Business Psychology with Human Resource Management MSc

Heriot-Watt University's master’s degree in business psychology is the most established of its kind in Europe.

This degree blends our world-class teaching in business psychology with our expertise in human resource management to create a specialist programme that will develop a range of skills which are highly desirable to employers. Our psychology graduates often build extremely rewarding careers in human resource management within a range of industries.

By viewing the workplace through a psychological perspective and by developing analytical, critical thinking and reflection skills, you’ll learn to recognise and improve seemingly intangible aspects of the workplace which, when appropriately managed, can directly improve performance, in areas such as:


• Job satisfaction



• Well-being



• Leadership



• Organisational commitment



• Organisational culture



• Performance and productivity



Throughout the Business Psychology with Human Resource Management programme, you’ll develop a critical understanding of the boundaries, terminology, concepts and conventions of business psychology and human resource management. Our degree programme provides sufficient coverage of business psychology to enable you to proceed to professional careers in private, public and third-sector organisations.

Recent developments in research inform this degree and you’ll gain professional, transferable skills and knowledge to succeed in a career after graduation. The range of courses, including a dissertation, provides you with the flexibility to pursue your interests either as a practitioner or researcher.

You’ll develop numeracy and ICT skills using statistics software packages and by conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis. You’ll also be able to develop communication skills through coursework and group discussions/presentations.

You’ll learn key skills that can be applied in the workplace through various wider roles such as management, consultancy and HR.

Expertise
The MSc Business Psychology with Human Resource Management degree is taught by experienced, leading academics who, in many cases, have published the research which shapes their disciplines and written the books which will guide your learning. Many academics balance teaching time with continued professional practice as translators, interpreters, practitioner psychologists, tax and finance specialists and management consultants. They bring real-world experience to the classroom.

Your learning environment
The MSc Business Psychology with Human Resource Management programme at Heriot-Watt University has excellent research facilities such as eye trackers, driving simulators and consistent environment labs which will support your independent research projects.  

This degree is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars involving multiple modes of learning including case studies, workshops, research papers and electronic formats. You’ll also take part in specifically designed group tasks and presentations which will allow you to develop your interpersonal and communication skills, giving you the platform to implement your expertise and directly improve the performance of diverse groups of individuals and teams at any level within an organisation.

You’ll be assessed through a mix of formative and summative assessments. You’ll receive support and feedback throughout the programme.

Customise your learning

You’ll learn from eight courses on the syllabus and participate in a research project. Every course will allow you to develop analytical, critical thinking and reflection skills which will help you thrive in a rewarding career in psychology or human resource management within a range of industries.

You can choose whether to study the programme full-time or part-time. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle.