Designed and delivered by leading academics and experts in their field, the MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology programme is a British Psychological Society (BPS) Accredited Programme focused on developing the future generation of practitioners in occupational psychology who can make a positive difference to the effectiveness and well-being of people and organisations.
Introduction
The programme draws upon the latest evidence and cutting-edge research to cover all major aspects of occupational psychology, enabling students to develop a critical understanding of how research into human behaviour at work can be applied to enhance the effectiveness of people and organisations at work.
Core areas include; leadership, motivation and engagement; well-being at work; work design, organisational change and development; psychological assessment at work; and learning, training and development.
Students also undertake a supervised empirical research project, building their knowledge of research methods in psychology and developing skills in the conduct of research in organisational contexts.
In doing so, the MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology equips students will the knowledge base and practical skills necessary for a career in occupational psychology and constitutes Stage 1 of the BPS Qualification in Occupational Psychology. It also provides a strong foundation for those who would consider progressing to a Doctor of Philosophy programme.
This programme has been designed for students who hold a British Psychological Society (BPS) Psychology bachelor’s degree providing Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
Applicants with a Psychology bachelor’s degree not accredited by the (BPS) accredited are advised to apply for the MSc Organisational Psychology pathway instead.
Accreditation
The University of Liverpool Management School is one of an elite group of institutions worldwide to hold the gold standard ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
The MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology programme is a British Psychological Society (BPS) Accredited Programme. All programmes that are accredited by the British Psychological Society have met rigorous criteria, which means if you graduate from a BPS-accredited course, you will be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the society.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
This 12 month programme comprises of eight 15-credit compulsory modules taught over two semesters, followed by a 60-credit research Dissertation over the summer.
Compulsory modules
STRATEGIC LEARNING, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (ULMS522)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module will provide students with an understanding of the strategic role that learning, training and development plays in achieving desirable organisational, group and individual outcomes. The module draws upon the latest evidence-based knowledge, trends and practice to equip students with the ability to critically understand, evaluate and apply theories, concepts and tools relating to organisational, group and individual learning (online and face-to-face), training design and delivery, succession planning, organisational development and individual professional development. Students will also gain an appreciation for how human resource development initiatives are crucial for enacting organisational strategy and enabling innovation. Finally, they will recognise the importance of ethical and professional behaviour, continuous personal and professional development, as well as a commitment to equality of opportunity and diversity in the workplace.
Diversity Management and Inclusion (ULMS794)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module critically explores the role of HRM and Organisational Psychology in achieving three of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDG’s) i.e., SDG 5: gender equality, SDG 8: promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth through providing full and productive employment and decent work for all, and SDG 10: reduce inequality. This is achieved through examining the diverse nature of the current workforce across various dimensions, such as age, race, disability, gender, religion and belief, and sexual orientation, and the advantages that diversity can offer to employers. Legal, social and psychological frameworks underlying the management of diversity are considered, as well as the policies and practices that support equality and the management of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the workplace. The module also enables students to: think critically about individual and organisational approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion; understand the underpinning social concepts such as stereotyping, discrimination, unconscious bias etc. and how these operate within the workplace; critically appraise the competing drivers for diversity influencing organisational strategy and policy in this area; appraise elements of diversity and their relationship with the labour market including an understanding of equal treatment and diversity approaches to equality both conceptually and in terms of workplace interventions; comparatively analyse equality, diversity and inclusive strategies to develop an inclusive culture. The module also covers the theoretical perspectives of D&I, whereupon students look into D&I data and how it can be used in the workplace to form evidence-based insights and create a more inclusive environment.
Advanced Research Methods in Organisational Psychology (ULMS880)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 3
Given that occupational psychology is a highly-applied and evidence-based discipline, the aim of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and understanding of research design, methodology and data analysis necessary for advanced scholarship in this field. Students will be exposed to both quantitative and qualitative research design and methodological approaches and will have the opportunity to develop skills in both areas through a series of seminars and practical workshops. Throughout the module, students will be supported by module staff and an allocated Project Supervisor to develop a research proposal, which will focus on the empirical investigation of a practical organisational problem of their choosing. The module will also carefully consider ethical issues that may arise in conducting research, and students will be required to critically reflect on the ethical considerations relevant to their own research proposal, as well as how they plan to disseminate their research findings to both academic and practitioner audiences. The module will also enable students to critically evaluate academic papers and assess the effectiveness of research strategies and methods used in the literature, more generally. Moreover, it will prepare students to clearly communicate research ideas and findings to the wider practitioner community and society, contributing to reducing the gap between academic research and practice and enhancing evidence-based management.
