While this course shares modules with the MSc 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.
Course structure
Students receive a timetable and year planner at the outset of the academic year detailing dates of all attendance requirements and all assessments for the year.
Attendance requirements are primarily timetabled from Tuesday to Thursday.
The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits’ worth of core and optional taught modules and 60 credits for the Applied Research Project.
Core modules
Introduction to Research Methods
Gain the knowledge and skills to effectively plan and design research as well as to critically appraise published research. You will be introduced to how to write a literature review in a systematic way, how to write a research proposal, study designs (including developing research questions), ethics and practical issues when planning and conducting research.
The module also covers designing questionnaires, psychometric issues such as reliability and validity, using interviews and focus groups, and use if the internet and an introduction to online research methods.
Employee Relations and Motivation
This module introduces the important issue of motivation and employee relations at work, and considers the contribution that psychological theory makes to our understanding of these areas.
The module also considers the role of the psychological contract as a concept for understanding management/employee relations, explores the issue of conflict and bullying in organisations and discusses issues around diversity.
Organisations, Stress and Health
The module explores the role of psychological, social and organisational factors in individual and organisational health and the promotion of well being at work.
A major theme is work-related stress - its nature, causes and effects. The most common causes of work-related ill-health concern adverse aspects of the way jobs are organised and people are managed. The experience of stress offers one vehicle for understanding the link between those adverse working conditions and individual and organisational ill-health.
The module also considers other major contemporary concerns such as absence from work and the implications of an ageing workforce - exploring how these problems and others can be best controlled and managed.
Workplace Counselling and Career Development
This module concerns workplace counselling and career development. The module provides a general introduction to the nature and psychological background of career development, and students are given the opportunity to explore the practical implications by planning their own career development. Students also study the main approaches, application and effectiveness of workplace counselling.
Ergonomics, Work Design, Health and Safety
The module discusses several contemporary issues in ergonomics, safety and health, including accidents and musculo-skeletal disorders. In addtion this module will explore issues in Human Factors, such as the perceptual, cognitive and actions involved in dealing with equipment within varying organisational contexts.
Consultancy Skills
The module covers the core consultancy skills required by those studying occupational, work and organisational, occupational health and health psychology. It also considers ethical issues and the Code of Conduct of the British Psychological Society.
Occupational Selection and Assessment
This module covers contemporary issues in selection and assessment both from a psychological perspective and as an important personnel system for organisations. It provides discussion of: the nature of the selection system, organisational and job analysis, recruitment, selection interviewing and psychometric testing, selection validation, the nature and use of assessment centres, and the adverse impact of selection methods.
The emphasis throughout the module is on selection as a process comprising an identification stage, a design and delivery stage, and an evaluation stage, with multiple feedback loops between stages.
Organisational Development and Change
This module provides an introduction to various approaches to understanding organisations and the environments in which they operate. Areas covered include:
- Perspectives on organisational development and change
- Evaluation of change
- Organisational development interventions
- Organisations & organisational culture
- Teamworking Leadership and change
Training in Organisations
The first part of the module focuses on theories of learning and the application of these to training development and design in organisations. Issues relating to training needs analysis, training transfer and evaluation of training are also considered.
The second part of the module focuses on the design and operation of performance appraisals in organisations, with particular emphasis on fairness in appraisals and a critical evaluation of the use of 360 degree feedback. Using case studies and organisational scenarios students will consider the practical aspects of developing and delivering training programmes and appraisals in organisations.
This module will be assessed by an two-part examination, reflecting each part of the module
Quantitative Methods
Through a series of lectures, practical workshops and assignments, this module will take you through the design, operationalization, data-collection, data analysis, and report-writing processes of a quantitative research study in mental health and applied psychology.
Advanced techniques and software including Multi-Level Modelling; Meta analysis; Factor Analysis; Path Analysis.
Qualitative Research Methods
This module considers a range of qualitative approaches suitable for psychologists. Students will be introduced to the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings and practical application of a number of qualitative research methods. The teaching will combine lectures, workshops, student-led seminars and self-directed study. Specific topics included will be:
- developing qualitative research questions
- consideration of philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of qualitative methods
- choosing an appropriate qualitative method
- the methods available
- ethical issues in qualitative research
- evaluation and critical appraisal of qualitative research evidence
Applied Research Project
Empirical research project in applied psychology.
Research project
In addition to the modules, over the summer period you will complete an Applied Research Project. The project will give you the opportunity to consolidate your skills and experience, and to explore a topic covered during the course in greater depth.
Diploma
We also offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Work and Organisational Psychology, which mirrors the taught component of the MSc but does not include the applied research project.
The above is a sample of the typical modules that we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. This course page may be updated over the duration of the course, as modules may change due to developments in the curriculum or in the research interests of staff.
Teaching methods and assessment
Teaching methods
A variety of teaching methods are used on this course to facilitate learning. These include lectures, seminars, workshops and self-managed learning groups.
Through our comprehensive programme, which includes workshops on consultancy skills and opportunities for Occupational Testing BPS Test User Ability and Test User Personality, you will have the facility to develop practical skills fundamental to your future career development.
Assessment
Assessment is also undertaken by a variety of means, including examinations, essays, dissertations and field-based project work. On some occasions, students might be asked to make individual or group-based presentations in seminars and workshops. Although not formally assessed, these presentations are an essential opportunity for students to demonstrate knowledge of the topic and important transferable skills, eg presentation skills.
Part-time students
Part-time students are taught alongside full-time students and the choice of modules (and therefore the timetable) is flexible and a matter for agreement between student and course director. In all cases, part-time students can access a wide range of teaching and learning facilities remotely via the student portal.