BSc (Hons) Business Psychology

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Business Psychology program at Bath Spa University is a three-year, full-time course providing a stimulating and intellectually engaging learning experience. It is structured to progressively build foundational knowledge in psychology and business in the first year, explore core areas of business psychology in the second, and culminate in specialized studies and an independent research project in the final year. Students benefit from interactive lectures, engaging seminars incorporating real-world case studies, practical workshops applying psychological principles to business challenges, and collaborative group work. A key element involves understanding how psychological theories can inform business strategy, improve organizational culture, and enhance individual and team performance. The program fosters a critical and analytical atmosphere, encouraging students to develop their expertise in both psychology and business and their ability to effectively apply psychological insights within organizational contexts.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Business Psychology program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of core psychological theories and research methods alongside fundamental business principles. Core psychology modules typically cover areas such as cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, biological psychology, and research methods. Business-focused modules delve into topics such as organizational behavior, human resource management, marketing and consumer psychology, leadership and motivation, and business ethics. As students progress, the curriculum increasingly focuses on the application of psychological principles to business challenges, exploring areas such as employee selection and assessment, training and development, organizational change, consumer behavior and marketing strategy, and workplace well-being. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, analytical skills, research methodologies relevant to both psychology and business, and ethical considerations in applying psychological insights in organizational settings. Students will engage in case study analysis, practical exercises applying psychological theories to business problems, and projects that require them to integrate knowledge from both fields. The final year often includes advanced topics in business psychology and a significant research project or dissertation.

Research Focus: The BSc (Hons) Business Psychology program at Bath Spa University benefits from a research-informed learning environment within the School of Psychology and the School of Business and Management. Faculty members in both disciplines are actively engaged in research related to areas such as organizational psychology, consumer behavior, workplace well-being, leadership effectiveness, and the application of psychological principles in business contexts. This research informs the curriculum, ensuring that students are exposed to current academic debates, theoretical frameworks, and empirical findings in both psychology and business psychology. Students are encouraged to develop their own research interests at the intersection of these fields through assignments and their final year project, fostering critical inquiry and analytical skills relevant to understanding human behavior in organizational settings.

Industry Engagement: Bath Spa University's BSc (Hons) Business Psychology program fosters connections with relevant organizations across various industries. The program may facilitate guest lectures by professionals working in HR, consultancy, marketing, and organizational development roles who utilize psychological principles in their work. Workshops on applied business psychology skills, such as psychometric testing and organizational development techniques, may also be organized. Students may have opportunities for internships or placements with businesses that value psychological insights into their operations, providing valuable hands-on experience and professional connections. The curriculum often incorporates real-world case studies and projects that involve analyzing and developing solutions to business challenges using psychological frameworks.

Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Business Psychology program at Bath Spa University incorporates a global perspective by examining cross-cultural organizational behavior, international human resource management practices, and the influence of culture on consumer behavior and marketing strategies. The curriculum may include case studies of multinational organizations, discussions on managing diverse workforces across different cultural contexts, and the exploration of global consumer trends. The university's diverse international student body contributes to a global learning environment, fostering discussions and collaborations across different cultural perspectives on organizational psychology and business practices. Furthermore, the program may touch upon topics such as international business ethics and the application of psychological principles in a globalized marketplace, preparing graduates to understand and navigate the complexities of human behavior in international business contexts.