International Master of Business Administration specialising in Human Resource Management

Postgraduate | 2026

Mode

On Campus

Start date

February, July

Campus

Adelaide City Campus

Duration

2 year(s) full-time

Program code

MAIMB

Study as

Full-time

Indicative annual fees

$50,500

Non-tuition fees

Prerequisite

None

Assumed knowledge

None

English language requirements

IELTS Overall 6.5 IELTS Reading 6 IELTS Listening 6 IELTS Speaking 6 IELTS Writing 6 Equivalent English qualifications

CRICOS code

115889J

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and fulfil any essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

A completed bachelor (AQF level 7) or bachelor honours (AQF level 8) degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; OR
A completed nested or related graduate certificate (AQF level 8) or higher from a recognised higher education institution.

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as an additional language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at Adelaide University. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

IELTS Overall 6.5
IELTS Reading 6
IELTS Listening 6
IELTS Speaking 6
IELTS Writing 6

Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by Adelaide University and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements:

Equivalent English qualifications

Why International Master of Business Administration?

Ready to recruit top employees from diverse backgrounds? Eager to enhance employee performance on a global scale and drive business success? With Adelaide University’s Master of Business Administration (IMBA) specialising in Human Resource Management, you’ll have the expert knowledge to drive company culture and success in a global market.

The International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) is for recent graduates and early career professionals wanting to learn the foundations of business in a global context. Be equipped with the skills of an international business leader – ready to manage forward-thinking, diverse teams.

Develop skills to progress your career in several management positions within human resources and beyond. As an IMBA graduate, you’ll be responsive to contemporary shifts in business – social, environmental, and digital. Armed with specialised skills and a global perspective, you’ll stand out in in today’s competitive job market.

Overview

If you have completed a 3-year bachelor’s degree or higher and want to learn the foundations of international business, Adelaide University’s International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) is for you.

Progress your career in senior management. Acquire effective people management strategies to optimise staff recruitment and retention. Take a data-driven approach to decision making, using people analytics. Learn how to acquire and develop talented employees.

Expand your business knowledge with topics on cross cultural communication, strategic marketing, ethical business conduct and financial management principles. With our IMBA program, you’ll graduate with the practical skills to not only shape organisational culture, but to lead global companies to achieve their business goals.

Key features

Study an IMBA with no prior work experience.
Build industry connections through case studies, guest speakers and mentoring opportunities.
Prepare for interactions with global businesses with topics on culture and customs.
Connect with a diverse cohort of students from all over the world.
Gain a competitive edge with your specialisation in Human Resource Management.
Complete a project in an area of interest.

What you'll learn

Our IMBA specialising in Human Resource Management is a two-year degree comprising of 11 core courses, a capstone industry project, one elective and three specialised courses in Human Resource Management.

In first year, you’ll develop your knowledge in crucial areas including business conduct in global contexts, accounting, marketing and ethics. In your second year, you’ll explore specialised topics on human resource management including:

Strategic Management of Human Resources
People Analytics
Talent Acquisition and Development.

Finish your studies with a final capstone project, exploring an area of human resource management that interests you most.

Specialisations

Did you know that you can also choose an IMBA with a specialisation in one of the following:

What courses you'll study

Complete 96 units for either of the following:

All of the following:
66 units for all Core courses, and
18 units for one Specialisation from Specialisations, and
6 units for all Work integrated learning, and
6 to 24 units for Electives, or
All of the following:
66 units for all Core courses, and
6 units for all Work integrated learning, and
6 to 24 units for Electives

Complete 66 units for ALL of the following:

	Course code	Units
Course name Accounting Principles for Decision Makers	Course code ACCT5007	Units 6
Course name Principles of Finance	Course code BAFI5000	Units 6
Course name Business Decision Making and Problem-Solving	Course code BUSI5001	Units 6
Course name Global Supply Chain Management	Course code BUSI5024	Units 6
Course name Ethics, Sustainability and Governance	Course code BUSI5049	Units 6
Course name People, Leadership and Organisational Performance	Course code HRES5002	Units 6
Course name Managing the Global Workforce	Course code HRES5007	Units 6
Course name Foundations of International Business	Course code IBUS5002	Units 6
Course name Marketing	Course code MARK5000	Units 6
Course name Business Analytics for Managers	Course code BUSI6003	Units 6
Course name Strategy Concepts	Course code BUSI6042	Units 6

