Work Psychology and Business MSc

Build on your psychology qualifications and learn advanced psychology concepts and how they apply to various business issues, such as the assessment of individuals in the workplace, organisational behaviour as well as strategy and leadership.
 

Aston University, Birmingham

Course type
Full-time

Course format

Duration

1 Year

UCAS code(s)

N/A

Start date

Overview
Why explore Work Psychology and Business MSc at Aston University?

Why study a postgraduate degree at Aston University?

A postgraduate degree is a great way to improve your career prospects. As well as opening doors, it builds on your experience, develops your skills, and gives you a competitive edge in a crowded job market.

If you’re looking to build on your psychology qualifications and gain a competitive advantage when pursuing graduate roles, then our MSc Work Psychology and Business is the ideal platform to launch your career.

Lowri

"I love the city, having lived here for the last four years – there’s so much going on from music events, art galleries and shops."

Lowri Evans
Research Assistant, University of Birmingham

Lowri

"I love the city, having lived here for the last four years – there’s so much going on from music events, art galleries and shops."

Lowri Evans
Research Assistant, University of Birmingham

Course outline and modules

If you’re looking to build on your psychology qualifications and gain a competitive advantage when pursuing graduate roles, then our MSc Work Psychology and Business course is the ideal platform to launch your career.

This fascinating course focuses on applying psychological principles to the workplace. You’ll learn how to get the best from people in a commercial environment, develop a range of practical skills and gain the academic basis for professional accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS).

You’ll learn from one of the best known and most successful academic groups in applied psychology in Europe, with experienced practitioners who’ve worked for businesses across the world. They use a mix of innovative and inspiring teaching methods to enable you to get the most from the course and all sessions are delivered in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

The department is recognised internationally for its research activities principally around challenges concerning the future of work and organisations. Staff are active in research studies including aspects of leadership and innovation, strategic and international human resource management, diversity, inclusion and meaningful work, CSR, ethics and sustainability. This course is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in psychology recognised by the BPS with graduate basis for registrations (GBR). If you didn’t specialise in psychology at undergraduate level or your psychology degree doesn’t give you GBR status, then please consider our MSc in Business Psychology.

How will my skills develop?

You’ll learn advanced psychology concepts and develop your understanding of how these can be applied to various business issues, such as the assessment of individuals in the workplace, organisational behaviour as well as strategy and leadership.

You’ll study The Aston Global Advantage module which focuses on professional development and employability, helping you to apply the key skills that you will gain throughout the year.

Practical experience

You’ll develop an understanding of what makes a healthy, happy and effective organisation in a practical learning environment. For example, you’ll look at research studies about human behaviour in the workplace, as well as case studies linking employee well-being and the efficiency of organisations. This will give you the ability and confidence to practically apply psychological concepts to a business environment.

We’ll teach you effective training and development tools, various approaches to change management as well as negotiating techniques, which are key to dealing with difficult workplace situations. These practical skills will significantly enhance your employability and better equip you for a variety of graduate roles.

How will this course help my career?

This course will prepare you for a variety of roles in areas including assessment, selection, recruitment, learning and development, occupational health and wellbeing and other areas of workplace psychology.

You’ll be exposed to industry experts, employers and guest speakers throughout your studies and you’ll also have the opportunity of studying abroad or pursuing an internship in your third term.

Some of our modules are partnered with leading organisations. This means that they provide live business issues for our students to work on. Students’ present back to the organisations and the top students may be offered a placement as a result.

The course includes a research project; a substantial piece of work designed to provide you with an opportunity to analyse a business problem and practically apply the knowledge and skills developed during the course.

This course offers an opportunity to study a second degree at one of our international partner institutions once you have completed your year at Aston University.

Core modules

Assessment and Performance 

In this module you will be introduced to the approaches and theories for ensuring the right people are recruited into the business and that they then perform effectively. You will cover thought-provoking topics, such as how to measure staff performance and how to manage employees who are under-performing.

Careers and Counselling

This module will help you develop an understanding of concepts and models for counselling in the workplace and use case studies to critically evaluate their effectiveness. We examine the theories of vocational development and look at the practice of executive coaching at work. You will also learn appropriate people management techniques to manage conflict situations effectively.

Learning and Talent Development

For most organisations, their biggest expense comes from their people. You will learn differing views on how to best develop people and ensure they add value to an organisation. We also look at talent management and succession planning approaches for getting capable people into more senior positions.

Organisational Behaviour

Through a mix of theory and case studies, we examine people and relationships within a professional context. We will explore what motivates employees, how people work together and relationships between managers and their staff. This helps you to understand how to manage people in working environments and how to be managed.

