Business and Organisational Psychology MSc

The purpose of this module is to develop your knowledge of effective and academic research design at master's level and provide guidance on the purpose and design of literature reviews, strategies of research problem definition and ethical considerations. Equally, the module aims to ensure that you have an advanced understanding of how the range of qualitative and quantitative approaches can be most appropriately applied in business management (sub) contexts; and to develop your ability to identify/collect and analyse relevant data and literature sources and reference them appropriately. Finally, the module aims to help you apply this knowledge and establish the most effective research design and method for your project and write a successful research proposal.

This module frames diversity within a broader historical context and explores central concepts and psychological processes that help shed light on discrimination and develop insights into the difficulties and benefits of diversity. Case studies are used to explore Institutional and organisational biases. The module considers the challenges involved in leading and managing diversity in the workplace. The module benefits from and draws on staff research on the business case for diversity.

The research project is an intrinsic part of a qualification in business and organisational psychology, and as such it forms a core module within this programme. It is the culmination of your degree and enables you to put into practice the skills and knowledge acquired over the duration of your studies. To complete the project, you’ll have either chosen or been allocated a project supervisor. This substantial piece of independent empirical work gives you the opportunity to engage with a particular area of interest in considerable depth. Completing such a piece of independent work will help you acquire the skills needed to become a competent individual researcher. In addition, it will equip you with further insight into how psychological research is conducted and in doing so prepares you for further studies and professional development.

This module explores the issue of positive psychology and wellbeing in the workplace, from both a theoretical and practical perspective. You’ll become familiar with practices and principles of various wellbeing-oriented interventions, such as positive psychology, holistic business interventions and organisational mindfulness interventions. This module will ensure that you have a good understanding of the key determinants of positive psychology in the workplace and what it means to be a healthy organisation. Mental wealth is explored from individual, team and organisational perspectives. This module will equip you with the tools that help improve productivity in organisational life, promote retention, enhance motivation levels and make an organisation a desirable place for prospective employees. The content is delivered giving emphasis on evidence-based models and interventions, applicable in dealing with contemporary mental health issues within workplaces.

This module looks at the application of coaching and mentoring theory and methodologies in practice. This involves engagement with various theoretical models and reflection on different coaching and mentoring practices. Coaching and mentoring are recognised as highly sophisticated processes for the development of people, teams and organisations. This module develops an awareness of theory and practical application skills of coaching and mentoring to be utilised in various live settings.

This module explores key strategic change and development elements of business, including change management, organisational values, decision making, negotiation, conflict management and behavioural change, communication and influencing. It aims to affect a theory to practice transfer, with practical exercises developing the skills for managing sustainable organisational development initiatives.

This module will explore the importance of learning, training and development for work organisations. It will examine the various issues and challenges concerning the measurement of human capabilities and characteristics at the level of the individual, the team and the organisation. This module explores current research and practice on the topic of organisational learning and development with a focus on how organisations manage the learning and development incorporating talent management within the process. You’ll also learn to undertake needs analysis, design learning interventions, deliver training events (manage the transfer of learning) and evaluate the effectiveness of learning, training and development interventions. Talent management as an overarching approach and its integration within organisational strategy is explored in relation to the systematic attraction, identification, development, engagement, retention and deployment of those individuals who are of particular value to an organisation.

This module will explore the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of psychological assessment in the workplace. It will examine the challenges around measuring human capabilities for selection and development. Overall, it will give you the tools and techniques to develop a critical and analytical perspective as a practitioner following ethical and good practice guidelines. This module requires you to design and deliver a range of assessment methods. This application of practice will give you an insight into the scientist practitioner approach.