Top 10
University for Psychology
1. Guardian University Guide 2022
1st
for research intensity out of 101 UK Psychology departments
2. Complete University Guide League Tables 2021
14th
for teaching quality
3. Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021
Overview
This British Psychology Society (BPS) accredited MSc Health Psychology course is an initial step towards gaining Chartered Psychologist status with the BPS and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Health Psychologist.
This research-based course explores statistics and different research methods. You will gain an extensive overview of health psychology, develop the skills and knowledge you need to research this area and graduate with an awareness of different disciplinary perspectives on health and health-related issues. This course gives you the theoretical tools and methodological techniques you need to conduct further Health Psychology research including doctoral-level research.
You will gain theoretical and empirical knowledge in all the major fields as required for Stage I training in Health Psychology.
When you graduate you will be eligible to progress to Stage 2 doctoral-level training, which leads to becoming a Chartered Psychologist and HCPC registered Health Psychologist.
Teaching and Assessment
How you will learn
You will study modules taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, student led learning and one-to-one supervision.
You will be assessed through a range of assignments including essays, scientific reports, presentations and literature reviews.
The Course
What you will study
You will study a selection of core modules. Each module is worth a number of credits and is delivered differently depending on its content and focus of study.
This list is indicative and subject to change.
Health Psychology in the 21st Century
This module will introduce you to health psychology. You will discuss fundamental theoretical and empirical issues that require the attention and consideration of health psychologists and develop a broad understanding of the scope of health psychology.Understanding and Managing Long-term Chronic Health Conditions
This module will develop your knowledge of theory and practice relating to the management of long-term health conditions. You will develop your understanding of the psychological, social and cognitive influences on chronic illness and people’s management of chronic health conditions.Stress and Health
You will focus on the theories of stress and coping in relation to health and illness-related outcomes. You will address stress and coping in the context of a range of illnesses and life events, from the perspective of the patients and their friends, family and carers.Advanced Applied Psychology
You will enhance your knowledge and understanding of contemporary psychological issues that are central to everyday life such as persuasive health communications, health behaviour change and interventions in childhood.Advanced Applied Professional Skills in Psychology
You will develop your understanding of applications of health psychology theory. You will gain experience with practical skillsets across a range of professional psychology careers, including advanced research, and cover aspects of psychotherapy and clinical diagnosis, and life coaching or mentoring skills. You will have the opportunity to use technical equipment that has psychological applications.Advanced Applied Research Skills in Psychology 1 and 2
These modules will cover methods for the analysis of longitudinal data; meta-analytic approaches.Dissertation
All students complete a dissertation. You'll decide on your topic and will be responsible for designing an empirical research project to address the research question. You will be expected to gain ethical approval before collecting and analysing your data. You will write up your research as a dissertation in the format of a journal article. Supervision will be provided throughout.Facilities
Use industry standard equipment
Use facilities including the Brain Imaging Unit, VR Immersive Suite, Psychological Test Centre, Interview and Observation Suite and individual fully equipped testing cubicles and use industry standard equipment and software throughout your studies.
Brain Imaging Unit and Neuroimaging: NIRScout
A neuroimaging system with a 3D scalable ultra-high-density near-infrared spectroscopy platform that measures changes in the cerebral cortex using NIRScout and NIRx Medical Technologies.
Virtual Reality Unit and Immersive Suite
Suite including an affective immersive emotional Virtual Reality stimuli package that allows researchers to create different worlds for Neuroscience Research using aLIAS and Vizard.
Advanced Physiological Data Acquisition system
Measure brain, heart and motor neuron activity with Biopac software.
Eye tracking software
Monitor and track shifts in visual attention.
Specialist Advanced Research Software
Software for measuring and manipulating a broad range of psychological constructs; Inquisit, Qualtrics, Noldus Observer XT, E-prime, Superlab and Nvivo.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms, and the Student Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Dedicated Lab Technician
University staff will support you using all equipment during your studies.
Laptops
Use our loanable laptops during in offsite testing such as at schools and clinics.
Careers
Where you could go after your studies
You could pursue a range of careers after completing this degree.
This MSc Health Psychology course is designed to provide BPS Stage 1 training towards Chartered Psychologist status for those holding Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). MSc Health Psychology is a mandatory qualification if you want to continue to Stage 2 training and subsequently register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist: Health Psychologist.
The course is suitable preparation for undertaking a PhD in Psychology and or other postgraduate training.
You will also graduate with transferable skills suitable for working in sectors outside psychology.
You could work in:
- Academia
- Research
- Human Resources
- Management
- Market Research
- Communications
- Counselling
- Government
- Police Work
- The Prison Service
- Social Research
Course Costs
Course Fees 2022/23
UK fee
International fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
Entry Requirements
You need to meet certain entry requirements when you apply for this degree. Having the relevant skills and qualifications helps us know that you’re ready to start the course.
This course is suitable for students who are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society, or a recognised international equivalent. To join as a Graduate Member you need to have achieved at least a 2:2 and passed the empirical project in an undergraduate degree accredited by the society, or to have completed an accredited conversion course.
We may be able to accept a 2:2 UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with evidence of further study or relevant work experience.
We may be able to accept a postgraduate conversion diploma in psychology if you hold an undergraduate degree in a different subject.
If English is not your first language you will need IELTS 6.0 overall.
You are encouraged to have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society if you want to pursue a career as a Chartered Health Psychologist in the UK.
Are you interested in this course and would like to learn more? Please email Professor Esther Burkitt on e.burkitt@chi.ac.uk for admissions queries.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Complete our postgraduate application form.
This course starts in September 2022.
