Course description
Health psychology is an exciting and growing branch of psychology that applies psychological theory and research to behaviours, beliefs and attitudes relating to health and illness. Health psychologists’ interests are very much in line with government health priorities and include the promotion of positive health behaviours in adults and children, reducing obesity, binge drinking, smoking and stress, and increasing psychological well-being. Opportunities for qualified health psychologists are expected to increase substantially.
The route to chartered health psychologist status is through the attainment of an accredited MSc in Health Psychology (Stage One training) followed by supervised professional practice (Stage Two training). This programme has been granted accreditation status by the British Psychological Society and provides students with the knowledge and skills required for Stage One training. The course is delivered by Chartered Health Psychologists with many years of specialist teaching, research and clinical experience in different areas of health psychology. Specialist practitioners contribute a contemporary perspective as guest lecturers.
Course Content
The modules for this award include:
* Contexts and Perspectives in Health Psychology
* Health Care in Professional Settings and Applications of Health Psychology
* Health-Related Cognitions and Behaviour
* Stress, Health and Illness
* A Lifespan Perspective on Health
* Research Methods in Health Psychology
* Dissertation
How To Study
Teaching will include lectures, seminars and workshops, some of which will be student-led. There will be a variety of assessment activities such as examinations, essays, case study analysis, poster presentations and the design of a health promotion campaign.
Career prospects
Health psychology is a relatively new and growing division of psychology that is increasingly relevant to the public health agenda. Health psychologists may practice in any health context, including hospitals, outpatient and community settings, as well as in academic health research units, and in university departments. Their work may involve developing and testing interventions, implementing healthy behaviour with individuals or groups using evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or conducting and evaluating effective health promotion campaigns The BPS states that there has been a considerable growth in interest in the practice areas of health psychologists in recent years.
Additional Information
This MSc has full academic validation. The BPS will only award accreditation status once the programme is running, and this accreditation has been sought and is therefore pending a BPS visit in the programme’s first academic year
