Health Psychology PhD

• Contribute to a rapidly evolving area of/ practice and research that is becoming increasingly relevant to modern society
• Benefit from our expertise in qualitative and quantitative methodologies (using  subjective measures,  objective measures, and biological assessments of health)
• Conduct research in our multi-million-pound facilities
• Train in advanced and innovative research methods to prepare for your career
• Develop your consultancy skills by completing a work placement
• Upon successful completion of this PhD, gain the Stage 2 requirements needed to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work with patients as a practitioner psychologist (health psychologist).

During your Stage 2 training you will work independently to evidence the five core competencies, including:

• Generic professional
• Psychological interventions
• Consultancy
• Research
• Teaching and training.

You will gather evidence of competency in these five core areas for your portfolio.

In your first year you will focus on the design of your PhD and complete four compulsory training courses covering quantitative and qualitative research methods, professional academic skills, and teaching and training. You will also familiarise yourself with relevant literature, create a research plan, develop your methodological and analytic skills, and complete your first study.

You will develop research methods and improve your communication skills to effectively convey your findings. You will collect and analyse data, complete a detailed literature review and then write up your PhD thesis. Depending on your research area, data collection can take place in schools, hospitals, laboratories or online. 

Throughout your registration you will also work on your Stage 2 competencies by applying the knowledge you covered at Stage 1 (your MSc in Health Psychology) alongside working on your PhD. Your PhD will partly fulfil the research competency and may also fulfil some of the other competencies, depending on the research studies. The other competencies will need to be completed with additional studies or the placement.

Our current students are researching topics including:

• Factors associate with prostate cancer screening
• Cognitive, emotional and physiological factors implicated in the recovery-from-work process
• Symptom perception and the cross over between physical and mental symptoms
• The role of illness-related rumination in psychological and physical health outcomes in those living with cancer
• Weight bias and weight management.

You will have a confirmation assessment to formally review your project. If you're a full-time student, this will take place around 12-15 months into your studies or 24-30 months if you’re studying part-time. You’ll be required to submit a written report and successfully complete an oral examination.

Your final assessment for your PhD will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

You will also submit your Stage 2 Health Psychology portfolio to reflect the work completed for the required competencies. This will be completed with the support of Dr Bridget Dibb and will be evaluated by an external examiner.

PHD - British Psychological Society (BPS)
Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

PHD - Health and Care Professions Council, the (HCPC)
Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an operating department practitioner.

Placement

As part of your training, you’ll complete a work placement, giving you the opportunity to develop your consultancy skills.

Teaching methods

You will be taught through a combination of:

• Seminars
• Research
• A work placement
• Individual study.

Progress reviews

In addition to the confirmation process, you’ll have six-monthly progress reviews with your supervisors. These meetings are an opportunity to reflect on your progress, discuss successes and challenges and set targets for the next six months. These reviews will be monitored by postgraduate research directors and recorded on your student record.

You’ll also have one formal meeting with your supervisors every month and can expect to have more frequent meetings between these. The regularity of these will depend on the nature and stage of your project.

Conferences

Each year we run a postgraduate research conference where you’ll be able to present your work and network with fellow researchers. You can also attend external conferences that are relevant to your area of research.

Careers and graduate prospects

On successful completion of this PhD, you’ll have the Stage 2 requirements needed to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a Health Psychologist. You’ll also have the requirements needed for the Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.