People. Performance. Possibility. Behind every thriving business is a team of people making it all work and behind them is HR. Human Resources is where strategy meets empathy, where people are more than job titles, and where workplace culture is crafted, not left to chance.
HR isn’t just about hiring or paperwork, it’s about shaping meaningful work experiences, supporting growth, and helping people and organisations succeed together. Whether it’s designing fair policies, leading training programmes, or managing conflict with care, HR professionals are the connectors who keep teams aligned and thriving.
At Emeris, the human resource programmes blend the best of psychology, law, business, and communication. You’ll learn how to read a room and a spreadsheet, gaining the tools to build teams, boost performance, and lead with emotional intelligence in a fast-changing world of work.
HR is the department responsible for managing the full lifecycle of employees within an organisation. From hiring and onboarding, to performance reviews, professional development, and employee engagement, HR plays a vital role in shaping how people experience work.
HR also ensures compliance with labour laws, manages benefits and compensation, and supports a company’s culture and values.
On any given day, HR professionals might:
This makes HR both an operational and strategic function, ideal for those who want to make a real difference in how organisations thrive.
A qualification in HR introduces you to key areas like:
You’ll explore how businesses manage talent, resolve workplace challenges, and align people strategy with company goals.
The IIE Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practice is a foundational programme ideal for students who want to gain practical business and HR knowledge. It covers:
The certificate can lead directly into entry-level HR roles or serve as a stepping-stone to a full diploma or degree.
The IIE Higher Certificate in Legal Studies is a programme ideal for students interested in the compliance and policy aspects of HR. With a focus on South African law and legal reasoning, it’s well-suited for future HR coordinators and compliance officers.
Need help applying? Speak to a Student Advisor today!
Choose the programme that matches your goals. All include practical experience and industry exposure.
Duration: 2 years part-time
Higher Certificate
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 120
Faculty: Faculty of Commerce
Duration: 2 years part-time
Higher Certificate
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 120
Faculty: Faculty of Commerce
Duration: 1 year full-time
Higher Certificate
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 120
Faculty: Faculty of Commerce
Duration: 1 year full-time / 2 years part-time
Higher Certificate
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 120
Faculty: Faculty of Law
Duration: 1 year full-time
Higher Certificate
NQF Level: 5
Credits: 120
Faculty: Faculty of Law
Career opportunities for HR graduates include:
With experience and further study, you could move into:
Human Resources is a cross-industry discipline. HR professionals work in:
Today’s HR roles increasingly involve digital transformation, DEI strategy, and remote workforce management, keeping the field fresh and future-ready.
Your journey into Human Resources starts here:
To succeed in HR, you’ll need to combine emotional intelligence with business savvy. Core skills include:
HR (Human Resources) involves managing people and culture within organisations - including hiring, development, compliance, wellbeing and more.
They lead strategic planning, supervise hiring and training, resolve employee issues, and help align people strategies with business goals.
Yes, a Higher Certificate can open doors to entry-level HR roles such as HR assistant or administrator.
You can work in recruitment, learning and development, payroll, employee engagement, or strategic HR - across multiple industries.
Yes, Emeris offers flexible study options that support working professionals and adult learners.
An educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education
Formed by the strategic evolution of The IIE's Varsity College, IIE MSA, Vega and
the School of Hospitality and Service Management, uniting under the Emeris name.
Emeris is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd which is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (reg. no. 2007/HE07/002). Company registration number: 1987/004754/07. View certificate here.
Back
