Health Psychology MSc

Immerse yourself in the exciting field of health psychology on this BPS-accredited course. You’ll mix theoretical learning with a 16-week work placement.

Throughout this course, you’ll gain a solid grounding in the main areas of health psychology, which you’ll be able to demonstrate in an applied setting during a work placement.

It is British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited. This means you’ll gain contemporary and relevant knowledge that you can use in a range of careers in health-related research, public health and healthcare. The accreditation also ensures you have Stage 1 competencies in health psychology, which you will need if you wish to proceed to Stage 2 doctoral-level training to become a registered health psychologist.

During your studies, you’ll explore this fascinating subject in a multidisciplinary context, focusing on:

* preventing ill health

* managing long-term health conditions

* developing effective healthcare provisions

This will give you a better appreciation of how psychology can be used to help us better understand health and health behaviours, and design interventions to improve people’s wellbeing.

Your academic learning will be complemented by hands-on experience of health psychology during a 16-week placement. This will be an opportunity to use the knowledge you’ll gain in class while improving your employability with real-world experience.

You’ll also learn about research in healthcare settings, looking at issues such as research design, governance and ethical considerations. This will prepare you for conducting your own independent piece of research to finish the course.

If you are a psychology graduate interested in progressing to a career in health psychology as a practitioner or researcher, this course is suited to your needs. It’s also suitable if you are working in health and social care settings and want to learn more about theory and practice to progress your career.

## Use specialist facilities

The Department of Psychology is based in its own dedicated building, containing some of our leading research centres and groups.

The building contains advanced psychology research facilities, including:

* biopsychology suite with two-way mirror

* crossmodal laboratory including a soundproof room

* sensory and pain research suite

* social and developmental observation labs, including the Bath Babylab

* virtual reality lab with motion sensor cameras

* an electroencephalogram (EEG) scanner

* eye-tracking equipment

As an MSc Health Psychology student, you’ll have access to bookable workspaces in 10 West. These contain PCs and are also suitable for group work.

## Gain important career skills

Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll have gained:

* enhanced research skills that can be applied to primary, secondary and tertiary health and social care settings

* core knowledge of health psychology approaches, theories and models

* a strong foundation for further postgraduate training in health psychology

We’ll also provide you with information about progressing to doctoral study and/or Stage 2 Health Psychology training.

## Graduate prospects

Studying this course will prepare you for a wide range of health-related posts within universities, government departments, the private sector and charities.

The skills you gain will also act as a solid foundation for going on to undertake a PhD, Stage 2 professional doctorate in Health Psychology, clinical psychology training or work as a research assistant.

Recent graduates of this course have gone on to work in a wide variety of roles, including:

* Project Executive at a national cancer charity

* Public Health Researcher at a local council

* Trainee Health Psychologist

* Research Officer at the Office for National Statistics

* Assistant Psychologist within the NHS

* Doctoral student on a UK doctoral-level counselling course

* Research Assistant at a European university

* Teaching Assistant