Well-being and Work (ULMS882)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module aims to provide an insight into the discipline of occupational health psychology and how the effective application of occupational health psychology can enhance the experience of well-being in the workplace. Key areas that the module will critically explore include; the changing nature of work and the implications this is having on work life balance, job attitudes and organisational outcomes; the employment lifecycle including the topics of vocational choice, redundancy, unemployment and retirement; the causes, management and prevention of stress at work; the role of mood and emotion in the workplace; positive psychological perspectives in organisational psychology; and the promotion of well-being in organisations.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Semester two
This 12 month programme comprises of eight 15-credit compulsory modules taught over two semesters, followed by a 60-credit research Dissertation over the summer.
Compulsory modules
Strategic Leadership and Effective People Management (ULMS700)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module will provide students with an understanding of the development of leadership theory together with a critical appreciation of its applicability in a range of business contexts and across different cultures. The module will equip students with an understanding of how effective leadership skills and behaviours can improve the quality of organisational functioning and enhance individual, group and organisational performance and innovation. It will enable students to build the foundations for effective decision making, workforce motivation and increased awareness of challenges that leaders face through the analysis of leadership attributes and skills. The module will also facilitate the development of interpersonal skills integral to effective leadership, including communication, intelligence, situational decision making, moral-based leadership, active and effective listening and the facilitation of collective and inclusive decision making. Additionally, it will critically examine the psychological, sociological, behavioural and cultural dynamics in operation in contemporary workplaces, which influence how leaders anticipate and respond to changing organisational environments.
Change and Conflict Management (ULMS785)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module will explore how to drive change for the good of organisations and employees, and the role of conflict in the context of the employment relationship. The module will commence with a theoretical and historical overview of traditional approaches to understanding and managing change and conflict. Students will then be introduced to the psychological contract framework as a lens through which we can gain an understanding of the employment relationship in contemporary organisations. Students will also learn how to build a case for change, engage people to enable sustained change, effectively manage conflict that arises from change, and continuously innovate and deliver change at pace to enable sustainability. As well as looking at cross cultural differences, students will learn about different tactics to handle conflict in different situations with an emphasis on first understanding the nature of the conflict and the related dynamics of power and resistance.
Work Design and Organisational Development (ULMS881)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module aims to equip students with the foundation skills, knowledge and understanding needed by a practitioner Occupational Psychologist working in the field of work design and organisational development. The module takes a multi-level perspective, starting with a focus on the individual in the workplace and how jobs and work environments can be best designed to foster work motivation, engagement, positive job attitudes and organisational outcomes. The module then moves to the group level of analysis to explore how individuals function in groups, examining psychological theories of group processes and team effectiveness. The topics of workplace health and safety, risk management and the psychology of human error are also critically examined. The module then moves to the organisational level of analysis, exploring major concepts and theories relating to organisational structure, design, culture and development in today’s business and globalised markets. This will enable students to understand and diagnose organisational development initiatives, plan required interventions and measure and evaluate outcomes relating to performance and innovation. The module concludes with a critical consideration of the changing nature of work and work environments, including dispersed, hybrid and virtual working, and the associated implications for individuals, teams and organisations.
Psychological Assessment at Work (ULMS884)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module aims to equip students with the fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding needed by practitioner Occupational Psychologists working in the field of psychological assessment. The module begins by exploring the strategic role that assessment plays in managing selection and recruitment in the workplace, as well as for on-going appraisal, performance management, and learning and development processes in organisations. Students will develop practical skills in conducting job analysis, as well as critical awareness of a range of selection methods available to organisations (e.g., interviews, assessment centres, and situational judgement tests) and how these differ in terms of reliability, validity and practical utility. The module will also cover psychometric theory and test construction, with students gaining a detailed understanding of how individuals differ in terms of personality and cognitive ability, and the implications this has for selection. Finally, the module emphasises the importance of ethical awareness in decision making, with a particular focus on diversity, fairness and candidate reactions to the assessment process. In order to consolidate the learning undertaken in this module, students will also be provided with an opportunity to complete BPS-accredited Certificates in Occupational Test User Ability and Personality, which will take place during the summer.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Final project
Compulsory modules
Dissertation in Organisational Psychology (ULMS883)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
The aim of this module is to build on the knowledge and skills acquired in ULMS880 Advanced Research Methods in Organisational Psychology, and enable students to execute an independent, applied and significant piece of research in the field of organisational psychology, under the supervision of an allocated member of academic staff. The applied focus of the research dissertation aims to enable students to further develop and embed their conceptual skills, data analytical skills, ethical awareness, critical evaluation skills, as well as their ability to effectively communicate their research findings to both an academic and practitioner audience.
