Masters Degrees in Organisational Psychology, United Kingdom

Overview

The MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology will be of interest to those, in the UK and abroad, who wish to develop a career in organisational psychology or related areas such as human-resource management. This course provides an excellent opportunity for postgraduate education for students from a variety of backgrounds interested in this area who do not have the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and who may not have a psychology background.

The course has been designed to provide you with knowledge of the main areas of occupational psychology, to provide you with good research skills, to cover the relevant social psychological and organisational issues and to introduce the skills required in practice.

The course utilises a range of teaching methods (including seminars, tutorials, workshops, self-managed working groups). Through our comprehensive programme, which includes workshops on Consultancy Skills and opportunities for British Psychological Society's Test User Qualifications, you will have the facility to develop practical skills fundamental to your future career development.

Programme aims

This programme aims to provide you with:

- a broad knowledge of work and organisational psychology as a professional discipline; the key theoretical and research models used within work and organisational psychology; and the role of the work and organisational psychologist as educator, researcher and practitioner
- the skills to evaluate critically and appraise theories and research within work and organisational psychology
the knowledge of the main areas of work and organisational psychology
- a grounding in research skills appropriate to future work in an organisational settings
- a grounding in the social, organisational and consulting skills required in practice
- a grounding in the application skills required for both research and professional practice in the core areas of work and organisational psychology
- the skills to design and conduct independent research within organisational context

Key facts

- We are committed to promoting the contribution of applied psychology to occupational and public health and safety and to the development of successful and healthy organisations and communities.
- While it shares modules with the MSc in Occupational Psychology and MSc in Management Psychology, the MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology emphasises the organisational aspects of the discipline and students have more choice over modules.
- Our teaching is informed by current research. We believe that research and teaching should be developed and delivered to help students and staff make a difference in the real world.

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Kent’s Organisational Psychology MSc develops your theoretical and research-based knowledge of social and occupational psychology to enhance your understanding of workplace behaviour. It offers you a pathway to a career as a practitioner or academic researcher in the field of organisational psychology.

*This programme will be taught at the Canterbury campus*

Key benefits

- All of our taught Master’s (MSc) programmes have been recognised by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as meeting the nationally recognised criteria for preparation training for PhD research.

Visit the website: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/366/organisational-psychology

Course detail

This MSc programme brings together aspects of psychological research into applied, social, and organisational psychology modules from Kent's School of Psychology with modules on organisational behaviour and people management from Kent Business School.

Purpose

This MSc provides insights into the psychology of selection and assessment, methods and statistics, employee wellbeing, entrepreneurship and people management. The programme will develop your understanding of the contextual forces within organisations and the role of organisational psychology, including political, environmental, technical, social and legal.

Course structure

Core modules include:

- Organisational Psychology: Methods and Statistics;
- Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Creativity;
- Social and Applied Psychology II;
- Psychology of Selection and Assessment;
- a Research Apprenticeship (Dissertation).

You also select modules from a choice of the following: Groups and Teams in Organisations; Extended Literature Review: Applying psychology to an organisational issue; Leadership and Management; Learning and Development; Managing Diversity and Equal Opportunities; Employment Relations; and Employee Resourcing.

Assessment methods will include essays, seminar contributions, examinations, presentations, and the dissertation.

Our postgraduate students commonly go into the fields of health, teaching or further education. For instance, many of our graduates take up roles as assistant psychologists in the NHS with a view to becoming a professional clinical or forensic psychologist. Upon completing our Master’s courses, graduates have also pursued doctoral study and academic careers at higher education institutions.

The programmes we offer help you to develop general critical, analytic and problem-solving skills that can be applied in a wide range of settings.

How to apply: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

Why study at The University of Kent?

- Shortlisted for University of the Year 2015
- Kent has been ranked fifth out of 120 UK universities in a mock Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) exercise modelled by Times Higher Education (THE).
- In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, Kent was ranked 17th* for research output and research intensity, in the Times Higher Education, outperforming 11 of the 24 Russell Group universities
- Over 96% of our postgraduate students who graduated in 2014 found a job or further study opportunity within six months.
Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/why/

Postgraduate scholarships and funding

We have a scholarship fund of over £9 million to support our taught and research students with their tuition fees and living costs. Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/

English language learning

If you need to improve your English before and during your postgraduate studies, Kent offers a range of modules and programmes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Find out more here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/international/english.html

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The 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 or organisational consultancy.

