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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Human Resource Management (part-time)
Header image Human Resource Management
Master - part-time

Human Resource Management

Study Human Resource Management part-time in Groningen and advance your career.


Part-time | 2 years | €1984 per year | On location, in Groningen | Classes on Wednesday | Start in September or February

On March 18 we will host an information session for this programme in Groningen. You can register for the event here.

The two-year part-time programme is uniquely designed for professionals who want to combine work and study, gain in-depth expertise, and make an immediate impact in their organizations.

In Groningen, you gain in-depth knowledge in topics such as leadership and consulting , team management, HR analytics in personnel management, labour law, and employee well-being.

You will join a fully accredited programme (1% of business schools worldwide with both EQUIS and AACSB accreditations), taught by renowned professors and practitioners, ensuring a rigorous academic experience rooted in both theory and practice.

✔ Small-scale, diverse programme
✔ Integrates the latest academic insights with real-world business practices
✔ Option to focus on your own company in assignments and thesis projects

Join us and take the next step in your career without pausing it!

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Human Resource Management
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (60 EC)
Croho code
60645
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Economics and Business
Apply now

March 18, 2026 – Explore the ​part-​time MSc HRM at the University of Groningen

Join us for an inspiring afternoon at the University of Groningen and discover how our part-time MSc in Human Resource Management can empower your career. The event is tailored to HR professionals, organizational developers, coaches, and leaders who want to deepen their expertise in sustainable employability, leadership, and modern HR challenges. Learn more about the program and our expert speakers, and register now!

Event details:
Date: March 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Nettelbosje 2, Groningen (Duisenberg Building, University of Groningen)
Cost: Free

Why study this programme in Groningen?

  • Top quality and accessible education
    This programme is specifically structured to support professionals like you—ambitious individuals who want to advance their careers without stepping back from their current roles. Classes are only one day a week – on Wednesday!
  • Prepare for leadership in HR
    In Groningen, you will develop the skills, knowledge, and network to excel in strategic HR roles—whether in global organizations, public institutions, or emerging fields. Master the tools and skills needed to formulate evidence-based answers and drive data-informed decisions.
  • Driven by commitment to lifelong learning
    We designed this programme to support career growth without unnecessary financial barriers, aligning with our mission to foster education, innovation, and leadership in the region and beyond. You won't just study theory—you will learn how to apply it to real organizational challenges. Gain a deep, practical understanding of HR through diverse case studies.
  • Leading HR transformation
    If you are passionate about responsible HR practices and how to use analytics, Groningen is the place to be. Our programme equips you with the tools to implement data-driven strategies that create positive, lasting impact in workplaces worldwide.

Programme

When can you start the programme?
You can start twice a year—in September or February. While the programme content remains consistent across both intakes, the sequence and scheduling of courses will vary depending on your chosen start date.

Contact hours and study commitment
All contact hours—including lectures, tutorials, workgroups, and workshops—are scheduled on Wednesdays . You can expect a full teaching day from 09:00 to 18:00 . Occasionally, you may be required to attend a session on a different day, such as when completing exams.

In addition to contact hours, you should allocate time for lecture preparation and assignment completion. This self-study workload is separate from scheduled teaching hours. We recommend reserving approximately 16 hours per week , on average, for independent study.

Schedule September intake
The regular academic year begins in September and ends in August of the following year. If you start in September, you will follow a two-year trajectory, spanning two complete academic years. You will complete one or two course units during each 8-week half semester. Please refer to the table below for the complete course schedule.

Schedule February intake
The February intake group will start in the second half of the academic year. Hence, you will jump in at Semester 2a. This means that the two-year programme is spread over three academic years, in which you will receive 15ECTS of teaching in Semester 2 of academic year 1, 30ECTS of teaching in Semester 1 & 2 of academic year 2, and 15ECTS of teaching in Semester 1 of academic year 3. Please refer to the table below for the complete course schedule.

The order of the courses is different when you start in February. You will start the 1st year with Evidence Based Staffing, Stress, Health and Sustainable Working Life and HRM & Nederlands arbeidsrecht OR HRM & International Labour Law. In the 2nd year, you will follow these courses:Professional Skills for HRM, Advanced Organizational Behavior, HR Analytics, Master's thesis. In the 3rd year - semester 1a and 1b, you finish with Strategic HRM, Leadership.



Semesters
Courses1a1b2a2b
Advanced Organizational Behavior (5 EC)
Professional Skills for HRM (5 EC)
HR analytics (5 EC)
Evidence Based Staffing (5 EC)
Stress, Health and Sustainable Working Life (5 EC)
HRM & Nederlands arbeidsrecht / HRM & International Labour Law (5 EC)
When can you start the programme?
You can start twice a year—in September or February. While the programme content remains consistent across both intakes, the sequence and scheduling of courses will vary depending on your chosen start date.

Contact hours and study commitment
All contact hours—including lectures, tutorials, workgroups, and workshops—are scheduled on Wednesdays. You can expect a full teaching day from 09:00 to 18:00. Occasionally, you may be required to attend a session on a different day, such as when completing exams.

In addition to contact hours, you should allocate time for lecture preparation and assignment completion. This self-study workload is separate from scheduled teaching hours. We recommend reserving approximately 16 hours per week on average for independent study.

Schedule September intake
The regular academic year begins in September and ends in August of the following year. If you start in September, you will follow a two-year trajectory, spanning two complete academic years. You will complete one or two course units during each 8-week half semester. Please refer to the table below for the complete course schedule.

Schedule February intake
The February intake group will start in the second half of the academic year. Hence, you will jump in at Semester 2a. This means that the two-year programme is spread over three academic years, in which you will receive 15ECTS of teaching in Semester 2 of academic year 1, 30ECTS of teaching in Semester 1 & 2 of academic year 2, and 15ECTS of teaching in Semester 1 of academic year 3. Please refer to the table below for the complete course schedule.

