The aim of the Business Psychology MSc is to prepare graduates who can diagnose and communicate organisational and behavioural needs, design and implement business psychology interventions, and build strategic HR goals and programmes. The emphasis is on equipping you with theoretical and analytical skills, as well as practical business psychology skills, in areas such as team building, conflict resolution, decision making, facilitation and organisational diagnostics.
You will therefore gain knowledge and skills designed to enable you to work effectively within a wide range of interpersonal and multicultural situations, while formulating cost effective solutions to operational HR problems. The course has an outstanding professional development programme, one that runs in parallel with the taught schedule and which will bring you expertise from existing practitioners through workshops, seminars and mentoring.
Core modules
The course has been designed to equip graduates with a body of knowledge and associated skills that are both market sensitive while flexible and generative, applicable across a range of workplace environments.
Accordingly, Business Psychology can be applied to almost any behavioural issue at work. Graduates are offered employment by a wide range of global consultancy companies, government departments, HR Organisations, Training and development services as well as working independently as consultants.
The School of Psychological Sciences & Health, in collaboration with the globally renowned Strathclyde Business School is offering a unique new Masters programme. The distinctive nature of the programme lies in its flexible online mode of delivery.
Successful completion of this course, accredited by the British Psychological Society, will provide students with either no background, or an unaccredited background in psychology, the route to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
It also provides opportunities to develop specialist knowledge in modules provided for the programme in Psychology for Business.
The programme will aim to provide you with:
Class content and student participation in our new Masters in Psychology with a specialisation in Business will be delivered entirely online across a wide range of formats.
The course features 180 credits of study in total, available either full time over 12 months or part time over two years.
Full-time students will complete the equivalent of 60 credits taught classes in semesters 1 and 2. You'll begin working on the empirical project in semester 2, with the majority of the empirical project work being completed over the summer months.
Part-time students will complete 90 credits by the end of Year 1, and the remaining 90 credits in Year 2. The course includes 80 credits of the core domains of Psychology, 40 credits of specialist modules delivered by organisational psychologists in Strathclyde Business School, and a 60 credit empirical research project.
The University of Strathclyde is a leading international technological university. The University’s commitment to ‘useful learning’ underpins our approach to research, learning, and teaching. This will be evidenced in our approach to teaching and learning where students will be supported in their exploration of the practical and policy impacts of psychological research. The course will be delivered through our online learning system, Myplace, as well as a suite of powerful software platforms.
As a Strathclyde student you will have access to a library providing more than 400,000 electronic books and 26,000 e-journals, that you can access 24/7 from any device. Electronic resources include e-books, e-journals, digitised collections of exam papers and other learning materials, alongside electronic databases such as Nexis® and Web of Science.
The course will be delivered both by internationally recognised Psychology researchers from the School of Psychological Sciences & Health and staff from the Strathclyde Business School who are organisational psychologists and chartered members of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Approaching an entirely new subject should be stimulating, not daunting. At every step of the way we have designed our Masters course with the student new to the topic in mind. Carefully scripted and prepared learning tasks and objectives will incrementally build your knowledge, structure your learning, and build your confidence in each topic we cover, empowering you to achieve in a supportive environment.
Each module in the Masters in Psychology with a specialisation in Business is centred round a suite of studio-based lectures, which are studied online. While module subjects will be supplemented by further assigned individual reading and reflection, opportunities for student engagement will be frequent, varied, stimulating and challenging.
Student-centred activities may feature individual or group-based online activities, quizzes, discussion boards, wiki creation verbal reports and podcasts. You'll have the opportunity participate in online and webcam-based tutorial meetings throughout the course, interacting with their fellow students and lecturers.
Our approach to assessment in the course is varied, with different approaches being adopted both within and across modules.
Assessment will be through a mixture of course work, for example individual essays or reports, or perhaps a collaborative writing task with other students, or in some cases an online quiz or a verbal presentation. Additionally some modules will feature class exams.
At every step of the way we have designed our Masters course to support student learning, and you'll be carefully guided through each assessment activity, with continuous feedback on your progress.
A degree in psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), is the first step towards the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS, and is a prerequisite for entry onto professional postgraduate psychology training programmes (eg MSc Organisational Psychology, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, MSc Educational Psychology). A number of graduates will use their accredited degree to pursue future professional training, following gaining relevant experience. An accredited Masters in Psychology is a mark of quality, meaning the course and institution has achieved the high standards of quality in its provision that the British Psychological Society demands. Psychology graduates have a lot of options open to them. Many go on to further study or to careers in teaching, human resource management, social work, as well as many other areas.
