Business Psychology MSc/Diploma

The MSc Business Psychology programme at Heriot-Watt University is one of the longest established of its kind outside North America. The programme is open to graduates from any discipline, and is aimed at people aspiring towards, or already pursuing a career in business. It equips graduates with theoretical knowledge of psychology and related practical skills to enhance effectiveness at individual, team and organisational levels within any business setting. You will study courses covering different aspects of management (leadership, diversity, organisational culture and organisational change) with the remaining courses covering human factors, marketing, coaching and research methods. You can choose to conduct your research project in any area relevant to Business Psychology giving you the opportunity to tailor your studies to fit your interests and professional needs. The programme has an international focus, and graduates are therefore well prepared to work anywhere within the global market.

The programme can be studied on-campus, either full-time, or part-time. Alternatively, the distance learning format allows you to (continue to) work full-time anywhere in the world. MSc students take all the courses below. Diploma students take all the courses except the project. Students may also take individual courses on a continuing professional development basis, leading to a letter of confirmation.

Students may have the opportunity to spend part of their MSc studies at either our Dubai or Malaysia campus (subject to meeting academic and visa conditions).

Students come from a variety of backgrounds, both academic and professional. Some come directly from undergraduate study. Others already work in a business setting, bringing with them practical experience in a variety of business-related roles. Some students come from other professional backgrounds but with an interest in converting to a career in business. Students from all over the world come to Heriot-Watt to study Business Psychology. Therefore, as a student you will be part of, contribute to, and learn from a community comprising individuals from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds and cultures.

The practical and international focus of the programme ensures graduates are quickly able to make a positive and effective contribution in a variety of roles, globally across a wide range of business settings, for example, organisational development, marketing, management, coaching, human resource management.

Business Psychology is taught by experienced, international staff with academic backgrounds in Psychology and practitioner backgrounds in a variety of settings.

With a history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt is one of the UK’s leading universities, and Scotland’s most international. Find out more about Heriot-Watt University’s reputation, rankings and international profile.

The full time on campus MSc programme lasts for one year (September to August inclusive) and includes a substantial research project. The Diploma covers the same classes as the MSc but lasts for just nine months. (September to May inclusive). The part time MSc programme is of two years’ duration, while the part time Diploma lasts 21 months.

Students studying via distance learning have a maximum of seven years to complete the MSc, or four years to complete the Diploma.