Health Psychology

Study options

Award

MSc

Key facts

Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Full-time
Study option:
Part-time
Duration:
10 Months
Duration:
2 Years
Start date:
20 September 2021
School:
School of Life Sciences and Education

A BPS first

The first-ever MSc Health Psychology course to be accredited by the BPS

100% student satisfaction

Maximum satisfaction 4 times in the past 5 years - PTES

BPS commended

Course recognised for exemplary support and improving employability

The first course of its kind to be accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS), our MSc Health Psychology provides the initial step towards gaining Chartered Psychologist status and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Health Psychologist.

The Health Psychology MSc is for individuals seeking advanced training in the application of psychological theories, methods and research to the understanding of health, illness and healthcare. It’s the first stage of accreditation towards becoming a Health Psychologist and follows the BPS Division of Health Psychology framework for teaching.

Taught in our multi-million-pound Science Centre, the course will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the core issues and debates within health psychology theory, research and application. This includes exploring models and theories of health behaviour, considering the impact of living with long-term conditions, contemplating communication issues in healthcare settings – and investigating how psychology can impact on practice through areas such as health promotion and behavioural change. You will also be introduced to the basics of therapeutic work in our exciting “Introduction To Applied Therapeutic And Clinical Skills” module.

In addition to support from the teaching team, our award-winning technicians will assist you. Both are members of the Association of Technical Staff in Psychology and between them have extensive experience of working in the area of psychology. One has been awarded the HEA Psychology Technician of the Year Award, is a member of the HEA, and was awarded professional accreditation as a Registered Scientist (RSci) by the Institute of Science and Technology. Our technicians provide high quality support, particularly in terms of research. Support is also available from our subject-specific librarian and we have a student-led journal club which helps students to enhance their critical evaluation skills

Full-time students are required to attend the University on Tuesdays and Thursdays during term-time.

The Health Psychology MSc is for individuals seeking advanced training in the application of psychological theories, methods and research to the understanding of health, illness and healthcare. It’s the first stage of accreditation towards becoming a Health Psychologist and follows the BPS Division of Health Psychology framework for teaching.

Taught in our multi-million-pound Science Centre, the course will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the core issues and debates within health psychology theory, research and application. This includes exploring models and theories of health behaviour, considering the impact of living with long-term conditions, contemplating communication issues in healthcare settings – and investigating how psychology can impact on practice through areas such as health promotion and behavioural change. You will also be introduced to the basics of therapeutic work in our exciting “Introduction To Applied Therapeutic And Clinical Skills” module.

In addition to support from the teaching team, our award-winning technicians will assist you. Both are members of the Association of Technical Staff in Psychology and between them have extensive experience of working in the area of psychology. One has been awarded the HEA Psychology Technician of the Year Award, is a member of the HEA, and was awarded professional accreditation as a Registered Scientist (RSci) by the Institute of Science and Technology. Our technicians provide high quality support, particularly in terms of research. Support is also available from our subject-specific librarian and we have a student-led journal club which helps students to enhance their critical evaluation skills

Full-time students are required to attend the University on Tuesdays and Thursdays during term-time.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Health Psychology

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Health Psychology

Part-time study

During part-time study, the seven compulsory full-time modules will be spread out over 2 years

Part-time study

Part-time study is over two years. Part-time students are required to attend the University on Thursdays in their first year, and Tuesdays in their second year.  

Course content

Studying over one year full-time (or two years part-time), you’ll complete six compulsory modules, followed by an empirical piece of research that is presented in a journal-article format. The dissertation allows you to work independently, under supervision, to research a health psychology topic of your choice.

Studying over one year full-time (or two years part-time), you’ll complete six compulsory modules, followed by an empirical piece of research that is presented in a journal-article format. The dissertation allows you to work independently, under supervision, to research a health psychology topic of your choice.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Graduates from the programme are deemed to have met stage 1 of the requirements for Chartered Membership of the Society (CPsychol) and full membership of the Division of Health Psychology

The British Psychological Society logo

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Graduates from the programme are deemed to have met stage 1 of the requirements for Chartered Membership of the Society (CPsychol) and full membership of the Division of Health Psychology

The British Psychological Society logo
MSc Health Psychology - Dr Gemma Hurst

MSc Health Psychology - Dr Gemma Hurst

Video

Course leader Gemma discusses what's involved in our MSc Health Psychology degree, and who it would be suited to.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Entry requirements

You’ll need:

• A First or 2:1 (Hons) degree (or equivalent) in Psychology as recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as providing Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC).

• An academic reference.

• A personal statement outlining your interest in Health Psychology.

Additional requirements for overseas applicants:

• If you have not completed a British Psychological Society-accredited BSc at a UK university, you must obtain Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) from the BPS and include evidence of this with your application.

• If your first language is not English, you must have achieved 7.0 or above on all components of the IELTS.

If you don’t meet our entry criteria:

• If you have a BSc (Hons) Psychology at a 2:2 level and recent relevant experience or other relevant qualifications, you may be eligible to register for the Certificate in Health Psychology, with the potential to progress to the MSc. In such cases, admission normally follows interview with the course director, and is at the discretion of the course team.

You’ll need:

• A First or 2:1 (Hons) degree (or equivalent) in Psychology as recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as providing Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC).

• An academic reference.

• A personal statement outlining your interest in Health Psychology.

