MSc Psychology with a specialisation in Business or Health
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: September
- Accreditation: British Psychological Society
- Application deadline: August
- Study mode and duration: Online distance learning – 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
Scholarships: available, see fees & funding tab for details
Study with us
- gain knowledge of the core domains of psychology
- develop an understanding of the applications of psychology to real life, particularly business or health contexts
- online course provides a route to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) for those who have no background, or an unaccredited background, in psychology
Why this course?
The School of Psychological Sciences & Health offers this unique Masters programme. The distinctive nature of the programme lies in its flexible online mode of delivery and the choice of specialisation. You can select from either:
- Specialisation in Business: in collaboration with the globally renowned Strathclyde Business School
- Specialisation in Health
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. If you successfully complete this course and have no background, or an unaccredited background, in psychology, this course will provide the route to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
It also provides opportunities to develop specialist knowledge in modules provided for the programme in Psychology for Business or Health.
This flexible, online programme provides you with the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in one of a range of sub-disciplines. The current specialisations are Business and Health.
Kellyanne Findlay, Programme Leader
Interested in postgraduate study?
At the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, our friendly and knowledgeable team will be available to provide you with all the information you need to kick-start your postgraduate journey at the University of Strathclyde. Register for upcoming events below:
What you’ll study
The programme will provide you with:
- a broad-based conceptual knowledge of the core domains of psychology, covering both historical and contemporary issues
- an understanding of the relevance and applications of psychology to real life, particularly business or health contexts
- the opportunity to undertake a supervised empirical research project
- various intellectual and practical skills that are attractive to graduate employers
Class content and student participation is delivered entirely online via the University's virtual learning environment Myplace, as well as a suite of powerful software platforms.
The course comprises 180 credits made up of 80 credits of the core domains of psychology, 40 credits of specialist modules (these will be either Business or Health modules), and a 60-credit empirical research project.
You can choose to study full-time for 12 months or part-time over 20 months.
Full-time students will complete the equivalent of 60 credits taught classes in Semesters 1 and 2. You'll begin working on the empirical project in Semester 2 and complete the majority of the project work over the summer months.
Part-time students will complete 90 credits by the end of Year 1, and the remaining 90 credits in Year 2.
Frequently asked questionsHow to become a psychologist
Find out all you need to know including what a psychologist does, the different types of psychologist and the steps you need to take to become one.
How to become a psychologist12 months, full-time
Conceptual & Historical Issues in Psychology (CHIP) and Individual Differences
The aim of CHIP is to develop students' knowledge of the history of psychology, and an understanding of some of the conceptual and contemporary issues that have been and are being debated in the discipline.
In Individual Differences students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and a critical understanding of the study of individual differences, including personality, sex differences, genes & environment, and intelligence as a predictor of health and illness.
Social & Developmental Psychology
In the area of social psychology, students will be introduced to the study of both within and between group behaviour, with topics including attitudes, prejudice, obedience, conformity, and social identity.
The developmental strand will both describe and explain the major changes in cognitive development across the lifespan in healthy and atypical populations and describe the main theoretical and empirical work in social and moral development.
Research Design & Analyses in Psychology
This class will develop students‘ understanding of research methods and data analyses in psychology. Students will develop an awareness of the ethical issues in research in humans, and the strengths, limitations, and applications of various research designs. Students will have the opportunity to study a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Empirical project
A cornerstone of BPS recognition of a psychology degree is the successful completion of a research dissertation. During your Masters degree you'll be required to work closely with an academic member of staff on an empirical research project. The dissertation topic will be negotiated between supervisor and student. Students will receive individual online supervision for this project.
Psychobiology & Cognitive Psychology
The purpose of the psychobiology class is to provide the opportunity for students to learn the essential principles of brain function, and to encourage students to address the implications of this understanding for their own view of how behaviour is generated.
In the study of cognitive psychology students will be exposed to topics including attention, perception, language, thinking, learning and memory, by exploring both cornerstone research and the key theoretical debates within these areas.
