Organizational Psychology MSc

Birkbeck, University of London

Our highly respected MSc Organizational Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society, will develop your understanding of people and organisations within the context of both occupational psychology and organisational behaviour.

As the world of work continues to change, we equip you to ask, and answer, fundamental questions such as:

• What does good leadership mean?
• How do we support wellbeing at work?
• Why do we do what we do at work?

You will begin by examining ideas about careers as the axis of the individual-organisation relationship, important at social and economic levels and relevant to you at any stage of your life. Simultaneously, you will be learning about a range of organisational research methods in preparation for carrying out your own research project. You will go on to cover learning, motivation, organisational change, leadership, selection and assessment, and wellbeing.

Teaching on the course is informed by cutting-edge research in the field, and you will be encouraged to engage in critical thinking and to reflect on theory and practice. You will also have the opportunity to learn from the professional experience of your peers and acquire applied research skills in preparation for an independent research project on a subject that interests you.

This course is very flexible in how you can study it. Whichever route you choose you will join a friendly, welcoming community of learners who are keen to work hard, share their professional experience with classmates and network and make contacts.

This course is part of our new Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

Network learning route

You can also study this course via a network learning route on which you will benefit from high-quality recordings and online discussions, and attend in-person weekend workshops. This route differs from the online route, as it includes attendance at termly weekend workshops and tutor-facilitated computer conferencing, in addition to online materials. Our weekend workshops are an integral part of the network learning route, introducing you to the content and structure for the upcoming term as well as providing an opportunity to network and work together with fellow students.

Highlights

• We are a small and friendly team with a close-knit staff and student community.
• You will be taught by leading academics and practitioners who have a wealth of experience in supporting and encouraging students who are studying in the evening and online. You will have access to an extensive range of electronic resources for each module.
• This degree provides the materials to enhance or develop your career in organisational psychology, management, human resources, training and development or consultancy.
• The degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society as providing the knowledge base for progress towards professional qualification as an occupational psychologist.
• Birkbeck was the first institution in the UK to establish teaching and research in occupational psychology over 60 years ago. We continue to play a distinctive role in British occupational psychology - and, increasingly, within organisational behaviour. We are also established experts in using digital technologies to create and maintain an engaged and supportive learning environment for our students.
• If you choose the network learning route, you will attend weekend workshops. These are non-residential and run from late on Friday afternoon through to lunchtime on Sunday. There are evening activities at all the workshops. Please note: you must be able to attend the first weekend workshop, normally the last weekend in September, if you wish to be accepted onto this network learning route.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, human resources and management.