Leadership and Decision Making

This module encourages you to consider the role of strategy and leadership in shaping and changing organisations. Through exploring the complexities of strategic change, you will be encouraged to develop critical insights on what appear to be everyday business decisions. Reflecting on the role of the leader, you will appraise different approaches to leadership and examine their impact.

Organisational Development

This module takes a strategic view of organisational development, design and the management of organisations, people and change. It achieves this by focusing on organisational diagnosis aimed at achieving strategic transformation of organisations and developing High Performance Work Systems. It also deals with recent strand of scholarly debate on the role of consultancies.

Workplace Design and Health

Through this module you will learn key principles of work design and of psychological aspects of health and safety.  You will develop an understanding of the positive and negative ways in which work can impact individuals' wellbeing.

Ethics in Academic Practice

This module provides an introduction to the Academic Offence framework. By completing the resources you will understand the key principles underpinning the submission of academic assignments. These principles can then be applied to the rest of the modules studied at the university.

Research Methods in Human Resource Management and Business and Organisational Behaviour

This module will help prepare you, for your dissertation. We will introduce various research methods which can be used in the context of HRM Work Psychology and Organisational Behaviour. You will also look at how to effectively use primary and secondary data and develop your quantitative and qualitative research skills as well as your analytical abilities.

The Aston Global Advantage

The Aston Global Advantage is our professional development programme that runs throughout all MSc programmes at Aston Business School. Focusing on professional development and employability, this integrated module gives you the opportunity to identify, develop and apply the key transferrable skills you will gain throughout the year.
 

MSc Work Psychology and Business Research Project

The research project is a chance for you to carry out an original piece of work applying material that you have learnt in the taught element of your degree. Specific requirements will be explained relating to different degree programmes but in summary you must demonstrate both theoretical and practical knowledge of your chosen area of specialism.

Entry requirements

 

Entry requirements

One of the following: 

  • A UK honours degree in Psychology, minimum Lower Second Class (2.2) or equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University. An MSc Psychology conversion degree (Pass level) can also be considered. The degree should include a minimum of 50% Psychology content.

Subject specific requirements:

If your goal is to achieve Chartered Psychologist status with the BPS and register with the HCPC as an Occupational Psychologist then you must ensure that you fulfil the requirement for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) as specified by the BPS. This means that your undergraduate degree must be recognised by the BPS or you must undertake a BPS accredited conversion course; It is now an option to complete a BPS-accredited conversion course after a BPS-accredited MSc programme for the Qualification in Occupational Psychology. In combination with GBC, the MSc Work Psychology and Business programme fulfils the requirements of the knowledge and research dimensions required for Chartership.  You would then need to satisfy the practice dimension after graduation.

As well as:

  • Two professional references – at least one must be from an academic referee
  • An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
  • A completed application form.
International
  • An official academic transcript, with an official English translation, of your university grades to date.
     
  • Students whose native language is not English will also need to satisfy our English language requirements. Pre-sessional English language programmes are available for good applicants whose English qualification falls just short of these requirements.
     
  • Postgraduate masters students enrolling to Aston Business School with a 5.5 in one of the four IELTS sections will be required to engage with English language tuition as part of our professional development programme, The Aston Global Advantage. There will be no extra cost to the student.
     
  • Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston. 
     
  • For more information about qualifications, view our Aston in your country webpage.
     
  • For more information about completing a foundation year, visit our foundation year webpage.
Applicants with work experience

We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications, but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

Please note, if you do not meet the subject-specific requirements for this programme, you may be considered for an alternative programme which may be better suited to your academic/professional background. If you receive an offer for an alternative programme and do not wish to move forward with this, please contact the Admissions team at pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 10am-4pm)

Please click here for guidance on completing the postgraduate application. 

Our programme directors are our experts

Andrew Clements

Andrew Clements
Programme Director, MSc Business Psychology

If you have any questions about the course or modules you will be studying you can email me via this link and I will be happy to answer your queries.

Learning, teaching and assessment

We’re committed to delivering this course in an innovative and inspiring way. Our teaching is interactive and encourages participation. This ensures you get the most out of your studies and you enjoy the time you spend in the classroom.

Learning and teaching

We use a range of teaching methods, such as lectures, tutorials, case studies, workshop activities, group work and critical thinking exercises. You’ll learn from experts working in the industry, who will deliver guest lectures and share their experiences of the practical application of psychology in real-life business scenarios. Skills workshops will help you to develop various professional competencies, such as interviewing, reporting writing, presenting as well as questionnaire and survey design. This emphasis on practical skills is key to enhancing your employability and will provide you with a competitive edge when applying for graduate positions.

