- Occupational and Organizational Psychology
MSc — 2025 entry Occupational and Organizational Psychology
If you want to become a driving force behind people's effectiveness and wellbeing at work, as well as support businesses and organizations in achieving their maximum potential, then our Occupational and Organizational Psychology MSc course is for you.
Why choose
this course?
- As an occupational and organisational psychology student, you’ll be based in the Surrey Business School and be part of a vibrant community, focused on improving business practice and creating a sustainable and positive change.
- Taught by academics and experts at the forefront of their field, we want everyone who studies our course to benefit and to be inspired by our world-leading research and experience.
- We champion an interdisciplinary environment, consisting of dedicated organizational and occupational psychologists, human resources (HR) specialists and organizational behaviour experts.
- The programme is also accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Obtaining a BPS-accredited degree is an indication of quality to employers and a required step to becoming a Chartered Occupational Psychologist.
- The School is renowned for its:
- World-class teaching and research
- Strong focus on entrepreneurship and enterprise
- Vibrant and diverse community
- Excellent career prospects.
Statistics
Fantastic graduate prospects
94% of our Surrey Business School postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2023, HESA)
Top 10
Surrey is ranked 9th in the UK for overall satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2023)
33rd for overall research quality
The University has increased its overall research quality ranking by 12 places to 33rd in the UK (Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021)
Accreditation
What you will study
Studying this course will help you join the ranks of the next generation of thought-leaders and hands-on professionals in this exciting, growing field. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to use your knowledge to make a lasting impact on the changing world of work.
Surrey Business School is accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Conforming to the standards set by the BPS, our course also reflects the strengths and interests of our dedicated teaching team. We’ll encourage you to develop vital skills in leadership, decision-making, organizational and HR assessment, and a knowledge around the quality of working life.
Professional recognition
MSc - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
MSc - British Psychological Society (BPS)
Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1
Core
This module integrates the study of forms, structures and processes of organisations with the human aspects of psychology at work. The module provides an insight into the fundamentals on which organisations are built and provides a set of analytical processes for understanding behaviour at work and managerial processes.
View full module detailsOccupational and organizational psychologists adopt a dual focus on outcomes for people in organizations, emphasizing both, performance and well-being and engagement at work. This module explores these two areas of focus and considers the measurement and management of performance, and how scientific knowledge explains performance variation. The module also looks at well-being at work, considering issues of workplace health and stress, employee engagement, satisfaction and commitment, and the role of emotion in all of these aspects. Students get an opportunity to critically engage with knowledge on these issues and its application in practice.
View full module detailsAssessment in the workplace is carried out for a variety of purposes, for example recruitment and selection, performance management and diagnosis of training and development needs. This module covers foundations of psychological assessment (reliability, validity, and fairness), core theories of individual differences (e.g. personality, cognitive ability, emotions) and their application in organizational practice. The main emphasis in the coverage of practice is recruitment and selection.
View full module detailsThe Research Methods module aims to help students to develop an understanding of the research process and to undertake research leading to successful completion of their dissertation. It enables students to conduct research independently and also provides them with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to develop their proposal for their dissertation. The module covers ideas, techniques, and methods relevant to different stages of the research process, stressing the interdependence of each stage in conducting effective, coherent and rigorous research. By covering the fundamentals of research methods and research methodologies, this module will enable students to conduct research independently and provide them with the knowledge and understanding needed to do a dissertation.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Core
MANM006 provides students with an introduction to human resource development (HRD). It explores the topic from a variety of perspectives through the use of relevant theories, current research and business and organizational practice. The module is aligned closely with the core text book which has been written specifically for this module and in alignment with the CIPD curriculum and learning outcomes: Sadler-Smith, E (2022) Human Resource Development: From Theory into Practice. London: SAGE.
View full module detailsAdvanced research methods are a key differentiator of the approach of work and organizational psychologists to their practice with organizational clients and as scientists in conducting research in organizations. This module is designed to enable students to develop skills and knowledge of advanced techniques that can be deployed flexibly in various research and practice settings. Learning will be key to student preparation for the dissertation.
View full module detailsThis module has two overarching themes: Developing skills of consultancy based on the scientist-practitioner model and the BPS consultancy cycle and Progressing with students' professional development by gaining awareness of contemporary practical applications of psychology at work through the experiences of practitioners, building ethical sensitivity, critically appraising professional issues, and individual coaching. The module will firstly comprise a series of lectures and workshops led by the module leader to help students develop consultancy skills. This will be complemented by a series of sessions led by invited guest speakers who will talk about their experiences as practicing work psychologists, and variety of blended learning sessions on professional issues such as regulation, ethics, and consulting. Students will work in groups on a practical consultancy-based case study and present a practical account of their findings and recommendations, following the BPS consultancy cycle and scientist-practitioner model. Students will be offered 1:1 coaching sessions which are aimed to provide personalized understanding of BPS Qualification in Occupational Psychology and professional registration with the HCPC.
View full module detailsThe module is an introduction to leadership, commonly defined as the process through which individuals influence and are influenced by one or more people to accomplish group/organisational goals. It is one of the most important determinants of employee well-being and performance as well as organisational effectiveness. A central part of effective leadership is decision making and some scholars regard leaders as no less than "decision architects", which means that leaders do not just create their own decision-making environments but also those of other individuals and groups in organisations. This module seeks to enable a critical evaluation of different approaches to leadership and decision making in organisational settings and to help students understand the determinants of leadership and decision-making effectiveness and leadership development.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Core
An applied research dissertation is a core part and the final aspect of MSc programme, enabling students to develop an independent piece of work in subject area that is particularly interesting to them, supervised by a member of faculty. The dissertation must comprise: An academic dissertation: identifying an applied topic of interest, identifying a gap in the literature, and developing and carrying our research to investigate or examine that gap. Primary research: data collection and analysis (use of secondary data or other sources of data must be approved by you supervisors). Fieldwork: research carried out in an organizational setting. Practically relevant implications: addressing either a research gap that has clear implications for management practice.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from Academic Administration.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Completing our MSc in Occupational and Organizational Psychology provides you with the knowledge and skills required to work in a variety of roles, including but not limited to:
- Occupational Psychologist*
- Health and Wellbeing Lead
- Leadership Design Consultant
- Talent Management
- Competency Framework Developer
- Recruitment Manager or Director
- Employee Engagement Lead
- Behavioural Analyst
- Human Resource Manager or Director
- HR Organisational Development Specialist
- Data Analyst.
Past students have secured jobs in occupational psychology consultancies (including Saville Assessments, Amberjack and ABA Consulting), and in public organizations such as the UK Police Federation and the NHS.
On this programme of study, you will also acquire theoretical and practical research skills necessary to pursue doctoral study and an academic career.
*You must be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the BPS if you wish to go on to do the Stage 2 qualification in Occupational Psychology after completing our course.
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:1 UK honours degree (or a recognised equivalent international qualification) in psychology or a similar subject with psychology content, such as:
- Any major with a psychology minor
- Human resource management
- Organisational behaviour
- Business, with clear evidence of modules related to organisational behaviour and business psychology
- Sociology, with psychology modules.
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.
Students wishing to go on to the Stage 2 Qualification in Occupational Psychology after the programme will require eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Pre-Masters
Prepare for postgraduate study and boost your career prospects. This is an intensive programme of academic subjects, study skills and English language preparation designed to help you succeed.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £15,200
- Overseas
- £24,900
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
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When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
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Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
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