The knowledge, understanding, and skills acquired by psychology graduates are highly valued by employers in the graduate job market. The psychology degree is unique amongst social science disciplines in the extent to which it fosters both a scientific approach to enquiry (including the ability to employ evidence-based reasoning, and the ability to collect and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data) and the writing and research skills most prevalent in humanities and/or other social science disciplines. It is anticipated that a proportion of graduates of this programme will enter the graduate job market, in private, public, or third sectors.
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.
This masters degree gives you a solid grounding in the business psychology science relevant to consulting and management.
You’ll apply modern psychological principles to contemporary organisations and organisational problems, working alongside psychologists to develop your skills in research, problem-solving and consultancy.
From change management to designing green workplaces, you’ll develop the skill set to tackle key growth areas. Case studies, workshops and real-world projects will help you build commercial awareness and professional skills. During the course you’ll have the opportunity to gain certification in Occupational Test User: Ability and Personality at no additional cost, which is a valuable tool for selection and development.
Taught by leading researchers and experienced practitioners among one of Europe’s most influential groups of organizational psychologists, you’ll gain a broad understanding of contemporary organisations to prepare for a career applying business psychology in the public or private sector.
Academic excellence
You’ll learn from an influential group of organizational psychologists, introducing you to the latest thinking from our research centres, the Socio-Technical Centre (STC) and the Workplace Behaviour Research Centre. They undertake research at the cutting edge of organizational psychology and behaviour. The centres combine expertise in psychology, management, engineering, environmental science and geography to form a thriving research community.
Students also benefit from our strong corporate connections, as well as links with several leading organizational psychology consulting firms. Recent project partners have included Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Arup, the National Health Service, Network Rail and Marks and Spencer.
This masters provides you with an important grounding in systems thinking, its theoretical basis and practical use in workspace design, IT systems and more. You’ll build critical understanding of research design in psychology and social science.
You’ll consider the factors that affect employee behaviour and how psychological insights can help to design effective organisations. You’ll also explore the personnel selection and training process from interviews and psychometric testing to training evaluation.
The course will expand your understanding of behavioural research and the development not just of employees and their performance, but also of organisations themselves. The course also places a strong emphasis on applying your knowledge in practical business scenarios, and you’ll undertake fieldwork to develop professional skills in a variety of real-life situations.
The research skills you’ve developed throughout this degree will prepare you to complete your final project, which can be either an independent research project on a topic of your choice, or a practical consultancy project with a business.
Compulsory modules
You'll take nine compulsory modules including your dissertation.
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars, workshops, online learning and tutorials.
Independent study is also vital for this course allowing you to prepare for taught classes and sharpen your own research and critical skills.
Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including exams, group projects, written assignments and essays, in-course assessment, group and individual presentations and reports.
As a graduate of this course you will have a broad appreciation of the workings of contemporary organisations and will be strongly positioned for a career in the public or private sector as a skilled manager, consulting business psychologist or human resource specialist.
Graduates may look to develop a career applying specialist psychological expertise within management consultancy, working on practical problems across many organisations. Skills from this course are also valued within an HR function, or to improve your own effectiveness as a future manager.
Links with industry
Students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills as part of our Leaders in Residence initiative, which gives management students the opportunity to engage with senior figures from the world of business. This is a rare opportunity where successful and established business people will help you connect the theory of your course to real world practice, and offer their advice for career success.
You will be able to connect with leaders from a range of firms including major manufacturers and retailers, charity chief executives, entrepreneurs and directors of companies large and small, through structured meetings and events. This typically includes workshops, social events, guest lectures and professional skills development.
We help you to achieve your career ambitions by providing professional development support as part of the course. You benefit from our Professional Development Tutor, who will help you to develop the important professional skills that employers value. This means you will develop the academic skills to successfully progress through the course, and also the professional skills you will need to start a successful career.
Read more about our careers and professional development support.
The Careers Centre also provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
MSc Work Psychology & Business emphasises the study of practical, real-world organisational and business issues, combined with the academic and scientific rigour of occupational psychology as an applied science. Our graduates go on to work at known brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, NHS and NPower.
