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Organizational Psychology

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
September 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • One year full-time, flexible learning

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Our highly respected MSc Organizational Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society, will develop your understanding of people and organisations within the context of both occupational psychology and organisational behaviour.

  • Why choose this course?
    • We are proud of being the first department of occupational psychology established over 60 years ago in the UK. We also started the first online organisational psychology programme in 1981. Our MSc Organizational Psychology represents the cumulative research and practice experience of our academic staff, providing you with an insight into some of the experts in this field.
    • As the home of organisational psychology in the UK, we have strong links to employers and organisations, with opportunities for additional training, networking, internships, career learning and research collaboration.
    • This course is ideal if you are interested in pursuing a career in organisational psychology, want to develop in a role related to managing people, or simply want to pursue your intellectual passion in this area.

  • What will I learn?

    As the world of work continues to change, we equip you to ask, and answer, fundamental questions about the impact of work on individuals, organisations and wider society.

    You will begin by examining ideas about careers as the axis of the individual-organisation relationship, important at social and economic levels and relevant to you at any stage of your life. Simultaneously, you will learn about a range of organisational research methods in preparation for carrying out your own research project.

    You will go on to examine learning, motivation, organisational change, leadership, selection and assessment, and wellbeing. Crucially, we strive to challenge our assumptions and practice, reflecting on paradigms of knowledge, and questioning the role of power and status in the context of work.

  • How will I learn?

    Teaching on the course is informed by cutting-edge research from the teaching team and from the field. The course is structured around flexibility, with recorded lectures and pre-set readings offering you choice about where and when you study and learn. These are accompanied by weekly, evening seminar sessions - on campus and online - where you will have the chance to engage with teaching staff and peers discussing that week’s learning content. We also have termly weekend sessions on campus that explore topics across the course and benefit you with additional networking experience and community building.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Three evenings a week, September to July.

    Full time online: Three evenings a week plus five weekend workshops on campus.

    Part-time: Two evenings a week, September to July.

    Part-time online: Two evenings a week plus three weekend workshops on campus in the first year.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • We are a small and friendly team with a close-knit staff and student community.
  • You will be taught by leading academics and practitioners who have a wealth of experience in supporting and encouraging students who are studying in the evening and online. You will have access to an extensive range of electronic resources for each module.
  • This degree provides the materials to enhance or develop your career in organisational psychology, management, human resources, training and development or consultancy.
  • The degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society as providing the knowledge base for progress towards professional qualification as an occupational psychologist. 
  • Birkbeck was the first institution in the UK to establish teaching and research in occupational psychology over 60 years ago. We continue to play a distinctive role in British occupational psychology - and, increasingly, within organisational behaviour. We are also established experts in using digital technologies to create and maintain an engaged and supportive learning environment for our students.

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above. Work experience of any kind is desirable.

To proceed to Stage 2 of accreditation with the British Psychological Society (BPS), you need to fulfil the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered (GBC) Membership of the BPS. This requires a BPS-recognised qualification in psychology.

Management development professionals and consultants without an undergraduate degree but with suitable professional qualifications or significant work experience in a range of organisations may be considered in line with Birkbeck’s mission of widening participation.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve. As this course requires a commitment of approximately 18 hours (part-time) or 35 hours (full-time) of study a week, please discuss in your personal statement how this time will fit in alongside your existing work, family and personal commitments.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MSc Organizational Psychology, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • a broad knowledge base in the field of organisational psychology
  • critical-thinking skills in order to evaluate theory and assess its application to organisational contexts
  • sound research skills to develop your own independent investigations and to critically evaluate existing research investigations and findings
  • the ability to critically assess and challenge practices and procedures in organisational psychology
  • an awareness of ethical issues in research and practice
  • synthesising and applying academic knowledge to an applied work situation and issues
  • translating academic understanding to a lay audience.

Our MSc Organizational Psychology is industry-relevant, so graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, human resources and management. Possible professions may include:

  • psychometric developer/assessor
  • recruitment and selection associate/consultant
  • learning and development adviser
  • business or organisational psychologist
  • management consultant
  • human resources officer
  • change manager/consultant
  • health and safety/occupational health and safety officer
  • research associate
  • talent manager.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Organizational Psychology (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in September 2026

Full-time

Part-time