Come along to our Postgraduate Open Evening in Psychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience on Wed 1 Feb to discuss your study options with world-leaders in the field. Book your place now https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/postgraduate-taught-open-evening-health-subjects-tickets-29980971894

Key benefits

- Only programme of its kind to be offered in the UK.
- Focus is on mental health in the workplace.
- Combines psychological, psychiatric and organisational perspectives

Visit the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/organisational-psychiatry-and-psychology-msc.aspx

Course details

- Description -

The 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 programme has achieved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) approval from the British Psychological Society (BPS). It draws on psychological, psychiatric and organisational theory and evidence to examine the causes, effects and consequences of mental ill health in the workplace.

- Format and assessment -

Teaching methods include lectures, group work, discussions, videos, case analyses. Assessment is by essays, written examinations, research project.

A full list of required and optional modules are available on our website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/organisational-psychiatry-and-psychology-msc.aspx

Career prospects

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.

OPP Student Story 14/01/16 - A research programme studying the effectiveness of workplace stress interventions emerged triumphant in the 2015 Indigogold Work Psychology Innovation Award. Click here to read more about the research done by Sara.

How to apply: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/taught-courses.aspx

About Postgraduate Study at King’s College London:

To study for a postgraduate degree at King’s College London is to study at the city’s most central university and at one of the top 20 universities worldwide (2015/16 QS World Rankings). Graduates will benefit from close connections with the UK’s professional, political, legal, commercial, scientific and cultural life, while the excellent reputation of our MA and MRes programmes ensures our postgraduate alumni are highly sought after by some of the world’s most prestigious employers. We provide graduates with skills that are highly valued in business, government, academia and the professions.

Scholarships & Funding:

All current PGT offer-holders and new PGT applicants are welcome to apply for the scholarships. For more information and to learn how to apply visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/study/prospective-students/Masters-Scholarships.aspx

Free language tuition with the Modern Language Centre:

If you are studying for any postgraduate taught degree at King’s you can take a module from a choice of over 25 languages without any additional cost. Visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc

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Every business needs to be successful. To ensure this, it’s vital to consider the roles of the employer and employee and the influences that can affect an individual’s level of engagement and wellbeing, which in turn affects both an individual's and a business’ performance.

This course, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society, delivers a mix of theory and practice in Occupational and Organisational Psychology, using real-life examples to bring the subject to life. Core modules include employee selection and assessment, workplace wellbeing, learning and development in organisations and psychological research methods.

The course uniquely includes a psychometric testing qualification – the Certificates in Occupational Testing – in addition to the core curriculum. This enables you to gain certificates in occupational testing for ability and personality and the additional qualifications will be a real boost to your career and employability, offering you a notable advantage after graduation.

You’ll also get to specialise in a particular area of interest through your thesis, which can include carrying out live projects with a range of organisations including, small medium enterprises, local authorities and NHS Trusts.

The course is available either full-time over one year or part-time over two years - for more information on the part time option, please view this web-page: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/occupational-and-organisational-psychology-dtpoco6/

Learn From The Best

Teaching is delivered by a team of academics who have previously worked in the sector and who are all high level practitioners in their fields. Their mix of real life experience and academic knowledge means they’re able to deliver the latest theoretical knowledge which is backed up by real world examples of application.

Their backgrounds include selection and assessment, organisational development, consultancy and coaching and between them they’ve worked with a wide range of private and public sector organisations.

Their research interests are vast and fascinating and include employee talent management, workplace bullying, employability and careers in the workplace.

Teaching And Assessment

Your core modules in occupational and organisational psychology are delivered via a range of interactive lectures delivered by experts in the field.

You’ll also undertake seminar-based discussions, tutorials and interactive practical workshops aimed at offering you first-hand experience of applied practice.

Our assessment strategy uses of a variety of innovative and authentic assessments tailored to effectively assess your knowledge whilst providing you with the skills you’ll need in your future career.

Assessments include peer feedback, presentations, organisational case studies and reports. They also include more traditional methods of assessment such as essay writing and an examination.

Submission schedules are planned to make sure your workload stays balanced. We’ll help you develop time management skills and timely written feedback on assessments will show you how you can improve.

