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MSc HRM and Organisational Psychology
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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.

CIPD approved centre logo

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

This list is indicative and subject to change.

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

Teaching takes place Monday to Friday. The part-time commitment is roughly equivalent to 2 days per week, and we will aim to cluster this into as few days as possible. The timetable is usually released in the first week of September, and online teaching starts in the first week of October.

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, 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 our expert teaching team

  • Jacques Ding Zee Chien View profile

    Jacques Ding Zee Chien

    Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology

    Jacques is a Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Business and Human Sciences. Before joining the University of Chichester as a full-time lecturer, he held several research and teaching posts since 2018 while completing his PhD at Aston University.

  • Paula Jenkins View profile

    Paula Jenkins

    Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management

    Paula is an HR practitioner academic, with 20 years experience in both International and UK private and public sector organisations, having worked for companies including British Airways PLC, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, Tui Group, as well as having roles within the FE education sector.

    Paula’s interests include experiential learning in the HE context and work-based learning within part-time and apprenticeship programmes.

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 2026/27

UK fee

£10,440

International fee

£17,640

UK students eligible for student finance can apply for funding for both full and part-time programmes. Full-time fees are payable at the start of the programme. 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 (University of Chichester alumni do not need to provide this)
  • a personal statement outlining your interest in the MSc (University of Chichester alumni do not need to provide this)
  • 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.

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