ObjectivesThe MSc in Management Psychology has been designed for those who wish either to pursue a career working in the field of organisational analysis, or one in management education and research. The degree aims to develop knowledge and understanding of:- General principles and theoretical frameworks of management and organisation, enriched by critical reflection on the nature of management practice Advanced study of the field of Management Psychology, to develop a critical understanding of the relationship between behaviour and experience A primary focus is on the individual in the organisation; the construction of meaning, bureaucratic and technological consciousness, organisational socialisation and secondary adjustments, and the significance of time, gender and motive as organising principles Critical reflection on management in the broader societal context.
Entry requirementsEntry Qualifications 2.1 or equivalent IELTS 6.5, OR TOEFL (PB) 570, OR TOEFL (CB) 230, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C OR IELTS 6.0, OR TOEFL (PB) 540, OR TOEFL (CB) 207, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C AND Successful completion of a pre-sessional English course offered at the University of Essex of at least 10 weeks.
Academic titleMSc Management Psychology
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Management Psychology develops a critical understanding of the relationship between behaviour and experience. The primary focus is on the individual in the organisation; the construction of meaning in bureaucratic and technological consciousness; organisational socialisation and secondary adjustments; and the significance of time, gender and motive as organising principles.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
ASSET PRICING
AUDIT THEORY
BANK STRATEGY AND RISK
BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE
BUSINESS ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Compulsory: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE
Compulsory: MANAGEMENT IN ORGANISATIONS
CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT
Core: MANAGEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
Core: MSC/MA DISSERTATION
Core: RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES IN ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT
CORPORATE FINANCE
CRITICAL MARKETING
DERIVATIVE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE RATES AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
FINANCIAL MODELLING
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
ISSUES IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ISSUES IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
MODERN BANKING
PERSPECTIVES ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
PHILOSOPHY OF MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
PROFESSIONALISM AND THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION
RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: EMPIRICAL METHODS IN FINANCE
RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: FOUNDATIONS IN FINANCE
STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Understand the significance of a psychological approach to management
A2 : Distinguish between various approaches to the subject: organisational psychology, critical psychology, psycho-analytical approaches.
A3 : Understand key theoretical issues in the study of Management Psychology.
A4 : Developing a critical and reflexive interpretation of the character of management and organizations.
A5 : The historical influences on the practice of managing in organizations.
A6 : The contexts, both internal and external that underpin and contribute to the character of managing and organizations.
A7 : Epistemological and social scientific influences and interpretations of management and organizations.
Teaching Methods
Outcomes A1-A7 are acquired through lectures, seminars, group and individual tasks, and directed independent study. The development of the dissertation in consultation with a supervisor provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A7
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understandings to facilitate students exploration, the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of management and organisations, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.
Directed independent study and reading, along with individual and group tasks, enable the further exploration of the relevant areas.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library materials relating to the course.
Assessment Methods
Informal Assessment:
Outcomes A1-A6 are informally assessed via group work and oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills.
Formal Assessment:
Outcomes A1-A6 are formally assessed via coursework assignments, which may take a number of forms, including essays, case studies, theoretical and empirical studies. The forms of assessment are being developed in consultation with the External Examiner, the Dean of Graduate School, and will take account of feedback on piloting of new forms of assessment, (e.g. AC934).
Outcomes A1-A3 will be assessed in the dissertation.
Outcome A7 is primarily assessed via the dissertation.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas.
B2 : Assimilate and synthesise advanced theories and concepts from a variety of relevant frameworks.
B3 : Formulate logical and coherent arguments
B4 : Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence.
B5 : Plan and undertake a substantial piece of independent research.
Teaching Methods
Skills B1-B4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through directed independent study, reading, group and individual tasks given for their courses, although lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Students independent study and preparation for tasks involves the reading, interpretation and critical evaluation of relevant frameworks, theories and understandings to facilitate students assimilation and synthesis of these various theories and concepts, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Lecturers provide necessary feedback on student work. Lecturers also engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments and email communication.
Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students undertake for the MSc dissertation. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills B1-B4
Informal assessment:
Skills B1-B4 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills
Assessment Methods
Informal assessment:
Skills B1-B4 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills
Formal:
Skills B1-B4 are formally assessed via coursework assignments. The MSc dissertation provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B4.
Skill B5 is assessed through the dissertation.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C2 : Analyse and evaluate empirical data
C3 : Produce diagnostic accounts of organisational incidents and situations from empirical reports.
C4 : Hypothesise about organisational issues and events in the wider context.
C5 : Access and retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
C6 : Research presentation and written presentation skills.
C7 : Undertake independent research
Teaching Methods
Skills C1-C6 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Research skills will be taught and assessed specifically in course AC9XA Research Methods and Methodologies.
Skill C6 is further acquired through the work that students do for the dissertation. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1-C5
Assessment Methods
Informal assessment:
Skills C1-C5 are informally assessed through group work and oral presentations along with the associated informal feedback. This further enables students to explore and enhance their understanding, and develop research and presentation skills
Formal:
Skills C1-C5 are formally assessed via coursework assignments. This enables the demonstration of the relevant theories and empirical evidence and facilitates the demonstration of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Skill C6 is assessed through the dissertation and course work
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner
D2 : Use information technology, such as word processing, databases and the web to locate and analyse data and other relevant information
D3 : Basic skills in quantitative research
D4 : Problem solving and analytical skills necessary to investigate and understand management and organisations
D5 : Participating in group work in undertaking research and preparing informal presentations.
D6 : Time management, task prioritisation and working to deadlines.
Teaching Methods
Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed through group tasks involving oral presentation and group discussion in the lecture.
Written communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through small group project reports and individual tasks.
IT skills (D2) are developed as individual tasks require extensive research involving web based material, internet and various electronic medias.
Numeracy skills (D3) are introduced in Research Methods, and may be developed, if appropriate, in the dissertation.
Problem solving skills (D4) are developed principally through specific problem based exercises and project given to the students.
Planning and organisation, enterprise and resourcefulness (D5-6) are essential to any learning process dependent on independent study and to some extent individual advice from teachers. These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses.
Assessment Methods
Informal assessment:
The assessment of the majority of key transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the management degree schemes; however the approach to assessment varies. Written communication skills, problem solving, and IT skills are assessed directly throughout the degree programme. Personal skills are assessed through coursework. Verbal communication skills are not formally assessed although feedback on communication skills forms part of the formative feedback provided on small group tutorial presentations.
Formal:
Skills D1-D6 are formally assessed via coursework assignments: in relation both to process and product. Skills D5 and D6 may be demonstrated through process issues, such as meeting submission deadlines, and demonstrating collaborative work with others during the research phase of coursework. Skills D1-D4 will be assessed through the content of submitted work.