If you have an undergraduate degree in psychology, you can benefit from this flexible online Masters degree, which is your first step in becoming a Health Psychologist.
Our online MSc Health Psychology degree covers the theoretical and professional issues in health psychology and provides excellent preparation for many roles within the NHS, as well as for further health psychology stage two training programmes. And since you’ll cover the latest research in this field and undertake your own research, it will also equip you to move onto a career in health psychology research or a PhD and ultimately become a practicing Health Psychologist.
British Psychological Society accreditation
Not only has this online degree been accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), we have also received six commendations from the BPS for:
Approachable and friendly staff who are very supportive of students
Our sensitivity to cultural diversity
Teaching, research and enterprise links and our range of practice developments
High regard held of the teaching team by the senior management team
Cohesiveness of the programme team
MSc Health Psychology Studies – a non accredited option
An alternative award - MSc Health Psychology Studies - is available if you:
do not have a BPS accredited undergraduate degree in Psychology and do not require BPS accreditation
do not wish to apply for Chartership with the BPS
do not want to practice Health Psychology in the UK
have a psychology degree from another country and do not want BPS recognition of this.
Tutors that are experts in practice and research
You'll be taught by our team of chartered, registered and research active psychologists, who have expert knowledge of health psychology theory, practice and research. You won't just be looking at the theoretical side of health psychology therefore; you'll also be exploring the issues faced by today's health psychology professionals. Their comprehensive knowledge and professional experience will really help you learn. And their strong research profile means that you'll be part of a vibrant department at the forefront of developments in health psychology.
Flexible study to fit around your lifestyle
Studying online gives you the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for you. Course modules still operate within a fixed semester but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures. If you are employed full time or bringing up a family, this flexibility is invaluable.
To complete the MSc Health Psychology, you will need to complete all of the modules below. The order in which you take them will be dependent on your start date (i.e. September or January). We will contact you with details of your study pattern before you need to register for enrolment.
During a period of increasing debate about the nature of psychology and of science in general the field of psychology has developed rapidly. As well as examining a range of qualitative research issues and evaluating their significance for psychology, this module seeks to develop understanding of a variety of qualitative data generation and analysis methods. The module will focus around such developments as the incorporation of phenomenological and social constructionist ideas, both of which have led to new ideas in psychology and a shift in focus in some areas of psychology from the general to the specific.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to demonstrate deep understanding of, and the ability to critically evaluate, the role of qualitative methods within your chosen area of study; demonstrate competence in choosing, applying and reporting qualitative data generation/collection and analysis techniques in the context of research within your chosen area of study.
Topics covered include:
Introduction to qualitative methods: historical and epistemological context
Data collection methods such as interviews, focus groups, diaries, internet data and so on
Data analysis techniques such as thematic analysis, template analysis, discursive and conversation analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, etc
In order to conduct and evaluate research, you must be able to draw upon a variety of quantitative research methods and assess their relevance and their advantages and disadvantages in answering a particular research question. You should also 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 advanced statistical techniques used for each type of research design, how statistical tests are performed and analysed using SPSS and how they are interpreted.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate the appropriateness of a range of quantitative research methods used in your area of discipline and demonstrate competence in selecting, conducting and interpreting a range of statistical techniques using appropriate computer software for statistical analysis (SPSS).
Topics covered include:
Quantitative research design, including survey and experimental methods
Data organisation and management
Questionnaire design and psychometric scale development
Reliability and validity of psychometric scales
Univariate and multivariate analysis
Regression techniques including hierarchical regression, logistic regression and path analysis
The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical awareness of the role of psychology in the onset, diagnosis, progression and management of various long term conditions. Furthermore this module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of key issues related to the nature of patient interaction with health care providers. Finally, the role of the family and wider social environment in health and illness will be explored.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate psychological theories relevant to the provision of health care and critically evaluate the role of psychology in the onset, diagnosis, progression and management of long term conditions.
Topics covered may include:
Incidence & range of long term conditions
Diagnosis and adjustment to LTCs
Coping & long term conditions; individual and social factors; interventions
Caregiving: stress, gender roles, spousal, familial and non-familial caregiving
Understanding the complex interplay between psychological, biological, environmental, social and political factors that influence health is a necessary skill for health psychologists. The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of a range of factors that may influence health behaviour and behaviour change. In order to appreciate the potential role for health psychology, you will be introduced to current models and values that inform health promotion practice and provide the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully design and evaluate a health-based intervention.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate the role of psychological theories and techniques in the promotion and maintenance of health; apply psychological theory to the design, development and evaluation of an intervention to modify a specific health related behaviour.
Topics covered may include:
Mediators of health and health behaviours
Psychological principles and techniques of behaviour change
Health promotion theory, models & approaches
Health Promotion in context
Design and evaluation of health promotion campaigns.
