Organizational Psychology and Business MSc

Course overview

This professionally recognised course will provide you with the skills and commercial awareness to apply psychological principles to the challenges organisations face.

Understanding people is integral to business strategy – and success. Getting under the skin of why individuals behave the way they do can transform organisations, ensuring retention and development of talented staff.

This degree gives you a solid foundation in psychological science coupled with an in-depth exploration of business management.

You’ll benefit from expert practitioners within organisational psychology who bring their industry knowledge to the classroom. They’ll guide you through key topics such as managing innovation, change management, and designing complex socio-technical systems.

There’s also a practical focus throughout the course so you can develop and test professional skills in real business scenarios, preparing you for your future career.

You’ll also have the opportunity to gain certification as an Occupational Test User (for psychometric tests of ability and personality) at no additional cost, which is valuable for selection and development roles.

This degree could open the door to so many career options in everything from talent development, leadership consulting and change management to organisational psychologist, HR manager – plus many more.

“It is notoriously difficult to gain relevant experience, so to actually be able to say I have had consultancy experience in a range of settings has definitely put me ahead of others in the job hunt.”

Adam Scott, Organisational Psychology MSc

Why study at Leeds

• Learn the latest in industry: Your course is shaped and taught by organisational psychologists and academics who specialise in psychology, management, engineering and environmental science.
• Facilities designed for the course: Our Behaviour Labs have been specifically designed to support the study of organisational behaviour. Our Data Collection Lab, Observation Room, and Boardroom allow you to simulate business scenarios and study the dynamics of social interactions.
• Benefit from our connections: Our partner organisations help provide real-world insight and experience on how psychology can improve wellbeing and performance. Previous project partners include Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Arup, the NHS, Network Rail, and Marks & Spencer.
• Global opportunities to broaden your experience: Apply for a place on our week-long international study tour, with company visits, guest lectures and networking events. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich. 

Find out more about studying your Masters at Leeds University Business School.

Guaranteed work experience

While studying at Leeds, you’ll have the chance to work with a business and gain consultancy experience as part of a 2-week virtual Global Industry Programme.

As well as giving you the opportunity to build key industry connections, you’ll also develop invaluable professional and practical skills that are highly valued by employers.

Accreditation

Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from three leading bodies:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Association of MBAs (AMBA)
• European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society

The course covers the full range of topics required for professional recognition by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. To read more about the benefits of undertaking an accredited programme, please see the BPS website.

In order to be eligible for chartered membership of the British Psychological Society and full membership of the Division of Occupational Psychology, you will need to have completed both a degree granting eligibility for graduate basis for chartership (accredited undergraduate degree), as well as an accredited Masters degree (such as this one). You can check whether your undergraduate programme is accredited by the BPS on their website.

If you would like to gain chartership but do not have an accredited undergraduate degree, it may still be possible to gain chartership by undertaking an accredited conversion course after completion of the Masters degree. You should contact the BPS directly to enquire about this.

The British Psychological Society

AACSB

The Association of MBAs (AMBA)

EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System)

If you hold a BPS accredited undergraduate degree, graduation from this course fulfils stage one of the requirements for Chartered Membership of BPS and full membership of the Division of Occupational Psychology. Please see the BPS website for details.

Course details and modules

In each semester, you’ll study a range of modules that develop your knowledge of key aspects of organisational psychology.

You’ll be introduced to the individual, team, and organisational factors that affect workplace behaviours – such as decision making and teamwork – and explore the selection and training methods used by organisations to recruit, develop, and retain talent.

From there, you’ll study contemporary business priorities such as organisational development and change, as well as approaches to career development and performance management.

A further module will put you in real-life business situations to help you develop your commercial awareness and professional skills.

Throughout the year, you’ll develop your understanding of research design and analysis in psychology and social sciences, especially behavioural research. This will develop your skills to prepare you for your dissertation – an independent research project on your choice of topic that you’ll submit by the end of the year.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Organizational Psychology and Business MSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the Business School, your programme, and your modules.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs. 

This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills in preparation for professional life. 

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons), which includes at least one module focused on ‘research methods’.

This course will be particularly relevant for applicants who hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology. However, we also accept those from other undergraduate backgrounds, as long as they have completed at least one module focused on ‘research methods’. Completion of an undergraduate research dissertation project is also advantageous.

International qualifications

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Business (6 weeks) and Language for Business (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Documents and information you’ll need

• a copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
• contact details for two academic references
• a personal statement
• an up-to-date CV
• your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• a letter of sponsorship, if you need one.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

Leeds University Business School

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Office

Email: masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £ 15,500 (Total)

International: £ 32,250 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below: 

• Scholarships for International students 
• Scholarships and funding for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

Career opportunities

From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career. As a graduate of this course, you’ll be business savvy, with a broad appreciation of the financial, strategic, and operational workings of contemporary organisations.

You'll be strongly positioned to take up a career in the public or private sectors, equally adept as dedicated consulting organisational psychologists or human resource specialists.

Roles could include:

• Consulting Psychologist
• Operations Analyst
• Trainee Occupational Psychologist
• Management Consultant
• Recruitment Consultant
• Crowd Management Consultant

Employer view

"I have been really impressed with the students on the MSc at Leeds. The students themselves are very able and motivated, and the MSc programme provides a very good balance of professional skills and academic depth. As an employer, I need organisational psychologists who understand their subject and can interact professionally and effectively with clients – the Leeds programme prepares students very well for their future careers."

Ivan Robertson, Director, Robertson-Cooper

Where this degree could take you

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our graduates have obtained:

• Organisational Development Lead, NHS
• Digital Training Consultant, Oxford University Press
• Human Resources Graduate, Jaguar Land Rover
• Business and CRM Analyst, University of Leeds
• Associate Consultant, The Chemistry Group
• Senior Manager, Scotiabank
• Senior Associate Consultant, Kincentric
• Quadrangle, Research Executive
• People and Culture Manager, Landmark Structures Pvt
• Compliance Manager, Red Oak Technologies

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

• Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
• Employability and networking events – get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
• Skills training – we embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
• MyCareer system —– access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
• Exclusive opportunities – bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.

Work placements and industry experience

As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.

You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.

This experience will enhance your CV, helping you to stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.

Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:

• Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
• Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and artificial intelligence.
• Build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation.
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a consultant on a time-limited brief.
• Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
• Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
• Improve your employability prospects.