Organisational Psychology
This class will introduce the modern Organisation Behaviour Modification Programmes. The class will introduce work attitudes like job satisfaction, organisational commitment, as well as introduce the psychological contract and models of the psychological contract which integrate work attitudes and behaviour.
Foundations of Risk
This class is concerned with holistic and multi-disciplinary approaches to the study of risk. Risk analysis is dominated by technical methods for providing decision support, but other perspectives are provided within the fields of psychology and sociology, often highlighting shortcomings in the technical solutions. This class will introduce students to these different approaches.
Leadership in Organisations
This class will consider why leadership is important, and will review the development of leadership theory from the Trait approach, Behavioural / Style approach, Contingency / Situational approach through to New Leadership theories. Group dynamics and issues around group decision-making will be covered, as will issues around team development and the role of leadership in teams.
Psychometrics in Organisations
This class will provide a short history of psychological measurement / psychometrics in organisations, introducing ability testing, the theory of True Scores, and characteristics of testing. It will consider issues in intelligence testing, ability tests in occupational settings, personality testing, the use of personality tests in occupational settings and issues around questionnaire construction.
24 months, part-time
Year 1
Conceptual & Historical Issues in Psychology (CHIP) and Individual Differences
The aim of CHIP is to develop students' knowledge of the history of psychology, and an understanding of some of the conceptual and contemporary issues that have been and are being debated in the discipline.
In Individual Differences students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and a critical understanding of the study of individual differences, including personality, sex differences, genes & environment, and intelligence as a predictor of health and illness.
Research Design & Analyses in Psychology
This class will develop students' understanding of research methods and data analyses in psychology. Students will develop an awareness of the ethical issues in research in humans, and the strengths, limitations, and applications of various research designs. Students will have the opportunity to study a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Social & Developmental Psychology
In the area of social psychology, students will be introduced to the study of both within and between group behaviour, with topics including attitudes, prejudice, obedience, conformity, and social identity.
The developmental strand will both describe and explain the major changes in cognitive development across the lifespan in healthy and atypical populations and describe the main theoretical and empirical work in social and moral development.
Organisational Psychology
This class will introduce the modern Organisation Behaviour Modification Programmes. The class will introduce work attitudes like job satisfaction, organisational commitment, as well as introduce the psychological contract and models of the psychological contract which integrate work attitudes and behaviour.
Year 2
Psychobiology & Cognitive Psychology
The purpose of the psychobiology class is to provide the opportunity for students to learn the essential principles of brain function, and to encourage students to address the implications of this understanding for their own view of how behaviour is generated.
In the study of cognitive psychology students will be exposed to topics including attention, perception, language, thinking, learning and memory, by exploring both cornerstone research and the key theoretical debates within these areas.
Empirical project
A cornerstone of BPS recognition of a psychology degree is the successful completion of a research dissertation. During your Masters degree you'll be required to work closely with an academic member of staff on an empirical research project. The dissertation topic will be negotiated between supervisor and student. Students will receive individual online supervision for this project.
Leadership in Organisations
This class will consider why leadership is important, and will review the development of leadership theory from the Trait approach, Behavioural / Style approach, Contingency / Situational approach through to New Leadership theories. Group dynamics and issues around group decision-making will be covered, as will issues around team development and the role of leadership in teams.
Foundations of Risk
This class will provide students with a multi-disciplinary introduction to risk analysis. It introduces key paradigms and theories from psychology, management science / the rational actor approach, and political science / sociology.
Psychometrics in Organisations
This class will provide students with a strong knowledge base about the use of psychometric tests in organisations. Students will learn how to conduct a job analysis, and how to interpret the results of ability and personality tests for use in decisions about selection and development.
Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology and Individual Differences
Available September-December or January-April
The aim of CHIP is to develop students' knowledge of the history of psychology, and an understanding of some of the conceptual and contemporary issues that have been and are being debated in the discipline.
In Individual Differences students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and a critical understanding of the study of individual differences, including personality, sex differences, genes & environment, and intelligence as a predictor of health and illness.
