Human Resource Management and Employment Relations – Bachelor of Business

The Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management and Employment Relations) will give you the theoretical, policy and business skills you need to understand, manage and collaborate effectively with people in the workplace.

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online
Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Specialise in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations for your Bachelor of Business at Massey

Human resource management and employment relations involve managing relationships between people and organisations. The role of HR professionals is to shape and support organisations and their employees.

The BBus (Human Resources and Employment Relations) looks at how employees are recruited, developed and managed. It also examines the design of work so that an organisation can create value from, and add value to its employees.

During your study, you will get a thorough grounding in workplace theory and approaches, as well as practical insights into the business world.

Our lecturers are actively researching, bringing the most relevant developments in business theory and practice to your study. They also have hands-on experience and real-world knowledge of human resource management and employment relations. You’ll have the opportunity to try out your ideas for yourself through project work.

They also collaborate with human resource and employment relations professionals, industry experts, employer and union representatives, academics, community groups and other stakeholders. You will hear about the latest developments in human resources and employment relations from expert speakers and develop industry networks, while you study.

The Bachelor of Business will give you the leadership, communication and critical thinking skills that will make you a sought-after employee. It will give you skills you can use in many different types of businesses, in New Zealand and around the world, whether as a human resource management specialist or in general management work.

Further study

Study options upon completion of this qualification could include the Master of Business Studies and then potentially a PhD.

A Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations is a good fit if you:

  • would like to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • would like to develop skills in working with others and resolving people-related concerns in the workplace
  • are interested in how organisations function and how to manage employment relationships.

Planning information

The BBus provides considerable flexibility, enabling you to take control of your own qualification within the regulations.

If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.

If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

If you are studying part-time, you should study course 114241 early as it is a required prerequisite for some 300-level courses.

Core business courses

There are ten core business courses and you must pass at least eight of them. The core courses are 115111115112, 115113, 115114, 115115, 115116115211115212, 115230 and 115340.

You must pass at least 60 credits of 100-level core courses within the first 120 credits, and and at least 30 credits of 200 or 300-level core courses within the first 240 credits of study towards the degree.

These are courses which cover topics across the business spectrum. They are designed to give you the leadership, communication and solid business skills that you will need in your career.

Minors

Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.

A minor must be in a different subject from your major.

A Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management and Employment Relations) with a minor

You may choose a minor from any University undergraduate degree that has recognised minors. If the minor is from another undergraduate degree, the regulations of that qualification will apply.

A Human Resource Management and employment relations minor (for students who are studying a different degree)

If you are not studying a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management and Employment Relations) and wish to complete a minor in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations see the BBus regulations for the requirements of this minor.  

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Bachelor of Business

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Bachelor of Business core courses

Human Resource Management and Employment Relations courses

Compulsory courses

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 114240 Organisational Behaviour 15 credits

A theoretical and practical examination of the behaviour of people in the work environment. Students develop a basic understanding of individual behaviour and team dynamics, exploring issues of motivation, communication, leadership, decision making, power and organisational change.

View full course details
Course code: 114241 Principles of Human Resources Management 15 credits

An introduction to human resources management (HRM) theories and practices in national and international contexts.

View full course details
Course code: 114254 Employment Relations 15 credits

An exploration of the theoretical frameworks used to analyse employment relations, including institutional processes and practices crucial to the workings of contemporary employment relations in New Zealand.

View full course details
Course code: 114321 Managing Talent & Performance 15 credits

An examination of the theories and principles of strategic human resource management and the application of those to acquiring, developing and managing talent for organisational success.

Prerequisites: 114241

View full course details
Choose 15 credits from
Course code: 115388 Internship in Business 30 credits

Provides an individual practical experience in business, linking theory to practice. It consists of a period of supervised study and practical experience in an area related to individual disciplinary and professional interests.

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

View full course details
Course code: 115389 Business Internship 15 credits

This course provides an individual practical experience in business in which students deliver a set project in a business, linking theory to practice.

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

View full course details
Course code: 152399 Integrative Management 15 credits

A collaborative capstone course that requires students to demonstrate the ability to apply theory and practice to complex organisational problems.

Prerequisites: Any 1143xx or 1523xx or 1573xx course

View full course details

Subject courses

Choose 45 credits from
Course code: 114330 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace 15 credits

An examination of issues, opportunities, and responses to managing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

View full course details
Course code: 114331 Contemporary Work and HRM 15 credits

An exploration of contemporary trends and issues relating to work, employment, human resource management, and employment relations in national (NZ) and international contexts.

Prerequisites: Any 45 credits at 200-level.

View full course details
Course code: 114343 Healthy Workplaces 15 credits

An exploration of the principles and practices of healthy work and workplaces, focusing on the identification and management of psychosocial hazards and risks in a New Zealand context.

View full course details
Course code: 152393 Managing Conflict 15 credits

A theoretical and applied examination of the nature and management of conflict in diverse settings. This course is suitable for anyone interested in working in or with organisations, employees, groups or teams, projects, or contracts.

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

There are no special entry requirements other than those required to study at university.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

The Human Resources Management and Employment Relations major offers a wide variety of career opportunities.

When you graduate you may take up a general HR/ER position in a private company or in the public sector. There are also specialist human resources roles in strategy, recruitment, remuneration, training and development, collective bargaining, change management and dispute resolution.

Past graduates have also become consultants, policy analysts for government, research officers, and academics. Because management involves people, many also enter general management qualifications.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

Accreditations and rankings

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Massey Business School is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.

Learn more

QS Ranking - Business Management Studies

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for business and management.

Learn more

Related study options