Health Psychology MSc – 2023 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2023
- Study mode and duration
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: 2 years
Why choose this course
- Study a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited curriculum, designed to give you an insider’s perspective on theories, methods and techniques of health psychology, and the relationship these have with health and illness
- Access our state-of-the-art psychology facilities, including a six-room virtual reality suite and two observation laboratories, and use the latest equipment to conduct experiments
- Learn from lecturers who are active researchers in eating behaviour, fatigue, stress, obesity and much more
- Join our Health Psychology Research Group to take part in seminars and workshops, and benefit from our links with renowned research institutions across the world
- Get the Stage 1 qualification needed to progress onto Stage 2 training, to become a chartered health psychologist with the BPS.
What you will study
You’ll study the psychological processes involved in maintaining health, the pathological responses to ill health and stress, and the promotion of wellbeing among the physically ill. You’ll learn theories and practical issues relevant to health psychology and gain an understanding of different approaches to research.
You’ll explore a range of applied topics, such as living with chronic conditions, health issues impacting health psychology, how we can help people to maintain their health across their lifespan, psychological aspects of healthcare, and the use of cognitive behavioural therapy for health psychology. We’ll also give you an insight into qualitative and quantitative research methods, ensuring you have a solid foundation to collect, analyse and interpret different kinds of data.
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
Facilities
Our facilities have recently undergone a £5m investment, giving you access to the latest equipment, including a six-room virtual reality suite to simulate real-life scenarios and two observation labs. You’ll also have access to an extensive library of psychometric and clinical tests, 20 bookable project rooms, a breakout space, equipment lockers and a computer lab.
Teaching staff
You’ll be taught by lecturers who are active researchers, ensuring everything you learn is up-to-date and relevant to employers. These may include:
- Professor Mark Cropley, an expert in stress, health and fatigue
- Dr Bridget Dibb, an expert in wellbeing and living with chronic conditions
- Professor Jane Ogden, an expert in eating behaviour and obesity.
Research groups
You’ll be invited to join our Health Psychology Research Group where we investigate topics, including behaviour change, chronic conditions, governance, policy processes, risk appreciation, and stress and fatigue.
You’ll participate in discussions about research topics, findings and publications, and you’ll benefit from our links with renowned research institutions across the world. We also have a host of external speakers that visit us and present their work, and a collection of seminars and workshops, allowing you to network with like-minded individuals.
Teaching
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
- Group work (e.g. discussion groups)
- Lectures
- Online learning
- Role plays
- Seminars
- Workshops.
Outside of these, you’ll be expected to carry out independent study, including coursework, essays and reading.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including coursework, essays, examinations and presentations.
Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
Professional recognition
MSc - British Psychological Society (BPS)
Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
MSc - British Psychological Society (BPS).
Successful completion of this programme fulfils stage one of the requirements towards Chartered Membership of the Society and full membership of the Division of Health Psychology.
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.
On successful completion of this course, you’ll have the necessary Stage 1 training required to progress onto Stage 2 training. To become a chartered health psychologist, you’ll need to complete Stage 2 training. 99% of our psychology graduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes survey 2020, HESA). Our alumni take on roles as health advisors, prison therapy assistants, projects officers and public health officers, working for NHS trusts, healthcare organisations and charities.
The broad and transferrable skills that you’ll develop are also highly relevant in other fields, including behavioural analysis and wellbeing. Many of our graduates go on to complete a PhD, investigating an area of personal interest.
Learn more about health psychology careers on the BPS website.
School
Research centres and groups
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Complete all compulsory modules.
Optional modules for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Choose two modules to take in each semester.
Split the modules across two years as agreed with the Programme Leader. Part-Time students should consult with the Programme Leader at an early stage to discuss how best to address the course requirements across two years
Optional modules for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Complete remaining two modules in each semester.
Split the modules across two years as agreed with the Programme Leader. Part-Time students should consult with the Programme Leader at an early stage to discuss how best to address the course requirements across two years
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in psychology, or a recognised international equivalent.
Alternatively, a postgraduate conversion diploma in psychology following completion of another degree subject.
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.
This is a regulated course that requires declaration of criminal convictions at the application stage, please visit our declaration of criminal convictions web page for more information.
International entry requirements by country
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Selection will be based on the information provided in the candidate’s application.
Credit transfer
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.
Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.
Fees per year
Start date: September 2023
Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £9,100
- Overseas
- £23,100
Part-time - 2 years
- UK
- £4,600
- Overseas
- £11,600
Please note:
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
- If you are on a two-year full-time MFA programme, or a two-year or three-year part-time masters programme (excluding modular/self-paced/distance learning), the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a tuition fee loan: Will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a tuition fee loan: Are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
- If you are sponsored: You will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
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Course | Status |
|---|---|
Health Psychology MSc Full-time, 12 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. | |
Health Psychology MSc Part-time, 24 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. | |
Admission information
Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH