University of Technology Sydney

What you'll study

This programme provides core skills in managing people and workplaces, combining contemporary HR theory with applied workplace practice. Typical topics include employment and industrial relations, talent acquisition and retention, performance and reward systems, workplace health and safety essentials, and an introduction to HR analytics.

• Employment and Industrial Relations — legal and regulatory frameworks underpinning employment, dispute resolution and collective bargaining in an Australian context.
• Talent Management and Recruitment — job design, selection methods, onboarding and retention strategies.
• Performance Management and Reward — designing appraisal systems, feedback and remuneration approaches aligned to organisational objectives.
• Organisational Behaviour and Change — understanding workplace culture, leadership, motivation and managing change initiatives.
• Introduction to HR Analytics — using data to inform workforce planning, reporting and decision making.

Delivery emphasises case studies, applied projects and assessment methods that reflect workplace practice, such as HR audits, policy development and practical HR problem solving. The graduate certificate is typically structured as a short sequence of postgraduate units and can be completed part‑time or full‑time; successful completion may allow credit into relevant UTS master’s programs in human resource management or management.

Entry requirements

Applicants are generally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline. Candidates with substantial professional experience in HR or related fields but without a degree may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Typical entry will require English language proficiency for international applicants demonstrated through an approved test or prior study in English.

Selection may take account of relevant workplace experience and the suitability of the applicant’s background for postgraduate study. Specific unit prerequisites can vary, so applicants should review the enrolment requirements for individual subjects or consult UTS admissions guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates gain competencies that prepare them for roles such as HR officer, recruitment coordinator, HR advisor, learning and development assistant, payroll and HR administrator, or industrial relations support roles. The qualification is also used by professionals in other disciplines to add people‑management capability and by those seeking a pathway into a full master’s qualification in human resource management or related management fields.

Skills developed in the programme — policy interpretation, employee relations, recruitment techniques and basic HR analytics — are applicable across private, public and not‑for‑profit sectors and support progression into specialist HR streams or broader management roles.

Why study at University of Technology Sydney

UTS Business School has a strong emphasis on practice‑based learning and industry engagement, connecting students with HR practitioners, contemporary casework and opportunities for professional networking in Sydney’s CBD. The university’s approach integrates contemporary HR theory with tools and technologies used in modern workplaces, helping students translate learning directly into practice.

Studying at UTS provides access to academic staff with industry experience, workshops and resources tailored to applied people management, and pathways into higher level study. The programme’s flexible delivery options suit working professionals seeking to upskill while maintaining employment.