Bangor University Business with Consumer Psychology

The marriage of both disciplines is a natural one, as understanding behaviour and specifically consumer behaviour in the world of business can be crucial to the success of businesses.

Today’s successful businesses and organisations need highly trained people who can help them understand their consumers and understand issues such as: What makes them choose one product over another? Do brand names and advertising really affect our thinking? Will the internet change the face of urban and suburban shopping areas?

In the first semester, Business and Consumer Psychology studies will be in equal proportions; however in Semester 2 there will be a greater focus on business, and the dissertation is undertaken in a business-related subject. It is also possible to undertake a Consumer Psychology and Business Masters degree that will involve a dissertation in Consumer Psychology. Please click here for further details.

Candidates may choose between the MA or MSc routes, which are differentiated by the nature of the dissertation. The MSc dissertation will involve undertaking empirical research, whilst the MA dissertation will involve an extended literature review.

The MSc and MA degrees in Business with Consumer Psychology are scheduled for a duration of 12 months. Each degree programme consists of two parts.

Part 1 is a wholly taught component, contributing 120 credits. All taught modules carry a credit weighting of 15 credits. Part 1 is taught during the two semesters which make up the academic year. Teaching during semester 1 normally runs from late-September to December, with examinations in January. Teaching during Semester 2 normally runs from late-January to early-May, with examinations in May and June.

Part 2 consists of either a supervised Dissertation of around 10,000 words, or a structured Advanced Taught Programme of Summer Study that is specific to your chosen degree. Part 2 is completed during the summer months, from late-May to September. If you undertake a supervised Dissertation, you are expected to submit your Dissertation by September in the calendar year following your initial registration for your postgraduate degree. The assessments for the Advanced Taught Programme of Summer Study are also completed during September in the calendar year following your initial registration.

Course Structure

Compulsory modules:

Organisations and People: This module examines key issues arising from contemporary research in organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM). It provides an integrated analysis of management, organisations and people, developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts. 

Consumer Science in Practice: This module provides an introduction to consumer science as it is currently practiced in the marketplace, and to relevant academic research. Although a review of research methods and findings from traditional market research perspectives is covered, the emphasis is on psychological and cognitive neuroscience approaches to consumer psychology. 

Issues in Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis: This module develops an understanding of the background, issues and controversies surrounding methodologies and statistical techniques that are used to accomplish research objectives. 

Marketing Strategy: This module critically evaluates the contributions of various schools of thought in marketing, and examines the relevant analytical models and management practices, with emphasis on the strategic importance of marketing to all organisations.

Management Research: This module analyses the philosophical basis for research in the management sciences, and examines a number of key methodological issues and approaches. Research designs for both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are developed, including interviews, case studies, focus groups, surveys and experiments. 

Consumer and Applied Psychology: This module examines some non-traditional career paths available to individuals with a degree in psychology. Through structured examinations, students will learn a range of scientific and real-world skills (such as research techniques, problem formulation, branding, profiling, experimental design, problem solving, qualitative-research, brainstorming, etc). The main focus will be consumer psychology (marketing/business). However, other areas of applied psychology may also be examined (e.g. organisational psychology, personality psychology).            

Optional modules (choose 2):

Knowledge Management: This module examines the processes whereby organisations and individuals develop and utilise their knowledge bases. Successful knowledge management hinges on people, culture and technology. As such it has professional and academic links with organisational behaviour and organisational learning.

European Business: This module examines the opportunities and constraints faced by businesses that operate on a pan-European basis. Emphasis is placed on the multi-dimensional characteristics of an economic and social space that is subject to a unique system of supra-national governance. 

New Venture Creation: This module examines the advantages and disadvantages of the various routes to business start-up, including new venture creation, or establishing a business based on your own expertise, experience and ideas; buying an established business; purchasing a franchise; and succession through a family firm, an increasingly common way of becoming involved in entrepreneurial activity.

Contemporary Issues in Management: This module develops several theories and concepts in contemporary management theory and practice. It provides a detailed and critical analysis of management, further developing the conceptual, strategic and practical skills necessary for managers in complex, global organisational contexts

Marketing Communication: This module examines the processes by which integrated marketing communications (IMC) programs are planned, developed and executed. Individual communication vehicles included in an Integrated Marketing Communication plan are explored.

Entrepreneurial Marketing: This module explores relationship marketing theory and practice in a range of global environments and business contexts. Theoretical approaches, integrated with relationship marketing models and analytical tools, will be used to develop managerial understanding and competence.

Contact

Debbie Pritchard

Telephone

+44 (0) 1248 383023

E-mail

business.pg@bangor.ac.uk

Qualification

MA/Diploma

Duration

MA: 1 year full-time; Diploma: 30 weeks full-time

Entry

Entry to the MSc/Diploma in Business and Consumer Psychology programme requires a good undergraduate degree, preferably in a related subject, e.g. business, psychology, marketing, finance, management from a university, or a similar qualification from any other institution. Alternatively, possession of a suitable professional qualification and relevant practical experience may also be accepted. In general, however, applicants are judged on their individual merits and age, work experience and other factors are also considered.

If your native language is not English, you must provide satisfactory evidence that you have an adequate knowledge and understanding of written and spoken English. IELTS and Internet-based TOEFL test scores of no less than 6.0 and 87 respectively, are usually acceptable. It may be necessary for applicants falling short of this minimum standard to attend an intensive English Language course before registering for the academic programme.