MSc Occupational and Organizational Psychology

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

The MSc in Occupational and Organisational Psychology at University of Sussex provides an advanced, research-intensive pathway into understanding work, organisations and people. It suits psychology or business graduates keen to develop consultancy skills, lead change in organisations, or pursue professional training toward occupational psychology.

Curriculum Structure:
In the Autumn semester, students will encounter modules like Assessment and Development at Work, Leadership, Engagement and Motivation, Research Methods, Workplace Learning, Training and Coaching, and Sussex Experts — Research and Practice, where they build foundational knowledge of organisational behaviour, leadership, training, and psychological research methodology.
In the Spring semester, core modules such as Advanced Research Methods for Occupational Psychology, The Future of Work Design, The Social Psychology of Organisations, Well-Being at Work, and the Dissertation challenge students to explore cutting-edge work design, social dynamics in organisations, wellbeing, and to carry out an independent empirical or consultancy project.

Focus areas:
"workplace behaviour, leadership & motivation, psychological assessment at work, organisational change & future of work"

Learning outcomes:
"Graduates will be able to conduct advanced organisational research, apply psychological methods to work settings, design interventions for employee wellbeing, and engage in consultancy practice aligned with occupational psychology standards."

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and suits those aiming for Stage 2 training toward Chartered Occupational Psychologist status under the BPS and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Sussex is ranked 11th in the UK for Psychology (Times Higher Education 2025) and records 91% of its postgraduates completing work experience by the end of their course, indicating strong employability outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical research skills through hands-on laboratory classes and a major research project. They have access to the School of Psychology's specialist facilities, including EEG and eye-tracking labs. The programme's experiential components are:

Research Project: A substantial independent empirical project
Laboratory Access: Use of specialist facilities including EEG and eye-tracking equipment
Software: Training in R for statistical analysis
Practical Classes: Hands-on research methods and statistics labs
Technical Training: Experience with research design and psychological testing methods

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Occupational and Organizational Psychology at the University of Sussex are well-prepared for careers that influence workplace effectiveness and employee wellbeing. Typical roles include Occupational Psychologist, HR Business Partner, Organizational Development Consultant, and Employee Wellbeing Specialist. This program combines psychological theory with practical application, readying graduates for both consultancy and in-house positions across public and private sectors.

Progression and Future Opportunities:

Sussex’s dedicated Careers and Entrepreneurship team offers one-to-one career consultations, CV and interview coaching, and entrepreneurship support via StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab.
91% of postgraduates gain relevant work experience by graduation, enhancing employability.
The program has strong partnerships with organizations including NHS, government departments, military, emergency services, and private sector companies, supported by practical placements and consultancy projects.
The MSc is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), granting Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) and providing a pathway to becoming a Chartered Occupational Psychologist.
Graduates typically earn salaries around £30,000 to £40,000, with opportunities in test publishing, management consultancy, HR, and policy think tanks.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can pursue doctoral-level training to become chartered occupational psychologists or explore PhD research in organizational psychology, workplace wellbeing, or related interdisciplinary fields, building on this MSc foundation.