MSc Health Psychology

Health psychology moves away from the medicalisation of health and illness. Instead, on this course, you take a more whole-person approach to understanding health and illness, studying social issues and aspects such as obesity, lifestyle and stress. Taught by an academic team actively involved in research in the field, you benefit from their up-to-the-minute knowledge and research skills.
 

This course forms stage one of the training you need to become a chartered psychologist member of the Division of Health Psychology within the British Psychological Society.
 

Why choose this course?

• Gain new insights into the theory and practice of health psychology
• Learn to show how the links between scientific theory and practice can guide the collection and interpretation of empirical data
• Develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current problems in the field
• Gain confident knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods which will allow you to perform complex data analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis
• Develop your competence in a range of techniques including multivariate analyses
• Benefit from a strong sense of personal responsibility and professionalism that will enable you to practise or conduct research within ethical guidelines
   

Unit Information - What will I learn?

Units

• Advanced Research Methods For Health Psychologists (PSY001-6) Compulsory
• Dissertation (Health Psychology) (PSY009-6) Compulsory
• Health Psychology In Context (PSY005-6) Compulsory
• Lifestyle And Individual Differences (PSY003-6) Compulsory
• Mechanisms Of Health And Disease (PSY006-6) Compulsory
• Perceptions And Actions (PSY002-6) Compulsory
• Professional Skills For Health Psychologists (PSY008-6) Compulsory
• Public Health (PSY004-6) Compulsory
• Stress, Coping And Chronic Disease (PSY007-6) Compulsory
   

How will I be assessed?

The primary focus is to ensure build upon the core skills developed through successful achievement of the completed Graduate Basis for Chartered Status (via an approved undergraduate degree or conversion postgraduate course) and to move towards the competences required of a Health Psychologist as outlined in the Subject Benchmark statement for Psychology and aims and objectives of a Stage 1 Qualification in Health Psychology as set out by the British Psychological Society (2019). The assessment strategy therefore reflects the academic rigour required for a British Psychological Society accredited MSc degree. 
 

The assessments are designed to test your academic knowledge, oral and written skills, use of literature using primary and secondary sources, critical analysis of ideas, connections made between theory, practice, real life situations and the understanding and application of professional values, to include ethical issues as detailed by the British Psychological Society. 
 

The assessment methods are varied and carefully link theory to practice, examples include case studies, role play consultations, consultancy briefs, designing behaviour change interventions.  We also offer a range of assessments that assess student’s communication skills including delivering presentations, delivering behaviour change counselling with many opportunities for feedback and reflection. 

To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
 

We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
 

English language requirements

The University accepts the following qualification as satisfying the English Language requirements for entry to a Bachelor or Master's degree.
 

• UKVI Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each element
   

Please note: some courses may require higher levels of English

To be admitted to the course you are normally required:

• to have attained at least a second class honours degree in psychology
• to provide evidence of the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The Scholarship scheme for international students enrolling in the academic year 22/23 at one of our UK campuses is as follows:

• An automatic £1,000 Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for new international applicants (undergraduate and postgraduate).
• A £500 Prompt Payment Discount for applicants who pay their first year fees in full, before or at registration (undergraduate and postgraduate).
• A further £500 for applicants who are also University of Bedfordshire alumni