MSc in Occupational Psychology

Course information

1 year full-time

Course overview

Training as an Occupational Psychologist in the Institute of Management Studies will equip you with the scientific knowledge and practical skills to challenge the status quo and offer innovative solutions to workplace problems.

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Occupational Psychology, both as a professional and academic field, seeks to address questions of critical importance in business and enterprise.

How can we select the best employees?
How can we enhance health and performance?
What does effective leadership look like?
What impact does coaching really have?

The MSc in Occupational Psychology, run by the Institute of Management Studies, will equip you with the knowledge and skills to begin considering these questions. The programme has been designed in line with British Psychological Society (BPS) and Division of Occupational Psychology (DOP) requirements and has been accredited since 1995. We recently updated our programme content in line with the 2014 changes to the DOP Occupational Psychology curriculum and, as of September 2014, we are teaching in line with the new curriculum.

The MSc in Occupational Psychology aims to equip you with a thorough grounding in the application of psychological theory to work settings, to provide you with the skills necessary to conduct cutting-edge research in applied research projects to a high level of competence, and to impart core practitioner techniques and awareness.

Excellent employment rates

The programme’s success is increasingly reflected in the excellent employment rates of our former MSc students in both public and private sectors. Some students also go on to carry out PhD level study with us to become academic Occupational Psychologists.

Develop a theoretical and empirical knowledge base

In the IMS we work to the academic-practitioner model. That is, our Occupational Psychology programme is specifically designed to equip you with a theoretical and empirical knowledge base that you can bring to your consultancy and practice. To that end, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in both cutting-edge research, as well as practical skills sessions. For your research dissertation you’ll have access to academics with expertise in areas such as occupational health and wellbeing, talent management and entrepreneurship.

Distinguished Speakers Series

In the IMS we have an invited speakers’ programme called the Distinguished Speakers Series. This series provides specialised talks by either academic or practising experts in various fields of business, enterprise and occupational psychology.

You can find out more about the programme on our Facebook page.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Rachael Skews

What you'll study

Structure

The MSc programme runs for one year, starting in September. Most lectures and seminars are in the first two terms of the academic year, however the programme is structured in such a way that you are expected to pursue your studies beyond formal term times. Apart from the individual module-units listed in the syllabus, you will be required to attend other seminars and workshop series.

As far as is practicable, the majority of lectures and seminars will be timetabled for Mondays and Tuesdays.

	Module title	Credits
	Organisational Behaviour and Health Organisational Behaviour and Health 15 credits This module introduces students to the psychological theories and research that address questions concerning how both organisational and individual characteristics affect productivity and mental health in the workplace. Topics will include: organisational behaviour organisational development and occupational health psychology organisational structure and effectiveness work organisation theories work organisation and individual differences individual differences and the stress process leadership and organizational behaviour health promotion programs employee engagement	15 credits
	Training, Coaching and Counselling Training, Coaching and Counselling 15 credits This module aims to provide an introduction to the ways in which individuals learn and develop within organisations. Lecture topics include the following: Training: the learner and learning processes Training: training design and delivery Stress management training Coaching: introduction and theoretical underpinnings Coaching II: evidence and professional issues Careers I: career development models and career counselling	15 credits
	Leadership and Talent Management Leadership and Talent Management 15 credits This module is designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of the theory and practice of leadership development and talent management in organisations, including perspectives from training, selection and leadership. Through taking this module, you will: learn the extent to which leadership skills and behaviours are universal or different in their relevance across cultures understand individual differences, strategic approaches, and assessment methodologies understand leadership development: approaches and practices learn about technology and talent management	15 credits
	Assessment and Selection Assessment and Selection 15 credits Overview, unscientific versus scientific methods Interview, references, biodata and GPA General mental ability Personality traits Creativity, leadership, and talent Theories of motivation Job satisfaction and engagement Using motivational rewards Employee relations, fairness and decisions	15 credits
	Research Design and Applied Statistics Research Design and Applied Statistics 15 credits This module covers skills required for effective research design and analysis of data in work environments to enable inferences about cause and effect relationships. You will also learn to critically evaluate the research appearing in academic and business literatures. Lecture topics include the following: Basic principles of research design, scientific method, role of theory Sample selection, data cleaning, data screening, descriptive statistics Association: correlation and covariance Design of experiments: one way and two way ANOVA, contrasts, repeated measures Regression: simple, multiple, logistic, time series, awareness of multi-level modelling Measurement: classical test theory, reliability, validity, factor analysis and item response theory, structural equation modelling	15 credits
	Professional and Applied Research Skills Professional and Applied Research Skills 30 credits Topics for this course will vary from year to year because the course comprises two series' of external speakers – the first is professionals working in industry (professional skills workshops) and the second is academics working in universities (distinguished speakers series). The topics are determined through discussion between the course co-ordinator and the presenters.	30 credits
	Option Option 15 credits You can choose one approved module that is worth 15 credits. The list of approved modules will include those relevant to the MSc Occupational Psychology programme and you will be notified of these prior to the beginning of term.	15 credits

Research Project (60 credits)

The research dissertation requires you to execute and document an original research investigation. The focus can be on any area related to occupational psychology, and can take place in either a laboratory or field setting, using a specific population (eg salespersons) or the general public. It is also possible to conduct a piece of archival research (eg meta-analysis), if your supervisor agrees that this is appropriate.

You normally begin the research dissertation in the second term (January), together with necessary literature reviews and research design, and the submission deadline is late August.

