Health Psychology MSc

This MSc programme in Health Psychology, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society, offers you the opportunity to expand on and apply your knowledge and skills to help solve some of the big health issues facing society today.

Health Psychology is the fastest growing field of psychology in the UK. This MSc programme aims to provide you with an understanding of theories and methods in this exciting field and the ability to apply them to play an active role in helping solve the health challenges our society faces.

Successful completion of the MSc Health Psychology confers Stage 1 of the BPS training requirements for Chartered Health Psychologist status.

Although the topics covered are diverse, the main areas of interest are:

• Health behaviours - understanding and changing participation in health damaging and health protecting behaviours
• Psychological aspects of illness and disability - examining the psychological impact of illness on individuals, families and carers, promoting positive 'illness behaviours'
• Health related cognitions and emotions - investigating the cognitive and emotional processes which explain health and illness behaviours
• Processes influencing the delivery of health care - studying factors that influence how health care professionals and organisations deliver care
• Professional practice - training in key skills such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and health coaching

With an ageing population, an obesity epidemic and an associated increase in chronic health conditions requiring behavioural interventions, the demand for Health Psychologists is expected to rise further.

Health Psychologists, because they have studied the general theory behind human behaviour and behaviour change, can work in a variety of environments and organisations.

Many will find excellent jobs at the NHS as healthcare practitioners or in academia. Others may choose career paths in the consumer and marketing sector, in health related commercial organisations (e.g. weight management companies), in charitable organisations, or in any other setting where behaviour or behaviour change is a focus.

Completion of the MSc confers Stage 1 of the British Psychological Society’s requirements for training as a Health Psychologist so students will be eligible to begin Stage 2 training (two years of supervised practice) upon graduation. In Scotland, several funded 'Health Psychologist in Training' posts are advertised each year to enable graduates to complete their Stage 2 training while employed by the NHS.