Course name		Course code	Units
Year 1
Semester 1
	Course name Foundations of International Business	Course code IBUS5002	Units 6
	Course name Marketing	Course code MARK5000	Units 6
	Course name Ethics, Sustainability and Governance	Course code BUSI5049	Units 6
	Course name Accounting Principles for Decision Makers	Course code ACCT5007	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Managing the Global Workforce	Course code HRES5007	Units 6
	Course name Business Analytics for Managers	Course code BUSI6003	Units 6
	Course name Principles of Finance	Course code BAFI5000	Units 6
	Course name Strategic Management of Human Resources	Course code HRES6000	Units 6
Year 2
Semester 1
	Course name Global Supply Chain Management	Course code BUSI5024	Units 6
	Course name Business Decision Making and Problem-Solving	Course code BUSI5001	Units 6
	Course name Strategy Concepts	Course code BUSI6042	Units 6
	Course name People, Leadership and Organisational Performance	Course code HRES5002	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Applied Challenge	Course code BUSI5900	Units 6
	Course name Talent Acquisition and Development	Course code HRES5003	Units 6
	Course name People Analytics	Course code HRES5005	Units 6
	Course name Elective	Course code -	Units 6

Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:

	Course code	Units
Course name Talent Acquisition and Development	Course code HRES5003	Units 6
Course name People Analytics	Course code HRES5005	Units 6
Course name Strategic Management of Human Resources	Course code HRES6000	Units 6

Course name		Course code	Units
Year 1
Semester 1
	Course name Foundations of International Business	Course code IBUS5002	Units 6
	Course name Marketing	Course code MARK5000	Units 6
	Course name Ethics, Sustainability and Governance	Course code BUSI5049	Units 6
	Course name Accounting Principles for Decision Makers	Course code ACCT5007	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Managing the Global Workforce	Course code HRES5007	Units 6
	Course name Business Analytics for Managers	Course code BUSI6003	Units 6
	Course name Principles of Finance	Course code BAFI5000	Units 6
	Course name Strategic Management of Human Resources	Course code HRES6000	Units 6
Year 2
Semester 1
	Course name Global Supply Chain Management	Course code BUSI5024	Units 6
	Course name Business Decision Making and Problem-Solving	Course code BUSI5001	Units 6
	Course name Strategy Concepts	Course code BUSI6042	Units 6
	Course name People, Leadership and Organisational Performance	Course code HRES5002	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Applied Challenge	Course code BUSI5900	Units 6
	Course name Talent Acquisition and Development	Course code HRES5003	Units 6
	Course name People Analytics	Course code HRES5005	Units 6
	Course name Elective	Course code -	Units 6

Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:

Course name		Course code	Units
	Course name Applied Challenge	Course code BUSI5900	Units 6

Course name		Course code	Units
Year 1
Semester 1
	Course name Foundations of International Business	Course code IBUS5002	Units 6
	Course name Marketing	Course code MARK5000	Units 6
	Course name Ethics, Sustainability and Governance	Course code BUSI5049	Units 6
	Course name Accounting Principles for Decision Makers	Course code ACCT5007	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Managing the Global Workforce	Course code HRES5007	Units 6
	Course name Business Analytics for Managers	Course code BUSI6003	Units 6
	Course name Principles of Finance	Course code BAFI5000	Units 6
	Course name Strategic Management of Human Resources	Course code HRES6000	Units 6
Year 2
Semester 1
	Course name Global Supply Chain Management	Course code BUSI5024	Units 6
	Course name Business Decision Making and Problem-Solving	Course code BUSI5001	Units 6
	Course name Strategy Concepts	Course code BUSI6042	Units 6
	Course name People, Leadership and Organisational Performance	Course code HRES5002	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Applied Challenge	Course code BUSI5900	Units 6
	Course name Talent Acquisition and Development	Course code HRES5003	Units 6
	Course name People Analytics	Course code HRES5005	Units 6
	Course name Elective	Course code -	Units 6

Complete 6 to 24 units comprising:

