Masters degrees in Organisational Psychology involve advance study of human behaviour in commercial and industrial settings.
Related postgraduate specialisms include Work Psychology, Occupational Psychology and Organisational Psychiatry & Psychology. Entry requirements normally include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Business Studies, Social Science or Psychology.
If you choose to specialise in organisational psychology, you'll be focusing on organisational and personnel (human resources/employee) psychology. Organisational psychologists are experts in aiding organisational effectiveness by improving the well-being of their employees. During your MAppPsy(Org), you'll learn how to carry out applied organisational research. This research relates to areas like job or competency analyses and surveys. You'll learn how to evaluate organisational and human resource (personnel) interventions.
Throughout your studies, you'll become familiar with how organisational psychology initiatives relate to an organisation's wider goals. You'll develop your ability to analyse and to carry out library research effectively. You'll refine your skills in presenting proposals and reports, both in writing and orally.
At Waikato, you'll have the opportunity to gain practical experience during your studies. You'll undertake projects in different organisations and you'll be able to join a professional network site called IO-net.
Waikato MAppPsy(Org) students learn from experts in the field of organisational psychology – Professor Michael O’Driscoll and Dr Maree Roche.
Students in the MAppPsy(Org) must pass the equivalent of 240 points, including a 90-point thesis in their second year.
The remaining points come from the compulsory taught papers in Organisational Psychology and from other elective papers chosen in consultation with the Convenor of the Organisational Psychology programme.
Up to 120 points of the MAppPsy(Org) may be waived for students who have already completed four-year degrees (for example, an honours degree or other four-year undergraduate degree) provided that:
No required papers are waived, unless the student has already taken these papers (or equivalent papers) in their fourth year of study, and at least 195 of the 240 points must have been in psychology papers.
Core Papers
Elective courses are typically a selection from the areas of Psychology, Labour Studies, Human Resource Management or Strategic Management.
Where might your MAppPsy(Org) take you? Organisational psychologists work in staff selection and performance evaluation. They work in training, motivation and work attitudes. You might also use your skills to help with occupational stress and burnout. Organisations may employ you to work with leadership, organisational culture and organisation development strategies.
Industrial/Organisational and Business Psychology deals with human capital issues and is instrumental in helping businesses become more effective and profitable, as well as improving employees' wellbeing and performance. This brand new MSc will prepare students for academic research and professional practice in this field.
Our students will be exposed to the latest psychological tools and interventions currently used in business and other applied fields. Some of the key areas that we will be covering are: talent management, consultancy skills, and business seminars. In the latter, students will follow a series of talks from professionals in the area, which provide a great opportunity to explore the latest techniques as well as network with like-minded professionals in the area.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of six core modules (90 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Students choose two of the following:
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a substantial dissertation.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, case studies, practical experiments and statistical and computational work. Assessment is through examinations, essays, group projects, dissertation and oral examination.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Industrial/Organisational and Business Psychology MSc
After the successful completion of the programme our students are eligible to apply for a number of consultancy roles. One of the most popular routes has been management consulting, where graduates are currently enjoying successful careers. In addition, a number of our applicants have found positions as HR professionals within established as well as boutique firms in the UK and internationally. Finally, given the diverse and well-rounded training, some graduates have entered the word of marketing and communications where they apply the theories they have learnt to communicate with other companies and consumers more effectively.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
UCL's Industrial Organisational and Business Psychology group includes luminaries from the talent management and consumer psychology industries, as well as illustrious academics. In addition, our programme features speakers from Google, RBS, Havas Worldwide, Dunnhumby, Sainsbury's, Quantcast and many more.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
One of the key principles that govern this programme is our focus on preparing practitioners utilising the latest theories in the area of organisational and business psychology. This unique focus drives our teaching methodology (applied workshops and training courses) and pedagogical focus (experiential learning).
Our cohort of students comes from a very diverse background and we make sure that we create an environment in which everyone can learn from one another. The modules, created by experts in their fields, have been designed to deepen students' understanding as well as prepare them for successful careers in the area of industrial organisation and business psychology.
A number of the tutors hosting our business seminars are among the leading professionals in the area of business psychology. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to be exposed to the latest thinking, and to network and develop projects.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Division of Psychology & Language Sciences
83% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The MSc in Occupational and Organizational Psychology is designed to develop the next generation of evidence-based leaders and practitioners who can make tangible contributions to the rapidly changing world of work.
Our programme covers the standards of the BPS for Occupational Psychology, and prominently reflects the core strengths and interests of the course team including:
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
The MSc in Occupational and Organizational Psychology is designed to develop the next generation of evidence-based leaders and practitioners in the field of work and organisational psychology. Students learn about the foundation knowledge, research and theory in the field, alongside practical, technical and professional content designed to permit development as future practitioners.
The programme is intentionally delivered in an interdisciplinary environment, from faculty who are Work, Organizational and Occupational Psychologists, Human Resource Specialists, and world-leading experts in Organizational Behaviour.
