Health Psychology MSc

King's College London

Overview

BPS-accredited MSc in Health Psychology is specifically designed for graduate psychologists who wish to go on to becoming registered Health Psychologists with the HCPC. Our Health Psychology course combines classroom teaching, individual study and practical work in statistics, a supervised research project and a 100-hour health- based clinical placement.

Course detail

Our Health Psychology course provides up-to- date and thorough grounding in the theories, concepts and empirical findings in health psychology. It will prepare you for a subsequent research degree or professional training in health psychology (i.e. PhD and/or BPS Stage 2 training in Health Psychology). We aim to equip you with the skills to apply the scientific and theoretical basis of health psychology using scholarly and critical approaches. We also provide formal training in quantitative and qualitative research methods so that you are able to evaluate, plan and conduct research. Clinical placements provide the opportunity to observe health psychology in practice and to learn basic clinical skills. The clinical placement takes place in the second semester and is organised by a dedicated member of academic staff in NHS departments across King’s Health Partners, in industry and health related charities and public services. Placements consist of a dedicated piece of work completed by the student in their host department coupled with shadowing and observing health and clinical psychologists. Previous placements included auditing patient experiences in an NHS outpatient department, designing an information leaflet on health psychological measurement for allied health professionals and interviewing patients about their experiences of psychological therapy among others, some of which have led to academic and professional publication. You will also be required to undertake a significant piece of empirical work (a research project). All research projects are conducted in collaboration with a supervisor. While you will be encouraged to develop your own research proposal, you will also have the opportunity to work on projects developed by academic staff in their areas of expertise.

Teaching and assessment

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations, coursework and practical work. The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.

Career prospects

Following their Stage 1 training (MSc), our graduates can continue their post graduate training (BPS Stage 2) in order to become a practicing health psychologist. Our graduates often work in a variety of settings, including research and assistant psychology positions, PhD study and clinical training.