You’ll also make extensive use of technology-enhanced learning tools such as our e-Learning Portal (Blackboard), electronic reading lists, lecture capture and feedback tools to support your learning.

Module Overview
PY0774 - Qualitative and Quantitative Methods (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0775 - Professional Skills (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0776 - MSc Thesis (Core, 60 Credits)
PY0777 - Workplace Well-being (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0778 - Learning and Development in Organisations (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0779 - The Organisation (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0780 - Employee Selection and Assessment (Core, 20 Credits)

Learning Environment

Our Department of Psychology features specialist and flexible teaching labs for teaching sessions, project work or private study. You’ll have access to advanced statistical and analysis packages plus research tools for survey development and online research.

To support your research, you can tap into our collection of psychological testing material including current editions of most of the widely used assessment, occupational and vocational tests. You can also take advantage of our student hub, supported by our library and equipment to help you to prepare for presentations.

The use of technology is integral to the course and you’ll be able to access information and material from all modules at any time from any location, via our eLearning portal.

Research-Rich Learning

Almost three quarters of Northumbria University’s psychology research is judged to have outstanding reach and significance, placing us top 20 in the UK.

This course is delivered by expert practitioners and leading researchers who will share their experience of contemporary research and practice techniques to ensure your learning is at the cutting edge of the discipline.

Their research areas include applying principles and methods from social and occupational psychology to the workplace; workplace bullying and its multi-level impact; the use of employee selection approaches; human factors in healthcare; employee selection, career development and employability.

Our staff will continually nurture your academic curiosity to undertake your own research and develop your ability to synthesise and critically evaluate the evidence base in Occupational Psychology.

You’ll also gain first-hand experience of research techniques and undertake a thesis where you’ll conceptualise, plan and execute your own research.

Give Your Career An Edge

The fact that this course uniquely includes a psychometric testing qualification makes it especially distinctive. This is a qualification that will really set you apart from your peers and open up a wealth of career progression opportunities.

All of your modules will be highly relevant to practising as an Occupational Psychologist and as such you’ll be able to apply your knowledge immediately in the workplace, after graduation. You’ll graduate with enhanced self-awareness, professional identity, curiosity and creativity.

You’ll also gain high-level, transferrable skills in communication, critical evaluation, problem solving, time management, IT and statistical analysis. This will include the ability to formulate balanced judgements with regard to complex, incomplete, ambiguous or sensitive data and apply ethical, legal and professional practice frameworks to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Your Future

This qualification has the potential to act as a real catalyst for your future – whether you’re looking to establish a new career or take the next step in your current role in consultancy, organisational development, training, recruitment or management.

That’s because you’ll be equipped with advanced psychological knowledge that will allow you to conceptualise and theorise about critical issues in occupational and organisational psychology. You’ll also have extensive experience of psychometric testing.

And thanks to the real-world context that will be integral to your studies, you’ll be able to apply that knowledge immediately and with real impact, in your workplace.

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as Stage 1 training, which when accompanied by the BPS Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) will provide a basis for professional development as a practitioner in the form of Stage 2 training, as well as further study, employment and enterprise.

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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:

• Leadership and Decision Making
• Organizational and HR Assessment
• Quality of Working Life

Programme structure

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.

• Organizational Behaviour 
• Psychological Assessment in the Workplace
• Performance, Engagement and Well-being
• Applying Psychology to Work 
• Human Resource Development 
• The Psychology of Leadership and Decision-making
• Advanced Research Methods for Applied Psychology
• Research Methods for Applied Psychology

Educational aims of the programme

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.

Programme learning outcomes

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:

• Psychological assessment in the workplace
• Learning, training and development
• Leadership, engagement, and motivation
• Well-being and work
• Work design, organizational change and development
• Research design and advanced research methods
• Applying psychology to work

Intellectual / cognitive skills

• Develop a systematic and integrated understanding of applied practice in occupational and organizational psychology, incorporating research evidence, practical contextual issues, professional and ethical issues
• Ability to independently critically evaluate a range of evidence sources relevant to the field
• Ability to demonstrate high-level learning and problem solving in the modules studied

Professional practical skills

• Advanced skills in research methodology, consultancy skills (including problem-solving, the consultancy cycle). (MSc and PGDip Only)
• Ability to independently critically evaluate information about organizations, context, and research findings relevant to practice of occupational and organizational psychology.