Learning and development is facilitated through innovative, high-quality teaching incorporating (for example) case studies, team-working, skills development, guest speakers, and an applied research project, alongside class lectures and academic assignments and assessment.
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding
Critical, evidence based and theoretical understanding of the core knowledge areas of occupational and organizational psychology:
Intellectual / cognitive skills
Professional practical skills
Key / transferable skills
A range of generic skills relevant to practice of occupational and organisational psychology. These include effective oral and written communication, team working, planning and organizing, problem-solving, critical reasoning, data gathering and analysis (qualitative and quantitative), and use of specialist IT (e.g. SPSS).
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
Learn more about opportunities that might be available for this particular programme by using our student exchanges search tool.
Surrey Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
Our MSc Organisational Psychology course provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to apply psychological principles, theories and methods to work organisations. The course develops your understanding of psychology as well as equipping you with practical skills for working as a psychologist within organisations.
The course at Alliance Manchester Business School:
The course runs over one year (two years for part-time students) and comprises two taught semesters plus a research dissertation. The taught modules use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, group work, case studies and practical exercises, and are assessed using a range of techniques, including examinations, essays, applied coursework and presentations.
MSc Organisational Psychology course was re-accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for a further six years, with no conditions. We are only one of 20 schools in the UK to be accredited by the BPS to offer the Masters course that allows students to become a Chartered Occupational Psychologist.
Read Sheena Davidson's article discussing older workers in the workplace.
Assessment across the course units varies, and includes a combination of examinations, report, course work, practical assessments and presentations. A dissertation of around 15,000 words is normally undertaken.
The course provides psychology graduates who are intending to become Chartered Occupational Psychologists with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required by the Division of Occupational Psychology of the British Psychological Society (BPS), in the following seven required areas:
During the course you will be taking 180 credits in all. The eight taught modules during semester one and two total 120 credits which can be viewed in the list below.
Over the summer period, you will carry out your Research Dissertation, worth 60 credits. Examples of recent dissertation project topics include:
Please contact us for more information on the part-time two-year route.
The majority of graduates pursue the practical experience required to become Chartered Occupational Psychologists. This is usually carried out within consultancy firms or within specialist sections of large organisations. Graduates are employed as internal consultants in large commercial and industrial organisations, in HR departments, in the Police, the NHS and as management consultants. Recent recruiters include: Saville Consulting, Occupational Psychology Group, Civil Service and ORC International.
More details on our Careers Service.
Latest information on visa changes and opportunities in the UK for international students.
MSc Organisational Psychology course was re-accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for a further six years, with no conditions. We are only one of 20 schools in the UK to be accredited by the BPS to offer the Masters course that allows students to become a Chartered Occupational Psychologist.
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Our Organisational Psychiatry & Psychology course is unique in the UK and Europe. It draws on contemporary psychological, psychiatric and organisational theory to examine the causes, effects and consequences of mental ill health in the workplace and considers strategies and interventions to improve organisational and individual mental health. It leads to careers in HR, wellbeing, inclusion and diversity, health and safety and consultancy.
Our Organisational Psychiatry & Psychology course is one of the first of its kind in the UK and Europe and is designed for people who wish to gain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of psychology and psychiatry as applied to the workplace. Students include HR managers, organisational consultants, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, occupational health professionals and psychology graduates wishing to enter these occupations.
Our course has achieved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) approval from the British Psychological Society (BPS). It has also achieved accreditation from the Association for Business Psychology (ABP). It draws on psychological, psychiatric and organisational theory and evidence to examine the causes, effects and consequences of mental ill health in the workplace.
You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
You are assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations and may typically expect assessment by:
Year 1 | Examination (30%) | Coursework (50%) | Practical (20%)
Year 2 |Examination (30%) | Coursework (50%) | Practical (20%)
Regulating body
King’s College is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England
Our graduates pursue various careers in the management of mental health policy and services in the workplace, either within HR departments or as organisational consultants offering a range of services from policy development to intervention delivery.
Our MSc Social and Organisational Psychology is one of only a few Masters programmes in the UK which is provided by researchers working at the cutting edge of both social psychology and organisational psychology. The programme is taught by a successful and dynamic group of researchers who, individually and collectively, enjoy a world-class reputation. You will benefit not only from the friendly and supportive atmosphere, but also from high quality teaching and supervision, an exciting and international seminar series, and a wide variety of stimulating extracurricular activities and workshops.
The Masters programme will equip you with an array of skills which will enable you to function as an effective PhD student or as a professional researcher or practitioner in social psychology and organisational psychology. The programme forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council South West Doctoral Training Centre - a hub of world-class social science research.
