COURSE CURRICULUM

The master’s specialisation in Health and Medical Psychology offers a diverse and well-structured program that provides both theoretical and practical training for students interested in the psychological aspects of health, illness, and medical care. The curriculum includes four mandatory courses that cover essential elements of the field, ensuring a strong foundation in clinical and scientific knowledge. In addition to coursework, students complete an internship of either 10 or 20 ECTS, which allows them to gain valuable hands-on experience. A 10-ECTS internship must be supplemented with two elective courses, while the extended 20-ECTS Clinical Practical Internship is particularly relevant for students aiming to qualify for postmaster programs in Health Care Psychology. During the internship, students can focus on professional practice—developing skills in diagnostics, counselling, interventions, and coaching—or pursue applied or fundamental research. While Dutch-speaking students have more opportunities for clinical placements in the Netherlands, international students can complete research internships in Leiden or seek placements in their home country or other English-speaking contexts.Clinical internships of exactly 20 ECTS are relatively scarce in the Netherlands, as most health care institutions offer longer placements, typically lasting six to eight months, with three days of work per week. Although this may make it difficult to finish the program within one year, these extended internships provide the benefit of more extensive learning opportunities and greater responsibilities in professional settings. Dutch and international students alike may also pursue internships abroad, with all placements requiring approval from the internship coordinator.The final component of the program is the master’s thesis, regarded as the capstone of the student’s academic training. The thesis allows students to engage deeply with a health-related topic, either through conducting empirical research from start to finish or by working with existing datasets provided by faculty members. Research themes reflect the expertise and interests of staff, which vary from year to year, ensuring that students can engage with current and relevant issues in the field. Altogether, the program prepares graduates as “scientist-practitioners” with a strong balance of academic insight, research competence, and professional experience.