MSc Work Psychology & Business is suitable if you hold a good first degree in psychology and wish to pursue a career as work or occupational psychologist. Work psychology is a topic at the core of our understanding of healthy and effective organisations and employees. It gives psychologists a unique opportunity to study business alongside specialist work psychology modules and will enable you to operate within a global workplace.
This course emphasises the study of practical, real-world organisational and business issues, combined with the academic and scientific rigour of occupational psychology as an applied science. The business school context provides an excellent perspective on the application of occupational psychology in organisations, and gives the course an applied and relevant focus.
Core Modules
Optional Modules (Choose one):
The course then concludes with a dissertation project.
The Professional Development Programme (PDP) is an integrated module which runs throughout the course and focuses on your professional development and employability, giving you the opportunity to identify, develop and apply the key skills you gain throughout the year. You'll have the opportunity to develop your academic skills, build a portfolio of professional business skills, or study abroad at one of our international partners, undertake an internship placement in the UK, or overseas, or get involved in a global business challenge simulation.
Business Psychology MSc at Heriot-Watt University is the most established masters degree of its kind outside North America. This MSc programme will equip you with an in-depth understanding of the psychological mechanisms that drive positive behaviours and performances in the workplace.
Whether you come from an industry position or directly from a psychology or business degree; you will be prepared with an effective blend of specialist knowledge from the fields of psychology, management and leadership.
The content on this highly-focused masters degree meets the needs of those working towards a careers as:
You will develop commercial awareness and an understanding of global organisations which will allow you to recognise the impact of the economy, politics, globalization and the changing labour market on the psychology of a workplace and performance of individuals and teams.
By viewing the workplace through a psychological perspective, and by developing your analytical, critical thinking, and reflection skills, you will learn to recognize and improve seemingly intangible aspects of the workplace which, when appropriately managed, can directly improve business performance, in areas such as job satisfaction, leadership and organisational commitment.
Additional to learning from a unique blend of research-led academic teaching and industry-focused practical experiences; specifically designed group tasks and presentations will allow you to develop your interpersonal and communication skills and directly improve the performance of diverse groups of individuals and teams within an organisation.
Scotland’s capital is regarded as one of the best cities in the world in which to study and has a thriving international student population.
It’s a beautiful, cultural city that’s bursting with art, nature, nightlife and history. It’s a safe, inspirational city and has enough bars, restaurants, museums, shopping, green spaces and culture to keep everyone entertained.
It was recently voted as the best place to live in the UK for the 3rd year running and a study by Deutsche Bank in May 2017 found it offers the second best quality of life on the world!
Founded in 1821, Heriot-Watt has an established reputation as a leading research-led university and provider of high-quality, industry-focussed education.
We are ranked as the top University in Scotland for International Outlook by Times Higher Education and have campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia.
We are ranked as one of the top 30 Universities in the UK in the Guardian University League Table and the Complete University Guide 2018, who also place us as the 3rd best University in Scotland.
Our countryside campus is set in 380 acres of beautiful parkland with world-class facilities and an easy journey to Edinburgh city centre.
You’ll find over 10,500 students and staff here, offering a warm and friendly welcome. There’s modern student accommodation, a thriving Student Union with a host of sports clubs and societies. Scotland’s National Sports Centre is also on campus offering students access to top of the range sporting facilities.
Find information on Programme content here
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we’ll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. We offer a range of English language courses (See http://www.hw.ac.uk/study/english.htm ) to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:
Please note that independent distance learning students who access their studies online will be expected to have access to a PC/laptop and internet.
Find information on Fees and Scholarships here.
A deeper understanding of organisational psychology is an asset to anyone currently working in the field of social sciences or human resource management. This course gives people with an appropriate background the theoretical knowledge and practical skills used in organisational psychology to help them develop or change careers.
You study with students on the MSc Organisational Psychology course, which will enhance your experience, but you do not need to register with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Students taking the MSc Business Psychology course will sit with students from MSc Organisational Psychology and study the same course modules.
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 assessment and presentations. A dissertation of around 15,000 words is normally undertaken.
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 if you want more information on the part-time two-year route.
Hear what MSc Business Psychology student Henrick Persicke (Class of 2016) says about the course >>
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: [email protected]
More details on our Careers Service.
Latest information on visa changes and opportunities in the UK for international students.
Get a Masters degree from Leeds University Business School and prepare for a rewarding career
