University of Sydney Handbooks - 2016 Archive

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Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management

A major in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management (IR&HRM) equips students with essential tools and knowledge to build a career in the ‘people’ function in organisations. Students build their understanding of the major HR functions and roles across the employment lifecycle including recruitment and selection, remuneration and reward, performance management and employee training and development. This is balanced with the study of industrial (or employment) relations, covering important topics such as employment contracts, labour markets, employment legislation and policies and collective bargaining and trade unions. Students can also to apply to undertake work placement in IR and HR as a part of their degree.

Requirements for a major in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management

For the award of an Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major, students complete:


(1) a six credit point junior prerequisite unit of study, as follows:

  • WORK1003 Foundations of Work and Employment.


(2) 36 credit points in senior units of study, comprising:

(i) 12 credit points in compulsory units of study, as follows:

  • WORK2203 Industrial Relations Policy
  • WORK2205 HR Strategies and Processes.

(ii) 24 credit points in elective units of study selected from the following:

  • WORK2209 Managing Organisational Change *
  • WORK2210 Strategic Management
  • WORK2211 Human Resource Strategies *
  • WORK2215 IR and HRM Practice
  • WORK2217 International Human Resource Management
  • WORK2218 Managing Organisational Behaviour
  • WORK2219 Managing Organisational Sustainability
  • WORK2221 Organisational Communication
  • WORK2222 Leadership in Organisations
  • WORK2224 Globalisation, Work and Employment
  • WORK2225 Work and Social Change
  • WORK2226 Institutions at Work *
  • WORK2227 Regulation at Work *
  • WORK3921 Theories of Work and Organisations *
  • WORK3922 Organisational Research Methods *

* Not offered for 2016.

Note: All units of study listed are six credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit of study table for details of unit of study prerequisites, corequisites and other requirements are outlined in the Business School unit of study table.

Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI) accreditation

All undergraduate degrees incorporating a major in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management are AHRI-accredited. Students wishing to satisfy the requirements for professional membership of AHRI should complete an Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major as part of their degree.