Human Resource Management and Employment Relations - Bachelor of Business

Interested in diversity and organisational culture, and want to influence people at all levels of an organisation? Study human resources and employment relations as part of the Bachelor of Business degree.

Human resources professionals are the oil between management and employees, ensuring that staff are productive, safe and developing as valued and skilled workers. Careers in human resources and employment relations encompass planning, recruitment, learning and development, health and safety, commercial law and employer/employee relations. A key aspect of this work is change management, as companies are constantly adapting to and influencing the environment in which they operate.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Business.

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As a human resource management and employment relations student, you'll learn about leading, managing and developing in a diverse workplace. You'll become familiar with stakeholder management to manage change and enhance organisational performance; occupational health, safety, resilience and wellbeing; and the power dynamics in employment relationships.

Year 1

In the first semester, you take four core courses that cover fundamental business concepts:

In Semester 2, you study:

You may also take another course related to human resource management and employment relations, and  also start to take the first courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses.

Year 2 & 3

You gain an understanding of current employment issues including the complex relationships between employees, employers, government and trade unions, and internal and external factors that influence organisational behaviour.

Human resource management and employment relations courses may include:

You also continue to take courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses.

Study planner for this programme

Download our study planner to see what your studies could look like in the Bachelor of Business.

Workplace experience

Work integrated learning is the final part of your degree and takes place in your final semester. You can choose to do a placement in an organisation of your choice, do a virtual internship or complete a research project, bringing together your learning and gaining valuable experience.

Recent placements included:

  • DB Breweries
  • Farmers Trading Company
  • Fletcher Construction
  • Nestlé NZ Ltd
  • Progressive Enterprises
  • SKY TV
  • Waitemata District Health Board
  • Warehouse Stationery

Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?

Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.

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Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.

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Build your degree

Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

Build your degreeBuild your degreehttps://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/business/courses/bachelor-of-business/human-resource-management-and-employment-relation-major

  • Employment relations specialist
  • Human resource manager
  • Industry training advisor
  • Recruitment consultant
  • Talent manager
  • Health and safety manager
Human-Resources-Management-A4-21-10-15.jpg

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Human Resource Management and Employment Relations Careers

Key features
  • Key areas for any organisation
  • Can open up a wide range of career opportunities
  • Valuable workplace experience in an organisation of your choice
  • Option to include subjects from outside of business
  • Offered at the City or South Campus
See yourself as
  • Committed to productive employment relationships
  • Interested in talent management
  • Able to build inclusive organisations
  • A strong negotiator
Emma Hitchcock
Eve McLoughlin
Tanya Messay
Kelepi Liava'a
April Shwe-Paul

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.