Occupational Psychology MSc

Increasingly, employers in both the public and private sector are looking for people with proven skills in staff development, identifying talent, coaching and work design. Employers and business clients look favourably on applicants with a masters qualification in occupational psychology, particularly if they have work experience.

Occupational psychology is concerned with how people behave at work; it involves the study and analysis of leadership, selection, assessment, motivation, development and the organisation of people. At Kingston, we have brought together our skills and knowledge in the areas of organisational behaviour and psychology to offer a course that enables you to apply theory in practice. The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society and ensures that you develop your understanding and skills to enhance the performance of people at work.

This Occupational Psychology MSc is designed for students who have an honours degree in a British Psychological Society-accredited psychology course or equivalent psychology qualifications. If you do not have a background in psychology, you may be interested in our Business Psychology PgDip/MSc.

What will you study?

An induction programme will introduce you to the Business School and the expectations and ethos of the course, during which you will complete psychometric tests for personal and professional development throughout the programme. You will then look at the varying approaches to applying psychological principles to the workplace and how these ideas can increase organisational, team and individual performance in today's business environment.

The course will enable you to effectively apply theories and models of organisational behaviour to the work of occupational psychology, and will cover the eight main areas required by the British Psychological Society. You will critically evaluate the evidence base, ethical considerations and your role in organisations as a business psychologist to enhance your professional skills.

Course director Dr Stephanie Morgan talks about the benefits of studying this course at Kingston University:

We will offer a range of modules, including those listed. Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. In addition, we will offer other practice-based training, including psychometric testing (as an additional short course).

Available modules

• Career Counselling, Training and Development

• Career Counselling, Training and Development

  This module explores ways in which organisations, managers and employees approach career management and associated learning and development.

  As well as covering academic and practitioner perspectives, it provides you with an opportunity to reflect on their own development to-date, assessing how your career has unfolded, and provides practical tools and information to consider possible future directions. We will evaluate:

  • the links between career expectations, personal development and learning; and
  • the modern practical approaches to training and development at work, along with a critical review of the evaluation techniques used.

  This module covers two of the BPS-prescribed key knowledge dimensions – namely (i) training and (ii) counselling and personal development.

  
   
• Leadership, Change and Consultancy

• Leadership, Change and Consultancy

  This module is focused on understanding the leadership, processes and practice of change in organisations and the essential building blocks for organisational development. It considers:

  • organisational change from both proactive and reactive perspectives;
  • the current strategies that are implemented to manage such change;
  • a range of practitioner interventions focused on both development and change;
  • implications of change on motivation and performance;
  • theories of motivation, along with the evidence base for any relationship to performance;
  • links between leadership, change and motivation, along with implications for employee relations; and
  • the consultancy process and the importance of understanding the consultancy/contract cycle and ethical issues that may arise at each stage.

  This module covers two of the BPS-prescribed key knowledge dimensions, namely (i) employee relations and motivation and (ii) organisational development and change.

  
   
• Performance Appraisal and Career Development

• Performance Appraisal and Career Development

  This module explores the theory and practice of performance appraisal and career development. It provides you with an understanding of the concept of work performance and its assessment. We will also introduce and discuss individual career determinants (eg self-concept, life role importance). Topics include:

  • performance models;
  • occupational choice; and
  • the work-family interface.

  This module covers the BPS-prescribed key knowledge dimension performance appraisal and career development.

  
   
• Selection and Assessment

• Selection and Assessment

  This module provides an in-depth examination and review of modern employee selection and assessment methods.

  The focus of the module is an exploration of the disconnect in this area between academic research findings and organisational practice. We will identify the cognitive processes underpinning decision making and judgement formation and their potential influences within a selection processes.

  Overall, the module aims to broaden your understanding of issues involved throughout the entire selection and assessment process, and to provide practical skills in this area.

  This module covers the BPS-prescribed key knowledge dimension personnel selection and assessment.

  
   
• Ergonomics and Human-Machine Interaction

• Ergonomics and Human-Machine Interaction

  The module addresses individuals' wellbeing and efficiency at work and examines how equipments, tasks and environments can be adapted to better match individuals' abilities, limitations and needs. Topics include:

  • workplace design;
  • human computer interaction design and usability;
  • workload, skill and performance;
  • safety reliability and risk assessment;
  • distributed cognition; and
  • collaborative work.

  This module covers the BPS-prescribed key knowledge dimension human-machine interactions.

  
   
• Work Design, Health and Well-being

• Work Design, Health and Well-being

  This module addresses individuals' health and well-being at work and examines how environments can be adapted to promote health.

  It introduces a variety of theoretical social and health psychology models and examines their application to occupational settings. You also explore issues surrounding workplace health and safety legal obligations, and assessment of disability. Topics include:

  • causes and consequences of work-related stress and burnout;
  • the role of technological advancement on well-being;
  • assessment of stress and stress intervention techniques;
  • behaviour change and personal injury interventions;
  • social and physical environmental influences on health and well-being.

  This module covers the BPS-prescribed key knowledge dimension design of environments and work: health and safety.

  
   
• Research Methods and Dissertation

• Research Methods and Dissertation

  This module explores how to secure knowledge relevant to Occupational Psychology and Business Psychology, focusing on the skills and knowledge needed for a masters research dissertation. You learn to:

  • critically evaluate the literature;
  • assess and develop the design of the research and the dissertation;
  • understand ethical conduct, professional issues and practical constraints;
  • collect and analyse data; and
  • present results.
  
   

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It covers the eight main areas required by the British Psychological Society.

The Faculty of Business and Law runs a number of postgraduate and post-experience open days. Visit us to find out how we can help you achieve your career ambitions.

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This unique programme is jointly offered by Kingston Business School and the Psychology Department in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

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Research is an essential part of the day-to-day life of both Kingston Business School and the Psychology Department, and is embedded in our intellectual activities and development.

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