Business

Master of Human Resource

The Master of Human Resource is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in human resource management and development. The programme combines HR theory with management practice and strategic people management.

Core areas include human resource management theory, strategic HR management, employee relations, performance management, compensation management, training and development, HR research methods, and thesis or project. Students engage with both HR theory and practical management application.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Kibabii University, Kabarak University, and Murang'a University of Technology. Both public and private universities offer the programme over two academic years through full-time, part-time, evening, school-based, and weekend modes.

Students develop competencies in strategic HR management, employee relations, performance management, compensation design, training and development, HR analytics, and HR research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and thesis or project.

Kibabii University charges KES 157,750 in Year 1 and KES 100,500 in Year 2 (approximately KES 129,125/year). Kabarak University charges KES 65,000/semester (~KES 130,000/year). The University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 180,750/semester for tuition. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as HR managers, HR consultants, training and development managers, compensation and benefits managers, employee relations officers, and lecturers in human resource management.

Skills Required

Strategic Human Resource Management
Employee Relations and Conflict Resolution
Performance Management Systems
Compensation and Benefits Design
Training and Development Planning
HR Analytics and Metrics
Recruitment and Selection Strategy
HR Research Methods
Organisational Behaviour and Development
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Human Resource Management Theory
Strategic HR Management
Employee Relations
Performance Management
Compensation Management
Training and Development
HR Analytics
Organisational Behaviour
HR Research Methods
Thesis or Project

Certifications

IHRM Professional Certification
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

Specializations

Strategic HR Management

Focuses on aligning HR strategy with organisational strategy, covering strategic HR planning, HR's role in strategy formulation, and strategic HR metrics.

Employee Relations

Examines managing employee relations, covering employment law, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and workplace climate.

Training and Development

Covers designing and managing training and development programmes, covering training needs analysis, programme design, and evaluating training effectiveness.

Compensation Management

Focuses on designing and managing compensation systems, covering job evaluation, salary structuring, benefits administration, and total rewards.

HR Analytics

Examines using data and analytics in HR decision-making, covering HR metrics, workforce analytics, and data-driven HR strategy.

International HR Management

Covers managing human resources across borders, covering cross-cultural management, expatriate management, and global HR practices.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 152,550
Private, up to: Ksh 130,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Evening, Weekend, School-based
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Human Resource Management Theory
Strategic HR Management
Employee Relations
Performance Management
Compensation Management
Training and Development
HR Analytics
Organisational Behaviour
HR Research Methods
Thesis or Project

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Human Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines HR management foundations, HR's role in organisations, historical development, and contemporary HR issues.
Strategic Human Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers aligning HR strategy with organisational strategy, strategic HR planning, and HR's role in strategy formulation.
Organisational Behaviour and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines organisational behaviour theory, organisational culture, change management, and organisational development.
HR Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting HR research, preparing students for their thesis or project.
Employee Relations and Employment Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers employment law, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, employee engagement, and workplace climate.
Performance Management Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines designing and managing performance management systems, performance appraisal methods, and performance improvement.
Compensation and Benefits Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers job evaluation, salary structuring, benefits administration, total rewards, and compensation strategy.
Training and Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines training needs analysis, programme design, delivery methods, and evaluating training effectiveness.
HR Analytics and Metrics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers using data and analytics in HR decision-making, workforce analytics, HR metrics, and data-driven HR strategy.
International HR Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines managing human resources across borders, covering cross-cultural management, expatriate management, and global HR practices.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal or project plan, including design, literature review, methodology, and presentation.
Research Thesis or Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis or project on a human resource management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and practical application, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Strategic HR Management
Focuses on aligning HR strategy with organisational strategy, covering strategic HR planning, HR's role in strategy formulation, and strategic HR metrics.
Employee Relations
Examines managing employee relations, covering employment law, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and workplace climate.
Training and Development
Covers designing and managing training and development programmes, covering training needs analysis, programme design, and evaluating training effectiveness.
Compensation Management
Focuses on designing and managing compensation systems, covering job evaluation, salary structuring, benefits administration, and total rewards.
HR Analytics
Examines using data and analytics in HR decision-making, covering HR metrics, workforce analytics, and data-driven HR strategy.
International HR Management
Covers managing human resources across borders, covering cross-cultural management, expatriate management, and global HR practices.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Human Resource programme combines lectures, case studies, project work, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover HR theory, strategic management, employee relations, and HR analytics. HR theory sessions examine human resource management foundations, HR's role in organisations, and contemporary HR issues. Strategic HR sessions cover aligning HR strategy with organisational strategy, strategic HR planning, and HR metrics. Employee relations sessions examine employment law, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and workplace climate. Performance management sessions cover designing and managing performance management systems, performance appraisal, and performance improvement. Compensation sessions cover job evaluation, salary structuring, benefits administration, and total rewards. Training and development sessions cover training needs analysis, programme design, and evaluating training effectiveness. HR analytics sessions cover using data in HR decision-making, workforce analytics, and data-driven HR strategy. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis or project, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Case studies provide practical application of theory to real HR scenarios. Project work involves developing HR systems, policies, and strategies. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in HR management. Guest lectures from experienced HR practitioners provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis or project on a human resource management topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

