Health Psychology MSc

Teesside University

Course overview

Health psychologists apply their knowledge of psychology and health to understand illness and promote health and wellbeing. They aim to enhance psychological and emotional outcomes for individuals who are ill or who have a disability, and develop healthcare policy and work to improve the healthcare system.

A distinctive feature of this course is our commitment to authentic learning. Most of our assessments are linked to the type of work that practitioner health psychologists do on a day-to-day basis. For instance, you will have the opportunity to design a behaviour change infographic, develop and deliver a stress management intervention, write research proposals and write up your dissertation in the format of a journal article. This moves away from traditional exam-based assessments and allows you to showcase a wide range of skills.

Your teaching team are a strong core group of research and practice orientated staff covering a wide range of topics and research methodologies.

You may also be offered a placement, dependent on availability which helps further prepare you for transition to a Stage 2 qualification by engaging in research or practice whilst supervised by suitably qualified staff.

Increasingly we are beginning to see the benefits that psychology can bring to people’s health. A number of our esteemed colleagues in the UK were instrumental in forming the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic through participation in the SAGE committee. Studying for an MSc Health Psychology at Teesside enables you to become a part of a thriving community of psychology graduates who want to make a difference to people’s health.

Professional accreditation

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society and provides Stage 1 practitioner training, a pre-requisite for Stage II training in Health Psychology and Chartered Psychologist status.

How you are assessed

A range of assessment methods is used, from traditional essays and examinations to a critical review, poster presentation, and a video of you conducting a stress management intervention. You will develop a research proposal including a mini systematic review and will reflect on your skills and development. Your final research project is written in the style of a research article.
Previous students have conducted their final project research on topics including:

• The male pill

• Quality of life and the utility of a guided imagery intervention for individuals with motor neurone disease

• Subject and neural indicators of health-related anxiety as a consequence of using the internet

• Experiences of being a mother with epilepsy

• The effectiveness of weight loss management groups

• Stress management

• Chronic disease

Career opportunities

After Stage 1, you can become a Chartered Psychologist by successfully completing Stage 2 training in Health Psychology. This will confer eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC and use the protected title of ‘Health Psychologist’.

The course team includes experienced supervisors of the British Psychological Society Qualification in Health Psychology (QHP Stage 2). The MSc programme additionally provides you with the skills to pursue a PhD and the course team have the expertise to supervise a broad range of health psychology topics.

Following the MSc, our students frequently progress to a PhD, undertake the QHP Stage 2 and obtain posts within academia, the NHS, and public health services.