MSc Applied Psychology

MSc Applied Psychology at Heriot-Watt University is a one-year postgraduate degree designed for graduates who want to deepen their knowledge of psychology and apply it in academic, professional, or community settings. Based at the Edinburgh campus, the programme is taught by research-active academics who specialise in real-world areas of psychology.

You will study important topics from Heriot-Watt’s main psychology research areas: Cognition, Brain and Behaviour, Lifespan Health and Wellbeing, and Work, Society and Environment. These topics will help you understand how psychological research can be used to solve real-life problems at work, in communities, and in everyday situations.

Studying MSc Applied Psychology at Heriot-Watt University helps you learn useful skills such as how to plan research, manage data, think critically, and follow ethical rules in psychology. You will also practise how to explain your work clearly and work with different people and organisations.

By the end of the course, you will be ready to start a career in psychology research or apply your psychology skills in areas such as education, health, business, or community work.

Heriot-Watt University is a well-known university that started in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh. It became a full university in 1966. The university is named after two famous people from Scotland: George Heriot, who helped others through his wealth, and James Watt, an important inventor and engineer.

The university is especially known for subjects like Science, Engineering, Design, and Business. It is also home to the Edinburgh Business School, which is one of the oldest and most respected business schools in Scotland.

Heriot-Watt has campuses in several places, including Edinburgh, Orkney, the Scottish Borders, Dubai, and Malaysia. Many students from different countries also study online using the university’s modern learning system. The university uses new ways of teaching and works with real companies. This helps students gain the knowledge and skills they need to build successful careers.

• Your undergraduate degree should include an empirical research project that shows that you have received training in research design and data analysis.

Grade Requirements:

• To apply for this course, you should have at least a 2:2 honours degree or a non-UK equivalent qualification in a relevant subject.  
• Most applicants should have a degree in Psychology. However, degrees in related fields such as social sciences, health sciences, education, or social care shall be considered. 

English Proficiency:

• Non-native speakers of English are expected to provide proof of proficiency in English. To do this, an IELTS overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each skill area (except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum) is required.

The tuition fee to study an MSc in Applied Psychology at Heriot-Watt University for the 2025/2025 academic session is £24,176. 

Heriot-Watt University offers different types of scholarships to help both international and UK students pay for their studies. These scholarships are given based on things like good grades, financial need, or the country you are from.

Some scholarships are given automatically when you apply for a course. For others, you may need to fill in a separate application form. The money from a scholarship can help reduce your tuition fees. In some cases, a scholarship may even cover the full cost of your tuition, depending on the type of funding.

Graduates of an MSc in Applied Psychology from Heriot-Watt University are fit for employment in roles such as the following: 

• Clinical Psychologist
• Counselling Psychologist
• Psychotherapist
• Recreational Therapist
• Child Protection Practitioner 
• Occupational Therapist

To apply for this course, you have to go through the university’s online application platform. Do not hesitate to reach out to any of our experienced counsellors, if you have any questions about the application process.