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).

Global opportunities

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.

Professional recognition

Surrey Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

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Explore human behaviour in the workplace on this BPS accredited MSc in Organisational Psychology.

Who is it for?

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.

Objectives

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:
-What are the key contextual issues affecting the workplace now?
-What impact does technology have on the wider work environment?
-How can wellbeing be measured and promoted in the workplace?

Placements

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.

Academic facilities

As part of the University of London you can become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card.

Teaching and learning

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.

Modules

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.

Modules
-Research Design and Statistics (15 credits)
-Workplace Wellbeing (15 credits)
-Design of Work and Work Environments (15 credits)
-Learning, Training and Development (15 credits)
-Leadership and Organisational Behaviours (15 credits)
-Professional skills (15 credits)
-Psychological assessment (15 credits)
-Research in organisations (15 credits)

Dissertation
You will need to submit a dissertation as part of the programme. In the second term you will start with a research methods seminar where you will be given support to develop the necessary skills for undertaking independent research. You will choose a topic under the guidance of a project supervisor and conduct empirical research in your chosen area, which will involve gaining access, collecting and analysing data and submitting an 8-10,000-word dissertation. In the summer term, you will work full-time completing your final dissertation. Many students choose to conduct research within an organisation for their final dissertation so they can address a real-world problem. One of our current students is working with a large public health organisation to explore how employee engagement has changed since a major internal change programme; whilst another is investigating what impact shared parental leave has on men’s careers with a professional severance firm.

Career prospects

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.

Lucy Gallagher MSc Organisational Psychology, 2014
Whilst completing her Masters at City, Lucy worked for Assessment and Development Consultants as a Centre Administrator supporting the manager in running assessment and development centres. Soon after completing her Masters, Lucy completed a Graduate Scheme at Saville Consulting, gaining experience in the three core business areas.

Now working as a consultant at Saville Consulting, Lucy works on a number of projects including partner recruitment, assessment centre design, selection and assessment, employee development and competency framework design. She is passionate about making sure the right people are in the right roles and that individuals get the help and development they need to reach their full potential.

Tara Tapper MSc Organisational Psychology, 2008
Since graduating from City in 2008, Tara has worked in India as the Head of HR for RBS Technology Services and managed change programmes at Mischon de Reya, a law practice based in London and New York. Tara is currently working as Group HR Director at Wonga.com.

In 2008 Tara was awarded the MSc Occupational Psychology Research Prize for her research into the employee engagement challenges, barriers and biases faced by maternity returners on the 'Partner track' at a city law firm. The prize recognises academic excellence and is awarded by the British Psychological Society.

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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.

Degree information

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
-Consulting Psychology
-Talent Management
-Consumer Behaviour
-Business Psychology Seminars
-Influence and Negotiation
-Organisational Psychology

Optional modules - students choose two of the following:
-Applied Decision Making
-Judgment and Decision Making
-Social Cognition
-Current Issues in Attitude Research
-Understanding Individuals and Groups
-Social Psychology
-Principles of Cognition
-Project Management
-Mastering Entrepreneurship
-Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice
-Creativity and Innovation in Organisation

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.

Careers

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.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Business Development Manager, James-Lee Consultancy
-Research Psychologist, VisualDNA
-Human Resources (HR) Service Delivery Specialist, Unilever
-Director of Marketing and Business Development, MirrorBell Consulting Services
-Quantitative Research Consultant, Decipher

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.

Why study this degree at UCL?

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.

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The 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 social and organisational psychologists who, individually and collectively, enjoy a world-class reputation (http://psychology.exeter.ac.uk/research/groups/seorg/). You will not only benefit from the friendly and supportive atmosphere, but also from high quality teaching and supervision, an exciting and international seminar series and extra-curricular 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 (http://www.exeter.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/fundedcentres/swdtc/).

Research Apprenticeship

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.

Programme structure

The programme is made up of five compulsory modules. The list of modules may include the following; Advanced Statistics; Behavioural Science Research Skills; Advances and Methods in Social and Organisational Psychology; Research Apprenticeship and Current Research Issues in Social and Organisational Psychology

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.

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The MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology is a full-time programme focusing on the psychological processes relevant to the workplace.

