Applied Cognitive Psychology (MSc)
Career prospects
A master's degree in Psychology at Leiden University combines theoretical knowledge with academic and professional skills, making you an attractive candidate for many employers.
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The skills you acquire in this specialisation are the basis of careers in a wide range of academic, government, industrial and organisational settings. The improvement of human functioning in a complex technological environment is the key issue here. Your skills are also a good basis for research assistantships and PhD projects in applied areas.
Irene Chan
Applied Cognitive Psychologist
I graduated in June and am now an employee at Exact Business Software with a starters position as a supporter. This company develops software so corporations can keep track of their orders, products and stock. Next year I will be able to work as a User Experience (UX) researcher in the company. Due to my master's degree in Applied Cognitive Psychology, I am well prepared to conduct usability tests. The master was challenging and broadened my horizon.
Where do our former students work?
The following list, although not exhaustive, presents some examples of career opportunities:
- Adviser on optimising training programmes for medical skills, driving skills, and flying
- Consultant on occupational efficiency
- Safety and accident-prevention manager in oil and offshore industries, e.g. SHELL, in traffic and road safety design, e.g. governmental agencies, SWOV or in aviation and transport, e.g. NLR, KLM/AirFrance.
- Policy-maker and policy adviser, e.g., various governmental organisations, education, police departments
- Medical and judicial decision-making expert, e.g. hospitals, insurance companies, forensic and penitentiary institutions
- IT systems and software consultant, e.g. Oracle and all other IT companies
- Security adviser, e.g., government, financial institutions.
- Cognitive engineer in industry, e.g., product design and control of operating environments in production process, food and advertisement industries
- Cognitive engineer in health care and care of the elderly, e.g., hospitals, geriatric and rehabilitation centres.
- Applied cognitive researcher, e.g. universities, TNO, space, aviation and traffic research centres
Go to the LU Career Zone for more information on positons and organisations where alumni of Applied Cognitive Psychology work.
Research PhD
Completion of the MSc degree in Psychology prepares you for subsequent academic degrees, including a PhD.