Our Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Industrial Relations and Personnel Management course is designed for students who want to understand how organisations manage people, resolve workplace conflicts, and maintain healthy employer–employee relationships.
If you are interested in human resources, labour relations, and organisational leadership, this programme equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to succeed in these areas.
Course Overview
The B.Sc. Industrial Relations and Personnel Management programme runs for four years (or three years for Direct Entry students). It blends theory with practice, preparing you to manage the human side of organisations effectively.
You will study areas such as human resource management, industrial relations, organisational behaviour, labour law, conflict resolution, and strategic personnel management. The course also introduces you to wider business disciplines like economics, management, and accounting, giving you a strong foundation to understand the dynamics of organisations.
By the end of the programme, you will be ready to work as a human resource professional, industrial relations officer, or consultant in both public and private sectors. You will also have the academic grounding to pursue postgraduate study or professional qualifications in human resources and management.
Course Curriculum
The curriculum follows the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) of the National Universities Commission (NUC). It balances general education, specialised courses in human resources and industrial relations, and workplace training through the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
You will be introduced to basic concepts in management, social sciences, and general studies:
- Introduction to Business
- Principles of Management
- Principles of Economics
- Communication in English
- Nigerian Peoples and Culture
- Business Mathematics
At this stage, you begin focusing on human resources and industrial relations:
- Human Resource Management
- Introduction to Industrial Relations
- Business Statistics
- Labour Economics
- Business Law
- Sociology of Work
You will deepen your understanding of workplace systems and employee relations:
- Organisational Behaviour
- Conflict Management and Resolution
- Labour Law
- Comparative Industrial Relations
- Research Methods in Social Sciences
- Performance Management
In your final year, you will build advanced knowledge and apply your skills in practice:
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Collective Bargaining and Negotiation
- Industrial Sociology
- Employment Relations and Labour Market Analysis
- Ethics in Human Resource Practice
- Research Project in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management
Alongside coursework, you will complete the SIWES, which places you in organisations where you gain first-hand experience in personnel management and industrial relations.
Entry Requirements
Admission into the B.Sc. Industrial Relations and Personnel Management programme can be through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry:
1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme):
- You must have at least five credit passes in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) or its equivalent at not more than two sittings. These must include English Language, Mathematics, Economics, and two other relevant subjects such as Government, Commerce, or Geography.
- You must sit for the UTME with the correct subject combination: English Language, Mathematics, Economics, and one other relevant subject.
- You must also pass the Post-UTME screening exercise.
2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme):
- You may be admitted into 200 Level if you have passes at the GCE Advanced Level (A-Level) or its equivalent in at least two subjects such as Economics, Government, or Business Management.
- Holders of National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), or recognised professional qualifications in relevant fields may also be considered, provided they meet the O’Level requirements.
Why study at OOU?
Our Industrial Relations and Personnel Management course is unique because it trains you to handle one of the most important aspects of any organisation: people. You will learn how to manage human resources effectively, resolve workplace disputes, and design fair employment systems that balance the interests of employers and employees.
You will be taught by experienced lecturers who combine academic expertise with practical knowledge of labour relations and human resource management. Through the SIWES, you will gain workplace experience in real organisations, applying your classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
By studying this course, you will acquire critical skills in communication, negotiation, leadership, and problem-solving. These are highly transferable skills that will make you valuable in any organisation, whether in Nigeria or internationally.
Research Project
In your final year, you will undertake a supervised research project on a topic in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management. This is your opportunity to explore issues such as trade unionism, conflict resolution, workplace motivation, employment law, or collective bargaining.
The project develops your ability to carry out independent research, analyse data, and present findings in a clear and professional manner. It also allows you to focus on areas of personal or career interest and to demonstrate your ability to apply theory to practice in solving real organisational challenges.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, you must:
- Successfully complete at least four academic sessions (or three for Direct Entry students).
- Pass all compulsory and elective courses as prescribed in the curriculum.
- Earn the minimum credit units required, which include general studies, core courses in personnel management and industrial relations, electives, and the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
- Complete and successfully defend a supervised final year research project.
- Maintain good conduct and comply with University rules and regulations.
Your graduation honours will be determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), which places you in First Class, Second Class (Upper or Lower), or Third Class divisions.
Career Opportunities
A degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management prepares you for exciting roles in both the public and private sectors. You can pursue careers as a:
- Human Resource Manager
- Industrial Relations Officer
- Training and Development Specialist
- Labour Relations Consultant
- Compensation and Benefits Analyst
- Organisational Development Officer
- Employment Relations Adviser
- Mediator or Conflict Resolution Specialist
Your skills will also be valuable in trade unions, international organisations, consultancy firms, and government agencies. Beyond employment, the course gives you the foundation to pursue professional certifications such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and further studies in human resources, management, or industrial relations.
How to Apply?
1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme):
- Register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
- Choose Industrial Relations and Personnel Management as your preferred course of study and select the University as your first choice.
- Sit for the UTME with the correct subject combination: English Language, Mathematics, Economics, and one other relevant subject.
- Apply for and pass the Post-UTME screening exercise.
2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme):
- Apply through JAMB Direct Entry, selecting Industrial Relations and Personnel Management.
- Submit relevant A-Level passes, National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), or professional qualifications.
- Participate in the University’s screening exercise and upload all required documents.
Course Coordinator
The Industrial Relations and Personnel Management programme is overseen by senior academic staff in the Department of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, Faculty of Administration and Management Sciences.
The current programme coordinator is:
Dr [Full Name]
Contact Information:
- Email:
- Phone:
- Office:
Course Overview
- Next Admission Process
- Current Academic Year
- Associated programmes = Undergraduate
- Course Duration = 4 Years
- Degree = Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- Faculty = Administration and Management Sciences (AMS)
- Course Type = Full Time
- Course Delivery = On campus
- Location = Faculty of Administration and Management Sciences, Main Campus
- Scholarship opportunities