Research Design and Analyses in Psychology
Runs from September-April
This class will develop students‘ understanding of research methods and data analyses in psychology. Students will develop an awareness of the ethical issues in research in humans, and the strengths, limitations, and applications of various research designs. Students will have the opportunity to study a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Social and Developmental Psychology
Available September-December or January-April
In the area of social psychology, students will be introduced to the study of both within and between group behaviour, with topics including attitudes, prejudice, obedience, conformity, and social identity.
The developmental strand will both describe and explain the major changes in cognitive development across the lifespan in healthy and atypical populations and describe the main theoretical and empirical work in social and moral development.
Psychobiology and Cognitive Psychology
Available September-December or January-April
The purpose of the psychobiology class is to provide the opportunity for students to learn the essential principles of brain function, and to encourage students to address the implications of this understanding for their own view of how behaviour is generated.
In the study of cognitive psychology students will be exposed to topics including attention, perception, language, thinking, learning and memory, by exploring both cornerstone research and the key theoretical debates within these areas.
Empirical Project
Runs from September to August
A cornerstone of BPS recognition of a psychology degree is the successful completion of a research dissertation. During your Masters degree you'll be required to work closely with an academic member of staff on an empirical research project. The dissertation topic will be negotiated between supervisor and student. Students will receive individual online supervision for this project.
The following specialist Business classes are available to MSc Psychology with a Specialisation in *Business students;
Foundations of Risk
Available September-December or January-April
This class will provide students with a multi-disciplinary introduction to risk analysis. It introduces key paradigms and theories from psychology, management science / the rational actor approach, and political science / sociology.
Psychometrics in Organisations
Available September-December or January-April
This class will provide students with a strong knowledge base about the use of psychometric tests in organisations. Students will learn how to conduct a job analysis, and how to interpret the results of ability and personality tests for use in decisions about selection and development.
Leadership in Organisations
This class will provide students with a strong knowledge base about leadership concepts and theories. Students will learn how to assess leader and leadership development needs, and how national / organisational culture affects leadership practices.
Organisational Psychology
Available September-December or May-August
This class will provide students with a strong knowledge base about the attitudes which are important for understanding the effectiveness and wellbeing of people at work. Students will learn how to design and assess interventions for changing work-related behaviour and performance.
12 months, full-time
Conceptual & Historical Issues in Psychology (CHIP) and Individual Differences
The aim of CHIP is to develop students' knowledge of the history of psychology, and an understanding of some of the conceptual and contemporary issues that have been and are being debated in the discipline.
In Individual Differences students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and a critical understanding of the study of individual differences, including personality, sex differences, genes & environment, and intelligence as a predictor of health and illness.
Social & Developmental Psychology
In the area of social psychology, students will be introduced to the study of both within and between group behaviour, with topics including attitudes, prejudice, obedience, conformity, and social identity.
The developmental strand will both describe and explain the major changes in cognitive development across the lifespan in healthy and atypical populations and describe the main theoretical and empirical work in social and moral development.
Research Design & Analyses in Psychology
This class will develop students‘ understanding of research methods and data analyses in psychology. Students will develop an awareness of the ethical issues in research in humans, and the strengths, limitations, and applications of various research designs. Students will have the opportunity to study a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Empirical Project
A cornerstone of BPS recognition of a psychology degree is the successful completion of a research dissertation. During your Masters degree you'll be required to work closely with an academic member of staff on an empirical research project. The dissertation topic will be negotiated between supervisor and student. Students will receive individual online supervision for this project.
Psychobiology & Cognitive Psychology
The purpose of the psychobiology class is to provide the opportunity for students to learn the essential principles of brain function, and to encourage students to address the implications of this understanding for their own view of how behaviour is generated.
In the study of cognitive psychology students will be exposed to topics including attention, perception, language, thinking, learning and memory, by exploring both cornerstone research and the key theoretical debates within these areas.
Understanding Health
The educational aim of this class is to introduce students to a critical psychological perspective on what health is, and the determinants of health, so that students can apply these to contemporary global and public health issues.
