Human Resource Management

Prepare to deal with the unique challenges of Human Resources management in today’s world of work. The programme is founded on leading international theory yet grounded in the South African business context.

Overview

We offer up-to-date postgraduate programmes, provide expert supervision for research degrees and conduct leading-edge national and international research in the field.

The Honours programme in Human Resources examines the vital role played by intellectual capital in an organisation, and how to optimally manage people in order to deliver competitive advantage to the business. Topics such as industrial relations, the attraction and retention of key talent, training and motivation of employees, compensation, and ways in which to drive maximum productivity all fall within this discipline.

The field of Human Resources opens up careers such as human resources director, industrial relations manager, management consultant, strategic planning director or consultant, sports or facilities manager or training and development manager.

Curriculum

The programme comprises the following courses:

  • Research Paper in Business Sciences
  • Statistical Research Design and Analysis (Coursework) AND Statistical Research Design and Analysis (Project)
  • Advanced Labour Studies
  • Advanced Studies in Organisational Theory
  • Advanced Studies in Strategic Human Resource Management
  • Research Methods for the Management Sciences

Entry Requirements

  • Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Economic Science or equivalent.
  • At least an upper second class pass in the final undergraduate course in the subject.

Honours application supporting documents needed:

1. Certified copy of your degree certificates
2. Certified copy of academic transcripts as well as grade key
3. All certificates need to be transcribed to English if in another language.
4. SAQA evaluation (International applicants)
5. Proof of English proficiency (International applicants)
6. Curriculum Vitae

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process. Refer to Wits Postgraduate Online Applications Guide for detailed guidelines. 
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.