Course overview
Start date
September 2019
January 2020
Subject area
Psychology
Attendance
Full-time
Learning
On campus
Course summary
The MSc Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, one of the only courses of its kind in the world, fully integrates positive psychology and coaching psychology to create an innovative training programme for those promoting wellbeing.
This course is available in the following three options:
- Full-time on-campus (12 months)
- Full-time distance learning (12 months)
- Part-time distance learning (24 months)
There is a growing recognition within the world’s coaching and positive psychology community that such integration is an important step forward, providing clients with a more open-minded approach to their mental health. From the point of view of positive psychology, the course will have a strong foundation in cutting-edge theory and research relating to wellbeing. The coaching element will feature advanced training in working with clients and groups in professional capacities.
Our aim is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be able to help people and organisations to flourish. It combines the study of cutting-edge empirical research and theory on wellbeing with the practical skills and competencies you need to apply this expertise in the real world. The result is a course designed to empower students to truly make a positive difference in the world.
This course is accredited as Senior Practitioner by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact our Applicant Enquiries team on +44 (0) 20 8223 3333 or email study@uel.ac.uk
Get in touch1st
University in the world to run this course
We are the first university in the world to offer this explicitly integrated course, which is aimed at those wishing to promote wellbeing in organisations, education establishments and businesses worldwide.
Built for demand
This broad and flexible course has been put together in response to a growing demand within the coaching and positive psychology community. There is a rapidly expanding market for the range of skills you will learn.
Tailor your course to what you want to do
You will be taught by a team of leading academics in both fields, and you can customise your course with additional elements of counselling, career coaching and occupational psychology.
What we're researching
The Research Excellence Framework is a six-yearly national review by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
In 2014 it rated 43 per cent of our research as ‘internationally excellent’ and a further 25 per cent as ‘world-leading’ – the highest accolade. It added that UEL’s School of Psychology was one of only four in the country whose research had a ‘100 per cent impact’ at the highest level.
Here are some examples of the research that takes place in the School of Psychology:
We have produced world-renowned research in the fields of listening to children and pupil involvement, behaviour management, school leadership, systems analysis, management, educational psychology training, conciliation and mediation in special needs and teacher stress.
Professor Rachel Tribe was awarded the British Psychological Society’s Ethics Committee’s 2013 award for promoting Equality of Opportunity. Her clinical interests focus on all aspects of trauma, culture and mental health, professional and ethical practice, working with interpreters in mental health, migration and mental health and organisational development.
Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh has undertaken ground-breaking work on “Coaching in Islamic culture”, publishing a book entitled Coaching in Islamic Culture: The Principles and Practice of Ershad Coaching with co-author, Raja’a Allaho. He is regarded as a global thought leader in the area of Coaching in Education. He is a passionate champion of the integration of coaching and positive psychology and led on the creation of the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology at UEL.
Dr Andrea Giraldez-Hayes is a leading practitioner in the complementary fields of Coaching Psychology and Positive Psychology. Seen as an international authority in the area of Coaching in Education, she is a renowned public speaker at conferences Europe and Latin America. She regularly presents on the topics of teachers’ identities and arts and wellbeing. Andrea has written a number of peer-reviewed journal articles and books about coaching and soft-skills for educators.
Dr Tim Lomas has published widely on a variety of topics, including mindfulness and Buddhism, ‘second wave’ positive psychology, gender, and language. With the latter, Tim has been developing a ‘positive cross-cultural lexicography’ of untranslatable words relating to wellbeing (see www.drtimlomas.com/lexicography), aiming to enhance cross-cultural appreciation and understanding in psychology. This has resulted in numerous papers and books (including Translating Happiness, published in 2018 by MIT Press), as well as prominent media coverage (including TIME, The New Yorker, and Scientific American).
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time
- Look at Research Council Awards
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time
- Look at Research Council Awards
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time
- Look at Research Council Awards
How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Per 30 credit module
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA page for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Per 30 credit module
Entry requirements
INTERNATIONAL
(Including European Union)
We accept a range of qualifications from across the world. Please see our country pages for information on specific entry requirements for your country.
If you don’t quite meet the academic requirements for this course, you can apply with an additional foundation year. Read more about the International Foundation Programme. SEE YOUR COUNTRYIf you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more here.
What you'll study
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
Perspectives on individual Wellbeing
Coaching Theory and Practice
Flourishing within Organisations
Research in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology I
Coaching theory and practice
Research in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology II
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed in a variety of ways, designed to capture the multidimensional skills and understanding that you will develop on the course. These include a personal portfolio, a consultancy project for an external organisation, essays, a research proposal and a journal article. You'll also be asked to carry out a certain number of coaching sessions and submit a video and a transcription and write a critical coaching log and personal professional development plans.
Course specification INFORMATION PACKHow you'll learn
This course is delivered in our School of Psychology, which is a large and exciting community with a global reputation for the high quality of its teaching and research.
The course is taught through an executive teaching style whereby teaching is delivered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (plus a few Thursdays) once every three weeks, with 4-8 hours of teaching per day.
This innovative course is based on cutting-edge research already being produced by members of the academic team who are shaping their respective fields in collaboration with colleagues around the world.
Your capacity as a coach will be developed by our guidance on how to build a coaching partnership through the use of reflective questions leading to enhanced self-awareness. You will also develop a helpful blend of techniques to challenge and support clients.
During your induction, the ethos and rationale of an integration of coaching and positive psychology will be fully explained.
You will then be encouraged to start thinking about an integrative topic for your research module.
In each of the core modules, the benefits of integration will be explicitly highlighted, and our academic team will incorporate examples and case studies from both fields.
What you'll learn
The practice of Coaching Psychology may be described as a process for enhancing wellbeing and performance in personal life, educational and work domains. It is underpinned by models of coaching grounded in established adult and child learning theories or psychological theories and approaches.
The course features six substantive modules – two mainly focused in positive psychology and two in coaching with a clear integrative approach– plus two further research methods modules.
Your core modules will review key theory in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. You will also examine the scope and remit of these two fields of operation, and how they can overlap.
All students must complete five of the six core modules of the programme as listed below. Flourishing within Organisations is an optional module and can be replaced for a module in the MSc in Occupational and Organisational Psychology.
Your future career
You will be well versed in relevant scientific literature, with the confidence to apply it in your professional practice.
This may involve working with individuals on a one-to-one basis through Positive Psychology or Executive Coaching or working at organisational level using positive organisational scholarship.
There is a significant demand for the skills that this integrated course develops. The field of Coaching, for instance, is growing dramatically judging by the amount of research output and the degree of recognition it is now receiving from employers as well as educational and governmental institutions. According to the International Coach Federation (ICF), by 2017, the coaching industry was believed to be a $2 billion global industry.
In designing the programme we consulted with employers in the field, industry specialists, academics in other institutions and professional bodies. Our accreditation with the EMCC reflects the professional character and the quality of the training.
There are relatively few postgraduate courses specialising in either Positive Psychology or Coaching Psychology, and none which integrates the two in the way UEL has done. The integration of Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology positions graduates in a prime position to further their professional careers in a wide range of settings.
