School of Psychology

MSc Occupational Psychology

MSc Full-time 12 months, Part-time 2 years

Award
MSc
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (12 months),Part-time (2 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Study Occupational Psychology with us and gain the essential foundation you need to further your career in the psychology of work and business. Our MSc is an accredited training programme for Stage 1 Occupational Psychology.

Our modern programme includes:

· A comprehensive learning experience with an expert team.

· State of the art facilities & equipment.

· Applied learning in real-world issues.

 

The programme is:

• Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) Stage 1 The British Psychological Society

 

Occupational Psychology

Occupational psychology brings the science of psychology to the world of work. Researching a wide variety of areas in employment, high performance, wellbeing, team performance, equality, and ethics: Occupational Psychologists provide consultancy and intervention programmes to employers and staff. You will learn to improve team performance by working with employers to create healthy and motivating working environments; using the latest research in human performance to help companies and individuals reach their potential. Teaching on this course is informed by leading-edge research, and offers opportunities toward joining the field as a critical thinking leader.

Foundations

Our MSc Occupational Psychology provides an ideal platform on which to launch your career, and progress toward Stage 2 training. Training provides a foundation in the use of scientific methods to improve performance in the workplace. We integrate theory and research, skill development and practice by developing the necessary subject matter expertise in our students so that they tactically improve organisational performance, and increase the effectiveness, satisfaction and wellbeing of

teams and individuals at work. It is a programme of professional development designed to develop competencies the assessment and intervention related to issues in the workplace. You will gain expertise in research, and the application of theoretical models to complex issues in team environments. The programme brings training in advanced concepts in Psychology, and enables you to develop your understanding of how theories and models may be applied to various workplace and business issues, such as the assessment of individual performance in the workplace, organisational behaviour, and leadership strategies.

You will learn how to use professional development tools, develop training interventions, and oversee change management processes that consider human wellbeing.

Learning

Learning focuses on helping you develop your knowledge in what makes effective, healthy, and supportive organisations. You will explore research in human behaviour in work-contexts, as well as case studies based on real-world consultancy projects that illustrate how to apply models in practise. Our modern programme provides the foundation for you to develop your skills and confidence to make valuable contributions to any business or work environment.

The vitality of the course comes from an experienced and supportive course team, passionate about creating positive change in the workplace. Building on this programme’s two decade history, the team is committed to the development of the profession into the future.

You will learn from experienced applied Psychologists, with consulting staff who work closely with businesses in the UK and abroad. They use a matrix of innovative and inspiring learning methods to enable you to enhance your skills and grow as a practitioner. Teaching is delivered in a supportive and friendly environment, where staff help you direct your learning toward your areas of interest. Staff are active researchers, with expertise in leadership and innovation, strategy-building, and human resource management. We have a commitment to diversity, inclusion, sustainable working models, which we offer externally to consulting partners. The team are recognised for their contributions to Occupational Psychology, as they work closely with the British Psychological Society as members of the Division of Occupational Psychology training committee and Association for Business Psychology Certification Panel.

Modern Training

The team has longstanding relationships with external partners, and we work closely to ensure that course content and remains at the forefront of training.

Our Team

We are a diverse group of people welcoming those of any ethnicity, culture, religion or sexual orientation to join our community and contribute to the profession of Psychology. Our team are members of professional bodies – including Advance HE, the British Psychological Society (BPS) as Chartered psychologists, and the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). You will be learning from experienced practitioners in Occupational, Counselling, and Clinical Psychology.

 

Our Place The course is part of the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Education, Health, & Wellbeing. The School of Psychology is the professional home to over 50 teaching and research staff, bringing a broad range of interests and experience to benefit students learning on our portfolio of courses. Our School is recognised as one of the leading providers of Psychology education, using innovative teaching methods focussing on the application of scientific and theoretical principles to the study of people’s lives. Psychology staff are grouped into a variety of highly active research clusters through our Centre for Psychological Research, publishing in the latest academic journals and working to make a real-world impact on people’s lives.

