Occupational and Business Psychology MSc
Subject and course type
- Business and Management
- Psychology
- Postgraduate
If you want to apply the science of psychology to people at work, our Occupational and Business Psychology MSc is the ideal course for you. You'll learn how to successfully drive sustainable change at work through rigorous science, data, technology and experiential projects. When you graduate, you'll be prepared for a career as an Occupational and Business Psychologist.
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Create meaningful change in the workplace, for employees and employers
Develop the theoretical and practical understanding to become an 'evidence-based practitioner'.
Our Occupational and Business Psychology MSc is your gateway to becoming a recognised expert in the field. Accredited by both the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Association for Business Psychology (ABP), this course stands as a symbol of excellence. These prestigious accreditations reflect the depth and quality of our curriculum, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of psychology in business.
You will have a wealth of opportunities outside the classroom to further your learning and gain hands-on experience in your chosen field. As well as being taught by Kingston Business School's expert team – many of whom continue their work in industry while teaching – you will be taught by guest speakers.
For example, to complement your core modules, you can take part in an ‘Expert Speakers' series and an ‘Engaging the Profession' series. These programmes will provide you with valuable opportunities to meet practitioners and academics.
This course also sits under The Department of Management, which offers a broad range of accredited undergraduate and postgraduate courses covering all areas of business. Whether your ambition is to start your own company or become a senior leader in a global organisation, our programmes are developed in consultation with industry practitioners to ensure your studies are future-facing.
Why choose this course
If you want to work in roles such as in-house and external consultancy, HR, organisational development and research, our Occupational and Business Psychology MSc course is ideal.
You will use psychological methods and specialist software, alongside the opportunity to undertake additional short courses covering psychometric testing. As a result, you will develop the theoretical and practical understanding to become an 'evidence-based practitioner'.
Your personal development is at the heart of this course. As well as building essential transferrable skills, such as communication and interpersonal ability, the programme places a strong focus on the competencies that employers value.
You will:
- Learn about the process of contracting with organisations as an occupational or business psychologist, and the consultancy cycle
- Analyse qualitative and quantitative data, and hone your presentation and report writing skills
- Develop skills and techniques, such as critical incident interviewing, job analysis and career coaching
- Learn to think creatively, to lead innovation and change in 21st-century organisations, and to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of those changes
- Understand the different psychological approaches to workplace issues, and how to apply them and synthesise them in practice
Kingston Business School Accreditation
Kingston Business School holds the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in recognition of the excellence of its business education. This accreditation has been earned by just 6% of the world's business schools and recognises the high quality and standard of our business degree offerings.
Course accreditations
The course has been accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
If you already hold an honours degree in a BPS-accredited psychology undergraduate course, this MSc upon graduation will satisfy the criteria for stage one of the BPS Chartership process. Those without a background in psychology and/or an accredited psychology undergraduate course can complete a conversion diploma in psychology after their MSc. Both routes will enable you to become a full Chartered and Registered Occupational Psychologist in the future.
This course is accredited by the Association for Business Psychology (ABP). Our ABP accreditation demonstrates the quality and rigour of our approach, and shows employers and clients that you have a thorough understanding of psychology in a business context. Graduates who complete this MSc are able to use the post nominal Certified Business Psychologist (CBP).
Eligible registrations
'Occupational Psychologist' is a protected title regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Students who hold BPS Graduate Basis for Chartership as well as this MSc and then continue to successfully complete their Stage 2 training in Occupational Psychology are eligible to apply to register with the HCPC. Please note, this course is not accredited by the HCPC.
Ready for business
At Kingston Business School, we believe that professional success is shaped by honing your personal capacity and skillset, supported by the academic framework of knowledge. Through vocationally rich, employer-engaged and research-informed courses, we work alongside our students to help them meet personal goals and career ambitions.
Course content
The course considers how other disciplines such as behavioural science and data analytics inform occupational and business psychology.
The modules for this course investigate various approaches to applying psychological principles in the workplace and how these ideas can increase organisational, team and individual performance. You will learn to critically evaluate the evidence base when making decisions.
You will apply theories and evidence to case studies, examples from the field and real-life practice. You will also learn about ethical considerations and your role as a psychologist in organisations, enhancing your professional skills. You will complement this by learning about ways of overcoming the barriers many occupational and business psychologists face when trying to implement their programmes in an organisation.
Other practice-based training will also be offered, including psychometric testing (offered as additional short courses at a fraction of the market price).
MSc
Core modules
15 credits
This module covers the key theories and concepts in behavioural science, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to help your future behavioural scientist career, especially within business and public policy, research, or consultancy.
You will gain practical experience in designing and conducting experiments, analysing data and interpreting results using innovative and novel approaches.
You will learn to apply behavioural science theories to real-world challenges through experiential lab-based learning using our nationally leading BRAINS (Behavioural Research Analytics In Neurotechnological Systems) Lab.
60 credits
The module introduces you to the role that research methods play in developing discipline knowledge, and in providing knowledge that underpins evidence-based practice.
You will critically evaluate research articles and other documents from a methodological perspective, while also developing the skills to conduct high quality research.
You will be supported by a research supervisor who will act as a guide, mentor and source of information as you progress through your research project.
30 credits
According to the World Health Organisation, wellbeing comprises ;quality of life as well as the ability [..] to contribute to the world in accordance with a sense of meaning and purpose'. This module explores this notion in work settings from two different, yet complementary perspectives:
- Mental health and its impact in work contexts, with a particular focus on mental health issues, their prevalence and risk factors.
- Wellbeing with a view to diversity and inclusion issues, which includes accounting for surface-level (demographic) and deep-level (psychological) attributes in organisational settings.
You will evaluate research evidence and explore the usefulness of behavioural science knowledge to positively influence wellbeing at work.
