Positive psychology is the scientific study of optimal human functioning with an aim to understand the factors that enable individuals and communities to thrive. This rapidly developing field brings solid empirical research into areas such as well-being, flow, positive emotions, human strengths, wisdom, creativity, psychological health and characteristics of positive groups and institutions.

The MSc in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) presents an interesting opportunity to become actively involved a new and growing area of study and shape its development.

• UEL is the first University in the UK to offer a postgraduate programme in Applied Positive Psychology.
• The programme is led and taught by pioneers in the field of positive psychology in Europe, who are consultancy and research active.
• Students have an opportunity to participate in innovative research, and develop and test new positive psychology interventions.
• The programme has significant elements of skills training, including facilitation, intervention and research skills that can be applied across work and leisure domains.
• Our School of Psychology offers postgraduate programmes in all main areas of professional applied psychology and therefore benefits from extensive expertise across a range of related areas.
• Its London location and optional part-time mode of study with monthly intensive learning days makes the programme accessible not only to London based students, but also to students from other UK and European destinations.

• An undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, sociology, health and social welfare, counselling, education studies, human resources, business or social enterprise studies or other related disciplines with a minimum 2.2 classification (or equivalent).
• A written application outlining academic and professional background, career objectives and reasons for choosing the MAPP Programme at UEL. Students whose academic background is outside of the above mentioned disciplines should explain how their professional or life experience has prepared them for studying positive psychology.   The application should not be more than 2, 000 words in lengths.
• Two supporting references, one of which is preferably academic.
• In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes
• Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The programme uses a variety of teaching and learning methods designed to enable participants to develop active learning techniques, reflect on practice and attain the learning outcomes for each module. Teaching methods vary from module to module and include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group exercises, peer study groups/action learning sets, and individual supervision. Direct class contact is supplemented by on-line interactive web environment materials, individual reading, completion of exercises, writing reflective notes and preparation for assignments. Up to two assignments are field based and will require participants to engage with real world settings and develop appropriate solutions.

Guest lectures will enable the students to meet face-to-face with acclaimed positive psychologists working in applied and academic settings and broaden their network of professional contacts.

Learning resources include IT and general psychology laboratories, access to electronic journals and databases, and specialist library facilities.

Students will be encouraged to take an active part in the European Positive Psychology movement, by joining corresponding networks, participating and presenting at European events, including the bi-annual European Positive Psychology Conference.

. Assessment on the programme is based exclusively on coursework. Coursework is varied and includes: essays, an exam blog, a reflective portfolio, a research proposal a mind map and a final year dissertation in the format of a paper for publication. Students also carry out a Positive Consultancy Project, which provides an experience of how positive psychology can be implemented in a professional setting.

Our postgraduate programmes in Applied Positive Psychology are designed to enhance employability and students’ career prospects. There is no formal placement system on the programme, but students are encouraged to undertake relevant voluntary work or use positive psychology principles to develop practices within their existing workplace. It is desirable that the Positive Consultancy Project (an assessment for the Advanced Positive Psychology module) is organisation based, although this is not essential. It is the student’s responsibility to find a host organisation, though members of the programme team may offer some help through their own network of contacts outside.

Students will have an opportunity to design and conduct an original piece of research on the topic of their choice, using qualitative or/and qualitative methods of analysis. This will result in a production of a paper ready to be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal. Dissertations can take the form of an intervention or other empirical project and often are organisation-based.

A Dissertation is undertaken by students on an individual basis. Every student is allocated a personal supervisor. Supervisory meetings are flexible and student driven. They take place on a one-to-one basis with a minimum contact time of twelve hours during part 2 of the Research Methods and Dissertation module. Supervisory meetings are supplemented by group tutorials, in which students discuss common issues associated with carrying out a research project.

In carrying out a dissertation project, students will be supported by dissertation seminars and by their own peer study group.

• Completing the programme would enable you to become one of the first positive psychology specialists in the UK and in Europe.
• You will study the programme in an institution that is positive psychology research active, with ongoing projects on well-being, personal development, and evaluation of interventions.
• Teaching staff are positive psychologists and the founder of the field, Martin Seligman holds an Honorary Professorship at UEL.
• Throughout your studies you will become a co-creator of knowledge. Positive psychology is a young discipline, and will continue to be shaped and developed for years to come. As new ideas and connections emerge, students on the programme will be at the frontier of the field. 
• Your fellow students will come from a variety of professional backgrounds, which means your learning experience will be enhanced by a multidisciplinary perspective.
• The programme fosters experiential opportunities for participants to become more reflective, self-aware, and to practice and experiment with new skills.
• The programme team has good working relationships with a number of positive psychology organisations and employers, including NEF’s Centre for Well-Being, Scottish Centre for Confidence and Well-Being, Centre for Applied Positive Psychology, Kenexa, Personal Well-Being Centre.

Graduates are likely to develop careers in organisational or business consultancies through their knowledge of tools for transforming business, institutions or practice. Business executives, human resource personnel and managers are likely to enhance their career prospects, whilst life and executive coaching is another possible career pathway for the programme graduates.

Skills and knowledge obtained can be usefully applied in the charity, voluntary and social enterprise sectors, as the programme educates for cooperative systems and sustainable well-being and development.

The MSc in Applied Positive Psychology is useful for qualified clinical psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, nurses and doctors that intend to use positive psychology theory, research and applications in their clinical work.

Qualified teachers can use positive psychology expertise to inform their teaching practice. The programme would be of benefit to other existing and aspiring youth workers and educators, from the primary school throughout to the University level.

Importantly, a number of graduates are likely to develop specialisation in positive psychology within a research career, and can use the programme as a stepping stone towards a doctorate.

1. On the first day you will take part in a relevant and comprehensive Induction Programme to help you settle in.

2. Students are offered personal tutor support to address learning queries and discuss any issues affecting progress. 

3. The programme operates a genuine open door policy, which means that members of staff, including module tutors, programme leader and dissertation supervisor are accessible to students and can be contacted through WebCT and email.

4. There are substantial learning, library and research resources accessible on and off campus, including positive psychology books and journals (e.g. Journal of Positive Psychology and Journal of Happiness Studies).

5. Lectures and seminars are accompanied by comprehensive lecture notes, handouts and on-line materials, accessible from your home or work place.

6. The campus provides computer and experimental labs.

7. You will receive training in appropriate research methods, enabling you to develop your research skills and apply these to positive psychology.

8. You will have a dedicated dissertation supervisor who is familiar with the topic area and is there to guide and support you during the specialist research stage.

9. Specialist support (e.g. financial advice, careers advice, counselling and learning support) is available from central University Services. The University also has disability and dyslexia advisors.

• Programme management is structured to be very responsive to students needs, actively seeking students’ suggestions and integrating these into the programme.
• Teaching staff are committed to delivering their modules flexibly and innovatively.
• You will study at a location in close proximity to Central London.
• The programme venue is accessible by ample and convenient public transport.
• You have an opportunity to develop your consultancy skills by working with a real organisation.