Master of Science of Psychology in Business (International)

Leading, Managing and Developing People recognises that, in the new digital society, effective leadership and human resource management are fundamental to any contemporary organisation adapting to technological disruption and economic uncertainty. The present economic and social context in which organisations operate will transform tasks, jobs and skills to the extent that long-standing jobs may be eliminated and replaced by jobs-for-tomorrow. According to the World Economic Forum report (2020), it is estimated that there will be a shift in the division of labour between humans and machines and an increase in the level of work process digitisation, including the expansion of remote working practices. This new context of work raises the need to reskill or upskill existing workers, while other issues such as labour productivity and employee wellbeing also require consideration. By focusing on effective leadership and human resource management, this module will enhance your knowledge and understanding of leading, managing and developing people to help them adapt to change and the future of work in the new digital society.

Leading Future Direction examines what the key challenges in leadership and management will be in the next decade and where they will come from. Leadership and management in the 21st century are characterised by dynamism and complexity. Public, private and third sector organisations are confronted by environmental factors such as economic, political, sociological, and technological challenges. To navigate these contemporary challenges successfully, organisations and their leaders need to be responsive, responsible, and resilient. The module will scope the challenges organisations may face in the next decade and explore how individuals and organisations can develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to thrive.

Advanced Professional Skills focuses on client-facing processes to present the range of skills that underpin a successful professional career in psychology and related disciplines. The module immerses you in systematic information retrieval, analysis, synthesis and dissemination. You will gain the skills required for academic and professional practice, reflect on ethical considerations and consider public understanding of science. The module concludes with a practical exercise which will prepare you for writing and managing a research proposal or business plan for a research project.

Advanced Organisational Psychology focuses on the application of theoretical perspectives and insights from core areas of psychology to issues such as leadership, motivation, decision-making, employee selection, training and stress management. The module contributes to the study of employee wellbeing and effective management and places a particular focus on the experience of women and minorities in the work place. It will also consider the relevance of research methods in psychology in the workplace.

Psychology of Creativity and Innovation recognises that it is commonly thought that being creative is a gift that either you have or do not have. In common with most skills, however, there is a science to achieving high levels of skill. This module will enable you to undertake extensive practice – on an issue that is important to you – in a challenging but supportive environment. You will complete a project that enables you to develop and assess your skills and engage in a reflective commentary on the process. The aim is to enhance the skills of innovation and creativity in your everyday life, creating an innovative approach and then developing the idea further.

Psychology of Sales and Marketing recognises that knowledge of the principles of sales and marketing is a central requirement for individuals working either as independent practitioners or as a member of any organisation that has products to sell. Focuses on client-facing processes, the module begins by presenting the key concepts in marketing, such as market segmentation, product positioning, differentiation and competitive advantage. Important concepts in sales will also be considered, with a focus on consumers, customer value proposition and advertising. The module will address the psychology of sales, examining Rackham’s spin-selling approach and bringing in core psychology theories including that of planned behaviour.

In addition to delivering a solid foundation for students' masters-level projects, this module seeks to integrate students' knowledge of research methods with their understanding of core psychology areas, such as developmental and cognitive psychology.

Psychology Masters Dissertation requires you to carry out a supervised empirical piece of extended psychological research. A dissertation provides you with the opportunity to undertake independent research in a relevant area of your choice (subject to the approval of the programme team). The aim is to demonstrate your effectiveness as an independent learner and researcher as you design and execute a piece of substantive, original research. A supervisor will be responsible for overseeing the work in an advisory capacity but you will be expected to plan, execute, interpret and write up your own work.