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Master
Human Resource Management

Navigate today’s changing job market successfully – and help employees and businesses reach their full potential. Earn a Master’s in Human Resource Management.

Online Studies
QS Stars
WES
FIBAA
AACSB
EQAR
CHE
Wissenschaftsrat

End 2024 right: invest in your career

Apply by January 5th and get a discount of up to €1,444!

Commit to improving your future today and make 2025 your year. Join us on campus in Berlin, study in English, and graduate with an internationally recognised degree. 

Apply Now

End 2024 right: invest in your career

Apply by January 5th and get a discount of up to €1,444!

Commit to improving your future today and make 2025 your year. Join us on campus in Berlin, study in English, and graduate with an internationally recognised degree. 

Apply Now
Overview

Get started with an online Master’s in Human Resource Management

As a Human Resource (HR) Manager, you’ll play a key factor in helping companies and their workforce work together in order to achieve their shared goals. Your skills, empathy, experience and sense of responsibility will be required in order to help bridge gaps, settle disputes and represent both the interests of employers and the interests of employees at the same time.

Fortunately, IU’s online Master’s Human Resource Management programme covers all of the information you need in order to face these challenges with confidence: from business knowledge, to personnel management and personal development approaches. After successfully completing your studies, you’ll have a holistic understanding of how to best support employees, manage their needs and support managers in their efforts to increase productivity.

Your online degree summed up

All the facts and figures about your study programme at a glance
OnlineCampus Study Model Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
60 or 120 ECTS credits

Language
English
Accreditation & Recognition
Accreditation
Accredited in line with German and European standards
ZFU 1134722
60 ECTS credits - English
ZFU 161216c
120 ECTS credits - English

Recognition
Your degree is Internationally recognised and can easily be transferred to another country
Tuition Fees & Discounts
Tuition Fees
Starting from € 299 (US$ 316)* per month
*based on the exchange rate from 30.11.2024 12:00 AM (CET)

Online application
No application fees
Study Duration
Study start
any time

Duration
12 - 48 months (depending on time model)
100 % flexible

You decide where and when you want to study

Modernised learning

Access our unique learning app and AI tutor 

Award-winning education

First-class learning: 96% recommended 

Study contents

Online course overview

In this online Master’s programme in Human Resource Management, you’ll build a unique set of skills based on personal development theories, business principles and psychology, and establish your abilities as an expert in Human Resource Management. The programme has been designed to give you the best tools for succeeding in today’s challenging business world, with special attention given to current trends such as changing demographics, new workplace values, digitalisation and globalisation. Gain an understanding of how the global job market is changing, and what’s necessary in order to succeed in it – for teams and employees.

This programme includes an AI prompt engineering course, so you can learn how to use tools like ChatGPT best in your everyday life, work, and studies. 

Semester 1

Module

ECTS credits

Human Resource Management I

5

Human Resource Management II

5

Employer Branding and Recruiting

5

Talent Management & HR Development

5

People Analytics and Big Data

5

Advanced Research Methods

5

Semester 2

Module

ECTS credits

Seminar: International Human Resource Management

5

Elective A

10

Master Thesis

15

Electives overview

Elective A

In your 2nd semester, you'll need to choose an elective module, which you can choose from one of the following modules:

Module

ECTS credits

Human Performance

10

Work and Organizational Psychology

10

Diversity Management

10

International Labor Law

10

Negotiation and Intercultural Management

10

AI and Mastering AI Prompting

10

Semester 1

Module

ECTS credits

Human Resource Management I

5

Human Resource Management II

5

Strategic Management

5

Advanced Research Methods

5

Aspects of International Labor Law

5

Seminar: Current Issues in International Labor Law

5

Semester 2

Module

ECTS credits

Applied Statistics

5

Employer Branding and Recruiting

5

Talent Management & HR Development

5

Project: Human Resource Management

5

Leadership

5

New Work

5

Semester 3

Module

ECTS credits

People Analytics and Big Data

5

Seminar: International Human Resource Management

5

Elective A

10

Elective B

10

Semester 4

Module

ECTS credits

Master Thesis

30

Electives overview

Elective A

In your 3rd semester, you'll need to choose an elective module, which you can choose from one of the following modules:

Module

ECTS credits

Human Performance

10

Work and Organizational Psychology

10

Diversity Management

10

Accounting

10

Artificial Intelligence

10

Negotiation and Intercultural Management

10

Elective B

In your 3rd semester, you'll need to choose an elective module, which you can choose from one of the following modules:

Module

ECTS credits

Human Performance

10

Work and Organizational Psychology

10

Diversity Management

10

E-Commerce

10

Accounting

10

Artificial Intelligence

10

Negotiation and Intercultural Management

10

AI and Mastering AI Prompting

10

Module guide

Module guide (60 ECTS credits)

Module guide (120 ECTS credits)

Online course schedules

Course schedule (60 ECTS credits)

Course schedule (120 ECTS credits)

All the support you need, any time of day

With this programme, you’ll have access to human and AI-powered tutoring. 

