Human Resource Management

A degree in Human Resource Management (HRM) prepares you to manage the most important asset of any organisation: its people. You will study how organisations recruit, develop, reward, and retain employees, alongside the legal frameworks that govern the employment relationship in Ireland. Modules cover areas such as employment law, organisational behaviour, learning and development, and industrial relations. A typical week combines lectures, case-study tutorials, and group projects exploring real workplace challenges. Most programmes include a structured work placement, often in a HR department within Irish industry, the public sector, or multinational firms based in Ireland. Many programmes are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), giving you a recognised professional qualification alongside your degree.

Entry to an Honours Bachelor degree in HRM typically requires the Leaving Certificate with a minimum of six subjects, including English at Ordinary level or above. Higher-level Mathematics, Business, and Accounting are useful supporting subjects, though not always mandatory. CAO points for HRM programmes at universities and technological universities are generally moderate to moderately high, reflecting consistent demand. If you do not meet the direct entry requirements, a relevant QQI Level 5 or Level 6 PLC award in Business, HR, or Administration can provide a progression route into Year 1 or Year 2 of a degree programme. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply through the mature-student entry route, and supports such as HEAR and DARE are available for eligible applicants.

Demand for HR professionals in Ireland remains strong, driven by the continued expansion of multinational firms, growth in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors, and increasing regulatory complexity around employment rights. Graduates with CIPD accreditation are particularly attractive to employers and can often command a salary premium. Entry-level HR roles in Ireland typically attract gross salaries in the range of €28,000 to €38,000, with experienced HR Business Partners and HR Managers earning between €55,000 and €80,000 or more. Career progression is generally clear, moving from HR Administrator or Officer roles through to senior HR leadership positions.