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Every business needs to be successful. To ensure this, it’s vital to consider the roles of the employer and employee and the influences that can affect an individual’s level of engagement and wellbeing, which in turn affects both an individual's and a business’ performance.

This course, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society, delivers a mix of theory and practice in Occupational and Organisational Psychology, using real-life examples to bring the subject to life. Core modules include employee selection and assessment, workplace wellbeing, learning and development in organisations and psychological research methods.

The course uniquely includes a psychometric testing qualification – the Certificates in Occupational Testing – in addition to the core curriculum. This enables you to gain certificates in occupational testing for ability and personality and the additional qualifications will be a real boost to your career and employability, offering you a notable advantage after graduation.

You’ll also get to specialise in a particular area of interest through your thesis, which can include carrying out live projects with a range of organisations including, small medium enterprises, local authorities and NHS Trusts.

The course is available either full-time over one year or part-time over two years.

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
2 years part-time
2 other options available

Department
Psychology

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2023

Fee Information

Module Information

Postgraduate Student Gerard explains why he chose to study his course at Northumbria University and how it's preparing him for his future.

Thinking of joining us for a master's in occupational and organisational psychology? Our master's in a minute series gives you all of the essential course information that you need, in just ONE minute ! (or so..) Neill Thompson tells you everything you need to know about the Occupational and Organisational Psychology MSc, here at Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Discover NU World / A virtual journey through everything Northumbria has to offer.

Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university blogs videos and articles.

Entry Requirements 2023/24

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in any subject.

In order to pursue a career as a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, applicants will require a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in Psychology that provides Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (which can be completed prior to, or following, this degree).

Other subject qualifications, equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.

Fees and Funding 2023/24 Entry

Full UK Fee: £10,760

Full EU Fee: £19,800

Full International Fee: £19,800



Scholarships and Discounts

Click here for UK, EU and International scholarship, fees, and funding information.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

JC7000 -

Academic Language Skills (ALS) for PG Psychology Students (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

PY0774 -

Qualitative and Quantitative Methods (20 Credits)

The module is designed to give you a theoretical and practical knowledge of common and more advanced quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting and analysing data in psychology. A range of methods will be studied and relevant hardware and software will be used in exercises. The communication of findings according to the most recent conventions and with due regard to the audience will be addressed. The approach is to provide a theoretical background for each technique, so that you are not simply capable of carrying out and reporting analyses, but also capable of reflecting critically on their appropriateness in psychological research and practice.

More information

PY0777 -

Workplace Well-being (20 Credits)

You will learn about the field of workplace well-being from both a theoretical/academic and applied perspective. The module focuses upon the role and impact of modern workplaces and working practices on employee health and well-being and the evidence base for creating good working environments that facilitate health and well-being. Topics covered include occupational stress, employee engagement and well-being, workplace bullying and intervention to promote well-being at work. You will develop a broad perspective on employee health and well-being that takes account of a range of factors including biological psychological and social factors that impact employee well-being. The combined academic and practical focus will enhance your capability to apply an evidence based approach to issues relating to well-being at work.

More information

PY0778 -

Learning and Development in Organisations (20 Credits)

This module will introduce the psychological theory and empirical evidence behind the learning and career development of individuals in a work context. You will learn and evaluate theories of career development, lifelong learning, occupational choice, training, employability, coaching and counselling. You will develop an appreciation of applied approaches taken by individuals and organisations to develop careers and compare them for their effectiveness. A broad organisational perspective will be taken to employee development which includes contemporary issues affecting careers. You will reflect critically upon the theoretical and empirical literature by applying this to real world scenarios, developing an appreciation of the psychological processes which can impact upon career.

More information

PY0779 -

The Organisation (20 Credits)

You will learn about the field of organisational psychology from both a theoretical/academic and applied perspective. The module adopts a widened organisational perspective and considers topics such as organisational culture, organisational change and development, leadership and team working. You will learn to develop a critical approach to theories and models and to identify the practical, professional and ethical issues inherent in undertaking research and practice in the area of occupational and organisational psychology.

More information

PY0776 -

MSc Thesis (Core,60 Credits)

In this module, you will be able to independently conceptualise, plan and undertake a novel piece of research that contributes to psychological knowledge and understanding. You will critically evaluate current theories and evidence to generate your own research question. You will use the relevant ethical guidelines to design a feasible project plan. You will develop your independent research skills during this module and identify points of collaboration with supervisors, research staff and other potential stakeholders. You will use a variety of relevant skills, techniques, and research methods to implement your study and finally, you will have the opportunity to disseminate your findings in written form.