Your tutors will be available to answer any questions, and you’ll have recurring appointments where you can discuss course topics with them and other students. 

Syntea, IU’s AI-powered tutor, will be available 24/7 to guide you through your courses and prepare you for exams. 

Study your way, and master working with AI at the same time. 

Admission

Entry requirements

The admissions documents must be provided in English or German. If they were not issued in one of these two languages, a translation is required. If you need to translate your documents, we can help refer you to our trusted translation partners. You can find more details here. 

General admission requirements

Admission Requirements for 120-ECTS credits: 

  • Completed, undergraduate degree with 180 ECTS credits with a focus on economics or business administration  
  • Your degree must be from a state or state-recognised higher education institution/university  
  • You must have achieved a final grade of at least “satisfactory” or Grade C equivalent in your previous undergraduate degree 

Admission Requirements for 60-ECTS credits  

  • Completed, undergraduate degree with 240 ECTS credits.  
  • Your degree must be from a state or state-recognised higher education institution/university  
  • You must have achieved a final grade of at least “satisfactory” or Grade C equivalent in your previous undergraduate degree 
  • Proof of at least one year’s professional work experience completed prior to the start of study programme. Work experience must have been gained after completion of your undergraduate studies


Further admission opportunities

For the 60 ECTS credits programme:

Depending on previous education, the following entry options are applicable for the 60 ECTS credits Master's degree:

  • undergraduate degree with 210 ECTS credits: You can bridge the gap of 30 ECTS credits with proof of one year of qualified professional experience
  • undergraduate degree with 180 ECTS credits: You can bridge the gap of 60 ECTS credits with proof of two years of qualified professional experience

For the 120 ECTS credits programme:

If you have completed a non-subject-related undergraduate degree programme, you can still apply for admission. By successfully completing 2 specific modules of the Master's degree programme, you can gain admission to your desired 120 ECTS credits Master's degree programme. 

The recognition of knowledge and skills acquired outside of higher education is generally possible.

The further admission opportunities represent individual cases to the above-mentioned general admission requirements and ensure the existence of a corresponding qualification for Master's degree programmes. Admission is at the discretion of the university.

Work experience

For the 60 ECTS credits programme:

  • Proof of at least one year’s qualified work experience completed prior to the start of the study programme (the work experience must be gained after the completion of your undergraduate studies).
  • Don’t have a year’s worth of qualified work experience? Don’t worry! With the Fee Reduction Programme, you can start your studies right away, and gain your professional experience alongside your studies. You’ll need to achieve the one year’s worth of experience before you complete your Fee Reduction Programme.
  • You can provide us a translation of your employment contract and your pay slip or you can ask your company to fill out this form in English, sign it, apply the company stamp and send it to us:

    Proof of work experience (EN)
    Proof of work experience (NL)
    Proof of work experience (ES)
    Proof of work experience (IT)
    Proof of work experience (FR)

Fee Reduction Programme

Apply for the Fee Reduction Programme and receive a discount on your tuition fees. 

Please get in touch with our Study Advisory Team for more details. 

English language skills

Depending on your personal circumstances, you might be required to provide proof of your English language proficiency. Your skills would need to match the B2 level of the Common European Framework (CEF). 

We accept the following English language skills certificates*: 

  • TOEFL (minimum 80 points)* or 
  • IELTS (minimum Level 6)* or 
  • Duolingo English Test (minimum 95 points)*
  • PTE Academics (minimum 59 points)* or 
  • Cambridge Certificate (minimum Grade B)* 

Is English your native language, or have you graduated from an English-speaking school or university? Then you do not need to prove your English language proficiency. 

Get in touch with our study advisors for more details. 

*Proof must be provided before the start of the study and must not be older than five years. 

Work experience

For the 60 ECTS credits programme:

APS Certificate

If you are from India, China or Vietnam, you might need the APS certificate to study in Germany, regardless of if your programme is 100% online or on-campus. Learn more about the APS certification here.  

Careers

Your Human Resource Management career outlook

With an internationally recognised online Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from IU, expect to find promising career opportunities in a wide variety of industries and enterprises. Thanks to your practical skills, experience in an international setting and theoretical expertise, you can find a role in a wide variety of positions, such as In-House Human Resource Management, Hiring Expert and People Development Management.

Geschäftsleute in Büro

HR Business Partner

As an HR business partner, you’ll act as the first point of contact between managers and employees. You’ll advise businesses regarding labour law issues, and provide assistance to employees with any difficulty they might face when dealing with their employer. You’ll have the mandate to identify problem areas in everyday business conduct, and offer solutions that would be acceptable to both staff and management.