The programme offers two pathways: Occupational Psychology and Organisational Behaviour.

Drawing on current and historical theory and research, the programme will enable you to understand, describe, and predict workplace outcomes and to develop ways of improving these outcomes.

The programme features a range of modules based on the new curriculum of the British Psychological Society (BPS), including modules on ‘Well-being at Work', ‘Learning, Training and Development', as well as a module involving placement work experience.

Your learning experience will be enriched by small group lectures and seminars, career support, and a personal tutor.

Why should I choose this programme?

This BPS accredited* programme is one of the first in the UK to be based on the new improved curriculum of the Division of Occupational Psychology (DCoP), and includes a unique Professional Practice module.

The programme is relevant for those who enjoy working with and understanding people, and who specifically wish to study work behaviour with the aim to improve the working lives of employees. This programme offers all of the technical, research and practical skills needed to achieve these goals.

The programme covers the core knowledge areas that are stipulated by the DCoP. You will develop an understanding of key topics, including:

‌•Learning, Training, and Development
‌•Psychological Assessment at Work
‌•Well-Being at Work
‌•Leadership, Engagement, and Motivation
‌•Work Design, Organisational Change and Development
‌•Research Methods
‌•Applying Psychology at Work

Key skills, aims and objectives

The programme aims to develop your understanding and enable you to apply evidence-based interventions, as well as to adopt professional standards of ethics.

Your studies will prepare you to overcome key industry challenges by providing you with crucial skills and experiences, including:

‌•technical skills, such as knowing how to conduct a job analysis
‌•research skills
‌•professional skills
‌•skills in applying theory and research to real organisational issues to improve workplace outcomes or employee behaviour and well-being

Throughout your studies you will develop your research skills and explore the application of theory to practice. In addition, you will gain a variety of industry-relevant technical skills and interpersonal skills, as well as achieve personal development and growth.

You will undertake a Professional Practice module unique to this programme, during which you will complete a one month internship/placement within a human resource function of an organisation. This module will enable you to develop your practical and professional skills, as well as to witness the way theory can be implemented into practice.

Students on this programme will also have the opportunity to obtain additional qualifications alongside their studies, such as becoming an Accredited Mediator or a Qualified Test User.

Future opportunities

This programme proudly offers the Professional Practice module to help you gain practical industry experience and get your foot in the door. The module will not only develop your professional skills, but also provide you with a network of support for your career.

The additional qualifications of Accredited Mediator and Qualified Test User will enable you to offer something unique in the industry and will provide you with a competitive advantage.

Upon completing this course, graduates will be able to work as internal consultants within HR functions of organisations, such as HR Managers, Learning and Development Specialists, Recruitment and Personnel Specialists and Talent Management Specialists. Graduates will also be able to work as external consultants, independent practitioners, or academics/researchers.

Endorsement

The MSc Occupational Psychology pathway is awaiting approval by the British Psychological Society*

The Organisational Behaviour pathway will not be BPS accredited.

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The course provides a sophisticated understanding of applying psychology in business settings, including understanding consumer behaviours, employee engagement and the impact of globalisation on organisational behaviours. The course is accredited by the Association of Business Psychology and designed for both home and international students. The course is informed by the academic and professional disciplines of Business, Organisational and Occupational psychology.

The MSc Business and Organisational Psychology with Professional Experience, is an extended full-time Masters programme with a substantive professional experience component. Within the professional experience modules, students have the option of undertaking an internship with a host organisation or, alternatively, campus-based professional experience.

Internships are subject to a competitive application and selection process and the host organisation may include the University. Internships may be paid or unpaid, and this will depend on what is being offered and agreed with the host organisation. Students who do not wish to undertake an internship or are not successful in securing an internship will undertake campus-based professional experience, which will deliver similar learning outcomes through supervised projects and activities designed to offer students the opportunity to integrate theory with an understanding of professional practice.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

-Multi-disciplinary degree, open to candidates without psychology as a first degree
-It has a distinctly international flavour so as to enable graduates to compete in a global business environment
-Consumer psychology forms a separate module in this course and provides a critical understanding of marketing and advertising practice
-Students will be taught systematic review methods for analysing literature and relate this to an entrepreneurial idea via a business plan
-Accredited by the Association for Business Psychology
-The 20 month version of the course includes professional experience

HOW WILL THIS COURSE ENHANCE MY CAREER PROSPECTS?

