COURSE CURRICULUM

The Social and Organisational Psychology specialisation in the Research Master in Psychology at Leiden University provides an advanced program designed to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical research skills. The curriculum combines general coursework, track-specific courses, electives, internships, and a master’s thesis, preparing students for academic research or professional careers in psychology and related fields.The general coursework, worth 40 ECTS, focuses on advanced training in academic and research skills. Students immediately apply these skills to their own research projects through a combination of lectures, seminars, small-group work, and practical sessions. Track-specific courses (20 ECTS) provide in-depth knowledge of theories, research domains, and key issues in social and organisational psychology. Students can also choose 15 ECTS of electives, either to further specialise in social and organisational psychology or to broaden their knowledge in related areas such as Brain and Cognition.A key component of the program is the research internship, which allows students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen area. Under supervision of expert researchers, students engage with various research designs, data collection methods, and analyses. Internship tasks may include designing studies, conducting experiments, analysing data, and preparing research proposals. Preparatory work, such as reading, communication with supervisors, and writing funding letters, is also part of the internship experience.The second year is devoted to the master’s thesis (25 ECTS), which begins with a literature review and the development of a research question, culminating in a written research proposal. In the following semester, students implement their research, collect and analyse data, and complete their thesis under close supervision.Educational methods throughout the program include lectures that apply theoretical knowledge to real-world examples, small work group sessions encouraging discussion and active participation, practical sessions developing skills such as interviewing, observation, and statistical analysis, and online learning for peer review, mock exams, and recorded lecturesGraduates of the Social and Organisational Psychology specialisation are equipped with the skills and expertise to pursue careers in academic research, consultancy, policy-making, and applied psychology roles, or to continue towards a PhD in psychology or related disciplines.