COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSc Health Psychology programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the psychological factors that influence health, illness and wellbeing across individual and population levels. Through the Psychology of Health and Wellbeing module, students explore the role of psychology in shaping health experiences while examining the historical, social and political contexts of healthcare systems and health policy. The Health Promotion and Behaviour Change module develops knowledge of the psychological, social and environmental factors that influence health-related behaviours and investigates strategies used to encourage healthier lifestyles and improve public health outcomes. In the Psychology of Illness module, students examine the complex relationships between psychological processes, physiological mechanisms and behaviour in the development and progression of illness, alongside understanding symptom perception, healthcare utilisation and patient experiences of treatment and care. The Living with Long Term Conditions module focuses on the psychological and social impact of chronic illness, exploring how individuals, families and wider support networks adapt to and manage long-term health conditions. Advanced Psychological Research Methods in Context equips students with sophisticated quantitative and qualitative research skills relevant to applied psychology, enabling them to critically evaluate evidence and conduct high-quality research. The Clinical and Professional Skills for Practitioner Psychologists module supports personal and professional development by encouraging reflective practice, career planning and the development of competencies required for training and employment as health psychologists. The programme culminates in an Empirical Research Project, which allows students to undertake a substantial independent investigation into an area of health psychology that reflects their interests and career goals. Through the application of contemporary research methodologies, data analysis techniques and effective dissemination strategies, students develop advanced research capabilities and critical thinking skills. Collectively, these modules prepare graduates for professional training, research careers and roles across healthcare, public health, private organisations and charitable sectors, while providing a strong foundation for further study in health psychology and related disciplines.