MSc Applied Psychology

Why choose Herts?

Strong reputation: Herts is ranked 1^st in the UK for support and achieved a 91% overall satisfaction for social sciences in the most recent Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2024.

Teaching quality: You will be taught and inspired by expert staff who are actively engaged in significant research. This is reflected in our excellent grade 4 rating in the Higher Education Funding Council’s last research assessment exercise.

Research excellence: Psychology is ranked joint first nationally for research impact, obtaining 100% outstanding rating in the latest Research Excellence Framework, 2021.

A 2:1 UK Honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in psychology or a related area (business or social sciences). If students do not have the above requirements, but relevant work experience (equivalent to one-year full time or two years part time) or evidence of working at a 2:1 standard, they will be invited to apply and each case will be considered by the Programme Leader.

We welcome applications from UK, EU, and international students. For country specific international qualifications please check here. International students should have a minimum overall IELTS of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each band. If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level.


Institution code	H36
Course length	Full Time, 1 Years Part Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

MSc Applied Psychology graduates have strong employment prospects across a diverse range of sectors, thanks to their advanced understanding of human behaviour and practical research skills. With the growing recognition of the value of psychology in addressing societal and organisational challenges, postgraduates are well-positioned for roles in mental health services, education, human resources, marketing, public health, and social care. Many secure positions as assistant psychologists, research officers, or behavioural specialists, while others use the degree as a stepping stone toward further professional training in clinical, counselling, or educational psychology. The programme also equips graduates with transferable skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication that are highly valued by employers in both public and private sectors.

About the course

This MSc Applied Psychology is ideal if you are aiming to pursue professional psychology training, such as clinical, counselling or educational psychology, or if you are seeking to apply psychological expertise in non-clinical careers. The course will equip you with a deep understanding of psychological theory and research and the skills to apply these to real-world issues across a variety of sectors. With a focus on evidence-based practice, you will gain insight into human behaviour, cognitive processes and mental health, and will be able to apply psychological principles in diverse professional contexts, from health and clinical settings, to education, business, social services and research and academia.

Why choose this course?

This master's qualification in applied psychology will enhance your career: the course focuses on applying psychological principles to practical challenges, making it highly relevant to a wide range of careers in health, education, business and social services. It also provides a pathway to professional practice, offering a strong foundation for further training in areas such as clinical, counselling, forensic or educational psychology.

You will benefit from the quality and impact of our research: Herts was ranked joined first nationally for research impact, obtaining 100% outstanding rating in the most recent Research Excellence Framework, 2021.

You will learn from teaching staff with expertise in a range of settings including clinical, occupational and applied health. The teaching is research informed as staff are actively involved in research. You’ll also be inspired by our vibrant research seminars, with contributions from leading academics from across the country.

This course offers flexibility through the unique combination of module options you can choose from, enabling you to curate your own course, based on interests and career aspirations.

You can combine your studies with work experience or projects focused on professional skills to enhance your CV and employability.

What will I study?

All students complete the Evidence Based Practice module, covering research principles and how research informs practice, as well as an independent research project. In addition to these core modules, you will choose from a broad range of options to create your personalised course. You will deepen your intellectual skills to analyse complex issues and formulate evdience-based recommendations to address real-world challenges, as well as strengthening your critical appraisal skills and ability to communicate complex psychological concepts.

Your practical skills will be further developed to plan, organise and carry out applied research, critically reflect on practice and experience, and to effectively present, communication and disseminate information and research findings. You’ll gain a number of transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers, from time management to self-awareness and influencing skills.

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars and tutorials. Assessment is by examination, coursework, demonstration of a series of competencies and completion of your research project.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Counselling	15 Credits	Optional
The module introduces the historical and professional basis of counselling and routes into the profession. Theories of counselling may typically include humanistic, psychodynamic, and CBT approaches. Ways of working with client groups will be covered, including where clients present with either mental health problems or a range of life issues