Occupational Test User Training

(Formerly known as Level A and B training)

During your MSc you will be provided with the opportunity to partake in training that will allow you to qualify for the BPS certificates in “Test User: Occupational, Ability” and “Test User: Occupational, Personality.” This qualification recognizes you as an expert in the administration, scoring and interpretation of ability tests and personality questionnaires. Your training will be delivered by Criterion Partnership, a world-recognised authority on objective assessment.

Assessment

Your performance will be assessed by formal examinations, essays, presentations, business reports and a research dissertation of not more than 10,000 words.

Download the programme specification for the 2018-19 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Entry requirements

You should have an undergraduate degree in Psychology, or in a relevant subject (not necessarily Psychology), of at least upper second class standard. Relevant work experience will be an advantage.

Important information about career routes in occupational psychology

For those applicants who have a BSc or a BA in Psychology from a university that is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) (This is also known as having Graduate Basis for Chartership; GBC), the Goldsmiths’ MSc in Occupational Psychology (if successfully completed) will allow you to progress to BPS Stage two training, and eventually attain professional chartership in occupational psychology (if Stage two BPS requirements are met).

For those applicants who have a BSc or a BA in Psychology from a university that is not accredited by the BPS, you will not be eligible for the BPS Stage two training at present, but will nevertheless be welcome to join the Goldsmiths’ MSc in Occupational Psychology. Importantly, it may be possible for you to gain BPS recognition for your non-accredited BA or BSc in Psychology.

For those applicants who are unable to gain BPS recognition for their BSc or BA in Psychology, and those applicants who have a BSc or a BA in a discipline outside of psychology, you will not be eligible for the BPS Stage two training at present, but will nevertheless be welcome to join the Goldsmiths’ MSc in Occupational Psychology. Applicants in this situation may consider completing a BPS accredited psychology postgraduate conversion course prior to undertaking the MSc in Occupational Psychology. This will permit eventual progression to the BPS Stage two training, if the MSc in Occupational Psychology is successfully attained.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Find out more about tuition fees.

Find out more about funding opportunities for home/EU applicants, or funding for international applicants. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.

Before submitting your application you'll need to have:

Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online

Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September.

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place conditional on you achieving a particular qualification.

If you're applying for external funding from one of the Research Councils, make sure you submit your application by the deadline they've specified.

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.

Selection process

Selection is by personal application, references and interview.

Find out more about applying.

Staff

MSc in Occupational Psychology staff

Academic staff in the Department who will be contributing to this programme include:

Find out more about staff in the Institute of Management Studies.

Careers

Skills

You'll develop technical skills related to occupational psychology including:

stress and safety risk assessment procedures
work re-design procedures
designing assessment strategies
training needs analysis

You’ll also develop the analytical skills that you will need as a professional psychologist.

Careers

Through the Professional Skills Workshops you will be able to interact closely with experts from the world's leading organisations and enhance your professional development.

The programme’s success is increasingly reflected in the excellent employment rates of our former MSc students in both public and private sectors. Some students also go on to carry out PhD level study with us to become academic Occupational Psychologists.

You may go on to work as an independent consultant, as an ‘in-house’ consultant for a private or public sector organisation, in a consultancy, or in academia.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.

What our students say

Samina

"I chose Goldsmiths because I was already aware of its good reputation."

" I knew I was interested in the MSc but this was further confirmed on meeting and being taught by very senior experts and professionals in the field. I am now working for a talent management company called Kenexa in the surveys business unit which I feel is directly linked to the Masters. I have also experienced working in two other companies – one an assessment and development centre specialist, and a smaller, niche consultancy that gave me different experiences in the field. Goldsmiths was a great place to study as it was laid back, autonomous, friendly and modern and being taught by people who have made a name for themselves in my chosen field was also inspiring."

Rachael

"The IMS is a supportive study environment, whilst at the same time encouraging you to stretch yourself and think about occupational psychology in new ways."

"I chose to study at Goldsmiths as I felt the Institute of Management Studies would be an exciting and dynamic place to study Occupational Psychology. I like how the department combines innovation and entrepreneurial aspects of business with the core skills and knowledge required for occupational psychology.

Prior to starting the course I worked for 10 years in management consulting and so I was looking for a course that would give me a competitive edge in the job market. The college has an excellent reputation, and as the programme is BPS accredited, I will be able to gain chartered status in the future.

I have found the course to be both challenging and hugely enjoyable. I have met some great people on the programme with very diverse backgrounds. I think this gave good depth to the discussions we had in the lectures and tutorials.

The IMS is a supportive study environment, whilst at the same time encouraging you to stretch yourself and think about occupational psychology in new ways."

Bethan

"The course is expertly run by academics at the forefront of their field who are infectious in their passion for occupational psychology."

"From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew there was something special about Goldsmiths and that I would enjoy my time here. After a break from education it has been wonderful to feel enriched by learning alongside people who share similar passions and career interests as myself.

The course, which resides in the Institute of Management Studies (IMS), is expertly run by academics at the forefront of their field who are infectious in their passion for occupational psychology and actively encourage expression of opinions and debate. The course content is varied but remains in depth to the degree it provides me with the confidence that I will have considerable relevant knowledge as a result. Furthermore, the guest talks in the Distinguished Speakers and Professional Skills Workshops have been very useful in providing insight into potential careers and proof that the course facilitators are keen to produce employable as well as informed students.

I was delighted and surprised to receive the IMS bursary to study this year. It has enabled me to focus my time on reading and most recently I've been able to take a week of unpaid work experience. The bursary has also given me a boost to do my utmost in giving the course my all. I am very grateful for the opportunity provided by the Institute."

MSc in Occupational Psychology

Course information

Department

Length