The order of the courses is different when you start in February. You will start the 1st year with Evidence Based Staffing, Stress, Health and Sustainable Working Life and HRM & Nederlands arbeidsrecht OR HRM & International Labour Law. In the 2nd year, you will follow these courses:Professional Skills for HRM, Advanced Organizational Behavior, HR Analytics, Master's thesis. In the 3rd year - semester 1a and 1b, you finish with Strategic HRM, Leadership.
Semesters
Courses1a1b2a2b
Strategic HRM (5 EC)
Leadership (5 EC)
Master's thesis (20 EC)

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The entry requirements for the MSc Human Resource Management – Part-Time programme are the same as those for the full-time variant (see requirements: https://www.rug.nl/masters/human-resource-management/#!requirements). The following criteria apply:

  • If you hold a degree from a Research University (WO) in Management, Business Administration, or another field closely related to HRM, you can typically start the MSc HRM – Part-Time programme directly. In this case, the Admissions Office will assess whether you meet the entry requirements for direct admission.
  • If you hold a bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO) or a degree from a Research University (WO) in a field unrelated to HRM, you may need to complete the HRM Pre-Master's programme. Each application is reviewed individually by the Admissions Board. Currently, we offer a full-time HRM Pre-Master's programme of 30 EC or 45 EC. A 30 EC part-time HRM Pre-Master's programme has been developed.

We invite you to contact the programme director, Dr. Thom de Vries, who can assist you in assessing whether your background meets the admission requirements and guide you through the application process: https://www.rug.nl/staff/thom.de.vries/

Registration procedure

You can make an application on the Studielink platform. Please make sure that you select the Part-time variant when you apply. For any questions about the registration, you can contact us at prospectives.feb rug.nl .

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 October 202601 February 2027
01 May 202701 September 2027
15 October 202701 February 2028
EU/EEA students15 October 202601 February 2027
01 May 202701 September 2027
15 October 202701 February 2028
non-EU/EEA students15 October 202601 February 2027
01 May 202701 September 2027
15 October 202701 February 2028

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

The entry requirements for the MSc Human Resource Management – Part-Time programme are the same as those for the full-time variant (see requirements: https://www.rug.nl/masters/human-resource-management/#!requirements). The following criteria apply:

  • If you have obtained a degree from a research university in Management, Business Administration, or another field closely related to HRM, you may be able to start the MSc HRM – Part-Time programme directly. In this case, the Admissions office will assess whether you meet the entry requirements for direct admission.
  • If you cannot be admitted directly to the programme, you might be offered the possibility of following a Pre-Master's programme first. This could be the case when you have a degree from a research university in a field unrelated to HRM or a degree from a University of Applied Sciences abroad. Currently, we offer a full-time HRM Pre-Master's programme of 45 EC. A 30 EC part-time HRM Pre-Master's programme has been developed.

We invite you to contact the programme director, Dr. Thom de Vries, who can assist you in assessing whether your background meets the admission requirements and guide you through the application process: https://www.rug.nl/staff/thom.de.vries/.
language test

For the English tests and scores we accept, please check: https://www.rug.nl/feb/msc-english-requirements.

Registration procedure

You can make an application on the Studielink platform. Please make sure that you select the Part-time variant when you apply. For any questions about the registration, you can contact us at prospectives.feb rug.nl.

If you are a student from outside the European Union, please note that you are generally not eligible to enroll in part-time degree programmes. The Dutch immigration regulations require a residence permit for study purposes, which is only granted for full-time programmes. If you believe you qualify for an exception, please contact our Student Information and Administration office for further clarification.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 October 202601 February 2027
01 May 202701 September 2027
15 October 202701 February 2028
EU/EEA students15 October 202601 February 2027
01 May 202701 September 2027
15 October 202701 February 2028
non-EU/EEA students15 October 202601 February 2027
01 May 202701 September 2027
15 October 202701 February 2028

Tuition fees

NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2026-2027€ 1984part-time
EU/EEA2027-2028€ 2039part-time

Practical information for:

Dutch studentsInternational students

After your studies

Earning your degree at the University of Groningen means you studied at top 100 business schools in the world, part of the top 1% of business schools globally accredited by AACSB and EQUIS. This programme does not just open doors; it accelerates your career by connecting you with opportunities to expand your business network and gain a competitive edge.

With this degree, you will be prepared for dynamic HR roles, such as:
  • Talent acquisition consultant
  • HR analytics manager
  • Learning and talent advisor
  • HR manager
  • HR analyst
  • IT recruitment consultant
  • HR account advisor
  • Manager talent management and digitisation HR<
  • Senior career consultant

Research

In Groningen, research is deeply connected to business practice, economics, and society. Some key areas of research you might explore as a student are:

  • How different leadership styles—like servant leadership or power-driven behavior—impact employee trust, motivation, and well-being.
  • What makes some teams more creative, collaborative, and successful than others in dynamic work environments.
  • Study how new employees adjust to unfamiliar roles and teams, and what helps them feel confident and connected.
  • Does working alongside AI tools like Cobots change team dynamics, trust, and overall performance.
  • What managers get wrong about sustainability and how their beliefs shape organizational strategy and reputation.
  • How perceptions of politics in the workplace influence decision-making, culture, and employee trust.
  • How people's assumptions about how others see them—especially around identity—shape inclusion, teamwork, and psychological safety.
The MSc Human Resource Management is linked to the research department of Organizational Behaviour. Members of this department perform research in the areas of creativity, innovation, teams, diversity, leadership, ethics, compliance, and health and how they interact with workers and firms.
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