MA Applied Psychology

Apply psychological science in workplaces and communities

Online or on campus

24 months36 creditsEnglish

Overview

Psychology explains human behaviour — applied psychology puts that science to work. Brigant's MA covers cognitive and social foundations, psychometric assessment, wellbeing at work, and evidence-based coaching. You will critique research, design small-scale studies, and apply ethical frameworks for vulnerable populations. This is not a clinical licensure programme; it prepares graduates for organisational and community roles. MA Applied Psychology is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 24 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from Cognitive & Social Psychology through Cognitive & Social Psychology; Research Methods & Statistics; Personality & Individual Differences; Ethics in Applied Psychology; Organisational Psychology; Health & Wellbeing Psychology, and finish on Applied Psychology Project. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not. Reading is one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. The artefact a marker expects is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Apply major psychological theories to organisational challenges Administer and interpret validated psychometric instruments ethically Design wellbeing programmes with measurable outcomes Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.

Who This Programme Is For

HR and L&D professionals deepening behavioural science skills
Coaches and wellbeing leads in corporate and education settings
Social workers and community programme managers

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Emma Laurent researches workplace burnout interventions; Professor Alex Morgan teaches psychometrics and assessment ethics.

How you can study

Recommended

Study online

100% tuition-free online

Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study.

✦ Tuition: £0 / $0
✦ Examinations are free. There is no exam fee.
✦ Learn from anywhere · Live online seminars

Apply online →

On-campus study

Study at our campus

Prefer to learn at our Edinburgh campus? Campus tuition and campus examinations are charged. The published campus price is on each programme page.

✦ Tuition: £9,500 / US$12,000/year
✦ Location: 3 Lady Lawson St, Edinburgh EH3 9DS, United Kingdom
✦ Campus examinations are charged
✦ In-person seminars, library & student services

Apply for campus →

What You Will Learn

Apply major psychological theories to organisational challenges
Administer and interpret validated psychometric instruments ethically
Design wellbeing programmes with measurable outcomes
Critique research methodology in popular psychology claims
Coach individuals using evidence-based frameworks

Curriculum

Year 1 — Foundations

Code	Course	Credits · hours
PSY501	Cognitive & Social Psychology Cognitive & Social Psychology (PSY501) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Cognitive & Social Psychology as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. PSY501-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Cognitive & Social Psychology PSY501-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Cognitive & Social Psychology PSY501-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Cognitive & Social Psychology PSY501-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Cognitive & Social Psychology PSY501-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Cognitive & Social Psychology PSY501-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Cognitive & Social Psychology	3 · 30 h
PSY502	Research Methods & Statistics Research Methods & Statistics (PSY502) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can define a measurable question, fit a method that can be checked, and report where it fails, using Research Methods & Statistics as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a dataset description, a methods note, and one published evaluation. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a project note with the question, the method, the result, and the limitation. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. PSY502-M1 · The question, the unit of analysis, and data quality — Research Methods & Statistics PSY502-M2 · Features, baselines, and error — Research Methods & Statistics PSY502-M3 · Validation, leakage, and what the model must not decide — Research Methods & Statistics PSY502-M4 · Monitoring, drift, and human review — Research Methods & Statistics PSY502-M5 · Interpretation for a non-technical decision maker — Research Methods & Statistics PSY502-M6 · A supervised project with method, result, and limitation — Research Methods & Statistics	3 · 30 h
PSY503	Personality & Individual Differences Personality & Individual Differences (PSY503) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Personality & Individual Differences as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. PSY503-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Personality & Individual Differences PSY503-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Personality & Individual Differences PSY503-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Personality & Individual Differences PSY503-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Personality & Individual Differences PSY503-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Personality & Individual Differences PSY503-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Personality & Individual Differences	3 · 30 h
PSY504	Ethics in Applied Psychology Ethics in Applied Psychology (PSY504) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Ethics in Applied Psychology as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. PSY504-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Ethics in Applied Psychology PSY504-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Ethics in Applied Psychology PSY504-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Ethics in Applied Psychology PSY504-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Ethics in Applied Psychology PSY504-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Ethics in Applied Psychology PSY504-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Ethics in Applied Psychology	3 · 30 h

Year 1 — Applied

Code	Course	Credits · hours
PSY505	Organisational Psychology Organisational Psychology (PSY505) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Organisational Psychology as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. PSY505-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Organisational Psychology PSY505-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Organisational Psychology PSY505-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Organisational Psychology PSY505-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Organisational Psychology PSY505-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Organisational Psychology PSY505-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Organisational Psychology	3 · 30 h
PSY506	Health & Wellbeing Psychology Health & Wellbeing Psychology (PSY506) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Health & Wellbeing Psychology as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession. PSY506-M1 · Pathway, payment, records, and the bottleneck — Health & Wellbeing Psychology PSY506-M2 · Incident, harm, cause, and the change that prevents a repeat — Health & Wellbeing Psychology PSY506-M3 · Indicators, privacy, and misuse of a report — Health & Wellbeing Psychology PSY506-M4 · Quality, safety, and the limit of the data — Health & Wellbeing Psychology PSY506-M5 · Service design for a named population — Health & Wellbeing Psychology PSY506-M6 · A service or informatics brief with evidence and a recommendation — Health & Wellbeing Psychology	3 · 30 h
PSY507	Psychometric Assessment Psychometric Assessment (PSY507) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Psychometric Assessment as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. PSY507-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Psychometric Assessment PSY507-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Psychometric Assessment PSY507-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Psychometric Assessment PSY507-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Psychometric Assessment PSY507-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Psychometric Assessment PSY507-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Psychometric Assessment	3 · 30 h
PSY508	Coaching & Behaviour Change Coaching & Behaviour Change (PSY508) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Coaching & Behaviour Change as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. PSY508-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Coaching & Behaviour Change PSY508-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Coaching & Behaviour Change PSY508-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Coaching & Behaviour Change PSY508-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Coaching & Behaviour Change PSY508-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Coaching & Behaviour Change PSY508-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Coaching & Behaviour Change	3 · 30 h

