Program and courses Human Resource Studies

You will follow three core courses (24 ECTS):

• Seminar Human Resource Studies
• HR Analytics
• Organizational Change

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

Choose courses for a total of 6 ECTS from this list:

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

Choose courses for a total of 6 ECTS from this list:

• International Labor Law and Globalization (6 ECTS)
• 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)

During the second unit, the Human Resource Studies’ supervisors will present several research topics and themes in a sequence of lectures.  You will write an Individual Research Proposal HRS (IRP) based on one of these pre-selected themes. Once your IRP is completed and approved,  you can start writing your Master's thesis (24 ECTS).

The master’s thesis project starts at the beginning of the third unit. You will join a Thesis Circle: 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 together.  So you will receive feedback from your peers as well as from your supervisor.

Examples of thesis subjects are:

• Employee and management interests in HRM
• HRM process: HRM strength, attribution, engagement & burnout
• Inclusive HRM and transitions on the labor market
• HR effectiveness and performance
• Retaining older workers in the workforce
• Attractiveness of working in home care
• Collective strengths use
• Work-related crying
• The interplay between involvement and compliance-achieving HR practices on employee performance and well-being
• Career development of solo self-employed workers
• The impact of HR systems and relational climates on knowledge hiding

International Comparative HR

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

International experience gives an extra competitive edge on the job market.

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

Professional Traineeship

During the Professional Traineeship you will participate in a wide-range of HR activities in and under the supervision of a partner organization. You will take on 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.

HR analytics

During the Research Traineeship HR Analytics you will participate in an ongoing project on HR Analytics related to ‘work, employee wellbeing and performance’ within the HRS department (50%) and do the research for your Master's thesis (50%). You will take on a research traineeship at the HRS department and write your Master’s thesis in the second and third semester.

The HR Analytics research traineeship 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 cannot directly apply for the Extended Master. You’ll have to be enrolled in the Master’s program Human Resource Studies to apply for one of the three options for the Extended Master Human Resource Studies.

• At the start of the Master’s program Human Resource Studies (early September/early February) the options for the Extended Master will be introduced during a Kick off meeting. An extra information meeting will be organized for students who are interested. In the information meeting you’ll receive all information on the application procedure and deadlines, and the structure  and planning of the three options. 
   
• If you are interested, you must contact your program coordinator.