Program Overview

---

Work and Organisational Psychology MSc/PGDip

Course Overview

Are you looking to build a career in business consulting, leadership development, talent assessment, occupational health and well-being, workplace training and coaching, or any other profession rooted in organisational psychology?

Our MSc Work and Organisational Psychology is designed for students with a psychology degree who want to apply their knowledge in workplace settings. This programme mirrors the curriculum of our British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited MSc Occupational Psychology, meaning students will receive the same high-quality training, teaching, and expert supervision without needing a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in psychology or Graduate Membership of the BPS.

Grounded in key theoretical models, advanced research, and evidence-based practices, this MSc provides a deep understanding of how to effectively manage people and organisations. Throughout the course, students will learn how to recruit, train, and develop employees, assess and enhance performance, design effective work environments, and improve workplace well-being. In addition to refining your consultancy skills, they will gain hands-on experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods and master industry-standard data analysis software—practical, real-world skills that will set you them apart in the job market. At a strategic level, the course explores cutting-edge research on leadership development, job design, organisational change, and diversity and inclusion management, empowering students with the insights to navigate complex workplace challenges. Under the supervision of leading experts in organisational psychology, they will also have the opportunity to conduct an applied research project on a workplace-related topic that truly interests you in the summer term.

At Nottingham, we are committed to developing student potential and advancing their career, ensuring that you they graduate with the confidence, expertise, and practical skills to make a real impact in the world of work. Upon graduation, students will be well-equipped to apply their expertise in corporate organisations, public sector roles, consultancy firms, occupational health, employee relations, executive coaching, organisational development, and beyond. Whether their career ambitions lie in industry, research, or professional practice, this MSc will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience to thrive in a globally competitive job market.

Why Choose This Course?

• Extra qualification: Opportunity to obtain an extra qualification in Psychological Testing (Level A and B)
• Experts in the field: Learn from our research-active teaching team and invited guest speakers
• Practical application: Focus on applying your practical skills through modules like Consultancy Skills

Course Content

You'll study across a number of compulsory modules designed to give you a broad knowledge of work and organisational psychology as a professional discipline; the key theoretical and research models used within the field; and the role of the work and organisational psychologist as educator, researcher and practitioner. You'll also gain a grounding in the application skills required for both research and professional practice.

You'll study over three semesters: autumn, spring, and summer. Typically taught modules are delivered in the autumn and spring semesters with the summer used for the research project, though this is dependent on your mode of study.

If you choose to study the MSc, you'll take all compulsory modules for a total of 180 credits.

If you choose to study the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), you'll cover the same modules but you won't take the Applied Research Project (dissertation) module, for a total of 120 credits.

Modules

• MSc
• PGDip
• Consultancy Skills (20 credits)
• Introduction to Research Methods (10 credits)
• Leadership, Engagement, and Motivation (10 credits)
• Learning, Training and Development (20 credits)
• Organisational Change and Development (10 credits)
• Psychological Assessment at Work (10 credits)
• Qualitative Research Methods (10 credits)
• Quantitative Methods (20 credits)
• Work Design, Wellbeing and Work (20 credits)
• Applied Research Project (60 credits)

Learning and Assessment

How You Will Learn

You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars workshops and lab demonstrations. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 6-8 students. Workshop sessions are highly interactive, student-led sessions designed to promote active engagement, develop practical skills, enhance critical thinking, and bridge theory with real-world application. Lab demonstrations are generally arranged in research methods modules for you to gain data analysis experience using industry-standard analytical software for your course. In addition, you have one to one meetings with your personal tutor and project supervisor.

Independent Learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions such as lab demonstrations, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities, including the library, Moodle, and other academic support provided in the university.

Academic Support

Our Academic Support Team provides help in the following areas:

• Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy)
• Academic writing (including how to reference)
• Research skills (in conjunction with the library)
• Critical thinking and understanding arguments
• Revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management)

Teaching Staff

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research and consultancy we undertake.

How You Will Be Assessed

Your work will be assessed during or at the end of each module through a variety of means including:

• Exams
• Essays
• Individual or group presentations
• Research project

To complete a module and gain its credits you'll need to make sure you attend your timetabled sessions and get over the 50% pass mark.

To achieve the MSc, you'll need a total of 180 credits.

To achieve the PGDip, you'll need a total of 120 credits.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

• Home / UK students
• EU / International students
• Alternative qualifications
• Undergraduate degree: 2:1 in a psychology related degree

Holders of a BPS-accredited psychology degrees

For those who have an undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) that confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) by the British Psychological Society (BPS), our BPS accredited Occupational Psychology MSc is a more suitable option.

If you're unsure whether your degree provides the GBC, you can check the BPS' list of accredited courses.

Non-psychology graduates

For those who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than psychology, the Management Psychology MSc may be more suitable.

• Undergraduate degree: 2:1 in a psychology related degree
• International and EU equivalents: We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

Fees

Qualification | MSc | PGDip ---|---|--- Home / UK | To be confirmed | To be confirmed International | To be confirmed | To be confirmed

Please note that course fees for 2026 entry have not yet been confirmed. For reference, you can view the 2025 entry fees here. These may be subject to change for future academic years.

Additional Costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses such as travel and accommodation.

Students should be able to access the books and resources needed for the course through our libraries, however, they may wish to purchase their own copies or get specific books which may cost up to £80 each.

We also offer access to an optional, discounted external course in Test User Training, an additional qualification accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)—a credential highly valued by employers. Run by consultants from external organisations, this short course teaches you how to administer, interpret, and provide constructive feedback to test-takers of Occupational Ability Tests and Personality Tests. Obtaining this qualification grants you the credentials to purchase and use well-validated psychometric tests from the BPS and ensures you can accurately apply these tools in workplace settings.

Funding

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Career Progression

78.4% of postgraduates from the School of Medicine secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £28,505.

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.