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Overview
Develop your skills and knowledge of health psychology
Our research-based MSc Health Psychology provides you with an extensive overview of health psychology theories, methods, and research, as well as statistics and different research methods.
You will learn the skills and knowledge required for Stage 1 training in health psychology, as well as prepare you to progress onto Stage 2 doctoral-level training, which allows you to become a chartered psychologist and register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
At the same time, you will develop the skills and knowledge you need to successfully complete an independent health psychology research project.
Learn from internationally renowned experts
Our staff are nationally and internationally recognised for their research. We specialise in the provision of rigorous evidence-based solutions to enable people to reach their full potential in their wider lives.
The University of Chichester has an active health psychology research culture embedded in the POWER centre.
Study on an accredited and commended course
Our British Psychology Society (BPS) accredited MSc Health Psychology course was established in 2021 and received a commendation from the BPS in July 2022.
A gateway to becoming a chartered psychologist
The course is the first step towards gaining chartered psychologist status with the BPS and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a health psychologist.
When you graduate from our MSc Health Psychology course, you will be eligible to progress to Stage 2 doctoral-level training. Successful completion of Stage 2 provides eligibility to become a chartered psychologist and an HCPC registered health psychologist.
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.
Advanced Applied Research Skills in Psychology 2
In this module, you will be equipped with transferable knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems using advanced applied research skills relevant in a diversified range of applied psychology environments which require advanced specialist knowledge regarding systematic review and meta-analytical approaches.
The module will enhance your in-depth knowledge and understanding of structural equation models. the module will stimulate interactive discussion and critical evaluation of cutting-edge applied research designs and associated analytical techniques in the field of psychology at an advanced level.
The module will enhance your knowledge, effective problem solving skills, self-directed learning, and effective collaboration skills through a diversified range of learning activities.
Advanced Applied Social and Health Psychology
This module explores cutting edge developments and issues in Applied Psychology. You will apply psychological research to real world issues: for example, group violence, health, education, persuasion, media and advertising, industry (as faculty availability allows). You will critically appraise interventions for children and adults, and also consider how Psychology can be used in the conduct of everyday life (e.g., at home, in the work-place, in education, and in health care settings).
Advanced Research Methods and Approaches 1
You will be equipped with transferable knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems using advanced applied research skills relevant in a diversified range of applied psychology environments which require advanced specialist knowledge regarding complex multivariate approaches.
The module will enhance your in-depth knowledge and understanding of multivariate analysis of variance, regression-based approaches to process analysis and moderation analysis with continuous and categorical outcomes, and conditional process analysis.
The module will stimulate interactive discussion and critical evaluation of cutting-edge applied research designs and associated analytical techniques in the field of psychology at an advanced level.
The module will also enable the exploration of a range of qualitative research methodologies, such as Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Case Study research.
The module will enhance your knowledge, effective problem solving skills, self-directed learning, and effective collaboration skills through a diversified range of learning activities.
Clinical Psychology, Life Coaching, and Technological Applications
This module further develops your understanding of underlying theory and enhances your experience with practical skillsets across a wide range of professional psychology careers, including advanced research. You will cover aspects of psychotherapy and clinical diagnosis, life coaching/mentoring skills, and will work with a wide range of technical equipment with psychological applications. You will critique approaches to psychotherapy and clinical diagnosis, gain a good foundation in functional analysis of psychological problems, evaluate coaching/mentoring, gain experience in working with technical equipment such as Virtual Reality software and fNIRS, while further developing critical assessment and report writing skills.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Teaching and Assessment
How you will learn
Teaching
There will be a 2-day induction (days to be confirmed) during the week before formal teaching begins.
Throughout the MSc, you will study modules taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, student led learning and one-to-one supervision.
Teaching will be on Mondays and one other day (likely to be a Tuesday or a Thursday).
In addition to support from module leaders, you will be given an academic advisor (tutor), a dissertation supervisor, and you will also have access to our friendly and expert laboratory technicians.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a range of assignments including essays, scientific reports, presentations, and literature reviews.
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 Support and Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Careers
Where you could go after your studies
A career in Health Psychology
Becoming a Health Psychologist is a two-stage process. Successful completion of the MSc Health Psychology (also known as Stage 1) provides you with eligibility to apply to complete Stage 2 training.
Successful completion of Stage 1 and Stage 2 training confers eligibility for a) Chartered status with the BPS and b) registration with the HCPC as a Health Psychologist.
Other doctoral training
The course is also suitable preparation for undertaking a PhD in Psychology and/or other postgraduate training.
Transferable Skills
Successful completion of the MSc Health Psychology means you will graduate with transferable skills suitable for working in sectors outside psychology.
You could work in:
- Human Resources
- Management and Communications
- Market Research
- Counselling
- Government
- Police and Justice
- Social Research
Course Costs
Course Fees 2024/25
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
The MSc Health Psychology is an accredited professional course for those aiming to become Health Psychologists. This course is recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as fulfilling Stage 1 of the two-stage process to become both Chartered and a Health Psychologist and as such has specific entry requirements, including completion of a BPS accredited undergraduate psychology degree.
However, if you are interested in studying health psychology, but not wanting to complete the full training, we may be able to offer you a place even if you have not completed a BPS accredited undergraduate psychology degree.
See the table below for details of the two routes into our MSc in Health Psychology.
| For those wishing to complete the MSc Health Psychology (Stage 1) before undertaking Stage 2 | For those who do not wish to pursue a career in health psychology and who have not completed a BPS accredited undergraduate degree.** |
|---|---|
Entry Requirements |
|
| A First or 2:1 (Hons) degree (or equivalent) in Psychology which must be recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as providing Graduate Membership of the BPS (GMBPsS). | A First or a 2:1 in a Psychology degree which is not BPS accredited, or is in a closely related discipline (e.g. Health). This decision will be made on a case-by-case basis. |
| An academic reference. | An academic reference. |
| A personal statement outlining your interest in Health Psychology. | A personal statement outlining your interest in Health Psychology. |
| Please submit your application by August 5th 2024, and note that places fill fast, so the earlier you apply the better. | |
Additional requirements for overseas applicants |
|
| If you have not completed a British Psychological Society accredited BSc at a UK university, you should apply to the BPS for Graduate Membership and if successful, provide evidence of this with your application. | If English is not your first language you will need IELTS 6.5 overall (with no element lower than 6). |
| If English is not your first language you will need IELTS 6.5 overall (with no element lower than 6). | |
| Deadline for overseas applications: June 24 2024, and note that places fill fast, so the earlier you apply the better. | |
** If after completing the MSc in Health Psychology you decide you wish to pursue Stage 2 training and you do not have the Graduate Basis for Membership (GBMBPsS) with the BPS, then you will need to undertake a BPS accredited MSc conversion course before you can complete the Stage Two training.
Contact
Are you interested in this course and would like to learn more? Please email Dr Karen Rodham on: K.Rodham@chi.ac.uk for admissions queries.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Go to our Apply now section on this page for full-time and part-time application links.
The British Psychological Society website has details of the Graduate Basis for Chartership.
The BPS Division of Health Psychology has developed resources showcasing health psychology careers.