We provide multiple opportunities to enhance your career and create networks inside and outside of the department: including volunteering networks, peer mentoring, and the opportunity to become a research assistant for our academic staff using the Research Opportunities Network.

On Campus

The course is based at our City Centre campus - the Millennium City building, where you learn in a multidisciplinary environment alongside our colleagues in nursing and social care. The building offers a unique learning space in our psychology labs, simulated environments for creative research projects, and our Cyberpsychology lab with the latest in virtual-reality and eye-tracking equipment.

Training Support

We offer many levels of support, such as academic, placement, research, and cohort tutors who provide personal support and professional mentoring in relation to many aspects of the training. While in training you will have access to our professional practice resources, teaching materials, CPD activities and regular tutorials with members of the team. We also support graduates as they enter the workplace, as alumni and members of the professional community. We work in partnership with Advance HE, the nationally recognised body in teaching quality, to continually develop the quality of our courses with modern teaching and learning practises.

What happens on the course?

Course Content

Our programme begins with an intensive welcome-week study package, designed to facilitate your transition to postgraduate study.  It includes group contracting, forming your peer relationships, expectations of trainees & staff, roles in the training process, library & literature searching skills, project management, and resilience building. 

Our course creates critical thinkers, leaders, and innovators who make real contributions to any role in which they work. Our courses are integrative and inclusive, where we focus on teaching and assessment using multiple techniques enabled by digital technologies. A variety of teaching methods enables us to develop self-directed learners, who are adaptable and well-prepared for modern workforce.  We provide a supportive learning environment for people with creative minds, who like to ask challenging questions and find out what is behind what they see in front of them. 

Study scientific approaches to understanding the mind, motivation, and behaviour.  Modules cover theories, principles, ethics, and application in the real-world, such as:

  • Issues in Work Design: Learn how workplaces contribute to health and performance, and the design factors that create success. Understand how to assess contextual forces, and how to intervene to produce productive, healthy and safe work environments. 
  • Organisational Change, Leadership & Motivation: Examine people, relationships, and functioning in professional contexts. Understand what motivates employees, how people work together in teams, and how positive relationships can be developed in workplaces.  This module also brings an understanding of leadership roles, and the qualities present in good leaders.  You explore processes of change, how to appraise different models, and assess the impact of interventions. 
  • Performance & Wellbeing at Work: Learn about talent management, building high performing teams, and the factors that contribute to wellbeing at work. Training also includes a practical session on the use of counselling skills that can enable you to support staff toward appropriate sources of help. 
  • Psychological Assessment & Training: Learn how psychometric tools can be used to inform decisions in the workplace. Undertake BPS accredited training, and be eligible to join the BPS register for psychometric test users. 
  • Research Methods & Research Thesis: Develop a research thesis in alignment with the BPS ethical principles, and embrace the opportunity to connect with a partner provider to bring your research interests to life in the real world.

Training

You will experience a variety of high quality learning experiences, such as lectures, seminars, blended learning, online materials, group tutorials, and practical workshops. Assignments are supported with formative learning activities such as essays, research proposals, debates, presentations, quizzes, and online discussions.  As you make progress you develop transferrable skills in writing, analysis, research, problem-solving, and reporting.  You grow as an independent psychological researcher, skilled in complex problem-solving.  Teaching develops knowledge and skills through hands-on work with psychological data, examining issues from across the spectrum of applied psychology. You will also examine various philosophical approaches to psychology in order to be able to evaluate, critique and question current psychological thinking.

All our courses actively embed employability initiatives into every aspect of the course, ensuring you are prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation.  Graduates finish with a range of marketable skills in problem solving, data analysis, communication, information synthesis, and are well placed to take on further study or a career role.  Research is also embedded throughout the programme, enabling you to see the links between research and the real-world.

The MSc Occupational Psychology prepares you to take on a variety of professional roles, and contribute to an employer with skills in assessment, recruitment, psychometrics, occupational health, and ongoing staff development. 