A distinguishing feature of the programme is its research apprenticeship, which will help you develop your research skills by allowing you to work alongside experienced researchers and/or practitioners and write up your findings in the form of a dissertation. Although teaming up with a researcher within the department is generally advised, it is occasionally possible to engage in apprenticeships with organisations or people outside of the University, provided suitable co-supervision is established. Some of our past/current research partners include Microsoft, IBM, Rentokil, the MoD, the NHS, the Met Office, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, and Lane4 consultancy.
The research apprenticeship is an important feature of the programme. It will help you develop your research skills by working alongside experienced researchers and/or practitioners and writing up the research in the form of a dissertation. Although teaming up with a researcher within the department is generally advised, it is occasionally possible to engage in research apprenticeships with organizations or people outside of the University provided suitable co-supervision is established. Some of our past/current research partners include Microsoft, IBM, Rentokil, the MoD, the NHS, the Met Office, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development and Lane4 consultancy.
The programme is made up of five compulsory modules. The list of modules may include the following;
The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
This course is for students who want to improve the working lives of employees. It is for those who want to understand how to improve organisational life.
We welcome applicants with a degree in Psychology, from a UK or international institution. We will also consider those with other degrees and a keen interest in improving people’s working lives. You will be expected to conduct some statistical analysis as part of the course so some experience working with data would be beneficial.
From understanding how to select the best employee, training them to reach their potential and investigating the politics of power on corporate boards, City’s MSc in Organisational Psychology gives you the opportunity to explore your own area of interest and conduct research within an organisation of your choice.
The programme has been designed to give you the theoretical and practical knowledge you will need to work as an organisational psychologist. Developed to reflect the Department’s unique research strengths, you will have access to specialist topics such as mindfulness within the workplace and the use of innovative selection methods.
At City we interrogate the discipline from a holistic perspective, considering the individual, the organisation and the socio-political framework in which both operate; taking a scientist-practitioner approach ensuring that everything we teach can be applied in practice.
Taught by academic experts who are also involved in consulting, this accredited Masters will give you the tools to understand human behaviour within the workplace.
These are some of the questions that the course poses:
The MSc in Organisational Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means as a graduate from this course you can use the MSc as the first step towards becoming a Chartered Occupational Psychologist. City's MSc programme has been designed to cover the five new knowledge areas as defined by the BPS division of occupational psychology.
Placements are not a formal requirement of the course. However, this MSc generates interest from employers seeking talented students and graduates for voluntary work placements, evaluations, internships, and short-term work experience. Whilst on the course, previous students have secured excellent internships with London-based consultancies.
You have the opportunity to conduct your final dissertation within an organisation and there are also opportunities to get involved in the research being conducted by members of staff while you study.
As part of the University of London you can become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card.
You will learn through a substantial amount of group work and discussions around the core content from the first term onwards. One of the benefits of this programme is the blend of diverse perspectives you will experience collaborating with peers from a broad skillset and age range.
When it comes to assessment, you will find a substantial amount of the assignments are practitioner focused rather than being purely essay and exam based. For example, you might be asked to write a pitch for a company, where we would expect you to write about the theoretical underpinning of what you are proposing and then present it to the client as a practitioner.
One of the benefits of this varied assessment style is that you learn to write from an academic and practitioner perspective and understand different client needs.
The MSc Organisational Psychology consists of eight taught modules, plus an applied research dissertation, which normally takes five months to complete and forms the final part of the programme.
There is a substantial amount of theoretical work in all of the modules, but you will have the opportunity to apply your learning through practical exercises, group role plays and case studies.
Full-time students complete all eight modules and the dissertation in one calendar year (from September to September). Part-time students complete the course over two years.
Our graduates go on to apply their learning in a range of professional settings across the public and private sector, including organisations such as Aviva, Accenture, the Ministry of Defence and the BBC.
Our MSc Organisational and Social Psychology focuses on understanding the interaction between organisations, and the people who lead and work within them.
We draw on the best social science research to build and teach new insights for diagnosing organisational problems, explaining activity, and improving organisational capabilities.
The programme is informed by a rigorous approach to psychology theory and methodology, and contextualises organisational issues within relevant public debates and societal trends. It addresses, at its core, the interface between social psychological processes and organisational systems, and how these shape the performance and well-being of individuals and institutions.
The programme is of benefit to both recent graduates who wish to specialise in an applied area of psychology, and those with experience of working in organisations and organisational consultancy.
The MSc can lead into careers within the following areas: management consultancy, human resource management, organisational development and change, behavioural insights research, training and skills development, and risk management.
Recent graduates have gained employment worldwide in consultancy, international enterprises and firms, banks, government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or have gone on to obtain PhDs and pursue an academic career.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Gain the strategic knowledge and expertise to promote wellbeing and success in organisations all across the globe. Study alongside your job while you interact with other professionals in a dynamic online environment. Move ahead on your career or doctoral goals with an MSc from the University of Liverpool, part of the prestigious Russell Group of research-led UK universities.
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Get a Masters degree from Leeds University Business School and prepare for a rewarding career
