Business Psychology MSc

About the course

The programme is designed for students who wish to acquire the skills and knowledge that will enable them to apply psychological principles within the business world. The course will appeal equally to those with a business or psychology background. Graduates are equipped for a variety of careers including human resource practitioners or careers in consultancy and business psychology.

The course includes the following modules:

• Behaviour and Marketing Creativity
• HRM in Organisations
• Strategic Management Perspectives
• Individual and Organisational Learning
• Selection and Assessment
• Organisational Culture and Change
• Human Potential and Performance
• Consultancy Skills
• Research and Professional Skills
• Project

Why choose this course?

• Accredited by the Association of Business Psychologists
• Run through the School of Psychology, but also using The Business School
• School of Psychology received a grade of "excellent" for teaching quality

View course leaflet for Business Psychology MSc

Study routes

• Part Time,
• Part Time, 4 Years
• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Graduates of business psychology courses enter careers in management trainee positions, consultancies or as human resource management practitioners.

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials. There is an emphasis on the development of practical skills.

Staff who teach on the course include permanent academic staff who have industrial experience and who undertake regular consultancy work, and external psychologists both from consultancies and from large organisations.

Professional Accreditations

The Association of Business Psychologists

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Behaviour and Marketing Creativity

• Business Psychology Project

  This course allows students to carry out a practical piece of work, normally conducted in an organisation external to the University. This may take the form of an 'experimental' investigation within the field of business psychology, or more typically a piece of applied work conducted on behalf of a host organisation. Students are encouraged to develop competence as professionals within the field of business psychology and to that end presentation, communication, consultancy and commercial skills will be developed.

• Consultancy Skills

• Contemporary Strategic Management

• HRM in Organisations (Business Psychology)

• Human Potential and Performance

  The module focuses on the role of the human psychology within the framework of potential and performance at work. It examines the development of organisational theory and psychology, specifically on the relationship between the individual, work and the workplace. The module considers the role and meaning of the 'psychological contract', and examines the current literature. In addition, students are familiarised with the general area of employee relations and elements of conflict in the workplace. Theories of motivation at work are examined using a critical approach. The module also looks at aspects of diversity in the workplace. The role of emotions in organisations is reviewed. Contemporary theories of emotional intelligence and emotional labour are discussed within the context of potential, performance and motivation.

• Individual & Organisational Learning

  The module focuses on the role of the human psychology within the framework of potential and performance at work. It examines the development of organisational theory and psychology, specifically on the relationship between the individual, work and the workplace. The module considers the role and meaning of the psychological contract , and examines the current literature. In addition, students are familiarised with the general area of employee relations and elements of conflict in the workplace. Theories of motivation at work are examined using a critical approach. The module also looks at aspects of diversity in the workplace. The role of emotions in organisations is reviewed. Contemporary theories of emotional intelligence and emotional labour are discussed within the context of potential, performance and motivation.

• Organisations and Change

  The module examines the ways in which organisations might be usefully characterised. A critical approach is developed for examining organisational theories. Group dynamics and leadership, among other variables, are considered in an organisational context. Finally, the concepts of Organisational Development and Management of Change are examined. The module will consider the organisational context of employment. Students will examine the structure of organisations, dealing with questions such as functional specialisms, formal structures and roles, actors influencing the characteristics of organisations, strategy formulation and the role of strategic choice. The module will examine the field of Organisational Development and the role of the Occupational Psychologist as a practitioner in the field. Issues of organisational change and organisational culture will be discussed and students will be introduced to the techniques of the Organisational Development specialist.

• Research and Professional Skills in Action

  The aim of this module is to introduce and develop those research and professional skills that are core to occupational/organisational psychology. The module is designed to explore the links between theory and practice and to highlight the specific skills that students need to demonstrate in order to become reflective professionals.

• Selection and Assessment

  This module provides the student with knowledge of current approaches to selection. The module covers the complete selection process from application forms through to evaluation of selection processes, from both an organisational and applicant perspective. The module begins by stressing the importance of job analysis and how job analysis is necessary in order to identify knowledge, skills and abilities required to write job descriptions, person specifications and design selection methods. Traditional approaches to screening applications are reviewed and alternative approaches such as biodata, competency based application forms, and online screening are introduced. Students are familiarised with methods and measurements used in assessment centres and the validity of assessment centres. Reasons for poor reliability and validity of selection interviewing are addressed and students learn how to improve interviews through the use of structured systems, and becoming aware of interviewer decision making and biases. Evaluation of selection procedures is also addressed, as are practical and methodological issues that are likely to affect the efficiency of selection and assessment in the workplace. Legal and broader organisational issues relevant in selection and assessment are also covered. This is a very practical module, with sessions comprising lecturer input followed by group work, allowing students to put into practice what they have learned. Assessment of the module is partially by a case study which requires students to draw upon all aspects of the module.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,250 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £10,500 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply