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Overview
Step into a world where the fusion of human resource management and organisational psychology sparks innovation and success
This MSc programme provides an opportunity for you to experience the unique intersection between business and psychology by incorporating an applied approach to learning that directly links to a successful career in human resources (HR) and organisational management (OD). By the programme’s conclusion, you will have confidently led and executed your own impactful consultancy project by mastering cutting-edge theories, research and practice in human resource management and organisational psychology.
In this 12-week consultancy project, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with a client, be it internal or external, to craft a consultancy solution addressing HR or OD challenges, gaps or opportunities.
Professional accreditation
By enrolling yourself in this MSc programme, you are studying at a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) accredited centre.
Upon successful completion, you become eligible for associate membership with CIPD and, with the relevant work experience, you can advance to full chartered membership. This qualification showcases to employers that you have undergone professional training and gained expert knowledge, equipping you with the competitive edge to excel in the fast-paced and dynamic world of work in the 21st century.
Learn with the experts
Whether you’re a recent graduate or an early to mid-stage HR and OD professional aspiring to advance into senior-level roles, our MSc programme is meticulously crafted and delivered by research-active academics and industry practitioners to ensure you receive state-of-the-art training and education to succeed in the field of HR and OD.
With the inclusion of an optional integrated placement module, this MSc programme provides a pathway to a career in HRM and OD regardless of your experience and background.
The Course
Equip yourself with the skills needed for a successful career
What you will study
The MSc programme comprises two distinct parts, each offering a unique perspective that acknowledges the interconnected nature of the subject disciplines – human resource management and organisational psychology. This approach is designed to enhance your knowledge, practical expertise and skills in an HR and OD context.
Modules
Developing HR Leadership Practice
This module will enable you to develop the necessary knowledge and understanding to refine and optimise your professional leadership and management capability as an HR professional. In turn, this will enhance your personal and professional development and employability within the HR profession.
Organisational Behaviour
This module will equip you with a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental concepts, theories, and practical applications of human behaviour across individual, group and organisational contexts that shape organisational functioning and effectiveness.
Professional and Personal Development
This optional, non-credit-bearing module is an integrated placement within the MSc programme that is designed to offer you an opportunity to gain further insight into real-world industry practices and apply the skills you acquired during the taught component of the MSc programme in a practical setting.
Research Methods in Business and Psychology
This module will empower you with an extensive and versatile knowledge and skills applicable to solving real-world problems through the use of advanced applied research skills applicable across diverse settings in both psychology and business.
Strategic People Management
This module introduces you to the field of people management (HRM) and organisational development in a practical and scholarly way by exploring the ‘macro’ perspective by identifying strategic business issues as well as the ‘micro’ perspective focusing on issues of strategic people management.
The Changing Context of Work
This module is designed to impart you with an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the environmental landscape of work, providing you with the contextual knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to propose and implement sustainable, practicable and impactful solutions to organisational people issues.
The Consultancy Project
This module extends the concepts introduced in the Research Methods in Business and Psychology module, requiring you to apply advanced research skills and knowledge to generate evidence-based solutions tailored to address specific HR or OD challenges, gaps, or opportunities within a client organisation. It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your HR expertise, competencies, behaviours and confidence necessary for proposing and articulating sustainable, ethical and impactful solutions to strategic organisational challenges that have measurable value and impact.
Workplace Health and Wellbeing
This module explores the physiological and psychological aspects of health and wellbeing which can influence the productivity of employees at work, how they can incur consequences and costs, and how organisations can tackle these issues at work by considering macro and micro factors.
Teaching and Assessment
How you will learn
Be part of a close-knit community
The process of ‘action learning’ plays a crucial role in this programme and thus offers a solid platform for you to collaborate with peers, share insights and connect with them in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
Distance learning
Our modules are delivered online alongside one face-to-face block, in late June 2025, at Bishop Otter (Chichester) or Bognor Regis campus. You will be taught through a blend of lectures, seminars, workshops, student-led learning, action learning groups and live problem-solving work with clients.
Rigorous assessments
Assessments will differ across our modules and assignments includes coursework essays, project reports, group presentations and portfolios.
Meet the Programme Coordinators
Paula Jenkins
Paula is an HR practitioner academic, with 20 years’ experience in both International and UK private and public sector organisations and 5 years as a full-time academic.She is subject specialist for HRM and Programme leader for the MSc. in HRM and Organisational Psychology and tutors on the MBA programme.She is external examiner for Leeds Beckett and Northumbria Universities .
Jacques Ding Zee Chien
Jacques is a lecturer in work and organisational psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Business and Human Sciences.
Jacques’ research agenda centres on the co-productive nature of leadership involving both followers and leaders. Additionally, he has collaborated with an international team of academics, and continues to do so, working on other research areas including resource-based theories of wellbeing, positive psychology interventions as well as interpersonal relationships and dynamics at work.
Facilities
Use industry standard equipment
Our facilities will help you get the very best from your studies throughout the MSc HRM and Organisational Psychology degree programme.
Specialist Advanced Research Software
Software for measuring and manipulating a broad range of psychological constructs; Inquisit, Qualtrics, Noldus Observer XT, E-prime, Superlab and Nvivo
Learning Resource Centre
Each campus has a Learning Resource Centre (LRC) which contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms and the Support and Information Zone (SIZ)
Library
Our campus libraries hold more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks
Careers
A career in HRM and the people professions
This MSc programme is CIPD-approved, serving as a gateway for a successful career in HRM and the people professions.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or an early to mid-stage HR and OD professional aspiring to advance into senior-level roles, your completion of this course will earn you an associate membership with the CIPD and enable you to apply for full chartered membership.
This qualification demonstrates to employers that you have undergone professional training, acquired expert knowledge, and are equipped with a competitive advantage to thrive in the fast-paced and dynamic working environment of the 21st century.
Transferable skills
- Commercial acumen
- Verbal, non-verbal communication and digital communication
- Independent learning
- Self-management
- Professional courage and influence
- Leadership and management
- Digital working and skills
- Coaching skills.
Career opportunities
CIPD has developed resources showcasing careers in HRM and the people professions.
Course Costs
Course Fees 2025/26
UK fee
International fee
UK student part-time fees are payable per module and for 20 credit modules are £1,140.
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
To find out about any other additional costs, please see our Additional Costs page.
Entry Requirements
Typical entry requirements
- a minimum 2:2 (Hons) degree in a relevant area or equivalent and/or a professional qualification at graduate level in a relevant field followed by at least two years’ workplace experience
- or, substantial experience in an HR or people management role, usually in a middle-level position, where the applicant can demonstrate clear potential to operate at postgraduate level and benefit from the opportunity
- an academic referee
- a personal statement outlining your interest in the MSc
- applicants will also need to meet the minimum English language requirement of an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no component below 5.5, or an equivalent recognised test. Visit our English Language Requirements page for more information
- all suitable candidates would be expected to have an interview as part of the CIPD accreditation requirements.
International students who don't meet the entry requirements
If you are an international student and do not yet meet the entry criteria for this course, you may be eligible for our International Premaster’s Programme. This is a one-semester programme that allows you to progress onto a master’s course at the University of Chichester.
Contact Us
To enquire about this course please email the Business School for further information.