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Forensic Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
Forensic Psychology concerns the application of psychological theory and principles to the understanding of crime, crime control and the legal process. This module is designed to give students an understanding of how forensic psychology can be applied to legal and criminal issues, where it stands in relation to other disciplines, and make clear the paths and routes to becoming a Forensic Psychologist. The module will equip students with an overview of current and historical psychological theory as applied to forensic topics. Particular attention will be paid to the psychology of judicial proceedings, eyewitness testimony, false confessions, offender profiling, investigation of the causes of offending behaviour and methods of tackling crime and offender behaviour. In addition, students will study the role the media play in the construction of ideas about crime, fear of crime and policy in relation to crime.
Clinical Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
The module addresses substantive and methodological issues relating to mental illness from a cognitive perspective. Each week's lecture presents a topic within the field of psychopathology. Most weeks' topics centre on a diagnosis - for example depression, schizophrenia - or a particular topical issue - for example, attachment disorders. The topics are examined from a range of perspectives including the biological, cognitive and systemic approaches to the aetiology of different mental health conditions, as well as specific risk, vulnerability and protective factors. The module is supported by the use of video material as a way of demonstrating specific diagnoses and highlighting topical questions.
Educational Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
The module will deal with the main areas of the discipline of Educational Psychology. This module will cover the contexts in which educational psychologists operate. It will outline the professional routes towards practice within this discipline, and the legislative and policy guidance within which practitioners operate. The module will cover conceptual issues of social educational needs, inclusion and diversity in learners. It will present material on a range of assessment practices, and their limitations within the context of different learning settings. The module will also deal with special intervention work with specific populations such as young people with a range of social and emotional difficulties and vulnerable adolescents. The ethical dimension of the Educational Psychologists work will be looked at, covering questions such as "who is the client" (school, family, parent, child, society?), and whether diagnosis and formulation can have disadvantages. Finally, the module will examine psychological approaches to group work with teachers and pupils as well as the application of theory in helping transform aspects of schools and other organisations.
Occupational Psychology	15 Credits	Optional
This module will provide an introduction to some of the key topics relating to people's behaviour in the workplace. Topics will include stress; relationships in the workplace; error and accidents; leadership; engagement and career development as well as other relevant aspects of organisational behaviour.
Cognitive Neuropsychology	15 Credits	Optional
The module attempts to show how a variety of disorders of perception, language and memory can provide a critical source of evidence through which to understand normal cognitive function. The module will focus on current models of cognition, through the relationship between cognitive function and neuropsychological systems will also be considered. The aim of the module is to provide students with a thorough grounding in understanding higher mental processes. The module content will be delivered through a combination of pre-recorded online lectures and group seminars.
Evidence Based Practice	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is all about doing research – robustly, ethically and competently. This module helps you to experience how research informs practice and vice versa.
Culture Change and Leadership	15 Credits	Optional
This module will enable you to explore the interplay between leadership, change and culture - consider real-world examples and develop evidence-based recommendations for challenging workplace issues.
Individuals in the Workplace	30 Credits	Optional
Enabling individuals to thrive at work. This module covers the theory and best practices underpinning how we manage individuals in the workplace. You will gain practical experience in building solutions and develop your related skills such as coaching, feedback and managing conflict.
Mixed Methods Research	15 Credits	Optional
Learn how to integrate qualitative and quantitative data in applied settings. You will have the opportunity to analyse data using SPSS, practise qualitative data collection such as interviews and focus groups, and integrate the data to help you draw conclusions and make recommendations.
Learning Training and Development	15 Credits	Optional
In this module you will build an evidence-based training intervention. This module explores evidence and issues related to learning in organisations.
Advanced Statistics	15 Credits	Optional
In this module, you will deepen your understanding of advanced statistical techniques such as MANOVA, ANCOVA, and regression modelling, building on your foundation from Evidence-Based Practice. You will apply these methods to real-world data challenges, gaining hands-on experience with statistical software. Through practical exercises, you will develop skills in data management, statistical analysis, interpretation and professional reporting. This module aims to equip you with the tools to apply quantitative methods in psychological research while critically assessing their strengths and limitations.
Applied Psychology Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
Put your learning into practice and undertake a piece of independent research. This module guides you through the process and you will work with a supervisor to hone your research.
Psychopathology	15 Credits	Optional
This module will guide you through key approaches to psychopathology, exploring how mental disorders and behavioural challenges develop, are classified, diagnosed and researched. You will examine leading models like developmental psychopathology and the bio-psycho-social approach, alongside alternative perspectives such as the social constructionist view. Particular attention will be given to the dimensional and diagnostic approaches to psychopathology. By critically engaging with these, you will gain a well-rounded understanding, preparing you for research and practice.
Qualitative Research Methods	15 Credits	Optional
This module will introduce you to key qualitative research approaches used in psychology, such as phenomenology, conversational, theory development. We will explore different epistemological positions and the non-linear process of qualitative research, focusing on the concept of an 'emergent research design'. You will gain hands-on experience in developing interview guides, and coding and interpreting data. By analysing published research, you will also learn to critically evaluate rigour, validity and strategies such as triangulation.
Research Internship	15 Credits	Optional
In this Research Internship module, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your core research knowledge and skills through completion of online sessions curated to cover essential psychological research concepts and methods, such as , 'What is a systematic review?' , ' How to write a research question'. Following these sessions, you will work alongside a staff member, applying this knowledge to real-world research tasks. This is a valuable opportunity to develop practical skills in a supportive, real-world setting.
Developmental Differences	15 Credits	Optional
This module will explore special education needs (SEN) conditions and their impact on the lives of children and adolescents. This module gives you practical knowledge on aspects of diagnosis, assessment, management strategies and support plans.

Key staff

Programme Leader Keith Sullivan

Find out more about Programme Leader Keith Sullivan

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Applied Psychology	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Applied Psychology	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

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

Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £10980 for the 2025/2026 academic year
Part time
- £915 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £17250 for the 2025/2026 academic year
Part time
- £1440 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £17250 for the 2025/2026 academic year
Part time
- £1440 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

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

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
22/09/2025 30/09/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
22/09/2025 31/05/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Part Time)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
22/09/2026 30/09/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
22/09/2026 31/05/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Part Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
22/09/2025	30/09/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
22/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
22/09/2026	30/09/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
22/09/2026	31/05/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)

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MSc Applied Psychology

Why choose Herts?

Careers

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025

2026