International Human Resource Management course overview

Learning through doing is the best approach and you’ll get straight down to business with practical assignments being set throughout the programme, starting in year 1. In the first half of the first year, you explore the field of international human resources as you start your journey towards becoming a global human resource expert. 

Module 1: Exploring International HRM 

The module Exploring International HRM focuses on understanding human behaviour in business from a theoretical and practical point of view. The module provides insights into how global organisations create optimal conditions for their staff in order to achieve the company’s strategic goals. You learn to apply concepts and theory from industrial and organisational psychology, human resources management and business ethics and law to practical cases, whilst also strengthening your professional and personal skills and development. 

Module 2: Innovation in a global HR environment 

The Innovation in a global HR environment module focuses on global HR trends and developments such as how the work place is being greatly affected by changes in technology and the global economy, by increasing competition for human talent, and by employee mental well-being. You will learn what it takes to be an innovative and enterprising HR professional and how this can contribute to solving the HRM challenges of today’s companies. 

Module 3: Organisational Analysis and performance

You work on real cases and learn how the solutions you create can add value to the business and people working in organisations, including financially. You learn to understand and apply business models and how they relate to customers and employees within an organisation. 

Module 4: Value creation in organisations

As an HR professional you will ultimately design solutions for practical HR assignments that add value from the perspective of the employees and the business.

Subjects:

• Industrial & Organisational Psychology
•  Human Resources Management
• Business Ethics and (International) Law
• Academic and Professional Skills
• Organization & Management
• Innovation in a Global HR Environment
• Personal development
• Business models 
• Employment law
• Finance in an HR environment
• Business Game

Study load: 20 contact hours, 15 self study hours | 60 ECTS per year

Module 1: Challenges in international HRM

These include diversity, inclusion and belonging, global labour trends and developments, and people analytics. 

Module 2: Talent Management in international HRM 

Examine the use of data within recruitment and talent management and explore how insights from psychology can be applied.

Semester 2: Internship 

In the second half year of year 2, you will gain your first practical and professional experience, spending 5 months as an HR intern in an international company, working alongside experienced HR staff. Ties remain close with the study programme as you continue to follow classes one day a week online. The classes focus mainly on your further professional development drawing on your experiences during your internship. 

Subjects:

• Global Labour market
• Diversity, Inclusion & Equity
• Talent Management 
• Change Management
• Social Psychology
• Corporate Law and Compliance
• Research and Data Analysis

Study load: 20 contact hours, 15 self study hours | 60 ECTS per year

Semester 1: Minor subject (study abroad)

Semester 2: Human Talent

The second half of year 3 will be back on-site in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, again and includes our major subject: Human Talent. This is the final preparation for your graduation phase in year 4. The Human Talent major brings company strategy and HR strategy together and enables you to explore in depth how HR creates added value within an organisation, and how an innovative and modern HR approach is key to the success of the organisation and staffs’ well-being. 

Subjects:

• Strategic HRM
• HR value creation in organisations
• Leadership
• Preparation for final internship and graduation 

Study load: 20 contact hours, 15 self study hours | 60 ECTS per year

Internship & graduation

You start your fourth year with an internship in an international company, which smoothly transitions about halfway along into your graduation phase. The graduation phase includes writing your thesis in which you research and design an HR solution that is useful for the company.  Lecturers and experienced researchers coach you through the process so that it truly is your master piece that proves you are now launching your careers as a capable HR professional. And if you’ve long dreamt of having your own business, you could consider doing your internship in your own start-up. The Center for Entrepreneurship at NHL Stenden can advise you on how to do this. 

60 ECTS per year