MSc Health Psychology (incorporating PG Cert/PG Dip)

Start date: If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in: September 2012 January 2013 If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in: September 2012 January 2013

Course length: Full time: 1 year (2 days per week), Part time: 2 years (1 day per week) If you study this course on campus full time, you’ll come into the University on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you choose to study part time you’ll come in on Wednesdays during your first year and Thursdays during your second year. If you study online, all of your resources are available online and there is no need to come to Derby to attend lectures.

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus  

This course is available to international students

The MSc Health Psychology programme has been designed to fulfill the knowledge base required of Masters programmes by the British Psychological Society as part of the qualification for Full Membership of the Division of Health Psychology and Chartered Health Psychologist status. In particular, the programme has four key aims and objectives for appropriately qualified students these are:

• to provide you with the skills to critically evaluate theories, findings and methods relevant to the field of health psychology.
• to provide you with the professional skills to work within multi-professional health care contexts.
• to provide you with the necessary skills in order to design, conduct and analyse empirical psychological research in a health context.
• to provide you with a knowledge base that is necessary and sufficient for the academic component of the route to becoming a chartered health psychologist.

Health Psychology has been defined as the 'aggregate of the specific educational, scientific and professional contribution of the discipline of psychology to the promotion and maintenance of health, the promotion and treatment of illness and related dysfunction.' (Matarazzo, 1980)

However, you won't just be looking at the theoretical side of health psychology on this course, you'll also be exploring and understanding the issues faced by today's health psychology professionals.

You'll take part in interactive lectures, group discussions, workshops as well as your own independent study.

You'll be taught by a dedicated team of Chartered Health Psychologists, researchers and practitioners who have expert knowledge of health psychology.

Full time students complete the course over one year (two days a week) and part time students over two years (one day a week). Teaching is delivered in ten week blocks during the autumn and spring semesters and supervision for the independent study is organised by negotiation during the summer period. You can study on campus or online.

British Psychological Society Accreditation

The course has been fully accredited by the BPS. In addition, the accreditation team noted the following aspects of good practice and wished to commend the course for:

• The enthusiasm and commitment of the programme team
• The support available for students with disability
• Professional skills development and career advice
• Student satisfaction with the programme and the staff
• Clear and comprehensive induction programme.

What you’ll study

You’ll study these modules:

• Psychology of Health and Illness (20 credits)
• Health Promotion and Behaviour Change (20 credits)
• Health Care in Long Term Conditions (20 credits)
• Advanced Qualitative Methods (20 credits)
• Advanced Quantitative Methods (20 credits)
• Professional Skills in Health Psychology (20 credits) plus

Research Project in Health Psychology (60 credits)

During this module you will conduct a substantial piece of independent research. You will identify a research issue, review existing literature in the topic area and formulate novel research questions. You will then test these questions through the application of contemporary psychological methodologies and appropriate data analysis and scientific write-up.

UK/EU students

• £495 per module (you usually take 9 of these modules in total)

International students

• Full time: £10,200 (in total)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

How you'll learn

We offer the course online or on campus to best suit your individual learning style.

You should be encouraged to develop autonomy in your studies;

Different students have different learning styles and that a range of learning opportunities should be provided for you;

Students and staff have the right to pursue their studies and to discharge their professional duties respectively in an academic environment free from direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, class, age, sexual orientation or religious belief.

How you're assessed

100% coursework.

This masters degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society. Once you've completed the course you'll be eligible to undertake stage two training in Health Psychology which will allow you to become a Chartered Health Psychologist.

In addition to core health psychology knowledge you'll develop your professional skills. You'll be introduced to a range of health psychology professional competencies in area such as teaching and training, research and consultancy.

Previous graduates have gone on to qualify and work in a wide range of areas. Some have gone on to do stage two training whilst others have secured funded PhDs in health psychology related areas. Others have used their MSc in Health Psychology to gain places on clinical psychology training programmes or access other related training eg CBT and IAPT. A number of our graduates currently work in the NHS delivering services in areas of health promotion, mental health and chronic illness management. Many have also used their MSc to gain access to other graduate professions, such as teaching and management.

"During my time on the MSc I received a great amount of support from both the lecturers and peers. This was provided on a one-to-one basis if needed and also in the form of the electronic forum provided on the University website. The degree itself is very well structured and covers a range of very interesting topics. Throughout the course there wasn't any aspect that I didn't enjoy. I would certainly recommend this course to anyone considering a career in any health area as it opens your eyes to other aspects within health care."

Debbie Williams, MSc Health Psychology graduate 2004

"I decided to undertake the MSc Health Psychology at Derby as I had thoroughly enjoyed the modules I had already taken at undergraduate level and had found them to be very interesting. I also felt it would be a useful sub-discipline of psychology to study further as it can enable a better understanding of health, illness and the health care system and can be used in an applied setting. I found the whole course rewarding, fulfilling and exceedingly interesting. The course staff were very helpful, enthusiastic, friendly, dedicated, and approachable...in addition they were helpful in giving necessary advice and providing motivation when needed and made the whole area of health psychology very interesting and enjoyable to learn about. Completing the MSc has been one of the best investments I have made in my life both in terms of time, effort, and money, as it has led me to undertake a PhD in a related area, which without the MSc I would not have been able to pursue. For that I am very grateful to the staff and also the cohort of students I studied with."

Heather Semper, MSc Health Psychology graduate 2004