UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

MSc Business Psychology

Final award MSc

Intermediate awards available
Mode of delivery
Details of professional body
accreditation
Relevant QAA Benchmark
statements
Date specification last up-
dated
Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate
On campus
This programme is not accredited by the British
Psychological Society
N/A
July 2015

Alternative locations for studying this programme:

Taught Taught by
Method of
Location Which Elements? by UEL Local
Delivery
Staff? Staff?
All - Entire programme in Greek
AKMI Metropolitan Language. English IELTS Full Time
College - Athens and requirements do not apply No Yes and Part
Thessaloniki - Greece (Programme not accredited by the Time
BPS)

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The summary - Programme advertising leaflet

Programme content

The MSc is designed to provide the foundation for students wishing to become practising business
psychologists. The programme is organised into core and optional modules as follows. Stage One
Modules will run in Semester One for full time students and in Year One for part time students. Stage
Two Modules will run in Semester Two for full time students and in Year Two for part time students.

The MSc Business Psychology at UEL

This MSc differs from others in the following ways:

 open to non psychologists

 additional modules in research methods and professional practice
 optional modules in training, counselling, coaching, positive psychology and careers coaching
 taught by full-time staff who are all chartered occupational psychologists
 taught by consultancy and research active staff from across subject area
 significant contribution from practising occupational psychologists and business psychologists
 emphasis on underpinning theory as a means to develop practical skills of business psychology
 real world teaching and assessment
 live organisational consultancy assignments to carry out

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:2 Honours in any degree. Work experience is an advantage but not essential.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of
Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an
approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence
that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking
exemption.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a learning community founded on equality of
opportunity - a learning community which celebrates the rich diversity of our student and staff
populations. Discriminatory behaviour has no place in our community and will not be tolerated. Within a
spirit of respecting difference, our equality and diversity policies promise fair treatment and equality of
opportunity for all. In pursuing this aim, we want people applying for a place at UEL to feel valued and
know that the process and experience will be transparent and fair and no one will be refused access on
the grounds of any protected characteristic stated in the Equality Act 2010.

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Programme structure

The programme will be offered as a full time programme over one academic year or as a part time
programme over two academic years. There will be two intakes each year in September and January.
The programme will be delivered at weekends in intensive blocks of teaching.

Learning environment

This programme is to be delivered on campus using a range of teaching and learning approaches,
including traditional lectures, seminars, workshop activities; on-line materials and discussions and
electronic support; group exercises and role plays. Additional interaction with tutors and other students
will take place on-line using the university’s virtual learning environment, Moodle. This system facilitates
discussion forums, access to online programme information and materials as well as electronic
messaging. Students have access to Athens for journals and books.

We expect that students will take responsibility for the way they learn. Throughout the programme
students will be undertaking independent learning and research, including individual reading, preparation
of assignments and completion of assessed programme work.

Assessment

A wide range of assessment procedures is employed in line with UEL’s Assessment Policy to ensure a
high standard of academic and professional competence. Programme work is moderated and double
marked, using a range of criteria explicitly outlined in the module specifications and module assessment
guides and known to students in advance. The range and mixture of assessments will conform to the
assessment tariff as set out by UEL.

This is a 180 Level 7 Credit Programme. To achieve the MSc Business Psychology, students will have to
attain all 180 Level 7 credits. An intermediate award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Business
Psychology will be made if the student fails to proceed or gain the award of MSc. To be eligible for the
Postgraduate Diploma the student has to complete 120 Level 7 Credits by passing a combination of core
and optional modules that does not include the two 30 credit modules for the Research Dissertation.

Students with disabilities and/or particular learning needs should discuss assessments with the
Programme Leader to ensure they are able to fully engage with all assessment within the programme.

Relevance to work/profession

All teaching and assessment reflects the work of the professional business psychologist. Dissertations
must be work-based. All other forms of assessment on the programme are either organisationally based
or require students to produce and design an intervention or product that is fit for use within
organisations.

