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Postgraduate Taught

MSc Social and Organisational Psychology

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code 1234
Duration 1 year full time
2 years part time
Entry year 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Psychology
Contact
Typical offer

View full entry requirements

2:1 Honours degree

Contextual offers

Overview

  • Our MSc Social and Organisational Psychology is one of only a few Masters programmes in the UK which is provided by researchers working at the cutting edge of both social and organisational psychology
  • The programme is taught by a successful and dynamic group of researchers who, individually and collectively, enjoy a world-class reputation
  • You will benefit not only from the friendly and supportive atmosphere, but also from high-quality teaching and supervision, an exciting and international seminar series, and a wide variety of stimulating extracurricular activities and workshops
  • Equips you with an array of skills which will enable you to function as an effective PhD student or as a professional researcher or practitioner in social psychology and organisational psychology
  • The programme forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council South West Doctoral Training Centre - a hub of world-class social science research

Apply online

View 2024 Entry

Fast Track (current Exeter students)

Open days and visiting us

Get a prospectus

Contact

Programme Director: Dr Cris Burgess

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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Top 100 in the world for Psychology

QS World University Rankings 2024

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11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology

REF 2021 based on 4* and 3* research, submitted to UoA4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

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Top 10 in the UK for Psychology

8th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 9th in the Guardian University Guide 2025

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A major centre for cognitive, clinical and neuroscience research

Entry requirements

Normally a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in Psychology. A degree in another discipline may be accepted if it included substantial content in Psychology, research methodology and statistics. Due to the nature of the programme we require applicants to have studied and achieved a 2:1 or equivalent in at least two statistics/research methods modules previously. BA Psychology will also be considered if at least two statistics/research methods modules have been studied.

Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

Course content

180 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
PSYM201 Advanced Statistics 30
PSYM202 Behavioural Science Research Skills 15
PSYM204 Advances and Methods in Social and Organisational Psychology 30
PSYM210 Research Apprenticeship 90
PSYM211 Current Research Issues in Social and Organisational Psychology 15

Social Psychology is my favourite part! I am looking forward to doing my research project on Social Psychology and being supervised by a great supervisor!

My research combines technological analysis of stone tools, sourcing studies of raw materials (lithics and clays), and intra-site and regional distributions of artefacts in order to explore the cultural taxonomies that organised and assessed the value of things and materials in the past. 

Read more from Lin

Lin

MSc Social and Organisational Psychology

Research apprenticeship

A distinguishing feature of the programme is its research apprenticeship, which will help you develop your research skills by allowing you to work alongside experienced researchers and/or practitioners and write up your findings in the form of a dissertation.

Although teaming up with a researcher within the department is generally advised, it is occasionally possible to engage in apprenticeships with organisations or people outside of the University, provided suitable co-supervision is established.

Past/current research partners include: Microsoft, IBM, Rentokil, the MoD, the NHS, the Met Office, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, and Lane4 consultancy

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year:

£13,200 full-time; £6,600 part-time

International fees per year:

£28,600 full-time; £14,300 part-time

Scholarships

We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This includes over £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*.

For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.

Being awarded this scholarship was one of the best days of my life. It helped me a lot in several different ways and without it, I would still be studying in America, while working part-time to afford it. I was able to save so much during my studies I am now considering pursuing a PhD programme.

Tahir

MSc Social and Organisational Psychology

Teaching and research

How you'll learn

  • Lectures
  • Seminars 
  • Convenor-led discussions
  • Talks from external speakers
  • Student presentations

Learning from experts

Our staff are recognised internationally for their academic excellence, high quality research and applied output. They actively research the areas of psychology they teach, so their expertise feeds directly into our research-led programmes.

Tutorial support

Each student is allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice.

Assessment

External examiners have praised our imaginative variety of assessments, which include written examinations, essays, reports, seminar diaries, and written quizzes. The research project is assessed through either a dissertation or a research paper ready for submission to a journal.

Facilities

Throughout your study you will use a range of innovative teaching facilities, such as an online learning platform, various 24/7 computer pools and audio-visual suite, 24/7 library, study spaces, animal labs and specialised equipment. There are also extensive research facilities including eye tracking, EEG/ERP and TMS laboratories, audio-visual recording suite and an MRI scanner.

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Careers

Employer-valued skills this course develops

The MSc Social and Organisational Psychology will equip you with an array of scientific and communication skills that will enable you to function as an effective PhD student, a professional researcher, or a practitioner in social and organisational psychology.

The degree will allow you to develop scientific and communication skills enabling progression into research, professional psychology, marketing, and business roles.

Exeter’s impressive reputation amongst graduate employers has helped postgraduates into successful careers in research, high technology industries, management, personnel, legal and advertising services, amongst others.

Careers services

Our careers teams at the Career Zone can help guide you through a wealth of information to match your skills and interests to a career that will suit you. Our staff work with regional, national and international employers to develop new work placement, project and graduate opportunities.

Recent graduates

Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates of our Psychology Masters programmes. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2016/17. Please note that, due to data protection concerns, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.

Recent graduates are now working as:

  • Canine Training and Behaviour Assistant
  • Dietetic Support Worker
  • English Teacher
  • High school counsellor
  • HR brands intern
  • Independent Researcher
  • Lab Assistant
  • Lemur Trust Wildlife and Technology Trainee
  • Meerkat volunteer
  • Product developer
  • Rehoming and Welfare Assistant
  • Research Assistant
  • Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
  • Writer

Recent graduates are now working for:

  • Alexander Care
  • AseraCare Hospice
  • CAMHS Urgent Help Service
  • Cardiff University
  • Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre
  • CIRCLE/Flamingo Land
  • Codestone Group
  • Devon Autism and ADHE Service
  • Mercedes Benz
  • Shanghai Foreign Service Co. Ltd.
  • The Wellcome Trust
  • University of Exeter Medical School
  • University of Glasgow

Further study

Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from our Masters programmes. Below are a few examples of further study undertaken by recent graduates of our Psychology Masters programmes. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2016/17. Please note that, due to data protection, the subjects of study and institutions are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.

  • PhD Psychology
  • Master of Applied Psychology
  • MPH Psychology
  • PhD Medical Studies
  • PhD in Psychology

Read more