SBS Blog > MSc provides career options in psychology of work by Bhagyashree Vijayakumar

MSc provides career options in psychology of work

By Bhagyashree Vijayakumar - Posted on 4 May 2023

Bhagyashree Vijayakumar chose the MSc Work & Organisational Psychology programme to help her in her career – here, she outlines what she enjoyed about the programme.

I did my undergraduate in Bachelor of Science in Psychology and my favourite part was Organisational Behaviour. Since then, my interest towards understanding organisations, their policies, employees and so on has increased. After graduating, I worked in the HR and consulting field for over five years after which I felt the need to pursue a master's degree. I chose a master's in organisational psychology as I felt it would enhance my knowledge and the skills required for furthering my career in the field.

I am also an entrepreneur and have co-founded an organisation called Edreamz Abroad. I’m glad to have chosen this course as I have gained immense knowledge and skills that can be applied very well to scale up our firm.

I was drawn to Strathclyde's MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology due to its practical skills and real-world application of psychological theories. The programme's emphasis on data analysis and research methods has equipped me with the necessary skills to conduct high-quality research and analyse data effectively in today's data-driven workplace. I was excited about the programme's opportunities for gaining practical experience through various on-job skills-oriented assignments, which have prepared me for a successful career in organisational consulting, and change management, for example. Overall, the MSc programme in Work and Organisational Psychology provides a comprehensive and rigorous education that will prepare me for a variety of career opportunities in the field.

The programme is highly rigorous and challenging, but also very rewarding. The programme's focus on practical skills and real-world applications of psychological theories and principles has helped me to develop the skills needed to succeed in a variety of organisational settings. The course has a strong practical focus and contains real-world experiences and challenges that one will come across.

The accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS) is a significant factor in making this programme more attractive. The BPS is the professional body responsible for regulating psychology as a profession in the UK, and its accreditation is widely recognized as a mark of quality and credibility in the field. It signifies that the programme has met rigorous standards for curriculum content, teaching quality, and assessment procedures, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to practice as professional psychologists.

The BPS accreditation also offers several benefits to students, such as access to professional development opportunities, eligibility for graduate membership of the BPS, and enhanced employability prospects. Many employers in the field of work and organisational psychology value BPS accreditation and may prefer candidates who have completed an accredited programme.

Overall, the BPS accreditation adds credibility and value to the programme, making it a more attractive option for students like me who are interested in pursuing a career in this field.

My favourite part about the course was my professors, in particular Joanna Butler and Dora Scholarios. I have no words to explain the impact they have had on me. The way they delivered the modules made me gain huge insights in the subjects and inspired me to learn more and develop myself further in the field. Course-wise, the assignments that were based on the application of on-job skills and knowledge and assessing us on the same really helped a lot. This not only boosted my confidence for my future career but also made me understand the different perspectives that organisations can adopt for their enhancement. It included evidence-based approaches and critical thinking which trained me to be adept in making decisions in work-based situations.

Moreover, since I plan on pursuing a PhD in future, this course has also helped with that goal by enhancing my research skills exclusively through two modules - Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods. Overall, I am better prepared for the world of work than before and also confident and clear about my career progression.

During my first semester, I chose an elective entitled ‘People, Technology and Work’. It covered topics on remote working and its impacts and benefits, ergonomics study of the workplace, sustainability of jobs etc which all were necessary for an organisational psychologist to have knowledge of as it enhances our employability. It feels like the modules have been structured in a way to expose us to different occupations within the field.

My plan for the future is to gain work experience specific to the field for at least two-three years after which I will pursue my PhD in the same field. Before pursuing this course, I was in dilemma about which career path to follow, however I’m now able to narrow down my options as I have gained clarity on what I can be good at through this course. To be able to make such a strong decision on my career is something that I lacked earlier but now I couldn’t be more clear about my career progression.

If someone was planning to take the course, I would say that if you want to:

develop critical thinking;
pursue research in future;
pursue a course that leads to not just one job title but many with a similar application of knowledge and skills and have the potential to earn good money;
own a business and run it successfully with evidence-based approaches to brilliant decision-making, and;
become adept in the field of academia in this subject

then, yes, go for it - this is the course for you!