Business Psychology

Heriot-Watt University

Postgraduate MSc Full-time 1 Year

Business Psychology MSc is a postgraduate degree at Heriot-Watt University, based in Edinburgh, taught full-time over 1 year.

About this course

Overview
During this master’s degree, you’ll deepen your knowledge of the psychological mechanisms that drive positive behaviours and performances in the workplace. Our MSc Business Psychology programme will equip you with an effective blend of knowledge drawn from the specialist fields of psychology, management and leadership. You’ll develop commercial awareness and an understanding of global organisations which will allow you to recognise the impact of the economy, technological advances, globalisation and the changing labour market on the psychology of a workplace and the performance of individuals and teams.

You’ll learn key skills that will help you thrive in several job roles including business psychology practitioner, human resources manager, organisational development manager, coaching consultant, management consultant or leadership consultant.

Each course will equip you with highly employable skills and expertise in the following areas:

- coaching

- leadership

- diversity

- organisational change

- organisational culture

- marketing and consumer behaviour

- human-machine interaction in the workplace

You’ll study the areas of psychology that directly apply to business settings and will explore some of the key psychological research methods that can be practised in the workplace. By viewing the workplace through a psychological perspective and by developing your 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 business performance in terms of job satisfaction, wellbeing, leadership, organisational commitment, organisational culture, performance and productivity.

You may have the opportunity to Go Global on our Inter-Campus Transfer. Opportunities for postgraduate study abroad are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if you are interested in studying at our Dubai campus or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer, you should contact the Go Global Team.

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

Your learning environment

The Business Psychology 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.

Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF) as Continuing Coach Education (CCE).

Study Options

This course is available in 3 study options:

Full-time Shown above

Duration: 1 Year

Qualification: MSc

Location: Edinburgh

Online study

Duration: 18 Months

Qualification: MSc

Location: Edinburgh

Part-time

Duration: 2 Years

Qualification: MSc

Location: Edinburgh

Related Courses

Course Details

Qualification
MSc
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
1 Year
Start Date
2025

2025-entry data — 2026 offers may differ

Academic Year
2025
Campus / Location
Edinburgh
Scheme
Postgraduate