Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Human Resource Management specialising in Research combines advanced human resource management with formal business research training. The Research specialisation is designed for students who want to develop a research plan, investigate an HR/business topic, analyse evidence and produce a substantial business research thesis. Swinburne states that students learn to select a topic, review existing literature, formulate research questions, analyse data and present a final report.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced knowledge of human resource management concepts
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Professional communication skills
• Understanding of HR tools and processes
• Business-case development skills
• Application of HR research principles
• Training in research methodology and data analysis
• Experience developing and completing a business research thesis.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The master's consists of 16 units / 200 credit points. The standard structure contains foundation units, core HRM units and the Research specialisation.

Foundation units

• Behaviour in Organisations — HRM60016 — 12.5 credit points
• Management Analysis and Problem Solving — MGT60040 — 12.5 credit points
• Business Sustainability and Social Impact — MGT60042 — 12.5 credit points
• Future Management Skills — MGT60043 — 12.5 credit points.

Core HRM units

• Opportunity Discovery, Creativity and Design — ENT60009 — 12.5 credit points
• Employee Relations — HRM60013 — 12.5 credit points
• Human Resource Fundamentals — HRM60018 — 12.5 credit points
• Managing Workplace Diversity and Inclusion — HRM70012 — 12.5 credit points
• Strategic Human Resource Management — HRM70013 — 12.5 credit points
• Strategic Workforce Analytics — HRM80015 — 12.5 credit points
• Leading Change — HRM80018 — 12.5 credit points
• Human Resource Consultancy Project — HRM80019 — 12.5 credit points.

Research specialisation units

The Research specialisation provides a selection of research-focused units:

• Research Methodology — BUS80003 — 12.5 credit points
• Business Research Thesis — BUS80021 — 25 credit points
• Quantitative Research Methods — BUS80017 — 12.5 credit points
• Qualitative Research Methods — BUS80018 — 12.5 credit points
• Advanced Microeconometrics — ECO80002 — 12.5 credit points
• Economics of Innovation — ECO80003 — 12.5 credit points
• Data Science for Business — INF80054 — 12.5 credit points
• Social Network Analysis — INF80055 — 12.5 credit points. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Master of Human Resource Management currently lists these specialisation options:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Business Information Systems
• Digital Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Financial Technologies
• International Business
• Project Management
• Research
• Supply Chain Innovation
• Social Impact.

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate Master of Human Resource Management qualification.
• Research specialisation focused on practical business research.
• 200 credit points / 16 units.
• Hawthorn campus, Melbourne.
• CRICOS code 102651E.
• Research Methodology and Business Research Thesis provide the central research component.
• Research options include quantitative and qualitative research, econometrics, innovation economics, business data science and social network analysis.
• The wider HRM programme develops advanced HR knowledge, critical thinking, communication, business-case development and HR research capabilities.
• The programme is co-designed and delivered with Siemens and Medibank, with case studies and guest presenters.
• Professional accreditation includes AHRI, while Swinburne's business school is AACSB accredited.
• Swinburne reports 85.1% employment within four months of graduation and median postgraduate income of AUD 79.5K one year after graduation for the cited graduate population. These are aggregate university-reported figures and are not guarantees for an individual student.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career areas for the Master of Human Resource Management including:

• Human Resources
• People Development
• Change Management
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Talent Management.

The Research specialisation additionally develops capabilities relevant to:

• Business research
• HR research and analysis
• Research project management
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Business data analysis
• Evidence-based decision-making
• Research-oriented consulting and policy work

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: MA-HRM1.
• CRICOS code: 102651E.
• 2027 starts are 1 March and 2 August.
• Application deadlines shown by Swinburne are 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027.
• International students in Australia on Student visas must study full-time and on campus.
• Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning are assessed case-by-case.
• Maximum academic credit is normally 100 credit points; students entering with a Graduate Diploma of Human Resource Management may receive up to 125 credit points of advanced standing, subject to assessment.
• Where relevant work experience is used for admission, the applicant must provide a CV and supporting evidence.
• Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an offer.
• The Research specialisation should not be confused with a Master of Research or a master's degree by research; this is the Master of Human Resource Management coursework programme with a Research specialisation. This distinction also affects scholarship eligibility and visa work conditions.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant Australian visa is the Student visa (subclass 500).

For an international student studying this programme in Australia, key requirements include:

• Enrolment in an eligible course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Meeting financial-capacity requirements where applicable.
• Complying with all conditions attached to the visa.