Promoting Health
This class serves to provide a critical grounding in the conceptual and theoretical issues pertaining to promoting health, as well as planning and evaluation in health promotion. It will take a global focus.
24 months, part-time
Year 1
Conceptual & Historical Issues in Psychology (CHIP) and Individual Differences
The aim of CHIP is to develop students' knowledge of the history of psychology, and an understanding of some of the conceptual and contemporary issues that have been and are being debated in the discipline.
In Individual Differences students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and a critical understanding of the study of individual differences, including personality, sex differences, genes & environment, and intelligence as a predictor of health and illness.
Research Design & Analyses in Psychology
This class will develop students‘ understanding of research methods and data analyses in psychology. Students will develop an awareness of the ethical issues in research in humans, and the strengths, limitations, and applications of various research designs. Students will have the opportunity to study a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Social & Developmental Psychology
In the area of social psychology, students will be introduced to the study of both within and between group behaviour, with topics including attitudes, prejudice, obedience, conformity, and social identity.
The developmental strand will both describe and explain the major changes in cognitive development across the lifespan in healthy and atypical populations and describe the main theoretical and empirical work in social and moral development.
Understanding Health
The educational aim of this class is to introduce students to a critical psychological perspective on what health is, and the determinants of health, so that students can apply these to contemporary global and public health issues.
Year 2
Psychobiology & Cognitive Psychology
The purpose of the psychobiology class is to provide the opportunity for students to learn the essential principles of brain function, and to encourage students to address the implications of this understanding for their own view of how behaviour is generated.
In the study of cognitive psychology students will be exposed to topics including attention, perception, language, thinking, learning and memory, by exploring both cornerstone research and the key theoretical debates within these areas.
Empirical Project
A cornerstone of BPS recognition of a psychology degree is the successful completion of a research dissertation. During your Masters degree you'll be required to work closely with an academic member of staff on an empirical research project. The dissertation topic will be negotiated between supervisor and student. Students will receive individual online supervision for this project.
Promoting Health
This class serves to provide a critical grounding in the conceptual and theoretical issues pertaining to promoting health, as well as planning and evaluation in health promotion. It will take a global focus.
Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology and Individual Differences
Available September-December or January-April
The aim of CHIP is to develop students' knowledge of the history of psychology, and an understanding of some of the conceptual and contemporary issues that have been and are being debated in the discipline.
In Individual Differences students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and a critical understanding of the study of individual differences, including personality, sex differences, genes & environment, and intelligence as a predictor of health and illness.
Social and Developmental Psychology
Available September-December or January-April
In the area of social psychology, students will be introduced to the study of both within and between group behaviour, with topics including attitudes, prejudice, obedience, conformity, and social identity.
The developmental strand will both describe and explain the major changes in cognitive development across the lifespan in healthy and atypical populations and describe the main theoretical and empirical work in social and moral development.
Psychobiology and Cognitive Psychology
Available September-December or January-April
The purpose of the psychobiology class is to provide the opportunity for students to learn the essential principles of brain function, and to encourage students to address the implications of this understanding for their own view of how behaviour is generated.
In the study of cognitive psychology students will be exposed to topics including attention, perception, language, thinking, learning and memory, by exploring both cornerstone research and the key theoretical debates within these areas.
Research Design and Analyses in Psychology
Runs from September-April
This class will develop students‘ understanding of research methods and data analyses in psychology. Students will develop an awareness of the ethical issues in research in humans, and the strengths, limitations, and applications of various research designs. Students will have the opportunity to study a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Empirical Project
Runs from September to August
A cornerstone of BPS recognition of a psychology degree is the successful completion of a research dissertation. During your Masters degree you'll be required to work closely with an academic member of staff on an empirical research project. The dissertation topic will be negotiated between supervisor and student. Students will receive individual online supervision for this project.
The following specialist Health classes are available to MSc Psychology with a Specialisation in *Health students;
Understanding Health
Available January-April or May-August
The educational aim of this class is to introduce students to a critical psychological perspective on what health is, and the determinants of health, so that students can apply these to contemporary global and public health issues.
