The MSc Psychology with Coaching programme at Heriot-Watt University is the most established master’s degree of its kind in Europe as it has a well-earned reputation for producing graduates who can improve the performance and behaviour of individuals and teams.

Coaching psychology is a thriving area of applied psychology which deals with professional and personal issues practically. There is a growing demand for experts in evidence-based coaching who can offer effective non-clinical interventions to help individuals and teams by increasing productivity, managing talent and dealing with conflict, stress and change. This demand exists across several sectors and areas of performance, including:

• occupational
• educational
• health
• counselling
• sports psychology
• leadership
• management
• organisational development 
• human resources

This degree programme balances practical and theoretical learning to ensure that you’ll make positive and effective contributions that help people and organisations flourish. You’ll learn to apply positive psychology through tried and tested coaching practices and combine this with an understanding of established theory from business psychology.

You’ll develop numeracy and ICT skills using statistics software packages and by conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis. You’ll also be able to develop communication skills through coursework and group discussions/presentations.

You’ll learn key skills that can be applied in the workplace through various wider roles such as management, consultancy and HR, as well as specialised coaching roles such as executive coach, talent management, career coaching and mentoring.

English Language Requirements

If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.