Team Meeting im Besprechungsraum

Recruiting Manager

Hunt for new talent, and lead team recruitment efforts as an internal recruiting manager. Develop a strong professional network, and the delicate skillset of assessing talent and compatibility. You’ll be expected to create talent pools, review job application documents and conduct initial interviews for promising talents.

Zwei Frauen unterhalten sich auf Gang im Büro

People Development Manager

People development managers are responsible for the professional growth of employees. They work on analysing individual staff member development, and coming up with the right strategy and work plan for each employee. This is balanced with keeping the employers’ interests in mind, by performing costs analysis and assuring work quality. Be the engine the drives workplace development, and help mentor, coach and direct employees towards personal and professional growth and prosperity.

Student reviews

This is what our students say

  • “The knowledge gained at IU helped me immensely in my role, building the recruiting and employer branding from scratch and helping my company scale up.”

    Anna Zakaryan

    Graduate, Armenia

  • “The bachelor's degree has opened new doors for me.”

    Anna Haslbeck

    Graduate

  • “After completing your Master’s studies at IU, you can quickly start a management career.”

    Denise Piko

    Online student

Read our success stories
Tuition fees

Online Study models & fees for your Master degree in Human Resource Management

On campus study model and fees for your Master degree in Human Resource Management

Depending on your personal or professional circumstances, you may wish to complete your studies as quickly as possible, or you may prefer a more flexible study programme that is less time-consuming. That’s why we offer part-time options for all our study programmes. This allows you to study alongside professional or personal commitments. We adjust your study fees based on your chosen time model.

Are you unable to finish your programme within the given time? No problem! If you realise that you need more time, you can simply switch to another time model with one months’ notice before the end of the month.

No registration or administration fees are charged when you apply for studying – you’ll only be charged once your studies have started, and the trial month has ended.

Your trial month begins when you receive your login credentials. This will give you the opportunity to test our courses for one month without obligation, before being charged. During that month, you can then take your first courses and start learning right away!

Once the trial month is over, your studies continue. You’ll pay your tuition fees according to your contract.

At IU, we believe in full transparency – so there are no hidden fees. You only pay for your tuition and the one-time campus registration fee of €1,500.

No registration or administration fees are charged when you apply for studying – you'll only be charged once your studies have started. If you won't be admitted to a programme because you do not meet the admission requirements, no fees will be charged.

Full-Time

Duration 12 Months

US$ 820
US$ 692 /mth* Apply now
* € 655 based on the exchange rate from 30.11.2024 12:00 AM (CET)

Part-Time I

Duration 18 Months

US$ 608
US$ 523 /mth* Apply now
* € 495 based on the exchange rate from 30.11.2024 12:00 AM (CET)

Part-Time II

Duration 24 Months

US$ 503
US$ 439 /mth* Apply now
* € 415 based on the exchange rate from 30.11.2024 12:00 AM (CET)

Full-Time

Duration 24 Months

US$ 588
US$ 524 /mth* Apply now
* € 496 based on the exchange rate from 30.11.2024 12:00 AM (CET)

Part-Time I

Duration 36 Months

US$ 441
US$ 399 /mth* Apply now
* € 377 based on the exchange rate from 30.11.2024 12:00 AM (CET)

Part-Time II

Duration 48 Months

US$ 348
US$ 316 /mth* Apply now
* € 299 based on the exchange rate from 30.11.2024 12:00 AM (CET)

All our study programmes include the following benefits

  • Teaching and study material
  • Marking of your end-of-module exams
  • Monthly live and recorded tutorials
  • Use of the online campus
  • Individual study coaching
  • Online exams
  • Career coaching
  • Learn German and English for free
  • 4-week money back guarantee
  • Teaching and study material
  • Marking of your end-of-module exams
  • Individual study coaching
  • Online exams
  • Career coaching
  • Learn German and English for free
  • On-campus tutorials, 2-3x week
  • Access to all on-campus services
Recognition

Recognition of previous achievements

  • Save time: Skip individual modules or whole semesters!

Even before you apply for a study programme, we’ll gladly check whether we can take your previous achievements into account: 100% online, no strings attached. Simply fill in our recognition application form, which you can find under the content section of each study programme's webpage, and upload it via our upload section. You can also e-mail it to us, or send it via post.

Send an email to study@iu.org to find out which previous achievements you can get recognised. You can get your previous achievements recognised during your studies.

Do you need help with your application for recognition? Our student advisors will be happy to help. Simply arrange a personal call-back appointment.Arrange a personal video consultation appointment to discuss recognition

Recognition files

Guide to recognition

Individual application for recognition (60 ECTS credits)

Individual application for recognition (120 ECTS credits)

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