What is health psychology?

What is health psychology?

Health psychology is the study of how psychological factors – such as thoughts, emotions and behaviours – affect physical health and wellbeing. Health psychologists focus on the connection between mind and body and help with a wide range of health-related issues including: 

• making healthier behavioural choices
• coping with an illness or a chronic condition
• stopping smoking
• losing weight
• managing stress. 

This may involve identifying and exploring behaviours, designing interventions, conducting assessments, and giving guidance and advice.

Watch one of our students talk about health psychology

What will I study on the Health Psychology masters course at Surrey?

You’ll study eight compulsory modules and complete a dissertation. The modules cover all the core applied topics of health psychology, such as psychological aspects of healthcare and chronic conditions. Uniquely, our course includes a dedicated module on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) where you'll learn about the theoretical and practical uses of CBT in health-related contexts.

You'll also study qualitative and quantitative research methods, and advanced research methods and design.

Why study health psychology at Surrey?

Our course is led by Dr Phillippa Lally, who is world-renowned for her research into habit formation, and Dr Sarah-Jane Stewart, a registered health psychologist. Your lecturers bring combined expertise in psychology, including habit theory, how people unwind from work, and mental healthcare. 

You’ll benefit from some shared modules with our other psychology masters courses, giving you valuable insight into how other areas of psychology are relevant to health psychology. You’ll have access to a range of specialised facilities, such as our observation labs and virtual reality suite.

Find out more about our Health Psychology MSc

What are the steps to becoming a health psychologist?

To become a chartered health psychologist, you need to obtain Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and complete Stage 1 and Stage 2 training. 

To be eligible for GBC, you must have successfully completed a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree or a BPS-accredited conversion course in the UK or Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)-accredited course in Ireland. If you have an international psychology degree, you must apply to the BPS to find out if you are eligible for GBC.

You must also complete a BPS-accredited masters degree in health psychology, which is Stage 1 of your training. Following that, you’ll complete Stage 2 training – this can be arranged with the BPS (and be completed while you work or complete a PhD) or you can complete a professional doctorate (while you work); however, the routes available depend on whether you are a UK or international student. See the BPS website for more information. 

Once you have completed Stage 2 training, you’ll be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and begin working as a chartered health psychologist.

What have Surrey graduates gone on to do?

Some of our graduates have completed training to be health psychologists, while others have pursued careers such as health adviser, behaviour therapist, outreach support worker, public health officer, research executive, and sales associate. This course provides broad and transferable skills that are relevant to lots of jobs, so you can keep your options open if you’re not sure you want to specialise. 

97% of our psychology masters graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating, with an average salary of £33,588 (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA).