MSc Health Psychology (incorporating PG Cert/PG Dip)

When can you start this course? | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

You can also start this course in January

Why choose this course?

MSc Health Psychology (incorporating PG Cert/PG Dip)

We have just had a BPS re-accreditation event and received 5 commendations (providing Stage 1 training towards Chartered Health Psychology status).
You'll learn about the practical, professional and theoretical issues in health psychology.
You'll explore the latest developments in health psychology research, so your knowledge will be relevant and up to date.
You'll have the opportunity to undertake empirical research within the field of health psychology.
You can choose to study this course on campus or online, whichever best suits your needs.

"I recommend most highly the MSc Health Psychology at the University of Derby, I think it completely achieves the difficult aim of preparing you to step out into the world of work armed with a considerable range of skills"

Emma Whittlesea, MSc Health Psychology Graduate 2007

View further information on our Psychology department.

Brief details

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.

About the course

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.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Professional Skills in Health Psychology 7PS003

The work of health psychologists relies on a broad range of professional skills and attributes. The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the professional issues surrounding the practice of health psychology as well as developing key skills that are required to work in health psychology. You'll be assessed by coursework and oral presentation.

Health Promotion and Behaviour Change 7PS016

Understanding the complex interplay between psychological, biological and social factors that may influence health throughout the lifespan is a necessary skill for health psychologists. The first aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of a range of factors that may influence health across the whole lifespan or for a relatively limited period. The prevention of disease and maintenance of health across the lifespan requires a sound understanding of the models and values that may underpin such an activity. Therefore, the second aim of this module is to introduce you to current models and values that inform health promotion practice and to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully design a health-based intervention and to select and undertake the appropriate type of evaluation. You'll be assessed by 100% coursework.

Psychological Aspects of Health Care 7PS005

Patient interaction with the health care system is an important issue across a range of aspects of health care provision. The aim of this module is to provide you with a broad understanding of the key issues related to the nature of and outcome form patient interaction with health care provision. You'll be assessed by 100% coursework.

Psychology of Chronic Conditions 7PS011

The rise in number of people suffering from or caring for someone who has a chronic condition has proved to be a major challenge facing health psychologists. The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical awareness of the role of psychology in the aetiology, onset, progression and management of various chronic conditions. The impact of diagnosis, how a person copes with a chronic condition, and the impact of social and family support is also examined. You'll be assessed by 100% coursework.

Psychology of Health and Illness 7PS012

Underpinning much of the activity within health psychology is the understanding of the processes which relate to the maintenance of health, prevention of disease and the promotion of psychological well being of the physically ill individual. This module aims to provide you with a broad introduction and overview of these essential areas. You'll be assessed by coursework and oral presentation.

Advanced Qualitative Methods 7PS013

In order to conduct and evaluate research within the field of health psychology you must be familiar with a range of qualitative research methodologies and related issues. This module aims to provide you with a general course in these research methods as applied to health psychology. You'll be assessed by 100% coursework.

Issues in Health Psychology Research 7PS015

This module aims to build on the issues presented in the Research Methods modules by considering the issues related to the design, ethical conduct and planning of research in the field of health psychology. In addition, the processes underpinning the development of measures and scales used in health psychology research will be critically examined. You'll be assessed by coursework and oral presentation.

Advanced Quantitative Methods 7PS014

In order to conduct and evaluate research within the field of health psychology you must be able to draw upon a variety of quantitative research methods and assess their relevance, and advantages and disadvantages in employing them in order to answer a particular research question. You should be able to assess the appropriateness of various statistical techniques and be able to use them and interpret the results. The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical understanding of a range of quantitative research methods and statistical techniques used for each type of research design, how statistical tests are performed and analysed using SPSS and how they are interpreted. You'll be assessed by 100% coursework.

Independent Studies in Health Psychology 7PS998

It is intrinsic to the award of MSc that you present evidence of your capacity to conduct a substantial piece of independent research that builds clearly upon their prior learning and which draws upon appropriate methodologies. The aim of this module is to allow you to identify a research issue, review existing literature on the topic, formulate novel research questions, and test these questions through the application of contemporary psychological methodologies and appropriate data-analytic procedures. You'll be assessed by dissertation and oral presentation.

Your career

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.

What our students say

"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

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.

Anything else?

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.

Staff you'll meet

The MSc Health Psychology has a core team of six members of staff:

Dr Rebecca Knibb CPsychol- Reader in Health Psychology and Programme Leader
Dr Vicki Staples CPsychol - Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology and Assistant Programme Leader
Dr Jane Montague -Senior Lecturer
Amy Baraniak (Trainee Health Psychologist)
Professor David Sheffield
Professor James Elander

All members of staff are research active and are members of the Health Psychology Research Group (Chaired by Dr Rebecca Knibb). This research group is part of the Centre for Psychology Research.

Other full time members of the Department of Psychology contribute to teaching on various modules of the MSc. In addition, a number of guest lecturers and professionals also contribute to the MSc degree. These individuals are from within the University of Derby as well as external bodies.

Start dates

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

Fees*

UK/EU students

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

International students

£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.

Course length

Full time: 1 year (2 days per week),
Part time: 2 years (1 day per week)

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have or expect to obtain at least a 2:1 honours degree in psychology ...

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Standard entry requirements

More about staff, careers, the department...

Information for international students

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