This module is about health psychologists in professional practice; how they work, what they do, how they are trained, and the skills they use, as well as contextual and policy issues that influence health psychologists in practice. In a series of interactive workshops, we explore and evaluate some of the key issues for professional practice and professional development. The module is also intended to support your own professional development, and a series of reflective activities are designed to enable you to reflect on, and plan for, your own professional development as health psychologists.
On successful completion of the module, you'll be able to critically evaluate a range of professional issues in the practice of health psychology, and reflect on personal and professional development in the context of health psychology.
Underpinning much of the activity within health psychology is the understanding of the processes that relate to the maintenance of health, prevention of disease and the promotion of psychological well being. It is also essential to understand the links between psychological factors, behaviour, physiological mechanisms and ill health. This module aims to provide you with a broad knowledge base in these areas.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate how health psychology theory and research has aided our understanding of the influences on health-related behaviour, and how psychological and physiological processes are associated with ill health.
This module will cover topic areas such as:
Introduction to the psychology of health and illness; contexts and perspectives; socio-demographic factors in health and illness
Understanding and predicting health and health behaviour
Models of health behaviour
Attribution factors; locus of control; personal control and health care; learned helplessness; self efficacy
Understanding and reporting illness
Biological and physiological aspects of stress; models of stress; coping with stress
Personality factors associated with health and illness
Psychological aspects of pain and pain management
Psychoneuroimmunology and the links between stress and the immune system.
It is intrinsic to the award of MSc that you present evidence of their 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 triple 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 analysis and scientific write-up.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
Design a piece of health psychology research and demonstrate awareness of and competence in applying all relevant ethical guidelines and principles
Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate relevant contemporary and classic sources relevant to the specified research question or hypothesis
Conduct a feasible and ethical empirical study to address novel research question(s) and analyse and interpret the findings of the study to form coherent conclusions about the research question(s)
Present your findings in a way that is consistent with the standards of presentation and clarity expected of a professional research report within the field of health psychology
Present your findings in a way that is consistent with the standards of an oral presentation within the field of professional health psychology.
For each student the content of the module is largely defined by the scope and nature of your research question and its investigation. The programme team will help you explore and discuss topics prior to final decision as to the Independent Studies to be undertaken. Examples titles of an appropriate piece of research in Health Psychology could include:
Adolescent Smoking and Friendship Groups: The Mediating Role of Parenting Style
Stages of Change and Condom Use in a Heterosexual University Population
The Role of Perceived Social Support in the Management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus.
This is a triple module worth 60 credits.
60
Masters
Core module
Entry Requirements:
You will normally have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 UK undergraduate degree in psychology or a related subject.
We will consider your reference and personal statement carefully, and as part of the application process, we'll normally invite you to attend an interview with your Programme Leader, via Skype or telephone.
If you start the course in September, it is possible to complete it within 1 year (full time). If you start in January, it will take between 2-3 years.
Are you an overseas student?
If you are an international student with a degree that is not accredited by the BPS or is accredited by a different association, you can apply independently to the BPS to see if your degree can be recognised. You may need to complete our MSc Psychology conversion course first before you can continue with the MSc Health Psychology. For further information or guidance, please contact us.
English language qualifications
If English is not your first language you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:
As well as developing core health psychology knowledge on this course, you'll have the opportunity to develop your personal, academic and professional skills. We will also give you an introduction to a range of health psychology professional competencies in areas such as teaching and training, research and consultancy.
It’s this valuable content that has enabled previous graduates to:
complete stage two training through taught or independent routes in order to become a practicing Health Psychologist
move into various roles within the NHS, such as health promotion, mental health and chronic illness management
gain places on clinical psychology training programmes or access other related training including CBT and IAPT
funded/self funded PhD’s in health psychology areas.
The level and academic credibility of this qualification has enabled many graduates to pursue other, non-psychology related graduate professions, such as teaching and management.
What our students say about this course
Stephanie Archer, completed her MSc Health Psychology online and PhD at Derby, and then her Post Doctorate at Derby Hospital.
"I thoroughly enjoyed studying Health Psychology at the University of Derby. The lecturers were friendly and helpful in every aspect of the course. Although the course was hard work, I feel that I have developed both my academic understanding and my practical skills. I now feel a lot more prepared to go into a health profession with my newly acquired skills."
Heather Semper, a graduate who went on to undertake a PhD in a related area, said:
"It was one of the best investments I have made in my life, in terms of time, effort and money. 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."
Debbie Williams, graduate:
"During my time on the MSc, I received a great amount of support from both lecturers and peers. This was on a one-to-one basis if needed and also in the form of the online forum. The degree itself is very well structured and covers a range of very interesting topics. 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."