6 to 24 units from Program electives

	Course code	Units
Course name FinTech and Disruptions in Financial Services	Course code BAFI2006	Units 6
Course name Equity Valuation and Analysis	Course code BAFI5004	Units 6
Course name Predictive and Visual Analytics	Course code BAFI6003	Units 6
Course name Financial Services and FinTech Disruptions	Course code BAFI6012	Units 6
Course name International Financial Management	Course code BAFI6018	Units 6
Course name Strategic Procurement	Course code BUSI5027	Units 6
Course name Managing Sustainable Supply Chains	Course code BUSI5172	Units 6
Course name Integrated Logistics Management	Course code BUSI6016	Units 6
Course name Fundamentals of Business Analytics	Course code BUSI6022	Units 6
Course name Talent Acquisition and Development	Course code HRES5003	Units 6
Course name People Analytics	Course code HRES5005	Units 6
Course name Strategic Management of Human Resources	Course code HRES6000	Units 6
Course name Customer Analytics	Course code MARK5001	Units 6
Course name Advanced Digital Marketing	Course code MARK5003	Units 6
Course name Consumer Behaviour and Insights	Course code MARK5005	Units 6
Course name Marketing Strategy and Planning	Course code MARK6003	Units 6
Course name Program and Portfolio Management	Course code PROJ6003	Units 6
Course name Enterprise Transformation Project Management	Course code PROJ6004	Units 6
Course name Project Management Fundamentals	Course code PROJX500	Units 6

Course name		Course code	Units
Year 1
Semester 1
	Course name Foundations of International Business	Course code IBUS5002	Units 6
	Course name Marketing	Course code MARK5000	Units 6
	Course name Ethics, Sustainability and Governance	Course code BUSI5049	Units 6
	Course name Accounting Principles for Decision Makers	Course code ACCT5007	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Managing the Global Workforce	Course code HRES5007	Units 6
	Course name Business Analytics for Managers	Course code BUSI6003	Units 6
	Course name Principles of Finance	Course code BAFI5000	Units 6
	Course name Strategic Management of Human Resources	Course code HRES6000	Units 6
Year 2
Semester 1
	Course name Global Supply Chain Management	Course code BUSI5024	Units 6
	Course name Business Decision Making and Problem-Solving	Course code BUSI5001	Units 6
	Course name Strategy Concepts	Course code BUSI6042	Units 6
	Course name People, Leadership and Organisational Performance	Course code HRES5002	Units 6
Semester 2
	Course name Applied Challenge	Course code BUSI5900	Units 6
	Course name Talent Acquisition and Development	Course code HRES5003	Units 6
	Course name People Analytics	Course code HRES5005	Units 6
	Course name Elective	Course code -	Units 6

Career outcomes

Prepare for a career in a range of senior roles within human resource management and beyond. Interested in an exciting career as a global human resource technology specialist, leveraging technology to streamline processes? Want to work as an employee relations manager, managing workplace dynamics with people of diverse backgrounds? Explore these opportunities and more as an IMBA graduate.

You’ll also be well-suited for a career in the following areas:

Management Consulting
Management or leadership roles in business, not-for-profits and government
Board directorship
Entrepreneurship.

Industry trends

In a global business environment, it’s crucial our leaders can transition companies to meet technological, environmental, and social expectations of modern consumers. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report, these are the skills expected to drive job growth in the next five years. As an IMBA graduate, you’ll be ready to manage business disruptions – making you an appealing choice in today’s employment market.

Ready to apply?

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How to apply

Applications for international students are open now, to begin your studies in 2026.

Apply through one of the University’s official Education Agents, or via our International Application System.

Find an Education Agent

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may be required to apply through one of our Education Agents.

Find an education agent in your country

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Your study experience and support

Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.

You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.

Student services

We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:

Career advice and mentoring services
Personal counselling
LGBTQIA+ support
Academic support
Fees and finance help
Security services
Accommodation services
Common rooms
Prayer rooms.

You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.

Your campus

You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.

This degree is offered at the following campus(es)

Study hours

Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:

Case studies
Essays and assignments
Examinations
Group projects
Internships and placements
Practicals
Presentations
Reports and project documentations
Research projects
Workplace and classroom contributions.

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International Master of Business Administration specialising in Human Resource Management