MSc Environmental Psychology
University of Surrey
Key Information
Campus location
Guildford, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
Request info
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
Introduction
Why Choose This Course
From the climate crisis to liveable cities, from the changing nature of our workplaces to how we value biodiversity, humanity’s relationship with the environment is the most important issue of our lifetime. Environmental psychology is at the very heart of this topic. Our MSc program, established in 1973, equips you with the social science knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in our world. As a student, you will:
- Understand how individuals think, feel and behave in the context of their physical surroundings, to support the creation of healthy places for people and the planet
- Access the only one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) degree in the world that focuses on both sustainability and environmental design
- Make use of our state-of-the-art psychology facilities, including a virtual reality suite and two observation laboratories, and use the latest equipment to conduct experiments
- Learn from teaching staff who are active researchers in sustainable living, wellbeing in built and urban environments, transport and mobility, benefits of nature engagement, and much more
- Join our Environmental Psychology Research Group to take part in seminars and workshops, and benefit from our links with renowned research institutions and industries across the world
- Benefit from our employability and careers advice that helps 100% of our psychology graduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2023, HESA).
What You Will Study
Across the MSc program you will explore the relationship between people and their physical environment at every scale, from personal space in homes and offices to engagement with the natural world and awareness of environmental crises.
Within individual modules, you will address issues around pro-environmental behavior, nature and health, architectural psychology and urban environments, social change, and sustainable development while reviewing and critically engaging with major theories and models within environmental psychology. You will also select one optional module to deepen your knowledge in an area of your choice (healthcare, global challenges, or behavior change). As a result, you will gain the knowledge and skills to support the design, management, and use of environments that benefit human function and health and encourage sustainable behaviors.
We will teach you qualitative and quantitative research methods, including the use of statistics, ensuring you have a solid foundation to collect, analyze, and interpret data. We offer tailored research methods training depending on your prior experience and qualifications in social science.
You'll also complete a research dissertation, applying your theoretical and research methods skills to a topic that matters to you. Previous student projects have ranged from climate change perceptions to privacy in open-plan offices, VR experiences of urban settings, biophilic design, and the emotional and cognitive benefits of nature engagement. We'll match your interests with the expertise of our academic staff, ensuring you get the best support.
Teaching
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
- Case studies
- Group work (e.g. discussion groups)
- Lectures
- Online learning
- Seminars
- Workshops.
Outside of these, you’ll be expected to carry out independent study, including coursework, place analyses and reading.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Admissions
Curriculum
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand, and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programs based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75, or 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programs follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each program. These are all outlined in the program specification which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Year 1
Full Time
- Academic Research Training
- Advanced Research Methods and Design
- Key Questions in Environmental Psychology
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Social Change and Influence
- Psychological Aspects of Health Care
- Quantitative Research Methods
- The Psychology of Architecture and Planning Research
- The Psychology of Global Challenges
- The Psychology of Real-world Behaviour Change
- The Psychology of Sustainable Development
- Dissertation 8000-10000 Words
Part-Time
- Academic Research Training
- Advanced Research Methods and Design
- Key Questions in Environmental Psychology
- Quantitative Research Methods
- The Psychology of Architecture and Planning Research
Year 2
Part-Time
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Social Change and Influence
- Psychological Aspects of Health Care
- The Psychology of Global Challenges
- The Psychology of Real-world Behaviour Change
- The Psychology of Sustainable Development
- Dissertation 8000-10000 Words
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive.
Career Opportunities
Study and Work Abroad
There may be opportunities to acquire valuable European experience by working or conducting research abroad during your degree or shortly afterward.
We offer career information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Our MSc Environmental Psychology graduates go on to work in, for example:
Governmental departments and agencies
- Forest Research
- Environment Agency
- San Francisco Planning Department
- Natural Resources Institute Finland).
Third sector and NGOs
- WWF
- UN Office for Sustainable Development
- ECO-UNESCO
- Keep Britain Tidy.
Consultancy
- Collingwood Environmental Planning
- Raw Energy Ltd.
- Space Works Consulting.
Architecture and design, engineering, and planning
- AECOM
- Arup
- G3 Architecture
- MIG
- Hoare Lea
- Morgan Lovell.
Academia
- PhD research here at Surrey
- University of Plymouth
- University of Auckland
- University of Manchester
- City University of New York
- And many more.
The broad and transferrable skills that you;ll develop as a social scientist are also highly applicable to other fields. Environmental psychology is increasingly relevant in sustainability, social responsibility, and wellbeing-focused roles across the private sector; in marketing and communications; and in technology and media.
Facilities
Program Tuition Fee
Program Leaders
English Language Requirements
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