You will also have the opportunity to network with industry contacts and guest speakers.  We regularly involve external partners in our research and consultancy projects, and invite trainees to join those projects as part of the learning experience. 

Structure:

  • Welcome Week: Includes an intensive week of teaching and group-based activities to develop your group contract, and prepare for university life at postgraduate level.
  • Semester 1 - Begin developing your foundations in research methods, and develop your research interests. Learn about organisational change, leadership, and psychological assessment. 
  • Semester 2 - Launch your MSc research project, collecting and analysing data. Focus your learning on factors in work design, and how to improve human performance in the workplace.
  • Part Time Flexible Study Options: If you choose to study part time, there are several routes through the programme designed to facilitate other home or work commitments. A pre-study meeting with one of the programme team can help you plan your study-route so you can ensure success in your personal circumstances.

Unique Features

Our programme includes a range of additional training packages, funded as part of course fees. 

  • BPS accredited Psychometrics Training - Ability & Personality
  • Attendance at the Annual School of Psychology Research Conference
  • Access to a range of support and training resources in addition to our programme content

Planning Your Journey

*Our current timetable and module pathways document: MSc Occupational Psychology Timetable

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

  • Accreditation: The degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, leading to Chartered status. It is continually revised with the very latest developments in the profession.  The BPS develops and promotes psychology for the public good, and works to advance the role psychologists have in society by setting the standards of professional education and knowledge.  Our courses are continually improved to meet these standards.   
  • Staff Expertise: You will be learning from experienced practitioners in Forensic, Counselling, and Clinical Psychology, as well as published experts in the fields of Cyber, Health, Occupational, and Cognitive Psychology. We work in partnership with Advance HE, the nationally recognised body in teaching quality, to continually develop the quality of our courses with modern learning practises.  Find out more about our staff here
  • Career: Gain a professional focus and applied experience of psychology, ensuring you are equipped to take the further steps in your career. Our programme makes a significant positive impact on your career trajectory.
  • International Focus: University of Wolverhampton is a diverse community of people, with staff and students from 120 different countries. In an ever-increasing global world, graduates are required to navigate complex information systems and provide creative solutions to issues that affect people internationally. Our curriculum includes development of skills of value in an increasingly international workplace. 
  • Student Support & Mentoring: Student support is at the heart of our approach. Receive support from personal tutors who are expert in applied and theoretical psychology, and keen to support your learning. Mentoring throughout your studies with your personal tutor contributes considerably to the success of our students through regular progress reviews and careers advice.  
  • Psychology Community Research Clinic: Our school operates a research-based mental health clinic. Our clinical staff and postgraduate trainees on our MSc and Professional Doctorate programmes provide confidential support, a range of psychological therapies, and workshop training to students who need additional support to succeed. Our aim is to provide the best recipe for success, and we support you to achievement through helping you reach the next step on your academic journey.
  • Research Projects: All students are encouraged to explore research projects with real-world application and unique project design, presenting the opportunity to make a real-world change.
  • Research Community: You become part of an active and supportive research community. Opportunities for participant recruitment are fostered through our participant system, enabling you to take part in studies as a participant in your first year and gaining access as a researcher in your final year.
  • Applied & Authentic Assessment: All of our assessments focus on the practical elements of the course, providing a flavour of the real-world work of a practising Psychologist.
  • State of the Art Facilities: Learn in our dedicated research and computer labs with over 50 networked computers, an observation room with a one-way mirror, video analysis equipment. Our cyberpsychology research laboratory is stocked with the latest in virtual reality and eye-tracking equipment. 
  • Psychological Test Library: Gain access to the latest psychometric tools for your research with our comprehensive test library.
  • Specialist Software: Our software library provides all of the latest data collection and analysis programmes, so you have the tools you need to succeed. Psychology-specific software such as SPSS, NVIVO, Qualitrics, Microsoft Office 365, are included as part of course fees. 
  • Books, Journal Subscriptions & Skills for Learning: We have an extensive online journal library, with latest research in each specialist area. Our library team provides training in how to get the best out of our online journal provision, and are on hand to help you navigate your way through the extensive library.  We also have core text books available in full text online, supporting you no matter where you study. 

