PhD in Human Resources or Doctorate in Human Resources is a course that focuses on workforce management, policy development and organisational behaviour. This degree will prepare you for managing various aspects of HR, from labour laws to strategic HR practices and more. If you aspire to build your career in this field, PhD in HR can propel you towards success.
Key highlights:
- PhD in Human Resources: Overview
- Some Interesting Topics in PhD in HR Management
- Why Should You Pursue PhD in Human Resources
- Popular Universities Offering a PhD in Human Resource Management
- Eligibility Criteria to Pursue Doctorate in HR
PhD in Human Resources: Overview
A Doctorate in HR can be a 3-6 year course, depending on the university. PhD in HR is a rigorous coursework that will officially introduce you to statistical analysis, political & social science, research in the HR domain, people strategy, and business strategy. You will be required to work on a dissertation or a project related to your chosen research area.
Some Interesting Topics in PhD in HR Management
- Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Advanced Quantitative Analysis for Research in Management
- Research Paper in Management
- Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources

Also Read: Top Colleges for PhD
Why Should You Pursue PhD in Human Resources
- Learn HR-Specific Skills
PhD will impart the expert knowledge required to manage HR functions in companies. You will learn about conventional and unconventional approaches to designing innovative strategies required to enhance organisational productivity and efficiency.
- Opens Doors to Lucrative Career
When you pursue a doctorate in Human Resources, a plethora of job opportunities will be available in your home country as well as abroad. Some career avenues you can explore include human resource manager, HR business partner, HR consultant, HR director, recruitment manager, chief human resources manager, professor, and lecturer.
- Going Digital
As we have stepped into Industry 4.0, the world has embraced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Automation, and more. These dynamics impact HR practices, too, and create a need for research on how we can utilise these tools and techniques in the HR domain to have a lasting effect on organisational cultures. With a PhD in Human Resource Management, you can explore these aspects through your research project.
Also Read: Your Guide to Pursuing a PhD in Political Science Abroad
Popular Universities Offering a PhD in Human Resource Management
Name of the universities | Study destinations |
---|---|
Michigan State University | The US |
University of North Texas | The US |
Cornell University | The US |
The University of Wisconsin | The US |
University of Lincoln | The UK |
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | The UK |
Loughborough University | The UK |
University of Kent | The UK |
The University of Warwick | The UK |
University of Hull | The UK |
The University of Lethbridge | Canada |
University of Toronto | Canada |
McMaster University | Canada |
Telfer School of Management | Canada |
The Australian National University | Australia |
Griffith University | Australia |
Massey University | New Zealand |
University of Waikato | New Zealand |
Universitas Airlangga | Indonesia |
Singapore Management University | Singapore |
Eligibility Criteria to Pursue Doctorate in HR
- Universities offering PhD in Human Resource Management require students to complete their master’s degree in relevant fields. Most universities will require a GPA of 3.0 and above.
- You also need to take entrance exams such as Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
- If you study abroad, you will have to appear for English proficiency exams such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- Although work experience is not mandatory, it will earn you some brownie points when you apply to well-ranked universities.
So, you can venture into the world of HR by gaining expertise after pursuing PhD in HR Management. Don’t let the financial constraints hold you back. You can opt for education loans for studying abroad purposes to turn your dreams into reality.
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