Graduates could work in a variety of settings including human resources, business development, personnel selection, career development, training, marketing, advertising and management.

WORK PLACEMENTS

The extended full-time Masters programme has a substantive professional experience component. The professional experience modules gives students the option of undertaking an internship with a host organisation or, alternatively, campus-based professional experience.

Internships are subject to a competitive application and selection process and the host organisation may include the University.

GLOBAL LEADERS PROGRAMME

To prepare students for the challenges of the global employment market and to strengthen and develop their broader personal and professional skills Coventry University has developed a unique Global Leaders Programme.

The objectives of the programme, in which postgraduate and eligible undergraduate students can participate, is to provide practical career workshops and enable participants to experience different business cultures.

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The MSc Business Psychology provides the opportunity to focus on a range of organisational behaviours and apply psychological theory and practice to key issues that affect the internal and external functioning of organisations. Not only will you learn about the theory and research which exists in business psychology, but you have the chance to apply this to your own working experiences.

The programme offers a psychological perspective to understanding key organisational functions such as leadership, organisational culture, change management, marketing and communications. It is a very practical programme which encourages students to consider the application of psychological research evidence to their own working case studies and workplace interventions for change.

MSc Business Psychology applies to a broad range of sectors and is designed for anyone wishing to understand more about the underpinning psychological research and mechanisms for employees, organisations and business practices.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/1258-msc-business-psychology

What you will study

Certificate Stage (3 modules)
The Certificate stage involves completion of the following module:
- Psychological Theory and Applications in the Workplace: For this module you will draw on the work of classical and contemporary researchers in the field of organisational behaviour. You will explore core themes and concepts in relation to various working environments.

Plus two additional modules from the following:

- Effective Communication within Organisations: On this module you will examine models of communication and some of the barriers to communication which exist in organisations. You will develop and evaluate practical strategies to carry out internal communication audits and accompanying practical interventions based on psychological evidence.

- Developing and Managing External Communication:This module will examine how organisations communicate with many and varied external contacts. You will focus on issues such as advertising and marketing and the psychological impact strategies have on consumer behaviour.

- Leadership in 21st Century Organisations: The changing nature of organisations and the response of leaders to such changes will be studied on this module. You will examine psychological models of leadership and evaluate them in terms of their contribution to approaches to leadership. You will also analyse the language and behaviour of leaders in ensuring effective leader/employee relations.

- Managing Organisational Culture and Change: For this module you will study both internal cultural issues which arise and impact on an organisation and its identity, as well as the relevant psychological processes for managing change in organisations across a range of scenarios and experiences.

Diploma Stage (3 modules):
The Diploma stage will require you to complete a further two modules from the Certificate stage plus the following:
- Research Methods
- Project Management Skills for use in Organisations

Masters Stage:
- Dissertation: You will carry out a piece of empirical research within an organisation, or with a working population, where psychological theory and/or interventions are applied.

Learning and teaching methods

You will only be required to spend one day a week 3-9pm for 10 weeks & from 6-9pm for the remaining 14 weeks on campus. This will be supplemented by home study and distance learning.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to network with a range of professionals from diverse employment experiences on the programme and to practically apply some of the seminal and contemporary approaches to understanding employee and organisational behaviour. The programme has been developed to ensure study can be undertaken by employees in a wide range of occupational environments.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

This programme offers you the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge for your continuing professional development and career progression.

You will gain an array of transferable skills to use in organisational environments including marketing, advertising, public and private sector management, consultancy, retail, health management, project management and human resource management.

There will also be opportunities for you to progress into further study via a PhD.

Assessment methods

Assessments will take the form of organisational audits, essays, case studies, critical reviews, presentations and a final stage dissertation.

Facilities

Postgraduate students have access to Psychology Lab 1 (Ty Hywel) and a newly resourced Computer Suite for participation in, and running of their own research. The facilities include a large multi-user laboratory (Psychology Lab 1) containing 14 PCs workstations with desks and chairs (separated by dividers to form cubicles), Psychology Labeach installed with software designed for quantitative and qualitative statistical analyses and also for the design and generation of psychological experiments.

