Program and courses Human Resource Studies

You will follow three core courses (24 ECTS in total):

• Seminar Human Resource Studies
• HR Analytics
• Organizational Change

You can choose two to three elective courses (12 ECTS in total)

Choose for 6 ECTS out of the courses below:

• Performance Management (6 ECTS)
• HR Development (6 ECTS)
• HRM, Work-design and Technology (6 ECTS)

Choose for 6 ECTS out of the courses below:

• International Human Resource Management (3 ECTS)
• Compensation and Benefits (3 ECTS)
• Social Innovation (3 ECTS)
• Positive Psychology Interventions in Organizations (3 ECTS)
• Active Aging at Work (3 ECTS)
• Leadership perspectives on HRM (3 ECTS)
• International Labor Law and Globalization (6 ECTS)

During the second unit, the Human Resource Studies’ supervisors will present their proposed research topics in a sequence of lectures.  You can write your Individual Research Proposal HRS (IRP) based on one of these pre-selected themes. The completion and approval of your IRP is a pre-condition for starting with writing your Master's Thesis (24 ECTS).

As of the start of the third unit you actually start writing your Master's Thesis . During the execution of the Master's thesis project you will be assigned to a Thesis Circle composed of a small group of students with similar research themes, supervised by one or more knowledgeable member(s) of the department. In this circle, individual research results are presented and discussed. That way you will receive feedback not only from your supervisor, but also from peers.

Sub-track International Comparative HR

In the sub-track International Comparative HR you will pursue a balanced program of graduate courses (30 ECTS) at one of the host universities in addition to your regular Master’s courses. Study one semester abroad in the second or third semester and work on your Master’s thesis during the other semester.

This track takes a cross-cultural approach in order to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the employment relationship in different international settings.

In this international experience you will be given the opportunity to pursue a balanced program of graduate courses (30 ECTS) at one of the host universities in addition to your regular Master’s courses.

We work together with five partner institutions:

• BI Norwegian Business School (BI), Oslo, Norway
• Bocconi University, Milan, Italy
• University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
• ISCTE Business School, Lisbon, Portugal
• North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Sub-track Professional Traineeship

In the sub-track Professional Traineeship you will participate in a wide-range of HR activities in and under the supervision of a partner organization. Follow a professional traineeship at a partner organization in the second semester and write your Master’s thesis in the third semester. 

A professional traineeship provides you with relevant work experience and enhances your professional skills and knowledge.

• In this one-semester traineeship, you will participate in a wide range of HR activities for and supervised by the partner organization.
• Your primary task will be to take part in (the various stages of) a HR project. This may vary from projects on talent management, flexible workforce, and performance management, to strategic personnel planning.

Sub-track HR analytics

In the sub-track HR Analytics you will combine participating in an ongoing project on HR Analytics related to ‘work, employee wellbeing and performance’ within the HRS department (50%) with doing your Master's thesis research (50%). Follow a research traineeship at the HRS department and write your Master’s thesis in the second and third semester.

The HR Analytics track provides you with relevant research experience and advanced methodological skills for analyzing organizational data related to the theme of ‘work, employee wellbeing and performance’.

• In this traineeship, you will combine participating in an ongoing project on HR Analytics within the HRS department (50%) with doing your Master's thesis research (50%).
• These activities are supervised by a senior researcher of the department.

You’ll have to be enrolled in the Master’s program Human Resource Studies to apply for one of the three sub-tracks of the Extended Master Human Resource Studies. You cannot directly apply for the extended master.

• If you are interested, you must contact your program coordinator after starting with the Master's program in Human Resource Studies.
• At the start of the Master’s program Human Resource Studies (early September/early February) there will be a Kick off meeting and an extra information meeting organized for students who are interested in the Extended Master. In the information meeting you’ll be further informed on the application procedure, application deadlines, and the structure of the three different tracks.