What degree should I study to become a human resources manager?

A Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resource Management is the most direct route at Waikato, with a Bachelor of Social Sciences also suiting HR roles with a stronger people or policy focus. A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Sciences with a Psychology major also leads to HR, as you’ll learn about human behaviour.

Which major best prepares you for HR management?

Human Resource Management is purpose-built for this career, and pairing it with a Leadership paper or an Ethics minor strengthens the management and decision-making side of the role.

Is a postgraduate qualification needed to become an HR manager?

Not always for your first HR role, but a Master of Management Studies in Human Resource Management is a direct next step for moving from HR specialist positions into management roles.

Can I move into HR management with an existing degree in another subject?

Yes. Human Resource Management can be added as a second major or minor to almost any bachelor's degree at Waikato, or you can study it through a Graduate Certificate if you've already graduated.

How long does it take to become a human resources manager?

A Bachelor of Business takes three years of full-time study. Management-level HR roles usually require several years of experience in HR or people-focused positions first.

Human resources manager career

Kaiwhakahaere pūmanawa tangata

Human resources managers oversee recruitment, performance, pay, wellbeing, training and development, employment relations and policies for the staff of an organisation.

$71,000 – $228,000 per year

Human resource manager, HR manager, recruitment manager, employee relations manager, performance and retention manager, people and capability manager, people and performance manager

Where our data comes from

What would you do as a Human resources manager?

Human resources managers

usually work regular business hours
usually work in offices
need to be organised, make decisions and communicate well

Tasks

manage hiring and recruiting of staff
oversee staff performance and wellbeing
provide advice on employment laws
review and update human resources policies
advise managers on recruitment plans
discuss terms of employment with staff
manage and train staff
review and update job descriptions
answer human resources questions from staff
use data to improve human resources decisions

How can you become a Human resources manager?

You usually need a qualification and experience to become a human resources manager.

You may need

a relevant tertiary qualification in business and management or similar area
experience in similar work
knowledge of employment law and industrial relations

If you're in school

You usually need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job.

Study a Human Resource Management major in our Bachelor of Business. You'll learn how organisations recruit, develop and support their people, and like all our undergraduate degrees, it includes work-integrated learning. You'll study at Waikato Management School, which holds Triple Crown Accreditation. You could also study Psychology in our Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Sciences to learn about human behaviour.

If you already have a degree, you can move into HR with our Graduate Certificate, or go further with our Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Management Studies.

BBus

Where these qualifications can take you

HR managers are responsible for managing an organisation’s people practices and making sure employees are supported, developed and managed effectively. They align workforce needs with business goals and make sure employment laws and workplace policies are followed.

Career opportunities include:

Senior HR specialist
Change lead
People and performance lead
Organisational learning and development manager
Training and development manager
HR business partner
Change analyst

Human resources manager FAQs

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to help with the cost of studying at Waikato. Options are available across a wide range of subjects and study levels, including scholarships for new students, current students and specific areas of study.

Find a scholarship

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Human resources manager career