• Postgraduate

Health Psychology MSc

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Overview

Overview

With the Covid-19 pandemic serving as a stark reminder that the choices we make about our health and our health behaviours do matter, there is no better time to immerse yourself in our MSc Health Psychology degree.

As health psychologists, our mission is to help people deal with and adjust to the challenges they face as a result of ill health or when trying to lead a healthier life, so why not join the frontline of this rapidly expanding discipline?

Why should I study this Masters in Health Psychology course?

As well as the opportunity to learn from specialist staff with a wealth of experience in both teaching and health psychology research, you will also get the chance to:

  • develop your skills in state-of-the-art psychology research facilities
  • benefit from our established links to external health organisations that offer practitioner training as well as volunteering and networking opportunities
  • study in small, personal groups in an engaging and focused environment
  • enjoy expert guest speakers
  • gain accreditation by the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology.

This Health Psychology course meets the Stage-1 training requirements developed by the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Division of Health Psychology and will prepare you to advance to Stage 2 training, which enables you to become a fully-fledged health psychologist.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Health Psychology with us?

Why study Health Psychology with us?

A collage of students
A collage of students

What our students say…

The MSc in Health Psychology course was superb! It opened so many doors in terms of my career and taught me many transferable skills I am able to apply in my workplace.

I am currently working as the Head of a stop-smoking services. Thanks to the knowledge acquired during the course I am continuously able to improve the services I manage, and help my staff develop by gaining skills.

I would totally recommend this course as for me, it was the beginning of an exciting journey!

Weronika Reed, UWL MSc Health Psychology

The course is run by well prepared and very helpful staff. It is nice and convenient to have an allocated room for us MSc students. The lectures and seminars are less formal than at undergraduate level but they are very informative and enriched by interesting discussions. It is a good course for further development in psychology.

Tamás Mityok
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Industry focused teaching
Health Psychology research facilities
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

This MSc Health Psychology course will give you a complete grounding in the theory, themes, professional issues and practical skills central to Stage 1 Health Psychology training.

It is the first step towards Chartered Psychologist status as well as registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Health Psychologist.

What you will learn

The course covers the core BPS (British Psychological Society) material, including:

  • contexts and perspectives in health psychology
  • chronic disorders and health interventions
  • individual differences in the context of health and illness
  • Biopsychosocial issues in health phycology
  • health inequalities
  • ethical, legal and professional practice issues
  • research methods

There is also a strong research component in the form of taught advanced research methods modules as well as a dissertation (based on an empirical project), which will provide you with the opportunity to design and conduct an autonomous piece of research on a health-related topic of your choice.

Facilities and staff

Our state of the art research facilities includes a brain imaging electroencephalogram (EEG), eye-tracking equipment and a range of experiment and research software. We provide access and a high standard of support for use of these facilities.

Throughout your studies, our team of expert tutors are committed to providing an interesting and exciting learning experience while guest speakers who work in health psychology will also deliver several sessions. 

Opportunities

You will be encouraged to present your work at health psychology conferences and publish your work in peer-reviewed journals. These experiences will help to develop your communication and research presentation skills, as well as your expanding your professional network.

Additionally, the course has established links with health organisations where you can gain valuable work experience and carry out research. Some of the opportunities that may be available to you while you study include:

  • train with OneYouEaling and OneYouHounslow to deliver health promotion events in the community and/or clinical setting
  • train with Thrive Tribe to deliver weight management advice.

Compulsory modules

  • Biopsychosocial Perspectives in Health Psychology

    Through this module, you will develop an in-depth understanding of the biopsychosocial model and be able to use the framework to contextualise health and illness within their health psychology training.

  • Practice and Professional Considerations in Health Psychology

    The module explores key issues and concepts that are central to the practice of professional health psychology thus providing the opportunity for you to critically engage with the complexities of practice rigours.

    You will be introduced to ethical and legal issues and obligations of direct relevance to health psychology and its practice, the importance of inter-professional relations, and the changing nature of decision-making by healthcare professionals and service users.

  • Data Analysis and Applications

    This module is designed to help establish your skills as a health psychology researcher by providing you with a foundation in the process and practice of health psychology research. The module will take you from understanding the scientific process of enquiry to multivariate analysis of health-related research.

  • Applied Psychological Research

    This module is designed to help you develop your skills as a health psychology researcher. Through lectures and a range of practical workshops, you will enhance your existing statistical analytic skills and develop an understanding of the growing importance of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies that underpin the development of health psychology theory, research and professional practice.

  • Individual Differences in the Psychology of Health and Illness

    During this module you will investigate how personality, mood, gender and cross-cultural factors contribute to an individual's representation of health and illness.

  • Chronic Disorder and Health Psychology Interventions

    This module explores issues relating to chronic disorder and health psychology interventions. You will be introduced to a range of models and intervention approaches e.g. models of stress and stress management, models of pain and pain management, coping styles and strategies. It provides you with an opportunity to engage critically with and evaluate the role of health psychologists within health-related interventions.

  • Independent Research Project

    The module aims:

    1. To enable students to design, carry out and report a piece of self-initiated health psychology research.

    2. To enable students to integrate research methods and principles and apply them within a health psychology context.

    3. To enable students to develop the skills and knowledge base appropriate for independent research within health psychology.

    4. To enable students to develop reflexivity.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You must hold, or be eligible for, the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS) with a lower second (2:2), upper second (2:1) or first-class award (1st). You may also be advised to apply for GBC if you: 

  • can demonstrate evidence of practical experience relevant to health psychology
  • have attained an additional qualification relevant to health psychology 
  • can show evidence during your undergraduate degree of particular strengths in health psychology.

Please note: If you would like to obtain GBC, you may wish to apply for a place on our MSc Psychology Conversion course.

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

6.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements. Find out more about our English Language courses.

We look for students who show enthusiasm and a passion for the subject through previous study or professional experience.

If you have any questions about the relevance of your qualifications or experience please contact the course leader shown in the teaching staff.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for human and social science students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

Help with funding
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Lee Usher

Dr Lee Usher

I am a Senior Lecturer in Psychology with research interests in health and areas of social psychology. I am a Member (Chartered Psychologist) and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), the BPS Division of Health Psychology (‘in training’ member), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

I am a Senior Lecturer in Psychology with research interests in health and areas of social psychology. I am a Member (Chartered Psychologist) and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), the BPS Division of Health Psychology (‘in training’ member), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

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With the health psychology industry expanding rapidly, there are many opportunities and potential career paths once you complete your studies.

In particular, graduates from this course have gone on to work as:

  • stop-smoking advisers
  • psychological wellbeing practitioners
  • university lecturers
  • community mental health workers
  • behaviour change specialists
  • advisors in weight, pain, and sleep management.

Past students have also pursued careers with:

  • the NHS
  • private health organisations
  • the mental health industry
  • and many more

If you would like to take your studies further at UWL, you can find out more about MPhil and PhD courses here.

How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.