PMORCOPS - MSc Organisational and Consumer Psychology

The course offers an innovative and integrated approach to work psychology and brings together various current themes with the general area of work/organisational/occupational/consumer psychology.

Modules are structured around key themes in work psychology (Consumer, Business and Occupational Psychology) and include the five areas of Occupational Psychology as set out by the British Psychological Society (BPS), including research methods. There is a dissertation, and a focus on consultancy and practical based skills. The course allows those that select the required BPS prescribed modules obtain the BPS Occupational Psychology Stage 1 training. The course also provides training leading to the BPS Test User Certificate.

Our teaching and learning approach is explicitly geared to future practice as an applied psychologist. Within the scientist-practitioner model we focus on experiential learning, working as a ‘community of practice’, engaging in critical reflection and applying psychological knowledge to solve practical issues. Our philosophy empowers trainees to move away from seeing themselves as students and to think of themselves as practitioner psychologists in training. It enables them to select a focus for their study and subsequent career. Modern applied psychology draws on many diverse themes and theoretical bases. The course draws on many of these and offers the experience of an integrated approach to work psychology (Occupational, Organisational, Business and Consumer)

The course develops holistic practitioners capable of independent critical thinking and professional practice. Our graduates are supported in their practice by a large body of expert knowledge and evidence. Central to our course is imparting a strong ethical foundation allowing our graduates to develop as professionals within the wider psychological and business community. There are strong links to industry with key employers contributing to the course.

Scheduled teaching consists of lectures, workshops (including those in the dedicated computer laboratories), optional field trips, and seminars. The scheduled teaching programme for full time students consists of the equivalent of two days across the week during the autumn and spring semesters. In addition to formal teaching time, students are expected to devote considerable time outside of this to group work, independent study and directed study.

The course offers an innovative and integrated approach to the study of Psychology in the workplace (i.e. work psychology (Occupational, Organisational, Business and Consumer) by offering a more holistic approach and a selection of designate modules that will allow a specific focus to be followed, such as Occupational or Consumer Psychology.

For those who are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), the course offers the opportunity to obtain the requisite underpinning of the stage one BPS Qualification in Occupational Psychology.

Graduates from the course will be able to apply psychological knowledge to the understanding of and solution to problems associated with people and work. This will be achieved through the integration of a range of theory and research and its critical application within work and organisational contexts. The course therefore will deal with Applying Psychology to Work and Organisations and explore:

Scientist-practitioner model and implications for evidence based practice:

• Ethical issues in working with individuals, teams and organisations
• Knowledge and coverage of practical skills including, for example: Interview techniques, critical incidents, repertory grids, appreciative inquiry, running focus groups, questionnaire design, facilitation skills, action learning set skills, giving feedback
• Using existing data to analyse and understand client needs, problems and priorities
• Writing client reports, writing proposals, making presentations
• Team development techniques
• Project management and the consultancy cycle.

The course has the following aims:

1. To provide students with an up-to-date and advanced training in Applied Psychology theory, research, methods and techniques
2. To enable students to acquire advanced training and expertise in the design, analysis, evaluation and presentation of research in work oriented psychology;
3. To enable students to develop knowledge and skills applicable to the practice of Psychology within a variety of work and organisational contexts.
4. To allow those candidates to obtain BPS DOP stage one if the specified modules are taken.

Knowledge and understanding

1. Evaluate published research and apply the knowledge to relevant organisational contexts
2. Understand how to select and use particular aspects of psychological theory that can be transferred into practical interventions/research opportunities within market-organisation systems.
3. Produce written reports and make oral presentations to a professional standard.
4. Be able to follow and implement the consultancy cycle
5. Reflect on individual and team performance as a basis for personal development.

ii. Cognitive/intellectual skills

By the end of the course the student is expected to develop higher order skills that are reflected in the student’s ability to:

1. Conduct independent and scholarly research and use current psychological theory to critically analyse and evaluate issues and problems related to work and its organisation within the scientist-practitioner model
2. Develop and apply acceptable solutions in organisations by application of analytical skills and synthesis of psychological theory and established practice.
3. Develop self-learning strategies and independent practice.
4. Develop interpersonal skills and client relationship strategies when working with individuals and groups at all organisational levels

iii. Transferable skills including those of employability and professional practice

On completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Take responsibility for their own learning and continuing professional development.
2. Use interpersonal and teamwork skills to enhance subject knowledge, understanding, and problem solving (identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities; use negotiating skills; evaluate performance as an individual and team member; appreciate the interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary nature of the subject area).
3. Use self-management and professional development skills to enhance knowledge of occupational psychology, understanding, and problem solving (skills involved include working independently; communication, effective time management and organisation skills; identifying, working towards and achieving client and PDP targets; and developing an adaptable, flexible and effective approach to study and work).