The module covers key content as described in the British Psychological Society's knowledge area 'Wellbeing and work' and is aligned with the United Nations' sustainable development agenda, especially concerning ‘good health and wellbeing' (goal number 3) and ‘decent work' (goal number 8).
15 credits
The world of work is constantly changing and facing new challenges, from how we think about work to the way we design and run organisations. A new mindset and set of skills are required to tackle these challenges.
This module will provide you with exactly that, focusing on leadership, creativity and organisational innovation approaches required for success. You will develop a full understanding of leadership, processes and practice of organisational creativity and innovation in the 21st century.
Through a combination of lectures, workshops, external speakers and industry visits, you will be exposed to issues inherent in the theory and practice of both leadership and creativity, including ethical issues.
The module embraces the United Nations' sustainable development agenda, especially concerns with 'gender equality' (goal number 5) and ‘decent work' (goal number 8). The module also incorporates key content as described in the British Psychological Society's knowledge area 'Leadership, engagement and motivation'.
15 credits
This module explores the theory and practice of applying psychological assessments to people at work, typically focusing on assessment in selection and development contexts, and for the purpose of conducting performance appraisals.
You will learn how to apply fair, standardised and rigorous techniques for assessing people for job positions, in terms of understanding their current level of suitability and their potential to develop in the future.
You will explore contemporary issues in assessment, selection, and developmental contexts, with a focus on fairness, justice and the candidate experience, and an attention towards the implications of using virtual reality, gamification and artificial intelligence in assessment.
The module will enable you to critically appraise the suitability of assessment methodologies for both in-house and external consultancy.
15 credits
This module explores the ways in which individuals approach career management and associated learning and development.
In addition to learning about academic and practitioner perspectives, you will reflect on your own career and development to date; assessing how your career has unfolded, your goals and motivations, and what barriers and facilitators may exist in the path of achieving those goals and motivations.
You will also study the theoretical and practical elements of the training cycle, including training needs analysis, design, implementation, evaluation and transfer of learning.
30 credits
This module will support you to critically evaluate research from a methodological perspective, while also acquiring the skills needed to conduct high quality applied research.
You will explore key content as described in the British Psychological Society's knowledge areas ‘Applying psychology to work and organisations' and ‘Research design, advanced data gathering and analytical techniques'.
The module is delivered through interactive seminars with a mixture of lectures, lab-based tutorials and practical workshops. You will collect and analyse data using different research approaches, such as interviews, focus groups, survey questionnaires and experiments.
0 credits
This module will provide you with an opportunity to explore, understand and reflect on the various career paths of occupational and/or business psychology whilst building self-awareness to confidently position yourself effectively in today's global business world.
You will be supported to define your own personal brand and explore how to effectively communicate this through employability tools and platforms to optimise impact after graduating.
You will take part in a series of interactive sessions that are designed to challenge your current perceptions of yourself and career, as well as providing you with valuable commercial, critical and creative thinking skills.
Optional placement year
The professional placement year is optional. It takes place after the full-time year. It allows students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The work placement is an assessed part of the course and is therefore covered by a Student Route visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Core modules
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement that follows completion of the first 180 credits of taught modules and project or dissertation. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject specific skills in their chosen subject.
It is the responsibility of individual students to locate and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this will normally involve one placement which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the module leader prior to commencement to ensure its suitability.
Career opportunities
This course will equip you for a range of career opportunities in organisations where psychology can and should be applied to positively impact the workplace and implement change for the better. For example, roles include:
- Developmental and strategic roles (e.g. people strategist, people and culture partner, developmental advisor, R&D, employee insight)
- Leadership and management roles
- More traditional roles (private/independent practice, consultancies, civil service, human resources, test publishing and research bodies)
- Graduates can also choose to continue working towards becoming Chartered and Registered Occupational Psychologists, following further training
You will take part in an Assessment Centre Experience, providing the opportunity to experience the pathway to employment with tailored feedback:
- Develop your understanding of the jobs market, including current trends and opportunities, different recruitment processes and how to identify relevant roles
- Receive personalised feedback reports to help you to improve and progress
- Access additional webinars on top tips, employer expectations and best practice
Teaching and assessment
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- 12% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Assessment typically comprises practical tasks (e.g. presentations) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:
- Year 1: Coursework 86%; practical 14%
- Professional placement year: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
You will be part of an intimate cohort of students which supports dedicated academic guidance and advice and gives you the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes therefore you will be taught alongside students who are on these courses within the School.
Fees and funding
| Fee Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £13,500 |
| International | Full Time £18,700 |
| Fee Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £12,900 |
| International | Full Time £17,900 |
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree on the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Occupational and Business Psychology MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
The Niloufar Ebrahim Scholarship is worth up to the value of £11,000 towards tuition fees for international postgraduate students in the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Niloufar Ebrahim Scholarship page.
The Salutem Care and Education Scholarship will cover the tuition fees (home fee status) and provide a maintenance grant for one student studying for either MSc Global Human Resource Management or MSc Occupational and Business Psychology.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Salutem Care and Education Scholarship page.
The Inspire the Future Scholarship offers a 40% reduction in fees for taught masters or postgraduate diploma courses with September start dates. 20 scholarships are available for progressing Kingston University graduates.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Inspire the Future Scholarship page.
International postgraduate students could receive up to £5,000 towards tuition in their first year of study.
For more information on how to apply for these scholarships, visit the International Scholarship page.
If you are a Kingston University 2024/25 undergraduate progressing to a 2025/26 postgraduate degree (taught or research), you could get a 15% reduction in tuition fees.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Postgraduate Progression Scholarship page.
Kingston University offers a 10% discount on full and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees to our alumni.
For more information on how to apply for this discount, visit our alumni discount page.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