You will gain knowledge and job-relevant skills as you explore areas such as:

  • A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights in the field of work and employment.
  • In-depth knowledge of the BPS Ethical Framework, as well as a critical understanding of its applications in resolving associated ethics dilemmas in practice.
  • A working knowledge of the principles and practices of psychometric assessment, including the skills to choose and use the right psychometric tool for any task.

Our aims are to:

  • Develop the profession of Occupational Psychology by producing graduates who are skilled in the principals of assessment, intervention planning, and evaluation.

Provide a grounding in the foundations of business and work psychology, ensuring graduates are able to:

  • Instill core competencies in reflective practice, assessment, research, and evidence-based practice.
  • Offer in depth understanding of theoretical models of practice relevant to professional practice in the public and private sectors.
  • Enable an appreciation for and commitment towards ethics in practice and research.
  • Provide opportunities to develop competence in systemic practice and organisational working to include involvement with audit, service evaluation, consultation, teaching and leadership.
  • Support anti-discriminatory practice attending critically to wider social, cultural and political contexts.

 Provide a grounding in the foundations of business and work psychology, ensuring graduates are able to

The University of Wolverhampton prides itself on preparing you with a number of desirable graduate attributes, including specialist knowledge and enterprise, technological literacy, research skills, and effective communication.

  1. Writing: Every piece of work you submit receives feedback and advice to help develop your skills as a writer. Our aim is to support you in expressing your ideas clearly, concisely, and with impact.
  2. Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Analysis of research, assumptions, methods, ethics, and how research is applied is a key part of psychology. You must consider each source that you use, and reference your work.  Critical thinking skills enable graduates to navigate the increasingly complex modern world, and understand what is beneath the surface of any current issue. 
  3. Communication: Learning to communicate is key to a successful career. Throughout your programme you will develop skills to improve your presentation abilities, and articulate an argument to have meaningful impact. 
  4. Problem Solving: The ability to provide solutions based on logical analysis of a problem is a skill many employer desire. This skill requires you to think outside-the-box and understand the underlying factors at play. These skills are developed purposefully as part of a degree in psychology, and help students achieve autonomy throughout their studies.
  5. Research & Analysis: A key part of many careers is the skill with which information can be gathered, organised, understood, and analysed for useful conclusions. A degree in psychology promotes these skills from the start. 
  6. Teamwork: Working collaboratively with others on tasks, building positive relationships in the workplace, and maintaining connections over time are valuable skills for any graduate. Studying with us presents opportunities to build these skills, and learn how to productively work with a variety of different people and personalities.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £7995 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £8395 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £8395 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £8815 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3998 per year 2022-23
Home Part-time £4198 per year 2023-24
Home Part-time £4198 per year 2023-24
Home Part-time £4407 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £14450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £15450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £15450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £ per year 2024-25

These fees relate to new entrants only for the academic year indicated for entry onto the course, any subsequent years study may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

  • You should have a good Honours degree in Psychology (lower second class or above). Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society is desirable, though not essential.
  • You should also have a good standard of written and spoken English (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) 
  • Applicants may be required to attend an interview at the University of Wolverhampton before being accepted onto this course
  • We will ask for appropriate references

“Studying Occupational Psychology was an exciting journey full of intriguing learning opportunities and meaningful classroom discussions, which enabled all who engaged to grow as a professional. Lecturers encouraged students to critically think at a greater depth when discussing psychological theories and practice.” Sabrina Ellis

Postgraduate Loan (Home Fee Status):

You may be able to get a postgraduate student loan from Student Finance England of up to £11,570 to help pay for a Master’s degree. Applications are made through Student Finance England and more information on the regulations and eligibility criteria can be found at Masters Loans gov.uk.

* Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits


Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as Overseas (International) students for fee purposes. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.


Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.


Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts; please see the following websites Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Action. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.


You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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