iv. Subject-specific practical skills

By the end of the programme, students will have the ability to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and have acquired a through and critical understanding of Work Psychology theories, findings, techniques, methodology and methods.
2. Administer, interpret and provide feedback on psychometric assessments to BPS certification standards.
3. Evaluate research from different areas of psychology and synthesise into creative and innovative solutions for business problems.
4. Effectively present complex ideas and solutions to clients

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The assessment strategy is aimed at supporting and developing the scientist-practitioner philosophy underlying the course and supports the learning outcomes and teaching strategy. This is achieved with the assessment examining both the development of knowledge and the application of this knowledge to client problems. The course has a wide variety of assessment methods and students are assessed via essays, exams, individual and group research projects, presentations and a final dissertation. Assignments are based on real-life situations and require submission of client reports and a focused literature review associated with this client report. This enables students to develop evidence-based practice throughout the course.

The course has links with various employers and European universities (currently Sweden and Italy) which often arrange work placements or practical experience for students.

For the MSc award: Core: One of PY7164 or PY7163 are core, for Occupational Psychology see below, PY7P28 and PY7168]

Additionally:
Student who wish to proceed onto the BPS DOP chartership process need to follow the Occupational accredited route and must complete the following modules:

Psychological Assessment at Work
Managing Organisational Change and Development
Well-being at work
Leadership, Engagement and Motivation
Behaviour Change and Learning
Advanced Research Design and Data Analysis for Psychology
Dissertation & Professional Development

The programme places a strong emphasis on developing self-awareness in our students. We do this not only through the regular completion of self-reflective logs but also through using well-established psychological tools such as the MBTI allow student to better understand their own preferences, those of their peers and the group dynamics. Furthermore students will be introduced to structured reflection on their development of Postgraduate Skills which constitutes much the personal development planning process. Progress with Postgraduate Skills will be articulated to students as the programme progresses through feedback from tutors and peers enabling them to reflect on their progress based on the evidence available.

Other activities will also contribute to aspects of Postgraduate Skills. Students will be encouraged to develop their personal portfolio to critically review their learning experiences, set their future personal and academic goals and evaluate their progress towards these goals. Modules contain exercises which assist with personal development (such as workshops and discussions related to the application psychology in organisations and ethics in practice settings). Module assessment require students to produce a reflective account outlining the individual’s experiences and learning in relation to course material. Formative feedback is provided in relation to both examinations and coursework which focuses on assisting students to improve their personal and academic skills.

The course has professional tutorials & seminars which address professional and career issues. We help prepare students for employment on a very practical level. For example, the course team (supported by university services) offers sessions in areas such as CV writing and interview skills.

During the MSc we provide supervision and support for professional development. We do this via the seminars and a personal mentor system. We also offer sessions on the Chartership process. In addition, we offer the BPS DOP stage 2 supervision programme to students who have completed the MSc with the requisite modules.

We place considerable importance on developing and maintaining external links with prospective employers and the professional bodies. These employer links enable us to provide dissertation opportunities and build working relationships with key organisations. Furthermore, these relationships enable us to regularly invite future employers to present to our students, giving them insights into life as a psychologist in the workplace and provide career opportunities.

This course is accredited by the Association for Business Psychology.

If you choose to take the occupational psychology route, this is also accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Former students have taken up roles ranging from freelance employment advisors to senior change management consultants, and we are proud of our post MSc careers advice, and the support we give for progression to our doctorate programme.

Our graduates have gone on to work in occupational psychology, management, marketing, advertising, recruitment, research, performance consultancy, business, training, human resources and organisational change.

Previous students have gone on to Accenture, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rio Tinto, and in the public sector and government departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions.

Our student profiles provide more insight about our graduates. Rebecca Griffiths went on to deliver consultancy to large brands, and combine her people development and writing skills in a role as an employee engagement advisor. Change Management Consultant Ray Millican chose to study at London Met because the staff members were "approachable, realistic and very experienced in ‘real-world’ issues".

For those wishing to do the BPS Occupational Psychology chartership, post-MSc support is provided.

To become an occupational psychologist, a title protected by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), you must have Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society and be registered with the HCPC. For those wanting to achieve this, support and guidance is available through the University.

If taking the occupational psychology route, you will be required to have:

• Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society or an equivalent psychology degree (minimum 2:2)

This route is accredited by the British Psychological Society. Post MSc this allows you to undertake the British Psychological Society stage 2 qualification, and qualify for professional practice as an occupational psychologist.

If taking the consumer psychology route, you will be required to have:

• a 2:2 honours degree or equivalent with at least 50% comprising psychology in areas such as social psychology, personality and research methods

For the business and consumer psychology routes we also welcome applications from those with a business, consumer psychology, marketing or advertising background.

These routes are accredited by the Association of British Psychology.

Professional qualifications or workplace experience will be considered on an individual basis.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.