The large multi-user laboratory space can also serve as a teaching hub, with AV equipment available for presentations and meetings (Including a wall mounted flat panel large screen and teaching laptop). There is also a small single-testing/interview room (Psychology Lab 2) that allows for one-to-one research activities such as interviews or experiments involving the running of one participant at a time.

The IT Computer Suite accommodates 40 – 50 plug-and-play PC laptops in a flexible multifunctional computer-based learning and teaching environment.

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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:
-Is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society, providing the basis for achieving Chartered Psychologist status
-Covers the seven core areas of organisational psychology, giving you a broad basis for future practice
-Includes Test User: Occupational - Ability and Personality (Level A and B) qualifications for psychometric testing at work, enabling you to enroll on the British Psychological Society's Register of Qualifications in Test Use
-Is delivered by research-active staff, who draw on their expertise to engage you with the most up-to-date psychological research and methods
-Develops commercial awareness and business skills necessary in a competitive work environment

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.

Special features

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.

The BPS advises students always to choose a BPS accredited course to maximise their future options.

Career opportunities

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.

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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 programme 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 programme an applied and relevant focus.

In addition to your Aston degree, you will have the opportunity to participate in our international study exchange programme. Studying with one of our partner institutions, the programme will enhance your international experience and communication skills, preparing you for a career in the international business environment.

Subject guide and modules

Core Modules:
-Organisational Behaviour
-Learning & Talent Development
-Workplace Design & Health
-Research Methods in Human Resource Management & Business and Organisational Behaviour
-Employee Relations and Counselling
-Assessment Performance and Reward
-Strategy, Change & Leadership

Optional Modules (Choose one):
-Accounting for Non-Financial Managers
-Organisational Behaviour Theory and Practice
-Strategic Business Sustainability
-Strategic & International Human Resource Management
-Marketing Management
-Operations Management
-Strategic Management
-Management of Innovation
-Economic Environment of Business

The programme then concludes with a dissertation project.

Learning, teaching and assessment

You will be assessed through a mixture of examinations and coursework. The taught element of the programme is then complemented by a substantial piece of research leading to the completion of a dissertation.

Professional accreditation

MSc Work Psychology & Business is a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited postgraduate course in Occupational Psychology. Successful completion of the course leads to the academic basis for the BPS Chartered Occupational Psychology qualification (QOccPysch).

Career opportunities

This programme will prepare you for a career in any organisational setting: including both the public and private sectors. Recent graduate positions include:
-Business Psychologist (Recruitment and Assessment) – Jaguar Land Rover
-Learning and Development Specialist - Network Rail
-Occupational Health and Wellbeing Scientific Advisor- NPower
-Occupational Psychologist – NHS
-Research Scientist – BAE Systems

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This professionally-recognised course will provide you with the skills and commercial awareness to apply psychological principles to the challenges faced by organisations.

You’ll build your knowledge of the psychological science base while gaining an appreciation of business management, learning from expert practitioners within organizational psychology.

You’ll examine individual, group and organisational effectiveness by exploring issues such as selection and assessment, and consider the latest topics including managing innovation, change management and designing complex socio-technical systems.

The course has a practical focus and thanks to our connections with firms such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Marks and Spencer, you’ll test your professional skills in real business scenarios. 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.

This masters is an ideal qualification if you want to work as a practitioner organizational psychologist or academic researcher.

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.

Accreditation

The course covers the full range of topics required for professional recognition by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. To read more about the benefits of undertaking an accredited programme, please see the BPS website.

Exemptions

Graduation from this course fulfils stage one of the requirements for Chartered Membership of BPS and full membership of the Division of Occupational Psychology. Please see the BPS website for details.

Course content

In each semester you’ll study a range of modules that develop your knowledge of key aspects of organizational psychology.

You’ll be introduced to the individual, team and organisational factors that affect workplace behaviours such as decision-making and teamwork. You’ll explore the selection and training methods use by organisations to recruit, develop and retain talent and the design of complex human-technical systems.

From there you’ll study contemporary business priorities such as organisational development and change, as well as approaches to career development and performance management. A further module will put you in real-life business situations to help you develop your commercial awareness and professional skills.

Throughout the year you’ll develop your understanding of research design and analysis in psychology and social sciences, especially behavioural research. This will develop your skills to prepare you for your dissertation – the independent research project on your choice of topic that you’ll submit by the end of the year. Read about a recent student dissertation project with Bentley.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

You’ll take nine compulsory modules including your dissertation.

