Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This MSc programme has a core philosophy of developing students’ knowledge base of theories, principles and practices within business psychology domains. Teaching is designed to develop students’ ability to synthesise and apply this knowledge to complex, multifaceted or ill-defined problems and to develop their ability to communicate with multiple stakeholder groups. Teaching is informed by the forefront of research, theory and practice in work psychology (and where appropriate integrated with other related disciplines).  Learning outcomes will underpin subsequent training, career routes / choices and work performance. The programme offers academically rigorous knowledge and skills development that prepares students for Doctoral pathways/research, and for entry into both specialist work roles and management posts. Graduates of the programme who complete all core modules and the Empirical Research Project in Work Psychology may progress to training for the British Psychological Society Stage 2 Qualification in Occupational Psychology and subsequent registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. However, to follow this pathway a BPS-accredited undergraduate-level conversion course in Psychology will need to be completed either before or after the MSc. 

The MSc programme in Business Psychology aims: 

• To develop an in-depth specialist understanding of theory, research and practice in business psychology
• To encourage critical and reflective analysis of theory, research and practice in business psychology through the consideration of a wide range of work-related issues in diverse work contexts and cultures
• To develop in students the ability to synthesise theory and research and to apply it into practice as practitioners in order to prepare students to offer valuable expertise when dealing with a variety of work-related issues
• To foster a high-level understanding of the scientific, ethical and practical issues associated with the development and application of theory in business psychology through the consideration of multiple stakeholder perspectives
• To prepare students who may wish to pursue a professional qualification in occupational psychology (potentially leading to full membership and Chartered Status with the BPS Division of Occupational Psychology) and/or a PhD, and those wishing to apply their learning in work organisations without following these qualification pathways.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• QAA descriptors for Higher Education Qualification at Level 7 (2008)

• British Psychological Society Standards for Masters Programmes in Occupational Psychology (2013; and revised draft, 2014)

• 含羞草视频 and School of Business and Economics Strategy Documents

• 含羞草视频 Learning and Teaching Strategy

• Masters programmes within the School of Business and Economics

• Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency – Practitioner Psychologists (2010)

• European Master on Work and Organizational Psychology WOP-P (content and learning outcomes)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme participants should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

K1        key theories and contemporary practices relating to the assessment of individuals’ knowledge, skills, abilities, goals and other constructs in various work-related contexts and cultures 

K2        important and influential research-based theories of career and personal development including the application of a range of psychological theories to individual- and group-level learning, development and knowledge management 

K3        the essential features of leadership theories including the implications of these for the identification and development of leaders and the management of a range of work issues 

K4        approaches to measuring and managing work performance, employee motivation, and employee participation  

K5        the measurement and determinants of work-related attitudes, health and well-being, linked to an understanding of the processes and outcomes of various organisational change interventions  

K6        the psychological influences on employees’ responses to different types of work, different work environments, work cultures and different management practices  

K7        the development, implementation and evaluation of theory-based problem-solving processes in work-related contexts based on an understanding of key scientist practitioner skills and advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods 

K8        professional codes of conduct including BPS Code of Conduct, HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, and other relevant ethical principles and guidelines

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to:

C1       Critically evaluate knowledge, theory and practice from business psychology and relevant related disciplines

C2       Apply their knowledge and understanding to critically evaluate, synthesise and reflect upon professional and ethical issues raised in both research and practice in business psychology

C3       Apply key theoretical principles to a range of work-related problems and issues in a variety of different work settings

C4       Build strategies for the assessment of work-related issues through psychological enquiry and to critically evaluate the suitability of different strategies for the implementation and evaluation of interventions

C5       Use their understanding of psychological theories and concepts to communicate effectively about all aspects of their work to a range of different stakeholder groups

C6       Integrate, evaluate and apply their knowledge of the topics diversity, fairness, gender and culture across the whole of the curriculum

C7       Reflect upon the development of knowledge and skills relevant to their progression as a business psychologist

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to:

P1        Identify and apply a variety of assessment methods to gather evidence relating to work-related issues and problems across a range of different domains within business psychology and across all parts of the problem-solving cycle

P2        Make appropriate evidence-based and ethical choices about the suitability of a range of practical theory-based techniques used in business psychology

P3        Use, when appropriate, a range of practical skills commonly deployed by business psychologists (e.g. interviewing techniques, critical incidents, repertory grid, questionnaire design etc.)

P4        Critically and reflectively analyse various sources of evidence and identify both new and established implications for practice

P5        Identify areas of practice and work-related issues that could benefit from research; design, conduct and evaluate an appropriate investigation

P6        Integrate different activities across the problem-solving cycle (e.g. problem assessment, intervention design and evaluation of solutions) in an appropriate and ethical way

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:

T1        Communicate effectively orally, electronically and in writing to a wide range of different stakeholder groups and in a number of different formats 

T2        Apply constructive and structured approaches to complex problem-solving and intervention evaluation even in the face of uncertainties and incomplete information 

T3        Manage personal learning efficiently and effectively through an appreciation of the skills and capabilities needed to apply psychology effectively in work settings 

T4        Use IT effectively as a learning and communication tool 

T5        Develop and utilise the advanced research skills needed to work with complex data and research / practical agendas 

T6        Work effectively and confidently both as an individual and as part of a small team within constrained time-frames

T7        Work independently in a way that stimulates continued professional development by using the available support strategically and effectively

4. Programme structure

The course consists of eight 15-credit modules and one 60-credit research project. Students may elect to complete either the Empirical Research Project in Work Psychology (BSP408) OR the Dissertation in Business Psychology (BSP409). Only those completing BSP408 (and all other core modules) are eligible to progress towards stage 2 training (after a conversion course).  

Students who wish to study part-time will be guided by their personal tutor as to the sequencing and timing of modules, taking into account module pre-requisites and the students’ existing expertise and availability for study. In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI. Students may not submit for assessment their Empirical Research Project in Work Psychology or Dissertation in Business Psychology until they have completed all other taught modules on the programme.  Students registered on this programme must commence the module Gathering and Using Evidence in Work Psychology (BSP404) before all other modules. For those studying on a part-time basis, at least one of Modules BSP400, BSP401, BSP402 or BSP403 must be studied before BSP405, BSP406 or BSP407.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification