Master in Work & Organisational Psychology

Study programme

This specialisation emphasises organisational psychology and the role of emotions in modern organisations. Furthermore, new methods in personnel selection are examined in this programme.

The Psychology curriculum consists of a series of modules or courses. Every course covers one specific psychological theme. All of the activities that you will undertake during this course, i.e. lectures, tutorials, practical meetings and assignments, are related to this theme. The Master’s programme consists of three courses in which you will study the topics of the specialisation of Work and Organisational Psychology and one course in statistics.

In the second semester, from February onwards, you will conduct an empirical study and write your Master‘s thesis. In addition, in some cases, it is possible to do an internship during the semester of the Master’s programme.

Curriculum

• Block 1
  • Attitudes and Emotions in Organisations
  • Practical Attitudes and Emotions in Organisations
• Block 2
  • Groups at Work
  • Practical Conflict Management and Mediation
• Block 3
  • Personnel Selection
  • Practical Selection and Assessment
• Block 4
  • Applied Multivariate Data Analysis
  • Practical Applied Multivariate Data Analysis using SPSS
• Block 5-8
  • Practical Internship (optional), Research Proposal & Thesis

Teaching method

Problem-Based Learning

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a method that is based on the idea that the student plays an active role in the learning process (student-centred education). It is not about lecturing with the purpose of information transfer (as is the case in traditional educational systems). Instead, the aim is to stimulate the active participation of the student in small educational groups. Often, it is not the teacher who explains the study material but the students themselves.

This student-centred approach stems from the constructivist vision on learning which states that the best way to deal with information is to actively construct knowledge instead of passively consuming it.

With Problem-Based Learning, there are a couple of collective lectures during which students listen to their lecturers. The tutorials are at the core of the PBL method. During the tutorials, students search for information which they subsequently discuss in small groups. The student uses his or her own knowledge as a basis to acquire new knowledge. On average, there are twelve contact hours per week. This time is distributed over lectures, tutor groups and practical training. Students spend a large part of their time on self-study and resolving the problem, which can be done individually or in groups. Most students spend approximately 40 hours per week on their studies.

Why study Master Work & Organisational Psychology

This Master’s programme is designed for anyone with a special interest in the psychology of organisations, labour and personnel. We teach you how to select the best people; how individuals perform in teams; and how you can foster work engagement in employees. We offer you one of the best Master’s programmes in Psychology in the Netherlands.

Do you wish to comprehend human behaviour? We offer you one of the best Master’s programmes in Psychology in the Netherlands.

Are you interested in the ways to compose the best-performing team, or to select the right people for a job? Are you curious how brain structures are involved in processing and representing emotions and actions? If one of the answers is yes, our Master’s degree might be perfect for you!

Why study a Master in Psychology in Rotterdam?

• This is an intensive programme which emphasises psychology as it is practised.
• It is oriented toward problem-solving, and you work in small groups in order to solve psychological issues.
• The programme offers a strong emphasis and first-rate preparation for a career in education, business or research.

What is this specialisation about?

Organisations have a competitive advantage when their employees thrive. The emphasis in this specialisation is placed on organisational psychology. The main elements of this field include work engagement and organisational performance, team dynamics, diversity and leadership and the selection and socialisation of personnel. Furthermore, the role of emotions in modern organisations is examined. In addition, we look at new methods in personnel selection, for instance, webcam tests and computer games. The research topics which are part of the programme include the Job Demands-Resources model, work engagement, the work-family interface, group processes, and job performance.

You will use problem-based learning techniques in small groups.

Why study in Rotterdam?

Welcome to the highly-ranked Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), a research university located in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Erasmus University was founded in 1913. Over the years, it became an institute known for its leading economists. The university has become internationally recognised for its distinct social orientation in education and research. Our 26,000+ students come from more than 100 countries around the world.

Erasmus University Rotterdam. Make it happen.

Career opportunities for Master Work & Organisational Psychology

The specialisation in Positive Organisational Psychology will prepare you for a function in business, consultancy, training or research.

The specialisation in Work and Organisational Psychology will prepare you for a function in business, consultancy, training or research. As a Master of Science in organisational psychology, you have many opportunities to build a career. For example, you can become a trainer, (career) coach, HR consultant, management trainee, selection consultant, assessor at recruitment and selection agency. When you are more interested in research, obtaining your PhD can also be a good option.

Factsheet summary

• Official CROHO name: Psychology
• Programme name: Work & Organisational Psychology
• Instruction language: English
• Type: Master
• Duration: 1 year
• Location: Campus Woudestein, Rotterdam
• Tuition fees (2019-2020):
  • €2.083 (Statutory fee)
  • €11.900 (Institutional fee: EEA/EU students)
  • €14.900 (Institutional fee: NON-EEA/EU students)