More information

PY0780 -

Employee Selection and Assessment (20 Credits)

You will learn about how organisations select and assess employees in the workplace. As you examine the range of approaches that are adopted by organisations, you will be able to understand how they are utilised most effectively. Topics include:
• Effective use of job analysis and competencies
• The use of psychometric testing such as cognitive ability and personality tests
• The design and scoring of job interviews and assessment centres
• The measurement of job performance.

More information

PY0796 -

Organisational Psychology Consultancy Skills (20 Credits)

You will learn about how organisational consultancy is applied in the field of organisational psychology from both a theoretical/academic and applied perspectives. Topics covered will include approaches to consultancy, applied data analysis for organisational problems, appraising performance and issues central to professional identity and employability. You will learn to develop a critical approach to theories and models and to identify the practical, professional and ethical issues inherent in undertaking research and practice in the area of organisational psychology.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

JC7000 -

Academic Language Skills (ALS) for PG Psychology Students (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

PY0774 -

Qualitative and Quantitative Methods (20 Credits)

The module is designed to give you a theoretical and practical knowledge of common and more advanced quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting and analysing data in psychology. A range of methods will be studied and relevant hardware and software will be used in exercises. The communication of findings according to the most recent conventions and with due regard to the audience will be addressed. The approach is to provide a theoretical background for each technique, so that you are not simply capable of carrying out and reporting analyses, but also capable of reflecting critically on their appropriateness in psychological research and practice.

More information

PY0777 -

Workplace Well-being (20 Credits)

You will learn about the field of workplace well-being from both a theoretical/academic and applied perspective. The module focuses upon the role and impact of modern workplaces and working practices on employee health and well-being and the evidence base for creating good working environments that facilitate health and well-being. Topics covered include occupational stress, employee engagement and well-being, workplace bullying and intervention to promote well-being at work. You will develop a broad perspective on employee health and well-being that takes account of a range of factors including biological psychological and social factors that impact employee well-being. The combined academic and practical focus will enhance your capability to apply an evidence based approach to issues relating to well-being at work.

More information

PY0778 -

Learning and Development in Organisations (20 Credits)

This module will introduce the psychological theory and empirical evidence behind the learning and career development of individuals in a work context. You will learn and evaluate theories of career development, lifelong learning, occupational choice, training, employability, coaching and counselling. You will develop an appreciation of applied approaches taken by individuals and organisations to develop careers and compare them for their effectiveness. A broad organisational perspective will be taken to employee development which includes contemporary issues affecting careers. You will reflect critically upon the theoretical and empirical literature by applying this to real world scenarios, developing an appreciation of the psychological processes which can impact upon career.

More information

PY0779 -

The Organisation (20 Credits)

You will learn about the field of organisational psychology from both a theoretical/academic and applied perspective. The module adopts a widened organisational perspective and considers topics such as organisational culture, organisational change and development, leadership and team working. You will learn to develop a critical approach to theories and models and to identify the practical, professional and ethical issues inherent in undertaking research and practice in the area of occupational and organisational psychology.

More information

PY0776 -

MSc Thesis (Core,60 Credits)

In this module, you will be able to independently conceptualise, plan and undertake a novel piece of research that contributes to psychological knowledge and understanding. You will critically evaluate current theories and evidence to generate your own research question. You will use the relevant ethical guidelines to design a feasible project plan. You will develop your independent research skills during this module and identify points of collaboration with supervisors, research staff and other potential stakeholders. You will use a variety of relevant skills, techniques, and research methods to implement your study and finally, you will have the opportunity to disseminate your findings in written form.

More information

PY0780 -

Employee Selection and Assessment (20 Credits)

You will learn about how organisations select and assess employees in the workplace. As you examine the range of approaches that are adopted by organisations, you will be able to understand how they are utilised most effectively. Topics include:
• Effective use of job analysis and competencies
• The use of psychometric testing such as cognitive ability and personality tests
• The design and scoring of job interviews and assessment centres
• The measurement of job performance.

More information

PY0796 -

Organisational Psychology Consultancy Skills (20 Credits)

You will learn about how organisational consultancy is applied in the field of organisational psychology from both a theoretical/academic and applied perspectives. Topics covered will include approaches to consultancy, applied data analysis for organisational problems, appraising performance and issues central to professional identity and employability. You will learn to develop a critical approach to theories and models and to identify the practical, professional and ethical issues inherent in undertaking research and practice in the area of organisational psychology.

More information

Study Options

The following alternative study options are available for this course:

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.


All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

Current, Relevant and Inspiring

We continuously review and improve course content in consultation with our students and employers. To make sure we can inform you of any changes to your course register for updates on the course page.


Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints

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