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Dissertation/project work

Dissertations are devised by the student, negotiated with the tutor, and carried out within the student’s
own organisation. Occasionally students are unable to use their own organisations (too small, subject
too sensitive etc): in these cases we use our network of contacts outside.

Added value

Offers significant professional knowledge, skills and experience

Your future career

Practising business psychologists, HR, teaching, independent consultancy.

How we support you

Contact with all tutors at any time during normal office hours. Module Tutors, Programme Leader and
Dissertation Supervisors each have specific responsibilities. A genuine open door policy.

Bonus factors

Level A and Level B Certificates in Occupational Testing are offered to programme members. The costs
of additional delivery needed will be dispersed to those programme members who elect to undertake this
extra training. A range of internships in the profession is on offer to students

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Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:

 Aim one: gain a thorough understanding of the discipline of business psychology

 Aim two: develop awareness and competence in practical and professional practice
 Aim three: gain a thorough knowledge of research methods and data analysis
 Aim four: develop a critical and reflective approach

What will you learn?

Knowledge

 A thorough and contemporary knowledge of the discipline of business psychology

 A thorough and contemporary knowledge of research methodologies as applied to real world
environments
 A knowledge of and exposure to real organisations with real issues to address

Thinking skills

 Developing a critical approach to the evaluation of theories, models etc applied to the world of
work
 Seeking evidence based research to support/refute some of the more fanciful claims of certain
commentators on the workplace
 Developing confidence in the use of a range of research methodologies

Subject-Based Practical skills

 Designing a selection event

 Presenting complex data to a lay audience
 Undertaking a coaching intervention
 Carrying out an ergonomic analysis of a safety critical system
 Investigating a morale/motivation issue in the workplace
 Qualifying in the use of ability and personality tests

Skills for life and work (general skills)

 Becoming a more ethical practitioner: ethical considerations will underpin all teaching and ethical
clearance will be required for the research dissertation
 Becoming a more effective team worker: teamworking skills will be covered and all coursework
assignments will be carried out on small teams
 Becoming more effective in negotiating around sensitive and difficult organisational issues:
consultancy skills will be taught and coursework assignments will often include supervised
negotiated entry into organisations

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The programme structure

Introduction

All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.

One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture,
seminar and private study).

Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:

3 equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an
undergraduate degree programme
4 equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
5 equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
6 equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
7 equivalent in standard to a Masters degree

Credit rating

The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 M Level Credits

Typical duration

The typical duration of this programme is 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. The maximum registration
period for this programme is 6 years. Entry points are in September and January each year. It is possible
to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as
financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this
may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

How the teaching year is divided

The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length, with guided dissertation work
occupying the summer semester. A typical full-time student will study four 15 credit modules and one 30
credit module each semester. A typical part-time student will study four 15 credit modules and one 30
credit module each year.

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What you will study when

This programme is divided into two stages. Stage 1 is the first semester for full-time students
and the first year for part-time students. Stage 2 is the second semester for full-time students
and the second year for part-time students. All students must complete 90 credits in Stage 1
and 90 credits in Stage 2. Students can choose one option from the two options available in
Stage 1 and two options from the four options available in Stage 2

Stage 1 Modules

Level UEL Available by Module Title Credit Status

Module distance
Code learning (Y/N)
7 GC7410 N How Organisations 15 Core
Work
7 GC7411 N Helping 15 Core
Organisations to
Change
7 GC7403 N Psychological 15 Core
Assessment in the
Workplace
7 GC7404 N Research Methods 30 Core
& Dissertation 1
7 GC7302 N Facilitating Learning 15 Optional
in Groups
7 GC7408 N Core Counselling 15 Optional
Skills and
Processes

Stage 2 Modules

Level UEL Available by Module Title Credit Status

Module distance
Code learning (Y/N)
7 GC7406 N Becoming a 15 Core
Professional
Psychologist
7 GC7407 N Working in a Global 15 Core
Context
7 GC7405 N Research Methods 30 Core
& Dissertation 2
7 GC7301 N Coaching for Career 15 Optional
& Professional
Development
7 GC7409 N Designing & 15 Optional
Managing Safety
Critical Systems
7 GC7912 N Multidimensional 15 Optional
Flourishing
7 GC7810 N The Skills of 15 Optional
Effective Coaching

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Requirements for gaining an award

In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level 7.

