Why I Chose to Study Organisational Psychology at the University of Manchester

11 months ago, I moved abroad to pursue higher education, not realising that the decision would shape far more than just my academic path. It came with countless personal changes, and deciding to study away from home has shaped me in many ways. In just these few months, I’ve learned how to cook (and occasionally burn) my food, do my own laundry, unclog a shower drain, adapt to a new education style, connect with people from incredibly diverse backgrounds, and find comfort in my own company; all of which have helped me understand myself better. Oddly enough, all of this began with a simple curiosity about understanding other people.

I realised early on that I loved observing people and trying to understand what drives them. I completed my bachelor's degree in Psychology, where I was introduced to many areas within the field; however, organisational psychology is what spoke to me. I’ve always believed that the workplace is where we experience the full spectrum of life. It’s where we succeed and fail, build trust, navigate conflict, lead others, pursue ambitions, and continuously redefine ourselves. Even if we technically “clock out” at the end of the day, the psychological experiences we have at work rarely stay confined to those hours. Given how much of our lives unfold within organisations, I began asking a simple question: why not design these spaces intentionally? Organisational psychology appealed to me because it views the workplace not merely as a site of productivity, but as a powerful psychological environment. It recognises that leadership styles, team dynamics, and organisational culture shape how safe people feel to contribute, how motivated they are to grow, and how resilient they become when facing challenges.

Wanting real-world exposure before further study, I chose to work as a soft-skills trainer at a startup organisation. I worked closely with professionals and executives, helping them build emotional awareness, manage team conflicts, communicate more clearly, and articulate their ideas with confidence. I saw how individuals could grow with the right tools and support, but I also began to notice patterns. Similar challenges kept coming up across roles and industries, and I began to realise that many of these weren’t just individual struggles. They were shaped by how organisations were structured, how leadership functioned, and how workplace culture influences behaviour. I was keen to explore this further, but at first, I was a little hesitant about pursuing a Master’s degree. I’ve always believed that hands-on experience teaches you skills outside the classroom, and continuing to develop these skills was fundamental to my decision-making. I began shortlisting universities based on QS rankings, course content, faculty, and, most importantly to me, how practically driven the programme was. The University of Manchester stood out across all of these. Speaking to alumni helped too, especially hearing about the case-based discussions, research-led teaching, and how closely the course connects theory with real organisational challenges. The strong career support at AMBS, from dedicated career services to career fairs and job opportunities, was another big factor in my decision.

Once I knew what I was looking for, the application process itself was manageable. I kept a simple list of the documents and details I needed to submit, along with key deadlines, especially for scholarships, which helped me stay organised throughout. The university also reached out regularly through emails and calls, guiding applicants on what needed to be submitted and by when. Whenever I had a question, it was easy to find the right contact details, and I received clear responses within a short time, which made the whole process feel less stressful.

I’d definitely recommend anyone who applies to join the Pre-arrival Zoom sessions, which cover everything from what kind of duvet you would need to how to manage coursework and exams in the UK system. What really helped was that many of these sessions were led by current students, which meant I could speak to people who had gone through the same process I was about to.

After receiving my offer, I also attended an offer-holder session in Delhi, and that was honestly the first time the whole journey started to feel real. It gave me the chance to speak with alumni from past years, students who were currently in the course, as well as admissions officers and career consultants from the university. I even met other students who were about to start at UoM the same year as me, a great networking opportunity for me before I’d even taken my first step onto campus. I felt like part of the University of Manchester community, and it gave me a genuine sense of what student life and the academic environment would be like. Looking back now, the experience here has truly lived up to what I felt that day.

Now that I’m further into the academic year, what has stood out most is how the first semester has deepened my understanding of organisations as systems rather than collections of individuals. Through research-led teaching and case-based discussions, we are encouraged to question assumptions and examine the structural roots of workplace challenges. Conversations around leadership, psychological safety, and work design have reinforced the idea that sustainable change requires more than individual effort; it requires supportive cultures and intentional organisational design. The academic rigour has been challenging, but purposeful. Each assignment pushes us to move from theory to application, analysing real organisational problems and proposing evidence-based solutions. Over time, I’ve noticed a shift in how I think: I now instinctively look for systemic influences behind behaviour. That intellectual transition has been one of the most valuable aspects of my experience so far.

Only a few months in, Manchester already feels like home. Between the welcoming environment at the university, the support systems in place, and a city that makes settling in easy, the transition has been smoother than I ever imagined. Looking back at how uncertain I once felt, I’m really glad I took the leap; it has shaped me not only academically, but personally.

- Sanjana