Programme Specification
MSc Work Psychology 2019 entry
Academic Year: 2020/21
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XXI (Postgraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
Awarding body/institution | Loughborough University |
Teaching institution (if different) | |
Owning school/department | School of Business and Economics |
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
Final award | MSc |
Programme title | Work Psychology |
Programme code | BSPT39 (f/t) BSPT36 (p/t) |
Length of programme | |
UCAS code | |
Admissions criteria | Full Time MSc - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/BSPT39 Part Time MSc - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/BSPT36 |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Wed, 12 Aug 2020 16:31:13 BST |
1. Programme Aims
This MSc programme has a core philosophy of developing students’ knowledge base of theories, principles and practices within work psychology domains. Teaching is designed to develop students’ ability to synthesise and apply this knowledge to complex, multifaceted or ill-defined problems and to develop their ability to communicate with multiple stakeholder groups. Teaching is informed by the forefront of research, theory and practice in work psychology (and where appropriate integrated with other related disciplines). Learning outcomes will underpin subsequent training, career routes / choices and work performance. The programme offers academically rigorous knowledge and skills development that prepares students for Doctoral pathways/research, for the British Psychological Society Stage 2 Qualification in Occupational Psychology (and subsequent registration with the Health and Care Professions Council), and for entry into both specialist work roles and management posts. The programme balances relevant academic theory and research with the advanced application of research methods and applied practices/professional issues in work psychology domains.
The MSc programme in Work Psychology aims:
- To develop an in-depth specialist understanding of theory, research and practice in work psychology
- To encourage critical and reflective analysis of theory, research and practice in work psychology through the consideration of a wide range of work-related issues in diverse work contexts and cultures
- To develop in students the ability to synthesise theory and research and to apply it into practice as practitioners in order to prepare students to offer valuable expertise when dealing with a variety of work-related issues
- To foster a high-level understanding of the scientific, ethical and practical issues associated with the development and application of theory in work psychology through the consideration of multiple stakeholder perspectives
- To prepare students who are intending to pursue a professional qualification in occupational psychology (potentially leading to full membership and Chartered Status with the BPS Division of Occupational Psychology) and/or a PhD, and those wishing to apply their learning in work organisations without following this qualification pathway.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
-
QAA descriptors for Higher Education Qualification at Level 7 (2008)
-
British Psychological Society Standards for Masters Programmes in Occupational Psychology (2013; and revised draft, 2014)
-
Loughborough University and School of Business and Economics Strategy Documents
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Loughborough University Learning and Teaching Strategy
-
Masters programmes within the School of Business and Economics
-
Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency – Practitioner Psychologists (2010)
-
European Master on Work and Organizational Psychology WOP-P (content and learning outcomes)
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
K1 key theories and contemporary practices relating to the assessment of individuals’ knowledge, skills, abilities, goals and other constructs in various work-related contexts and cultures
K2 important and influential research-based theories of career and personal development including the application of a range of psychological theories to individual- and group-level learning, development and knowledge management
K3 the essential features of leadership theories including the implications of these for the identification and development of leaders and the management of a range of work issues
K4 approaches to measuring and managing work performance, employee motivation, and employee participation
K5 the measurement and determinants of work-related attitudes, health and well-being, linked to an understanding of the processes and outcomes of various organisational change interventions
K6 the psychological influences on employees’ responses to different types of work, different work environments, work cultures and different management practices
K7 the development, implementation and evaluation of theory-based problem-solving processes in work-related contexts based on an understanding of key scientist practitioner skills and advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods
K8 professional codes of conduct including BPS Code of Conduct, HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, and other relevant ethical principles and guidelines
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
C1 Critically evaluate knowledge, theory and practice from work psychology and relevant related disciplines
C2 Apply their knowledge and understanding to critically evaluate, synthesise and reflect upon professional and ethical issues raised in both research and practice in work psychology
C3 Apply key theoretical principles to a range of work-related problems and issues in a variety of different work settings
C4 Build strategies for the assessment of work-related issues through psychological enquiry and to critically evaluate the suitability of different strategies for the implementation and evaluation of interventions
C5 Use their understanding of psychological theories and concepts to communicate effectively about all aspects of their work to a range of different stakeholder groups
C6 Integrate, evaluate and apply their knowledge of the topics diversity, fairness, gender and culture across the whole of the curriculum
C7 Reflect upon the development of knowledge and skills relevant to their progression as an occupational psychologist
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
P1 Identify and apply a variety of assessment methods to gather evidence relating to work-related issues and problems across a range of different domains within work psychology and across all parts of the problem-solving cycle
P2 Make appropriate evidence-based and ethical choices about the suitability of a range of practical theory-based techniques used in work psychology
P3 Use, when appropriate, a range of practical skills commonly deployed by work psychologists (e.g. interviewing techniques, critical incidents, repertory grid, questionnaire design etc.)
P4 Critically and reflectively analyse various sources of evidence and identify both new and established implications for practice
P5 Identify areas of practice and work-related issues that could benefit from research; design, conduct and evaluate an appropriate investigation
P6 Integrate different activities across the problem-solving cycle (e.g. problem assessment, intervention design and evaluation of solutions) in an appropriate and ethical way
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
T1 Communicate effectively orally, electronically and in writing to a wide range of different stakeholder groups and in a number of different formats
T2 Apply constructive and structured approaches to complex problem-solving and intervention evaluation even in the face of uncertainties and incomplete information
T3 Manage personal learning efficiently and effectively through an appreciation of the skills and capabilities needed to apply psychology effectively in work settings
T4 Use IT effectively as a learning and communication tool
T5 Develop and utilise the advanced research skills needed to work with complex data and research / practical agendas
T6 Work effectively and confidently both as an individual and as part of a small team within constrained time-frames
T7 Work independently in a way that stimulates continued professional development by using the available support strategically and effectively
4. Programme structure
The course consists of eight 15-credit modules and one 60-credit research project.
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Exam Weight |
BSP404 |
Gathering and Using Evidence in Work Psychology (S1, S2) |
15 |
0 |
BSP401 |
Employee Engagement, Motivation and Voice (S1) |
15 |
0 |
BSP402 |
Well-being and Work (S1) |
15 |
0 |
BSP403 |
Work Design, Organisational Change and Development (S1) |
15 |
0 |
BSP400 |
Leadership and Performance Management (S2) |
15 |
0 |
BSP405 |
Psychological Assessment in Organisations (S2) |
15 |
0 |
BSP406 |
Career Development (S2) |
15 |
0 |
BSP407 |
Learning, Development and Knowledge Management (S2) |
15 |
0 |
BSP408 |
Empirical Research Project in Work Psychology |
60 |
0 |
Students who wish to study part-time will be guided by their personal tutor as to the sequencing and timing of modules, taking into account module pre-requisites and the students’ existing expertise and availability for study. In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
In order to be eligible for the award of MSc Work Psychology, candidates must:
i) satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI and:
ii) achieve a total of 180 credits with all module marks at 50% or higher.
Students fulfilling (i) but not (ii) will be eligible for the award of MSc Psychology Applied to the Workplace
Students may not submit for assessment their Empirical Research Project in Work Psychology until they have completed all other taught modules on the programme. Students registered on this programme must commence the module Gathering and Using Evidence in Work Psychology (BSP404) before all other modules. For those studying on a part-time basis, at least one of Modules BSP400, BSP401, BSP402 or BSP403 must be studied before BSP405, BSP406 or BSP407.