MSc Health Psychology

Overview

Develop your ability to support others in improving their wellbeing, through a range of behaviour change interventions.

Through this programme you will gain the knowledge required to encourage behavioural change in people with illness, long term health conditions or looking to improve their physical wellbeing.

To achieve a full master’s degree you will be required to complete 180 credits. This programme is also available as a postgraduate award (PG Award) which amounts to 30 credits, a postgraduate certificate (PG Cert) which amounts to 60 credits and a postgraduate diploma (PG Dip) which amounts to 120 credits. Students who complete the PG Award, PG Cert and PG Dip will have the opportunity to progress to a full master’s degree.

Why study this subject?

Through this programme you can explore historical and current theories and approaches within health psychology and various theoretical models of health-related behaviours. You will also develop practical skills essential to the work of a health psychologist, including collaborative working, therapeutic skills, research skills and patient and public engagement skills.

Teaching methods and style

This programme is designed to be studied wholly online and part-time. Teaching is delivered through our state-of-the-art virtual learning environment, which provides students with access to all resources required for interactive study online. On this platform you will be encouraged to work collaboratively with classmates and actively read around your topic through our comprehensive library of ebooks and journals.

Methods of assessment

Assessment is exclusively through online assignments rather than examinations. You will be assessed through a range of activities, including written assignments, discussion forum participation and journal entries.

Career destinations

This master’s is the beginning of the pathway to become a Health Psychologist with chartered status, if you later complete Stage Two of the health psychology training route (through BPS or accredited provider). It is also a great foundation for other areas of psychology, e.g. if you want to complete Clinical Psychology training. Students can pursue careers in academia, research and teaching, or health promotion, policy environments and public health. Typically, many students go on to do further study.

If a student does not have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, then this MSc will not be Stage One of Health Psychology pathway unless they acquire this during the programme.