Occupational and Organizational Psychology MSc - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Occupational and Organizational Psychology
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Organizational Psychology |
| PGCert | Organizational Behaviour |
Professional recognition
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
British Psychological Society (BPS)
Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PLD61020 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Surrey Business School
Programme Leader
HELIOT YingFei (SBS)
Date of production/revision of spec
18/12/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- The MSc in Occupational and Organizational Psychology is designed to develop the next generation of 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, digital and professional skills designed to permit their development as future practitioners.
- The programme covers the key areas of the BPS for Occupational Psychology including Learning, training and development; Psychological assessment at work; Work design, organisational change and development; Well-being + work; Leadership, engagement and motivation; Applying psychology to work and organisations; Research design and advanced data gathering and analytical techniques. In addition to these key areas, the programme also includes additional topics such as human resource and decision making.
- The programme is intentionally delivered in an interdisciplinary environment, from faculty who are Work, Organisational and Occupational Psychologists, Human Resource Specialists, and world-leading experts in Organisational Behaviour and Decision Making. 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 and consultancy project, alongside class lectures and academic assignments and assessment.
- For students who have or are eligible for British Psychological Society's Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), completion of this MSc programme will prepare students for stage 2 of the British Psychological Society's Qualification in Occupational Psychology.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Develop a systematic and integrated understanding of applied practice in occupational and organizational psychology, incorporating research evidence, practical contextual issues, professional and ethical issues. | C | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Ability to independently critically evaluate a range of evidence sources relevant to the field. | C | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Ability to demonstrate high-level learning and problem solving in the modules studied | C | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Advanced skills in research methodology, consultancy skills (including problem-solving, the consultancy cycle). | P | PGDip, MSc | |
| Ability to independently critically evaluate information about organizations, context, and research findings relevant to practice of occupational and organizational psychology | P | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| A range of generic skills relevant to practice of occupational and organizational 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). | T | MSc | |
| Students will develop knowledge in the British Psychological Society's 7 key areas including: - Learning, training and development - Psychological assessment at work - Work design, organisational change and development - Well-being + work - Leadership, engagement and motivation - Research design, advanced data gathering and analytical techniques - Applying psychology to work and organisations | KCPT | MSc | |
| Develop awareness of diversity, fairness, gender and cultural influences and their relevance to occupational and organisational psychology theory and practise. | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these four core modules (15 credits each):
MANM383 - RESEARCH METHODS FOR APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
MANM024 - ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR: PSYCHOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE
MANM359 - PERFORMANCE, ENGAGEMENT AND WELL-BEING
MANM360 - PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these four core modules (15 credits each):
MANM006 - HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
MANM358 - APPLYING PSYCHOLOGY AT WORK
MANM361 - THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
MANM356 - ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS FOR APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
In addition you will complete the following year-long module (60 credits) with submission at the end of the summer period:
MANM357 - APPLIED RESEARCH DISSERTATION
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
This programme will provide develop students with the University of Surrey's 5 key strengths:
Global and Cultural Capabilities: This programme offers a culturally diverse learning experience in terms of the international student body, teaching team and guest speakers. Programme modules involve critical explorations into global, societal and ethical issues and challenges in the context of Occupational and Organisational Psychology.
Digital Capabilities: The programme's modules enable students to enhance their digital capabilities. Whilst teaching and learning takes place in the classroom, online learning environments and communication channels allow students to carry out much of their independent learning online. Students on this programme also learn to use specialised research software including SPSS Statistics, Andrew Hayes' MACRO PROCESS and Qualtrics survey design.
Employability: Modules and their authentic assessments on this programme equip students with a diverse range of skills including 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. Moreover, the module Applying Psychology at Work offers students one-to-one careers advice and guidance on the Stage 2 process of the British Psychological Society qualification in Occupational Psychology.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: The programme features a wide range of challenging authentic assessments and flipped classroom teaching approaches designed to develop and prepare students with the thinking and problem-solving skills needed for the competitive world of work. In particular, students on this programme have the opportunity to develop their research, consultancy, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Sustainability: Modules on this programme prompt students to critically consider sustainability and ethical issues related to Occupational and Organisational Psychology. Students will learn to recognise their role in building and maintaining a sustainable future for organisations and the people that work within them.
Compensation across modules is not permitted on this programme. However, subsidiary awards are available and include PGDip (post graduate diploma) and PGCert (Postgraduate certificate).
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.