Our online learning platform will support you with your studies. It has all the digital resources you need when revising, including lecture slides, access to e-books and online journals, as well as video recordings of teaching sessions.

Assessment

Our assessment methods vary across modules but include assessed case studies, coursework essays, group or individual presentations and closed book examinations.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live.

Post-study work visa

Graduate Immigration Route

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Find out more information about the Graduate Immigration Route.

Student experience and employability

Overseas opportunities

We benefit from an extensive network of partner institutions, including some of the highest ranked business schools in Europe, such as Kedge Business School in France. We also have partnerships with universities worldwide, from Australia, to China, and USA to Singapore.

Trips and visits

There will be a series of networking opportunities and guest speakers throughout your studies with us. Industry professionals visit campus to deliver guest lectures and provide you with an insight into specific roles, practises and challenges related to applied psychology.

Recruitment fairs take place regularly with graduate employers visiting campus and providing information on their graduate vacancies and training programmes. These are a great opportunity to meet with companies, get an insight into their requirements and see if they match what you’re looking for in an employer.

The School, societies and sports clubs organise various field-trips and leisure activities throughout the year. You’ll have chance to find out more about these on campus.

Fees and scholarship

UK students (2024/25): £12,000

International students (2024/25): £23,500

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees and funding

UK postgraduate loans

If you're thinking about studying a masters course with us, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan to help with course fees and living costs. 

Find out more here.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. 

Find out more about our scholarships here.

20 per cent postgraduate alumni scholarship

Cost shouldn't limit your career aspirations, which is why we are delighted to offer all Aston University graduates (including exchange students) a 20% loyalty scholarship in standard taught MA, MSc and Full-time MBA course fees. Students who have completed their first degree at Aston University will receive an automatic scholarship when applying for their course. If you are not an Aston University graduate there is still a range of UK and international scholarships that you can apply for.

This means that as an Aston University graduate applying to our MSc Work Psychology and Business course, you could save...

£2,400

UK students
(Total saving equivalent to 20% of the annual tuition fee)

£4,700

International/EU students
(Total saving equivalent to 20% of the annual tuition fee)

As an Aston University graduate, you will automatically qualify. For more information visit our webpage.

Career prospects

Recent graduate positions include:

  • Business Psychologist (Recruitment and Assessment)
  • Learning and Development Specialist
  • Occupational Health and Wellbeing Scientific Advisor
  • Occupational Psychologist and Research Scientist.

This has involved working for companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Network Rail, Npower, NHS and BAE Systems.

NUE

Aston University was recognised as the 'Best University Placement Service'.

The Careers and Placements team at Aston University won the 'Best University Placement Service' category at the National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards 2022. This was achieved by launching Virtual Employability Festivals and recognising the power of peer-to-peer communication by pairing 500 students looking for placements with 500 students who had completed placements.

Frequently asked questions

Why study Work Psychology and Business at Aston University?

We have one of Europe’s leading group of researchers in this area and throughout your studies you’ll be exposed to a breadth of research as well as really practical applications of it, bringing it to life in a business setting.

We focus on developing your practical skills to help prepare you for a breadth of roles. You’ll learn how to get the best from people in a commercial environment, develop a range of practical skills and gain the academic basis for professional accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS).

What kind of career could I establish with a MSc in Work Psychology and Business?

This course will prepare you for a variety of roles in areas including assessment, selection, recruitment, learning and development, occupational health and wellbeing and other areas of workplace psychology. For those students who wish to become Chartered Occupational Psychologists the BPS website explains the steps needed and Aston’s MSc Work Psychology and Business will start you on the journey.

The Aston Global Advantage module will help develop your employability skills and having the choice of studying abroad or undertaking an integrated placement will equip you with additional experience as well as give you the opportunity to better understand what area interests you most as you embark on your career.

Aston University is renowned for its excellence in teaching and research and the employability of our graduates. At Aston Business School we are committed to innovative approaches to teaching and education. We are dedicated to providing the students with a competitive advantage in the jobs market by delivering the knowledge students need to pursue the many career tracks available to them with a background in international business. Teaching on the course is informed by our world-class scholars and provides you with a deep understanding and skills for conducting business in a global scale. At Aston University, we aim to prepare students for the real world challenges. There are plenty of opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and apply their knowledge in real-life situations by engaging in live projects and internships.

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