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MSc Business Occupational and Work Psychology with Ext Prof Practice
Why choose Herts?
- Flexibility: You have the option either to complete the course in one academic year, or in two years with a choice of a work placement or advanced research.
- Industry Connections: Hertfordshire Business School is very well connected and hosts regular business networking events with large organisations such as BT, Tesco, and Ocado.
- Real world experience: Gain valuable real-world experience through a year-long work placement lasting a minimum of 30 weeks.
Professional Accreditations
The Association for Business Psychology – you are eligible for free membership for a year whilst studying and are eligible to apply for certified business psychologist status after graduating.
British Psychological Society – you are eligible to apply for chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and can use this course as stage 1 of your chartership journey.
About the course
This MSc Business Occupational and Work Psychology with Extended Project degree responds to the growing demand for professionals who can integrate psychological theory and research to enhance workplace performance, employee well-being, and organisational effectiveness. Rooted in an evidence-based practice approach, the course emphasises theoretical knowledge, practical application, and evaluation.
The programme offers three award routes that you can choose to study:
- MSc Business Occupational and Work Psychology
- MSc Business Occupational and Work Psychology with Extended Professional Practice
- MSc Business Occupational and Work Psychology with Advanced Project
Graduates have progressed into a wide range of roles across industry, including management consulting, human resources, talent management, training and development, organisational development, and people management.
The degree provides eligibility to apply for certification as a business psychologist and fulfils the Stage 1 training requirement toward Chartered Occupational Psychologist status.
This course is well suited to those aiming to work in professional or corporate environments, seeking a career transition into psychology, working toward registration as a certified business psychologist, or eligible to apply for BPS chartership with the goal of becoming a chartered occupational psychologist.
The extended professional practice route provides the opportunity for a work placement. By selecting this option, it will extend your programme into two years and complete a full-time work placement approved by the Careers and Placement Team. This allows you to gain valuable work experience and demonstrate reflexive skills – enhancing self-awareness and illustrating the application of theory in practice.
Why choose this course?
Our postgraduate degrees are sector leading amongst over 100 higher education institutions in the UK as evidenced by our excellent achievements:
- Joint 1st in the UK for research impact in the Centre of Psychology and Sports Sciences (Research Excellence Framework, 2021)
- 3rd in the UK for counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025)
Learn from experienced practitioners and academics with backgrounds in management consultancy, occupational psychology, workplace coaching, training and development, and research. Their expertise helps bring learning to life.
Employability is embedded throughout the course. A personal tutoring approach allows you to meet regularly with a professional business psychologist to support learning and maintain a focus on career development. An optional course extension offers the opportunity to combine academic study with a work placement or professionally focused project to enhance both CV and employability.
The final module provides an opportunity to undertake supervised independent research, supporting the development of expertise in a chosen area within the discipline.
What will I study?
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.
Further course information
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| Msc Business Occupational And Work Psychology With Extended Professional Practice - Full time, Sem A | Download |
| MSc Business Occupational and Work Psychology with Extended Professional Practice - Full Time, Sem A | Download |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
Sandwich placement or study abroad year |
n/a |
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |