 with an average weekly income of $2,445.

Flexible study options

You can choose to study full-time or part-time, with a mix of intensive, online and face-to-face classes available. Some units are even co-taught with our MBA at our Perth city campus, across trimesters.

Flexible course duration

With nested programs, you can start with a graduate certificate and graduate in as little as six months, ready to apply your learnings in the workplace immediately or progress your studies to a masters.

Industry snapshot

Employment Placement and Recruitment Services industry in Australia generate $17.7 billion revenue.

#1 graduates in Australia

Curtin Graduates have been rated the best in the country for employer satisfaction, showing they have the skills and qualifications employers value, want and need.

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Explore our human resources courses

Kick-start a new human resources or employment relations career

These courses are ideal if you have a degree in a discipline other than HR and are looking to break into the field. You will also develop a broad understanding of HR management theories and functions.

Human resources and employment relations courses:

Graduate Certificate in Employment Relations
Graduate Certificate in Human Resources
Master of Commerce (Human Resources Major)

Progress your human resources career

The Master of Human Resources is designed for managers, human resource professionals and consultants wanting to develop and expand their knowledge, personal and professional skills. The course meets the continuing development requirements of professionals in the field, enabling graduates to advance themselves in the complex and changing organisational climates of Australia and worldwide.

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Explore our leadership courses

Our postgraduate leadership courses aim to develop the knowledge and skills required for leaders to create sustainable solutions to complex business and societal problems.

We also offer a Master of Business Administration. Taught in trimesters, this course is designed to be flexible and agile, offering students relevant, practical and up-to-date business knowledge and management and leadership skills for a global context.

Master of Human Resources

The Master of Human Resources at Curtin offers an industry relevant skillset in leadership and human resources. Co-designed with academic staff, industry advisors and collaborators, students will graduate ready to take on a range of different positions across organisations.

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Industry snapshot

The Employment Placement and Recruitment Services industry in Australia generates $18 billion revenue1 with employment for HR managers expected to grow strongly with around 137,100 job openings by 20262. There are a diverse range of employment opportunities for people within the Human Resources sector. Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) have identified the following potential employment opportunities within the field of HR3:

  • Human Resource Managers
  • Policy and Planning Managers
  • Human Resource Professionals
  • Training and Development Professionals
  • Management and Organisation Analysts

Source: IBISWorld1, joboutlook.gov.au2, Deloitte3

Get the Curtin edge

Move from competent thinker, to competent thought leader.

Use your career experience to fast-track your master degree

Use your career experience to fast-track your master degree

If you’re an HR professional with a relevant undergraduate degree (human resources, law, management or a related field) and have a minimum of three years’ HR work experience, you can apply for advanced standing, which enables course completion in only 12 months, full-time.

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Industry connections

Maintaining strong links with industry is critical to serving the needs of our students and the workforce. Curtin Business School has established a network of advisory boards – groups of industry representatives who support the school by providing invaluable business knowledge and influencing our courses to make sure you are industry-ready on graduation.

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Global accreditation

Curtin Business School is recognised as an elite global business school through accreditation by EQUIS, AACSB International and an EFMD Accredited MBA.

Professional recognition

Professional recognition

By studying at Curtin, you can graduate with the educational requirements needed to apply for membership to relevant professional associations.

Hear from one of our recent graduates

Find out how their Curtin degree has given them the skills they need when working in the field.

Alicia Edwards, Master of Human Resources

“This course has given me a complete understanding of organisations and how they operate, including how decisions are made at the function level. It’s developed my strategic knowledge and will take my human resources knowledge to the next level. I’ve enjoyed meeting students from other industries and seeing how they apply the same concept in different ways to their industry.”

Alicia Edwards

Curtin removes the barriers to postgrad study

Curtin Scholarships

Curtin Scholarships

Scholarships are part of Curtin’s commitment to rewarding academic excellence, supporting research and enabling students from all backgrounds to realise their potential.

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What’s stopping you from studying postgrad?

Don’t have time? Can’t afford it? Explore the ways Curtin can help you on your postgraduate study journey.

Finish sooner with credit towards your degree

Finish sooner with credit towards your degree

If you’ve undertaken study or work experience that matches part of your degree, you could reduce your course duration.

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Explore our postgrad business courses

Curtin University offers a wide range of postgraduate business degrees which can give you the skills you need to move up the career ladder, specialise in a particular area, or take your career in an exciting new direction.

AHRI accreditation

QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey

Industry snapshot sources

AHRI accreditation

QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey

Industry snapshot sources

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