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Business Psychology at Heriot-Watt University - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

During this master’s degree, you’ll deepen your knowledge of the psychological mechanisms that drive positive behaviours and performances in the workplace. Our MSc Business Psychology programme will equip you with an effective blend of knowledge drawn from the specialist fields of psychology, management and leadership. You’ll develop commercial awareness and an understanding of global organisations which will allow you to recognise the impact of the economy, technological advances, globalisation and the changing labour market on the psychology of a workplace and the performance of individuals and teams. You’ll learn key skills that will help you thrive in several job roles including business psychology practitioner, human resources manager, organisational development manager, coaching consultant, management consultant or leadership consultant. Each course will equip you with highly employable skills and expertise in the following areas:

  • coaching
  • leadership
  • diversity
  • organisational change
  • organisational culture
  • marketing and consumer behaviour
  • human-machine interaction in the workplace
You’ll study the areas of psychology that directly apply to business settings and will explore some of the key psychological research methods that can be practised in the workplace. By viewing the workplace through a psychological perspective and by developing your analytical, critical thinking and reflection skills, you’ll learn to recognise and improve seemingly intangible aspects of the workplace which, when appropriately managed, can directly improve business performance in terms of job satisfaction, wellbeing, leadership, organisational commitment, organisational culture, performance and productivity. Expertise The MSc Business Psychology degree is taught by experienced, leading academics who, in many cases, have published the research which shapes their disciplines and written the books and journal papers which will guide your learning. Many academics balance teaching time with continued professional practice as coaches, practitioner psychologists, and management consultants. They bring their real-world experience and expertise to the classroom. Your learning environment The Business Psychology programme at Heriot-Watt University has excellent research facilities such as eye trackers, driving simulators and consistent environment labs which will support your independent research projects.   This degree is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars involving multiple modes of learning including case studies, workshops, research papers and electronic formats. You’ll also take part in specifically designed group tasks and presentations which will allow you to develop your interpersonal and communication skills, giving you the platform to implement your expertise and directly improve the performance of diverse groups of individuals and teams at any level within an organisation. Customise your learning In addition to pure business psychology, we offer three specialist business psychology pathways at our Edinburgh campus: MSc Business Psychology with Coaching, MSc Business Psychology with Human Resource Management and MSc Business Psychology with Intercultural Communication. The development of these specialisms will put you in the perfect position to make a positive impact on the performance, communication and culture of global organisations. Accreditation This programme is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF) as Continuing Coach Education (CCE). Therefore, several hours from the MSc courses can be used to apply for the personal credentialing process should the student wish to pursue accredited Coach status with the ICF. A certificate will be issued on completion of these hours.

Modules

A minimum of honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject. Whilst we can consider applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds such as psychology, sociology, politics, business, linguistics, journalism, we hope to see demonstrable evidence of numeracy through statistics or maths. We hope to see evidence of having undertaken an empirical research project or research design and analysis module. We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details. English language requirements If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum. If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Assessment method

You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your research project, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.

How to apply

International applicants

If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum.

Entry requirements

A minimum of honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject. Whilst we can consider applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds such as psychology, sociology, politics, business, linguistics, journalism, we hope to see demonstrable evidence of numeracy through statistics or maths. We hope to see evidence of having undertaken an empirical research project or research design and analysis module. We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details. English language requirements If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum. If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

English language requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not been educated previously in the English language must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English Language tests that we currently accept as proof of English Language ability including our own English Language programmes, can be viewed on our website.

HWU English Language Requirements

https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/entry/english-language-requirements.htm

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £10528 Whole course
Northern Ireland £10528 Whole course
Scotland £10528 Whole course
Wales £10528 Whole course
International £21192 Whole course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For part-time, the tuition fee is: £5,264 for UK Nationals and £10,596 for International Applicants.

Sponsorship information

Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

Business Psychology at Heriot-Watt University - UCAS