In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level 7

In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level 7. These credits will include a 60
credit level 7 core module of advanced independent research.

Masters Award Classification

Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by
calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all
decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification

70% - 100% Distinction

60%- 69% Merit
50% - 59% Pass
0% - 49% Not passed

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learning

Knowledge is developed through

Weekend teaching sessions

Independent reading and literature reviews

Discussion and collaboration in study groups

Specialist workshops

Organisational visits

External expert speakers

Thinking skills are developed through

Reflecting on the research literature

Reflecting on own organisational experience

The process of conducting desk research for coursework and dissertation

The process of conducting live research and interventions for coursework and dissertation

Practical skills are developed through

Independent study and practice

Practical tasks and presentations

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Supervision tutorials

The practical interventions required in all coursework

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

The process of conducting live research and interventions for coursework and dissertation

The practical interventions required for all coursework

Working collaboratively with other students on complex and multifaceted coursework assignments

Assessment

Knowledge is assessed by

Carefully constructed coursework, each piece requiring theoretical knowledge, practical application and
critical self-reflection.

An extensive research dissertation requiring multiple skills of consultancy, research, technical

knowledge, critical analysis and effective writing skills

Thinking skills are assessed by

Critical self-reflections on experiences gained during coursework assignments

Practical skills are assessed by

The practical element of all assignments, which requires student groups to undertake an intervention
within an organisation, such as designing and running a training programme

The research dissertation, which requires students to identify a real organisational or employment issue,
to negotiate a contract with the client, and to gain access to staff within the organisation

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

All coursework, which requires students to work together to complete assignments, often based in
external organisations, which reflect the sorts of challenges faced by professionals in the field

The quality of the coursework, which will depend in great part on how well the student groups work
together. Again this interdependence with others reflects how professionals work in the field

How we assure the quality of this programme

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Before this programme started

Before this programme started, the following was checked:

 there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
 adequate resources would be in place;
 the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
 the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
 the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
 the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy,
teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts
including some subject specialists from other institutions.

How we monitor the quality of this programme

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

 external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
 statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
 student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and
Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The
process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole subject area is undertaken by a panel that includes
at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks
to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report
highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

The role of the programme committee

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student
representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme
(e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It
provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to
improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.

The role of external examiners

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners
have two primary responsibilities:

 To ensure the standard of the programme;

 To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

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 Approving exam papers/assignments;
 Attending assessment boards;
 Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
 Ensuring that regulations are followed;
 Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.

The external examiner reports for this programme are located on the UEL virtual learning environment
(UELPlus / Moodle) on the school notice board under the section entitled ‘External Examiner Reports &
Responses’. You can also view a list of the external examiners for the UEL School by clicking on the link
below.

http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/CurrentExternalExaminers.htm

Listening to the views of students

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

Module Evaluations

Student/Staff Consultative Committee (meeting twice a year)

Students are notified of the action taken through:

Circulating the minutes of the programme committee

Providing details on the programme noticeboard

Informal discussion

Listening to the views of others

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

Questionnaires to former students

Questionnaires to existing practitioners

Questionnaires to employers of current students

Questionnaires to those employers who participate in the Professional Practice Module

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Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:

 The UEL web site www.uel.ac.uk

 The student handbook
 Programme study guides
 UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
 UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/manual
 Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
 http://www.uel.ac.uk/study/courses/businesspsychology.htm

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