Overview
This is your chance to gain an advanced understanding of consumer psychology. Put yourself at the forefront of the discipline by joining one of the few European MScs offered in this area. Understanding the consumer lies at the heart of many businesses, so upon graduation you'll be well placed to provide expertise to take companies forward.
Find out more about teaching options and studying during COVID-19 in the Entry requirements section, below.
Full description
Through five modules you will learn about Consumer Psychology. We are proud that the teaching team includes renowned academics and our psychology research has been classified as world-leading and internationally excellent in the Government’s 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF). You will be taught the workings of the consumer mind in order to explain why humans respond to different types of consumer stimuli. Specifically you will learn about what captures consumers attention, how their perception may be altered by different types of design element as well as factors that affect the consumer decision-making process.
You will also be taught social-psychological aspects of consumers’ functioning such as social influence tactics used in sales, persuasion and advertising alongside the role of consumer’s personality and identity. Furthermore, you will learn about the most commonly used statistical techniques as well as the theoretical and practical complexities of conducting psychologically based consumer research. You will be able to put your research skills into practice as you structure and execute your own piece of research.
Careers
This Masters degree is designed for graduates wishing to start, or further develop, careers in consumer psychology. The fact that this course is relevant to many job industries such as marketing, PR, advertising, and consumer research, marketing research and product development and is currently not commonly taught in the UK, will give the students a distinctive edge in a job market that is often competitive.
In order to further provide students with a springboard into the job market we will endeavour to facilitate research opportunities by encouraging students to engage with the Consumer Research Group based at ARU. Furthermore, the course staff work closely with a number of businesses with whom there may be opportunities for working experience or internships.
The abilities gained by undertaking the MSc in Consumer Psychology will place students in a strong position for pursuing a professional career in consumer psychology or further postgraduate study (eg, a PhD) and research, or employment in a university.
Your faculty
The Faculty of Science & Engineering is one of the largest of the four faculties at Anglia Ruskin University. Whether you choose to study with us full-time or part-time, on campus or at a distance, there’s an option whatever your level – from a foundation degree, BSc, MSc, PhD or professional doctorate.
Whichever course you pick, you’ll gain the theory and practical skills needed to progress with confidence. Join us and you could find yourself learning in the very latest laboratories or on field trips or work placements with well-known and respected companies. You may even have the opportunity to study abroad.
Everything we do in the faculty has a singular purpose: to provide a world-class environment to create, share and advance knowledge in science, technology and engineering fields. This is key to all of our futures.

My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.