Health Psychology / Psychology and Health MSc
Overview
City's Health Psychology/Psychology and Health MSc aims to give you a thorough understanding of health psychology theory and research, and to develop relevant academic, research and communication skills.
It will also enable you to develop an awareness of professional and contextual issues relevant to the practice of health psychology. Health Psychology is devoted to furthering understanding of the scientific relationships between the social and psychological dimensions of health and illness.
These include:
- environmental factors
- psychosocial and sociocultural factors that may contribute to disease or its prevention
- behavioural methods used in the diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation of individuals living with physical disorders
- techniques that could reduce disease risk by modifying health beliefs, attitudes or behaviours including decisions about using professional services.
The MSc in Health Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). For this course you should normally have the BPS Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
The MSc in Psychology and Health was set up for those without GBC but who have an interest in psychological issues related to health.
Overview of Health Psychology
Dr Catherine Sykes presents an overview of applied health psychology in this presentation. (Includes audio.) Click the image below to start the presentation.
The MSc in Health Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC).
Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £6,500
- Part-time EU: £3,500
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000
Start Date:
Induction will be taking place in the week commencing Monday 24 September 2012.
Entry Requirements
MSc Health Psychology
Candidates are normally required to have a first or good second class degree in psychology and the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
MSc Psychology and Health
Candidates are normally required to have a first or good second class degree in psychology or a relevant subject.
Other Suitable Qualifications
INTO Postgraduate Preparation Programmes
If you do not qualify for direct entry, INTO City University London offers academic preparation programmes which focus on the skills you need. Successful completion to the required standard of the Graduate Diploma in Business, Law and Social Science at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree.English Requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to provide evidence of English proficiency.
We only accept the following English language qualifications:
- GCSE - grade C or above
- CSE - grade C or above
- SEB - grade C or above
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English - Pass
- TOEFL - 600 or above / new scale score 250 or above
- IELTS - 7 or above
INTO English Language Programmes
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.Please click the links below for more information:
Visa Requirements
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
When and Where
- Start Date:
- Induction will be taking place in the week commencing Monday 24 September 2012.
- Duration:
- Full-time - one year
Part-time - two years (with an additional three months to submit dissertation, if required)
Course Content
Health Psychology is devoted to developing an understanding of scientific relationships between behavioural principles and physical health and illness.
These courses give you an opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of health psychology theory and research and to develop relevant academic, research and communication skills.
The MSc in Health Psychology further aims to enable you to develop an awareness of professional and contextual issues relevant to the practice of health psychology.
The MSc in Health Psychology was one of the first courses to be established in this field in 1988. The BPS's formation of a Division of Health Psychology has led to the requirement for master's courses in health psychology to be accredited by the BPS as Stage 1 of professional health psychology training.
This course is accredited and is open to those with good first degrees in psychology who also have the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
The MSc in Psychology and Health was set up in 1999 for applicants who do not have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) but who have an interest in psychological issues related to health. Students taking this course may have good first degrees in psychology or other relevant subjects, but without GBC.
Places on this course are strictly limited and early application is advised.
Course Structure
Modules:
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching
We teach you through lectures, seminars, role playing and small group projects. We will also provide you with a research supervisor who will support you with your dissertation.
Assessment
The Professional & Contextual Issues module is assessed by a group submission and supporting written coursework. The remaining seven modules are assessed by coursework alone.
Research project
You are also required to submit a research project of 4,000 6,000 words. The research training module will help you to plan, design and conduct your research projects. It is also aimed to give you a broad knowledge and range of skills relevant to health psychology and other health-related research.
Course directors
Dr Paula Corcoran and Dr Andrew Kuczmierczyk
Academic staff
Dr Catherine Sykes, Dr Renata Pires-Yfantouda, Dr Cristina Boserman, Vanessa Bogle
Research activities of programme team members
The course team are all members of the Health Psychology Research Group within the Psychology Department. The work of this group focuses upon the psychosocial analysis of health behaviour and experience.
Particular interests include the analysis and clarification of the theoretical foundations underpinning health psychology, the translation of theory and policy into practice, the evaluation of evidence in the form of process and outcomes, and the improvement of theory, policy and practice in this light. The group uses a range of quantitative and qualitative methods.
Study Abroad
Recommended Reading
Sample Course Materials
Fees
- Full-time EU: £6,500
- Part-time EU: £3,500
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Career Prospects
87 per cent of City's 2009 Psychology graduates were in employment or further study 6 months after graduation. The MSc Health Psychology / Psychology and Health constitutes Stage 1 of professional health psychology training.
Graduates are eligible to apply for Stage 2 training or they may seek employment in research or teaching. Health psychology is a fairly new and evolving area and is often seen as the practice and application of psychological methods to the study of behaviour relevant to illness and health care.
There are a number of career pathways including professional consultancy, academic postings and working within the NHS and Primary Care Trusts.
This course will enable you to...
This MSc prepares you for health-related jobs in a wide range of fields and settings. Graduates of the course have gone on to a range of jobs in the NHS, charities, private companies and universities.For some, the MSc has provided an additional qualification and further research experience leading to a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. For those with an established career the MSc has increased promotion chances and given opportunities to widen working experience to include more psychological aspects.
Professional contacts
Throughout the course you will be taught by staff with professional connections in the field of health psychology, and we also provide opportunities to network with these professionals.We regularly receive job or placement adverts from our professional contacts, which we pass to our students and graduates.
About the School and Department
Find out more about City University London
Application Deadline
The course starts in late September. We recommend that you apply early in the year as entry to the course is very competitive.
MSc Health Psychology / Psychology and Health
All complete applications will be considered and shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an open day and interview at the University.
Shortlisted overseas applicants will be invited to take part in a telephone interview. Please note two references are required. At least one reference for recent graduates must be academic. Other references may be from a current employer. References must be provided either on the reference form provided here (with an institution stamp), or on headed paper.
Please also complete our supplementary form, to replace section 7 of the application form.
Apply online for the MSc in Health Psychology (full-time) starting in September 2012
Apply online for the MSc in Health Psychology (part-time) starting in September 2012
Apply online for the MSc in Psychology and Health (full-time) starting in September 2012
Apply online for the MSc in Psychology and Health (part-time) starting in September 2012
Download an application form (to be completed by hand or electronically).
You can also download an application checklist.
Complete applications can be sent to:
Amber Bowring
Programme Administrator
Department of Psychology
City University
Northampton Square
London
EC1V 0HB
E-mail: amber.bowring.2@city.ac.uk
Tel: 020 7040 4567