Additional requirements for overseas applicants:

• If you have not completed a British Psychological Society-accredited BSc at a UK university, you must obtain Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) from the BPS and include evidence of this with your application.

• If your first language is not English, you must have achieved 7.0 or above on all components of the IELTS.

If you don’t meet our entry criteria:

• If you have a BSc (Hons) Psychology at a 2:2 level and recent relevant experience or other relevant qualifications, you may be eligible to register for the Certificate in Health Psychology, with the potential to progress to the MSc. In such cases, admission normally follows interview with the course director, and is at the discretion of the course team.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Careers

Graduates from the course have continued with further training, including the Professional Doctorate (Stage 2) in Health Psychology or a PhD. Graduates have also gone on to pursue a range of careers:

Careers include:

  • Research assistants
  • Systematic reviewers
  • Assistant psychologists
  • Roles in drug and alcohol support
  • Stop-smoking advisors
  • Roles in public health / health promotion

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Teaching has been designed to provide a framework on which to build your independent study. Taking place in small group settings, teaching strategies and learning opportunities include interactive lectures and seminars, workshops, practical sessions and both student-led and video presentations.

Research skills workshops will help prepare you for individual research projects and will include training on industry standard data analysis software. You’ll also be introduced to applied clinical and therapeutic techniques.

Teaching has been designed to provide a framework on which to build your independent study. Taking place in small group settings, teaching strategies and learning opportunities include interactive lectures and seminars, workshops, practical sessions and both student-led and video presentations.

Research skills workshops will help prepare you for individual research projects and will include training on industry standard data analysis software. You’ll also be introduced to applied clinical and therapeutic techniques.

Assessment

Assessment includes both informal (formative) and formal (summative) methods, including tutor and peer feedback and self-evaluation. You’ll receive clear guidance on the submission and marking of assessments and be given both verbal and written feedback.

Assessment methods are varied and will provide the opportunity to develop transferable skills. In addition, assessments are designed to include elements linked to real-word tasks to enable you to develop skills essential for a future career in health psychology.

To encourage you to achieve the highest grades, you’ll be required to demonstrate creativity, innovation, excellent research and critical evaluation skills. You must present your work in a compelling and authoritative style that illustrates your ability to synthesise evidence to support new ideas.

Summative assessment is included in each module and will be accompanied by detailed and constructive feedback to support you in identifying areas for improvement. There are no exams on this course and all summative assessments take the form of coursework and presentations.

Assessment includes both informal (formative) and formal (summative) methods, including tutor and peer feedback and self-evaluation. You’ll receive clear guidance on the submission and marking of assessments and be given both verbal and written feedback.

Assessment methods are varied and will provide the opportunity to develop transferable skills. In addition, assessments are designed to include elements linked to real-word tasks to enable you to develop skills essential for a future career in health psychology.

To encourage you to achieve the highest grades, you’ll be required to demonstrate creativity, innovation, excellent research and critical evaluation skills. You must present your work in a compelling and authoritative style that illustrates your ability to synthesise evidence to support new ideas.

Summative assessment is included in each module and will be accompanied by detailed and constructive feedback to support you in identifying areas for improvement. There are no exams on this course and all summative assessments take the form of coursework and presentations.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our AccessAbility Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects, alone or in a group
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects, alone or in a group
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

Staff

The course is taught by Health Psychologists who are actively involved in conducting high-quality research, as well as teaching and consultancy in a wide range of areas spanning health, illness and healthcare.

Our teaching team includes staff qualified to Professional Doctorate, PhD, Associate Professor and Professor level. We run an extensive speaker programme which students are required to attend, and we organise a wide variety of guest lectures.

Dr Gemma Hurst

Course Director

I am the Course Leader for the MSc Health Psychology. My research focuses on measuring the impact of environment exposures on health and wellbeing and exploring the wider determinants of health in relation to health inequality. I am also experie…

Gemma's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 20 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £8,085 per course £14,500 per course

For the course starting on 20 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £4,028. per year of study

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Not included in the fees:

You may be required to cover the cost of attending various non-compulsory, external conferences during your studies.

You may be required to cover the cost of attending various non-compulsory, external conferences during your studies.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,222 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Our students

I really enjoyed the variety of topics on the MSc in Health Psychology, and the course ignited my interest in areas including mindfulness, physical health and stress. I especially learnt a lot about research methods and how to conduct good research.

Lucy Field

MSc Health Psychology

I would strongly recommend anyone who is considering studying Health Psychology to apply to Staffordshire University. The diversity of the module content and assignments equip you with skills and knowledge that are beneficial beyond the Masters.

For me personally, the chance to conduct systematic reviews and engage with both quantitative and qualitative research methods have provided me with the ability and confidence to use these different research methodologies as part of my PhD research.

Sophie Phillips

Graduate, MSc Health Psychology

I really loved the interactive aspects of teaching; we received a great amount of support from the lecturers. The lecturers were always friendly, very well prepared and made the sessions enjoyable. I learned a lot about research methods during the MSc in Health Psychology, and because of that I felt confident to continue with the Doctorate in Health Psychology.

Thanks to these good foundations, my critical analytical thinking and problem-solving skills have further developed during the doctorate. I found that these things are super important for people who work in health-related jobs, as science and societies are changing constantly. Also, the other major ‘best part’ was being with like-minded students, I made some friends for life at Staffs.

Szilvia Vas

Graduate, MSc & Professional Doctorate, Health Psychology

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MSc Full-time 20 September 2021 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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