MSc Health Psychology

at Bournemouth University

Core units
 

• Stress and developmental influences on health and illness: You will examine the effects of stress on physical health and well-being and on the role of developmental influences on health. This unit links these two aspects together to examine the effects of experience across the lifespan on physical health and wellbeing. This will include an emphasis on child health and development. You will examine these effects from different methodological perspectives including biological processes and epidemiological evidence, and learn specifically about biopsychosocial theory and the underpinning of this theory across health psychology.
• Health-related cognitions, behaviours and beliefs: You will gain an advanced understanding of the factors, motivations and theories underlying a number of health behaviours and conditions, and discovering how this understanding can aid changes in attitudes, perceptions and behaviours to improve lifestyles and practices. Cognitions, behaviours and beliefs at different stages across the lifespan will be considered and evaluated. General theories, models, interventions and methods for assessing intervention success will be covered, and applied to a number of common health behaviours, conditions, and populations.
• Experience of chronic illness and delivery of healthcare: On this unit, you will cover the psychosocial aspects of a range of physical illnesses, with reference to theoretical models. You will explore the role of health psychologists in primary and secondary care, primarily with visiting speakers who are working across different areas of health psychology practice.
• Advanced research methods: The unit covers a range of research methods and tools used for conducting advanced level research, and describes the intricacies of experimental design in such contexts. The unit aims to prepare students for undertaking independent research using advanced research techniques. 
• Advanced statistics: You will learn and apply a range of statistical techniques intended for analysing data from psychological research. These are advanced techniques which are not covered at undergraduate level. 
• Key transferable skills – presentation and scientific writing: In this unit, you'll gain key skills for interpreting, presenting and writing research. Topics will include writing research and grant proposals, presentation skills and the development of advanced writing skills.
• Research project: You'll get to choose from a set of health psychology research projects provided by our core team of health psychology teaching staff. You will then be responsible for providing an in-depth literature review and designing an empirical research project to address the research question. You will be expected to collect and analyse data and will be asked to provide a write up of the project as a dissertation in the format of a journal article. Supervision for the research project will be provided throughout and you will attend project related seminars on relevant topics.

The normal requirements for embarking upon this degree are:
 

• ​A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

• Applicants may be invited to interview if they do not have a Psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). 

• Equivalent undergraduate training or work experience may be acceptable for students with a Psychology degree taken outside of the UK.

​If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow - some based on experience. 

​Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:
 

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
• Accommodation and living costs. 
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. 
• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

As an MSc Health Psychology graduate, you will be prepared to undertake further training for a variety of roles, working in contexts such as the NHS (hospital and community), the private/independent health care sector (nursing homes and private hospitals), education, and academic research. Potential careers include:
 

• Health Psychologist
• Public Health Researcher
• Assistant Psychologist
• Lecturer in Health Psychology
• PhD study