Skip to main content
A group of students sitting around a table outside, discussing their work together.
Graduate (Taught)
Application code:L7U2
Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science

MSc Organisational and Social Psychology

Gain the skills to tackle organisational issues. Study in the UK’s top-rated psychology department on this MSc Organisational and Social Psychology.
Discover the MSc Organisational and Social Psychology at LSE

Overview

Introduction

Why do people in organisations think and behave the way they do? How can we use psychology to help organisations and employees be successful? How should organisations change and adapt for the future? Can we improve wellbeing? Get the answers on this world-leading master’s degree, taught at our campus in London.

This programme examines the psychology of organisations and investigates how employee behaviour and organisational outcomes are shaped by leadership, culture, identity, social norms, and wellbeing. Drawing upon the science of organisational and social psychology, you’ll explore how organisations can foster the processes – for instance, innovation, change, decision-making, inclusivity, and teamwork – that ensure indivudual and collective success.

Guided by experienced social and organisational psychologists, you’ll study classic and contemporary research and learn how to use different methodologies to diagnose and address organisational processes. The curriculum includes core courses on social psychology and research methods, alongside optional courses on topics such as organisational culture, organisational development, identity and social relations, and many others.

The programme is perfect if you’re looking to specialise in an area of applied psychology or if you have experience working in organisations and organisational consultancy. You’ll acquire highly transferable skills to help you influence and improve organisational culture and performance in many different settings.

Our graduates land rewarding roles in consulting, organisational development and change, behavioural insights research, HR, training government and not-for-profit organisations, and academia. Many also follow a route as entrepreneurs or return to organisations in new roles.

LSE was recently ranked first in the UK for psychology (Complete University Guide 2025). So, you’ll be studying in a top-rated education and research environment. As a graduate, you’ll join our lively, active alumni network, with more than 1000 members across five continents.

Entry requirements

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent, with a considered interest in the area covered by the MSc.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Overseas

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

Year 1

You'll take three compulsory courses and will chose options to the value of one unit from an approved list. You'll also complete a dissertation of up to 10,000 words on an approved topic of choice. A professional seminar series that runs throughout the year provides you with the opportunity to debate with professionals, managers and consultants working on a variety of organisational contexts.

Browse examples of previous PBS dissertations.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

The Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science is a growing community of researchers, academics and students who explore the human mind and behaviour in a societal context.

From our early beginnings as a group of researchers studying psychology and society 50 years ago, the department is now home to an interdisciplinary faculty team conducting wide-ranging research.

Today, our research spans:

  • social psychology
  • behavioural economics
  • political psychology
  • organisational culture
  • consumer behaviour
  • public engagement
  • community development
  • global health, happiness and well-being
  • planetary health.

Our research is connected with what is happening in the world today. The outputs impact policy, business and society at large. This focus on real-world issues sets our department, and LSE, apart from other institutions and our students inform and inspire the direction of our work.

We offer various taught programmes and research opportunities, ranging from our BSc in Psychological and Behavioural Science to doctoral training – all with an emphasis on practical, policy-related issues.

By maintaining this focus on real-world issues and societal impact, our department leads the way with innovative research in the field, the lab and everywhere in between.

So, whether you want to study, research or teach, you’ll find a supportive and inspirational community where you can contribute to global debates and change.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Who's who

Your application

Overview

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

  • academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
  • statement of academic purpose
  • two academic references
  • CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Contact us

Contact Postgraduate Programme Manager Louise Millar on pbs.msc@lse.ac.uk.

418
Applications
48
Intake
9:1
2023 Ratio

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home

£30,900

Home student fee (2025/26)

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

Recent graduates have gained employment worldwide in consultancy, international enterprises and firms, banks, government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or have gone on to obtain PhDs and pursue an academic career.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:

£37,500

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Education, Teaching and Research
Consultancy
Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities
Information, Digital Technology and Data
Recruitment amd Employment Activities
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

Find out more

Explore LSE

Student life

Discover our campus and student services
Welcome at LSE

Student support

Find out more about our academic guidance, advice and pastoral care
A group of students sitting with an advisor at a LSE LIFE session

Accommodation

Explore the accommodation services we offer to our students
Two students taking part in Action for Happiness held in LSE Residences during London Wellbeing Week 2020.

Meet, visit and discover LSE

Attend our in-person events or explore LSE from home
Campus tour guide during a campus tour for prospective students.