• The Psychology of Effective Organizations 15 credits
• Personnel Selection and Training 15 credits
• Systems Thinking and Consulting Practice 15 credits
• Organizational Development and Change 15 credits
• Dissertation 60 credits
• Managing Performance and Developing Careers 15 credits
• Research Design and Analysis 15 credits
• Advanced Behavioural Research Design and Analysis 15 credits
• Commercial and Professional Skills 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Organizational Psychology MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

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

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.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this course you will be business savvy, with a broad appreciation of the financial, strategic and operational workings of contemporary organisations. Our graduates are strongly positioned to enter careers in the public or private sectors, equally adept as dedicated consulting organizational psychologists or human resource specialists.

Recent graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in a range of organisations and consultancies around the world, including Google, Kiddy and Partners, Capp, and Human Factors International. Roles include Consulting Psychologist, Operations Analyst, Trainee Occupational Psychologist, Management Consultant, Recruitment Consultant and Crowd Management Consultant.

Careers support

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.

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Psychology has long been applied to the workplace, and has become one of the main professional practice areas for many managers and supervisors of staff.

Applications of the major theories and models of business/occupational psychology occur in the practices of, for example, personnel assessment, selection and training the design of work environments, implementation of training interventions, management of careers, motivation and development of staff and the management of organisational change.

This innovative development at the University of Worcester presents two postgraduate qualifications that apply psychology to business and organisations in general.

The Business Psychology MSc is open to students with a non-psychology related degree, although some elements of psychology or business should have been previously studied.

The Occupational Psychology MSc is only open to those students who hold a psychology degree with Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) from the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The Occupational Psychology Masters is targeted at those wanting to become Chartered Occupational Psychologists.

Study options

The programme is taught in blocks, with each module being two blocks of two days (Friday and Saturday). The days are organized into blocks of different learning activities, e.g. presentation/facilitation by the tutor, practical exercises (individual and/or group task), discussion and reflection. Importantly, between the blocks the students are supported with additional reading, provided in the form of primary source articles, book chapters and practitioner journal articles. The programme has an 80% attendance requirement.

Modules

A sample of available modules includes:

• Advanced Research Analysis
This module aims to consolidate undergraduate research abilities, and equip the student with the skills necessary to undertake Masters level research

• Personnel Selection and Assessment
This module introduces the student to the means of fulfilling the organisational need to have people in work positions that either have the characteristics required for effective performance

• Personal Development
This module introduces the student to the assessing of performance, and level of performance, of people working for an organisation.

• Human Factors
This module introduces the student to the concept that whilst human performance in any task might be affected by anatomical and psychophysiological limitations.

• Organisations and the Employee
This module introduces the student to the wide range of theories of motivation in the workplace, management systems and relations between management and employees.

• Training
This module introduces the student to procedures designed to bring about changes in individuals, the acquisition of skills, the development of work related competence and attitudes.
• Advanced Independent Study

Assessment

A wide range of assessment techniques are employed in the course. Current assessment methods include essays, seminar presentations and research projects.

Teaching and Learning Methods

A variety of teaching and learning methods are used to create an opportunity for students to identify the relevance of learning to their own professional/personal development agenda.

Experienced Staff

The course team are enthusiastic, supportive and well-qualified with staff carrying out research and consultancy in a wide range of areas pertinent to Business and Occupational Psychology. Staff regularly attend academic conferences in the UK and abroad and publish their research in learned journals and books. The research active nature of the staff means that teaching is enriched and students benefit from up-to-date knowledge and contemporary perspectives.

Time Commitment

The MSc is awarded following the successful completion of nine modules. These include the six mandatory modules within the course and the completion of an Independent Dissertation of 15,000 words (equivalent to three modules of study). The course can be taken part-time and takes 1-4 years to complete.

How to Apply

Please apply directly to University of Worcester via application form (available on the University website).

When we receive your application form, your details will be passed to the Masters Programme Leader who will contact you to arrange an informal interview. You may include additional material, such as references, in support of your application or bring them with you to interview.

You can apply for postgraduate taught courses and PG Certs at any time, but preferably as early as possible before the start of the academic year, which begins in September.

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