The specific requirements of the research dissertation are dependent on programme pathway. Students on the accredited MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology are required to conduct a piece of independent fieldwork, in which they collect and analyse primary data relating to their chosen dissertation topic. Students on the non-accredited MSc Organisational Psychology pathway choose to either examine secondary data (using qualitative or quantitative methods) or conduct a systematic literature review relating to their chosen dissertation topic.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
How you'll learn
Modules are taught using the latest active learning techniques including business simulations, real-world case studies, interactive participation software, and lecture capture.
The principal forms of teaching are face-to-face lectures and seminars with lectures normally being supported by material such as hand-outs and presentations. Seminars give the opportunity for detailed discussion of a topic under the direction of a tutor. You are normally expected to prepare work in advance for seminars and may be expected to present work or give presentations.
In addition, this course offers an enhanced programme of events and activities such as guest speakers, BPS accredited certificates in test user ability and personality, specialist careers support, and opportunities to undertake applied research projects with external project partners
Following semester two you will complete a dissertation with the support of an academic supervisor.
Teaching time will account for an average of 8 hours per week and you should anticipate an additional 21 hours of self-directed study and group work.
How you're assessed
In semester one and two, you will take modules totalling 120 credits. The dissertation completed during the summer period is worth 60 credits and students will be supported by their academic supervisor.
Students are required to complete 180 credits to achieve a full MSc.
Subject to meeting specific criteria outlined by the University, students will graduate with a Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Assessment tasks are varied and some may be designed specifically to meet the learning outcomes of a particular programme of study, but students can expect to be assessed via coursework, essay, group work, presentations, case studies, negotiation exercises, reports and examinations. The weighting of individual components will vary from one module to another. All assessment information is included within the module specification.
All modules must be passed with a minimum of 50% in order for the BPS accredited degree title of MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology to be awarded. In circumstances where such criteria are not met, an alternative non-accredited degree title of MSc Organisational Psychology may be awarded.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The School has a thriving international master’s community with a comprehensive, interdisciplinary programme of social and extra-curricular events and dedicated careers and employability support.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
What students say...
What I most enjoy about my course is that we are given lots of opportunities to make connections with real-world, practicing psychologists. Within the first three months of our course we had three different guest speakers who spoke to us about what they do and opportunities in their fields, which has been hugely valuable as it’s such a great way to get exposure to different career paths and to network outside of ULMS.
The MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology programme provides the foundation knowledge and skills to enable professional training and subsequently to pursue a professional career as a Registered Occupational Psychologist.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
You will have access to a specialist, in-house postgraduate careers team and have access to one-to-one careers guidance, workshops, seminars, and employability initiatives.
Upon successful completion, the MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology provides you with Stage 1 of the BPS Qualification in Occupational Psychology, and thus provides a clear foundation for a career as a Registered Occupational Psychologist.
This programme equips graduates with a wide set of relevant knowledge, skills and competencies that would suit a career in the areas of:
Work/organisational/business psychology
Human resource management
Organisational development
General management.
Based on the advanced research methods knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme, graduates may also consider an academic career, through the pursuit of a PhD in the field organisational psychology or a related field.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£13,500
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£27,500
Fees stated are for the 2024-25 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Applicants without a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Psychology bachelor’s degree are advised to apply for the MSc Organisational Psychology pathway instead.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MSc, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20
Duolingo English Test
120 overall, with no component below 105
Pearson PTE Academic
61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic
70 overall, with no skill below 65
PSI Skills for English
B2 Pass with Merit in all bands
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
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Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
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