Health Psychology

Entry requirements

Applicants should possess a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in Psychology (recognised as Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership by the British Psychological Society) or have completed a British Psychological Society-accredited conversion course in Psychology.

Applicants with a 2:2 may be eligible for entry under certain circumstances (e.g. where evidence of subsequent higher academic achievement is provided).

International students with degrees NOT accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) must contact the BPS Partnership & Accreditation Team to ask for written confirmation that their degree is considered equivalent to a BPS accredited degree. Obtaining this may take several weeks.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This MSc programme in Health Psychology, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society, offers you the opportunity to expand on and apply your knowledge and skills to help solve some of the big health issues facing society today.

Health Psychology is the fastest growing field of psychology in the UK. This MSc programme aims to provide you with an understanding of theories and methods in this exciting field and the ability to apply them to play an active role in helping solve the health challenges our society faces.

Successful completion of the MSc Health Psychology confers Stage 1 of the BPS training requirements for Chartered Health Psychologist status.

Although the topics covered are diverse, the main areas of interest are:

• Health behaviours - understanding and changing participation in health damaging and health protecting behaviours
• Psychological aspects of illness and disability - examining the psychological impact of illness on individuals, families and carers, promoting positive 'illness behaviours'
• Health related cognitions and emotions - investigating the cognitive and emotional processes which explain health and illness behaviours
• Processes influencing the delivery of health care - studying factors that influence how health care professionals and organisations deliver care
• Professional practice - training in key skills such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and health coaching

Information for international students

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169