Promoting Health
Available January-April or May-August
This class serves to provide a critical grounding in the conceptual and theoretical issues pertaining to promoting health, as well as planning and evaluation in health promotion. It will take a global focus.
*Please note that Understanding Health is a prerequisite class for Promoting Health and Understanding Health must be completed before Promoting Health can be added to the curriculum.
Learning & teaching
The course will be delivered both by internationally recognised Psychology researchers from the School of Psychological Sciences & Health and staff from the Strathclyde Business School who are organisational psychologists and chartered members of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
We have designed the course with anyone new to the topic in mind. Carefully scripted and prepared learning tasks and objectives will build up your knowledge, structure your learning, and develop your confidence in each topic we cover, empowering you to achieve in a supportive environment.
Each module is centred round a suite of studio-based lectures, which are studied online. While module subjects will be supplemented by further assigned individual reading and reflection, opportunities for student engagement will be frequent, varied, stimulating and challenging.
Student-centred activities may feature individual or group-based online activities, quizzes, discussion boards, wiki creation verbal reports and podcasts. You'll have the opportunity to participate in online and webcam-based tutorial meetings throughout the course, interacting with your fellow students and lecturers.
Assessment
Assessment will be through a mixture of course work, for example, individual essays or reports, a collaborative writing task with other students, or in some cases an online quiz or a verbal presentation. Additionally, some modules will feature class exams.
Supporting student learning is a priority and you'll be carefully guided through each assessment activity, with continuous feedback on your progress.
Entry requirements
| Academic requirements | First- or upper second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in law, social sciences or related disciplines, or a Masters degree; in some cases a qualification deemed to be equivalent may be considered. Psychology Honours graduate (without Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS) with lower second-class degree (or international equivalent). |
|---|---|
| English language requirements | Please check our English requirements before making your application. |
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
Please note: Previous Maths & English qualifications and your undergraduate degree must meet GTCS minimum entry requirements as well as the pre-Masters course and an interview will be conducted before an offer can be made.
Chat to a student ambassador
If you want to know more about what it’s like to be a Humanities & Social Sciences student at the University of Strathclyde, a selection of our current students are here to help!
Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you might have about courses and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into their experiences of life in Glasgow and Scotland.
Chat to a student ambassadorInternational students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
| Full-time | £10,800 |
|---|---|
| Flexible learning | £1,200 per 20 credit module |
| Visa & immigration | International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Please note: The fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Careers
Accredited Masters in Psychology
An accredited Masters in Psychology is a mark of quality, meaning the course and institution has achieved the high standards of quality in its provision that the British Psychological Society demands.
A degree in psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), is the first step towards the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS, and is a prerequisite for entry onto professional postgraduate psychology training programmes (for example, MSc Organisational Psychology, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, MSc Educational Psychology). A number of graduates will use their accredited degree to pursue future professional training, following gaining relevant experience.
Psychology graduates have a range of options open to them. Many go on to further study or to careers in teaching, human resource management, social work, as well as other areas.
The knowledge, understanding, and skills acquired by psychology graduates are highly valued by employers in the graduate job market. The psychology degree is unique among social science disciplines in the extent to which it fosters both a scientific approach to enquiry (including the ability to employ evidence-based reasoning, and the ability to collect and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data) and the writing and research skills most prevalent in humanities and/or other social science disciplines.
It is anticipated that a proportion of graduates of this programme will enter the graduate job market, in private, public, or third sectors.
The ability to study what I am interested in at a prestigious university without compromising my life was very attractive. I was able to create my own learning schedule that worked with other commitments. Being able to study at my own pace was also very helpful.
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Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in Glasgow
Apply
Start date: Sep 2024
Psychology with a specialisation in Business
Start date: Sep 2024
Psychology with a specialisation in Business
Start date: Sep 2024
Psychology with a Specialisation in Health
Start date: Sep 2024
Psychology with a Specialisation in Health
Contact us
Prospective student enquiries
Contact a member of our team on LiveChat between 10am and 4pm (GMT)
Telephone: +44 (0) 141 444 8600
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