MSc Applied Psychology
Heriot-Watt UniversityEdinburgh, United Kingdom
Course overview
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.
Key highlights
- Led by research-active academics working in applied psychology fields
- Prepares graduates for academic psychology or applied industry careers
- Covers psychology applied in organisations and community settings
- Taught at the Edinburgh campus
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:2 — to include relevant subject; or above
Scholarships
Alumni Discount Scheme
A 20% discount is applicable to postgraduate taught courses across all of our global campuses.
Up to 20% of feesCoaching Scholarships Programme
Varies – up to a 100% Tuition fee Reduction (dependent on experience and number of coaching hours across the year).
Heriot-Watt Actuarial Scholarship For Academic Excellence
The Heriot-Watt Actuarial Scholarship For Academic Excellence awards the successful recipient(s) with a 20% reduction on their tuition fees.
Up to 20% of feesRemission of Fees (Families of Staff)
Please contact the provider.
Staff Scholarships
Please contact the provider
The Brodie Family Scholarship (PGT)
The Brodie Family Scholarship provides financial support of £2,500 per year (or £2,000 per year for students enrolled in a five-year programme) to four undergraduate students.
The Island Scholarship Programme - Orkney Campus (UK) (International)
The New Dawn Energy Scholarship
The New Dawn Energy Scholarship provides £1900 towards living costs to two students enrolling on our MSc in Petroleum Engineering in September 2026.
Up to £1,900
Careers this course leads to
- Research assistant (psychology)
- Assistant psychologist
- PhD researcher in psychology
- User experience researcher
- Health promotion officer
- Mental health support worker
Career opportunities
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
Cost of study
The tuition fee to study an MSc in Applied Psychology at Heriot-Watt University for the 2025/2025 academic session is £24,176.
Admission
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.
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