ObjectivesFirst offered in 1996, the MSc in Occupational Health Psychology is the first MSc course in Europe devoted entirely to the application of psychology to occupational health. The course is deliberately international in its nature and is listed by the Ergonomics Society and by the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology. The MSc in Occupational Health Psychology provides the knowledge base and research skills for a career in the fast developing discipline of occupational health psychology. It emphasises the Institute’s special knowledge of work-related stress and its management, the legal context to occupational health and safety and issues such as ageing, chronic illness and workplace health promotion.
Entry requirementsThis course will be of interest to those who want to specialise in the application of psychology to occupational health and safety. Past students have developed careers in education and training, consultancy in occupational health psychology, health and safety management or organisational development, and in research. Applicants are considered on the basis of their academic merits, abilities and potential. If you have a good 2:2, you application may be considered under exceptional circumstances and where there is evidence of relevant work experience. Work experience is not a pre-requisite for many of the Institute's courses but it can certainly be an advantage for all of them
Academic titleMSc Occupational Health Psychology
Course descriptionOccupational Health Psychology (MSc)
Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Course Content
You will be required to study the following core modules in semester one:
Introduction to Occupational Health Psychology
Introduction to Health Promotion and Psychology
Organisations, Stress and Health
Law and Occupational Health Psychology
Environmental Psychology and Design
Core research Methods
Semester two covers the core modules listed below:
Risk Assessment for Work Stress
Applied Research Methods
Ergonomics, Work Design, Health and Safety
Theories and Methods of Behavious Change Consultancy Skills Workshop
In addition, you will be able to choose one of the following optional modules:
Training in Organisations
Organisational Development and Change
Please note that all module details are subject to change.
Over the summer period towards the end of the course, you will have to choose one of the options listed below:
Applied Research Project or
Minor Dissertation in Occupational Health Psychology and
Major Dissertation in Occupational Health Psychology
Course Structure
The MSc in Occupational Health Psychology is delivered on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two years.
The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits’ worth of core and optional taught modules. The remaining 60 credits are shared between a Consultancy Skills Workshop, Research Project and/or Dissertation.
Part-time students on this course are taught alongside full-time students and the choice of modules (and therefore the timetable) is flexible and a matter for agreement between student and course director. In all cases, part-time students can access a wide range of teaching and learning facilities remotely via the student portal.
We also offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health Psychology, which mirrors the taught component of the MSc but does not include the Consultancy Skills Workshop, Research Project or Dissertation.
You may also be interested in the MSc or Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health Psychology by e-Learning, which offers a flexible, distance learning route through this course.
Key facts
The MSc in Occupational Health Psychology is the first MSc course in Europe devoted entirely to the application of psychology to occupational health.
Each of the courses we offer in Occupational Health Psychology is recognised by the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology and by the Ergonomics Society, and is listed by the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
Teaching within the Institute is informed by current research. We believe that research and teaching should be developed and delivered to help students and staff make a difference in the real world.
In the latest Research Assessment Exercise, the Institute was awarded a 5B (with Nottingham University Business School).
The wider School of Psychology was awarded 24/24 in the latest Teaching Quality Assessment, with a commendation for teaching