HR is a critical function in all organisations, creating strong and consistent demand for qualified HR professionals.
Programme offered by multiple universities including both public and private, providing institutional choice and flexible study modes.
Kibabii University offers affordable fees (~KES 129,125/year) compared to other institutions.
Graduates are eligible for IHRM professional certification, enhancing professional credibility and career prospects.

Against it

UoN, Maseno, and MUT fee data not independently verified, limiting complete cost comparison.
Programme may overlap with MSc Human Resource Management and MBA HR concentration, causing confusion for prospective students.
HR can be a demanding profession dealing with complex people issues, requiring significant emotional intelligence and resilience.
Rapidly evolving HR technology and analytics require continuous self-learning beyond the programme curriculum.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public153k to 153k

153k at Kibabii University153k at Kibabii University

Private119k to 130k

119k at Mount Kenya University130k at Kabarak University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Kibabii 152,550/yr avg (KIBU PDF). MKU 59,550/sem (victormatara). Kabarak 65K/sem (Kabarak PDF).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. IHRM may provide professional development support for HR practitioners. SHRM and other international bodies may provide certification support. Some organisations may sponsor employees for HR postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
IHRM Professional Development
SHRM Certification Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
IHRM Professional Development
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Institute of Human Resource Management supports professional development and training for HR practitioners in Kenya.
SHRM Certification Support
GrantKsh 150,000
Society for Human Resource Management provides certification support and professional development grants for HR professionals globally.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require a Bachelor's degree with Upper Second Class Honours. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. JKUAT also accepts pass degree holders with a Higher National Diploma in HRM. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case study analysis, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering HR theory, strategic management, employee relations, performance management, and compensation.
Project and Case Study Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through HR system design exercises, policy development, case studies, and applying theory to real HR scenarios.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project on a human resource management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and practical application, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Kibabii University, and Murang'a University of Technology (public) and Kabarak University (private) offer Master's programmes in Human Resource Management. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate HR management training. Graduates are eligible for IHRM professional certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Kibabii University, and Murang'a University of Technology (public) and Kabarak University (private) offer Master's programmes in Human Resource Management. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate HR management training. Graduates are eligible for IHRM professional certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

HR Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages human resources in organisations, overseeing recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and HR strategy.
HR Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 700,000
Consults on HR matters, providing advisory services, HR system design, and support for organisations on HR issues.
Training and Development Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages training and development in organisations, overseeing training needs analysis, programme design, and delivery.
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Low demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages compensation and benefits in organisations, overseeing job evaluation, salary structuring, and benefits administration.
Employee Relations Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages employee relations in organisations, overseeing dispute resolution, employee engagement, and workplace climate.
HR Management Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches human resource management at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SAP SuccessFactors
SoftwarePrimary
Enterprise HR management software for managing recruitment, performance, compensation, learning, and employee data in large organisations.
Workday
Software
Cloud-based HR management system for managing human capital, payroll, talent, and workforce analytics.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for HR research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for HR analytics, payroll management, data analysis, and managing employee data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

HR is just about hiring and firing.
Modern HR management covers strategic planning, organisational development, employee engagement, analytics, and aligning people strategy with business strategy, far beyond hiring and firing.
You do not need a Master's for HR.
Senior HR roles increasingly require postgraduate qualifications as HR becomes more strategic and data-driven.
HR is a soft discipline with no analytics.
Modern HR involves significant analytics, metrics, data-driven decision-making, and evidence-based practice.
This programme is the same as an MBA with HR concentration.
This programme provides deeper, specialised HR knowledge while an MBA provides broader business management training.
HR is only for people-oriented personalities.
HR requires both people skills and analytical, strategic, and legal knowledge, making it suitable for diverse personality types.
HR has limited career prospects.
HR is a critical function in all organisations, with strong demand for qualified HR professionals in Kenya and globally.