This Master’s programme equips students to take on roles as HR specialists, HR professionals, or HR executives within internationally active companies, as well as positions at HR consulting firms and HR service providers. Its curriculum places a clear emphasis on international perspectives and strategic human resource management, preparing graduates to operate across borders and contribute to organisational decision‑making at a higher level.
The degree is also officially recognised in the public administration sector as a qualification that permits graduates to apply for posts in the senior civil service, making it a viable route for those interested in public as well as private sector HR careers.
Teaching is mainly delivered through interactive seminars in English, with small class sizes that encourage close interaction between students and academic staff. This format supports intensive, practice‑oriented work on case studies and lively, wide‑ranging discussions—ideal for students who want hands‑on learning, direct feedback from faculty, and opportunities to build professional networks.
This Master’s curriculum is structured into three consecutive parts designed to deepen HR expertise and prepare you for professional practice or research. The first two semesters each combine core foundational courses with HR specialisation modules (30 ECTS each). In semester one you broaden your management and HR knowledge and begin focusing on specialist topics; semester two builds on that foundation with further specialised coursework aimed at the practical and strategic challenges of an HR career in international business and consulting.
Alongside taught modules, a personal development component runs through the first two semesters to strengthen individual competencies such as professional communication, self-management, and career-readiness—skills that support roles in HR and consulting. The programme emphasizes applied learning and the progressive development of specialist HR capabilities so you exit with both theoretical understanding and practical tools for the workplace.
If you do not take an extra internship semester, the third semester is dedicated to completing a Master’s thesis (30 ECTS). That semester includes a research methodology seminar to support independent project work and concludes with submission of the thesis and an oral defence. Completing the thesis demonstrates your ability to carry out rigorous, practice-relevant research and to translate HR theory into solutions for real organisational challenges. Total workload for the degree is 90 ECTS.
Requirements and key facts
Key learning outcomes
Admission requirements
This master's programme is aimed at applicants who hold an undergraduate degree with a solid business focus and who have taken foundational courses in human resource-related topics. The programme expects candidates to already have exposure to HRM, organisational behaviour/design and labour law at the bachelor level. If your prior degree falls short of the usual European credit load, there is a defined route to make up missing credits during your studies.
All application materials and proof of language ability should be submitted in English. International applicants should ensure their academic transcripts clearly show ECTS credits or an officially recognised equivalent; if you have 180 ECTS instead of 210, you must plan to acquire the extra 30 credits (for example, by completing an integrated internship after the first two semesters and before the end of the programme). Some applicants may also be asked to demonstrate work experience or provide a competitive GMAT score.
Required documents and qualifications
Additional, where applicable
Winter Semester (International)
15 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 June 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles as HR specialists, HR professionals and HR executives in internationally active companies, as well as positions in HR consulting firms and human resources service providers. The programme's strategic and international orientation equips students to handle cross-border HR challenges, organisational change and talent management in multinational settings.
Because the Master's is recognised for senior civil service applications in Germany, graduates may also pursue leadership roles within public administration. The combination of applied case work, personal development and specialised coursework makes alumni competitive for operational HR roles, strategic HR business partner positions and HR consultancy careers.
HWR Berlin (Berlin School of Economics and Law) — Berlin
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts — Dortmund
Furtwangen University — Villingen-Schwenningen
Harz University of Applied Sciences — Wernigerode