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Heriot-Watt University: Psychology
About Psychology at Heriot-Watt University
Our postgraduate programmes in Psychology at Heriot-Watt focus on advancing your expertise and giving you the skills to shape the future of psychology. Whether you’re aiming for a career in clinical, health or occupational psychology or further your research skills, our courses combine rigorous academic training with real-world application.
Heriot-Watt’s School of Social Sciences integrate theory with hands-on experience, preparing you to address complex challenges in the field – such as mental health, workplace wellbeing and social behaviour. Alongside direct Applied Psychology, we offer psychology programmes with a specific lens in Business or Sport. Our programmes offer placement opportunities, to build hands on expertise, allowing you to graduate with both theoretical understanding and practical knowledge.
Our experience and expert academics are at the cutting edge of research, with works that influence policy and practice in areas such as cognitive neuroscience, clinical interventions, and human factors.
Our graduates progress into roles in healthcare, education, organisational development, and research. Many secure positions as trainee psychologists, mental health practitioners, HR specialists, and data analysts. Employers value the advanced analytical skills, evidence-based decision-making, and professional competencies developed through our programmes.
Why Edinburgh?
Set within 380 acres of beautiful parkland, Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus offers the perfect balance of space to think, study, and enjoy life - all within easy reach of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
Edinburgh is a festival city, alive with culture every day of the year. From music, film, theatre, and comedy to world renowned events like the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, the city is a global focal point for art, creativity, and entertainment. With medieval lanes, modern architecture, museums, and buzzing nightlife, there’s always something new to discover.
On campus, you’ll benefit from exceptional teaching facilities and strong industry links that make studying here both fulfilling and stimulating. Our £7m purpose‑built Postgraduate Centre is a hub for advanced learning and research, while the cutting‑edge GRID facility provides space to explore ideas, collaborate, and innovate.
You’ll also have access to Scotland’s £33m national Sports Performance Centre, Oriam, alongside a wide range of clubs and societies. Whether you’re pursuing academic excellence, sporting achievement, or new friendships, Edinburgh offers an inspiring environment to reach your full potential.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a highly regarded marker of quality assurance that prospective employers value. It provides you with a route to society membership, which is an integral part of your development as psychologists, or as part of the wider psychological workforce. It is a high-quality benchmarking process aimed at getting the best out of programmes and provides an opportunity for you to influence the society and its support for education providers and students
Our MSc Sport Psychology programme is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is highly commended for our outstanding student support, authentic assessments, reflective learning with a focus on equality diversity and inclusion and our use of dedicated, world-leading sports facilities in Oriam within our programme.
MSc Business Psychology and MSc Business Psychology with coaching are accredited by the Association of Business Psychology (ABP).
Real world-impact
Heriot-Watt’s School of Social Sciences doesn’t prepare you to make a difference. Our postgraduate programmes are designed to give you the advanced knowledge and practical skills, to influence change in health, work, and society from day one.
With Heriot-Watt ranked first in Scotland for graduate employability (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2024), our psychology graduates join a tradition of excellence in applying psychological science to real-world challenges.
From classroom to practice, our focus on mental health, well-being, and evidence-based interventions ensures you’re equipped to deliver positive outcomes for individuals and communities. Whether your ambition is to work in clinical settings, shape workplace culture, or advance psychological research, Heriot-Watt provides the pathway to achieve it.
Programmes
MSc Applied Psychology
MSc Business Psychology
MSc Business Psychology with Human Resource Management
MSc Business Psychology with Intercultural Communication
MSc Sport Psychology
More information is available on our website.
Graduate testimonials
Hande’s story
Graduate, MSc Applied Psychology
‘My time at Heriot-Watt studying Applied Psychology was a great experience for me. The course helped me see how psychology connects to everyday life. Psychology is not just theory, but how people actually think, feel, and behave in the real world. One of the things I loved most was how approachable and supportive the lecturers were. They encouraged us to think critically, ask questions, and explore topics we genuinely cared about. The mix of research, discussion, and real-life application made learning feel engaging and relevant. It gave me a clearer sense of the kind of impact I want to make through psychology.’
Emma’s Story
Graduate, MSc Business Psychology
While exploring various Masters programmes both in Norway and the UK, I found that the MSc in Business Psychology at Heriot-Watt stood out. It is considered one of the most established programmes of its kind in Europe, and it appealed to me because of its unique blend of psychological and organisational perspectives.
Gowri’s story
Graduate, MSc Business Psychology with Human Resource Management
I studied MSc Business Psychology with Human Resource Management because it combines my academic background in psychology with my passion for understanding people, workplace behaviour, and organisational dynamics. It offered a perfect bridge between theory and practical human resource skills, empowering me to support and lead in diverse, people-focused environments. This course also aligned with my career ambitions in both mental health and human resources.
Vineetha’s story
Graduate, MSc Business Psychology with Intercultural Communication
I studied MSc Business Psychology with Intercultural Communication because of its relevance in the present context. As we understand the world as a global village, multicultural organisations, cross-cultural communication, and intercultural interactions are important areas that demand attention. As a student of language, who has worked in a multicultural context, this course has been an academic endeavour that helped me develop a varied perspective.
Available courses
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