Year 2 — Capstone

Code	Course	Credits · hours
PSY601	Counselling Skills (non-clinical) Counselling Skills (non-clinical) (PSY601) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Counselling Skills (non-clinical) as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession. PSY601-M1 · Pathway, payment, records, and the bottleneck — Counselling Skills (non-clinical) PSY601-M2 · Incident, harm, cause, and the change that prevents a repeat — Counselling Skills (non-clinical) PSY601-M3 · Indicators, privacy, and misuse of a report — Counselling Skills (non-clinical) PSY601-M4 · Quality, safety, and the limit of the data — Counselling Skills (non-clinical) PSY601-M5 · Service design for a named population — Counselling Skills (non-clinical) PSY601-M6 · A service or informatics brief with evidence and a recommendation — Counselling Skills (non-clinical)	3 · 30 h
PSY602	Applied Psychological Interventions Applied Psychological Interventions (PSY602) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Applied Psychological Interventions as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. PSY602-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Applied Psychological Interventions PSY602-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Applied Psychological Interventions PSY602-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Applied Psychological Interventions PSY602-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Applied Psychological Interventions PSY602-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Applied Psychological Interventions PSY602-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Applied Psychological Interventions	3 · 30 h
PSY603	Applied Psychology Project Applied Psychology Project (PSY603) is a 6-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 60 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Applied Psychology Project as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence. PSY603-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Applied Psychology Project PSY603-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Applied Psychology Project PSY603-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Applied Psychology Project PSY603-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Applied Psychology Project PSY603-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Applied Psychology Project PSY603-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Applied Psychology Project	6 · 60 h

Code

Course

Credits · hours

PSY601

Counselling Skills (non-clinical)

Counselling Skills (non-clinical) (PSY601) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Counselling Skills (non-clinical) as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.

PSY601-M1 · Pathway, payment, records, and the bottleneck — Counselling Skills (non-clinical)
PSY601-M2 · Incident, harm, cause, and the change that prevents a repeat — Counselling Skills (non-clinical)
PSY601-M3 · Indicators, privacy, and misuse of a report — Counselling Skills (non-clinical)
PSY601-M4 · Quality, safety, and the limit of the data — Counselling Skills (non-clinical)
PSY601-M5 · Service design for a named population — Counselling Skills (non-clinical)
PSY601-M6 · A service or informatics brief with evidence and a recommendation — Counselling Skills (non-clinical)

3 · 30 h

PSY602

Applied Psychological Interventions

Applied Psychological Interventions (PSY602) is a 3-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Applied Psychological Interventions as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence.

PSY602-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Applied Psychological Interventions
PSY602-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Applied Psychological Interventions
PSY602-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Applied Psychological Interventions
PSY602-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Applied Psychological Interventions
PSY602-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Applied Psychological Interventions
PSY602-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Applied Psychological Interventions

3 · 30 h

PSY603

Applied Psychology Project

Applied Psychology Project (PSY603) is a 6-credit course on MA Applied Psychology, with 60 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a finding and say what it shows about behaviour, and what it does not, using Applied Psychology Project as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses one empirical paper, one methods critique, and an ethics note. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a critical review that a non-specialist manager could follow. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a psychology, counselling, or clinical licence.

PSY603-M1 · Constructs, measures, and what a score does not mean — Applied Psychology Project
PSY603-M2 · Study design, bias, and sample limits — Applied Psychology Project
PSY603-M3 · Evidence review and competing explanations — Applied Psychology Project
PSY603-M4 · Ethics of inquiry and the duty not to overclaim — Applied Psychology Project
PSY603-M5 · Application to one workplace or community setting — Applied Psychology Project
PSY603-M6 · A critical review with method, finding, and limit — Applied Psychology Project

6 · 60 h

Career Paths

Organisational Psychologist
HR Business Partner
Wellbeing Programme Lead
Learning & Development Manager
Community Programme Designer

Programme Highlights

Ethics and BPS-aligned professional standards
Workplace case studies every module
Optional coaching practicum with supervision

Assessment

Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.

Admission requirements

Academic entry

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (minimum 2:2 or GPA 2.5/4.0)

English language

English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)

Documents

Statement of Purpose (500 words minimum) outlining your goals and fit for the programme
Two academic or professional references with contact details
CV or résumé documenting relevant education and professional experience

Programme questions

How long is the MA Applied Psychology?

The published duration is 24 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.

Can I study this from my country?

You may study this award fully online from your country, or — where published — on campus at Brigant. Online study does not require a student visa. Campus study may.

What does it cost?

Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.

What are the entry requirements?

Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.

How is the programme assessed?

Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.

Will this award be recognised where I live?

Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. University of Brigant publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.

How do I apply?

Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@brigant.uk.

Recognised & Accredited

Ready to begin?MA Applied Psychology

Start an application

Loading…