Psychological Approaches to Health MSc

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in psychology or a discipline containing a substantial amount of psychology and research methods training. In addition, successful applicants will normally have at least a UK upper second class grade or equivalent in research methods-related modules taken as part of their undergraduate degree.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Psychology Taught Postgraduate Admissions Team.

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This course combines the application of psychological theory with current research to improve health and healthcare delivery. Psychological Approaches to Health (MSc) is ideal for those students inspired by psychology and wanting to pursue a career in psychology, health promotion, research or healthcare.

Areas you’ll explore more in-depth include:

• obesity

• medical error

• behaviour change and psychological wellbeing

• impact of new health interventions

• the effects of multidisciplinary teamwork in healthcare

• concerns of healthcare delivery such as patient safety, government policy and economics

The course draws on theories derived primarily from health and social psychology but also cognitive, biological and clinical psychology. The topics delivered will develop your understanding and knowledge of how to promote healthy behaviours and reduce unhealthy behaviours, issues around patient safety such as the causes and consequences of medical error, as well as obesity, weight loss, malnutrition and anorexia of ageing. You will also develop a range of statistical, methodological and practical skills around systematic reviewing of evidence from primary studies and conducting health-related studies/experiments, as well as transferable skills including critical thinking, team working and communication. The course will be delivered through interactive seminars, practicals, tutorials, lectures and group/problem-based learning approaches.

On this course, you’ll be taught and supervised by subject experts at the forefront of current research; actively publishing in their areas of expertise.

This gives you the opportunity to learn from those currently working with the NHS, industry, and charities to improve health outcomes.

We offer high quality research-led teaching and you’ll be actively encouraged to engage in ongoing research. Much of this research is collaborative with government departments, research councils, the NHS and industry.

We offer a lively learning environment with modern facilities for teaching and research, which aims to produce graduates equipped with current knowledge and the ability to apply this to key health issues.

Course content

The modules you study initially lay firm foundations for your later study and dissertation. You’ll consolidate your research skills and consider the broader issues in psychological approaches to health.

Later modules introduce a unique combination of applied perspectives.

Information for international students

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Fees and funding

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.