Health Psychology can help to address health challenges affecting people’s day to day lives, prevent illness and foster health and well-being.
This course will train you to develop scientific and practitioner skills in Health Psychology, and to be eligible to become a health psychologist. It is based on real-world placement learning, and includes regular teaching and workshops.
You'll acquire specific competencies as defined by the British Psychological Society. You'll also gain competence in carrying out a piece of high quality empirical research to a standard publishable in peer review journals.
Supervision is provided by the experienced and enthusiastic health team in Psychology. We have an excellent international reputation in the field of Health Psychology with a record of high quality research into health and health behaviour.
International candidates are expected to commence and undertake most of their training in the UK.
Top-up Research Doctorate in Health Psychology
The Professional Doctorate award is also available for study via a two year part-time top-up research doctorate route. Applicants who already hold a doctoral level (practitioner) qualification in Health Psychology via the British Psychological Society (QHP), and are eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a ‘Health Psychologist’ will be eligible to complete the research module for award of the Professional Doctorate degree.
Students following this route will be required to complete the ‘Applied Research in Health Psychology’ module, via one-to-one supervision.
IQVIA paid placement opportunity
Are you keen to progress your career in health psychology? Is the Professional Doctorate the right route for you but you simply can't find a suitable placement?
We have worked with IQVIA to secure a position in their company, which aims to drive innovation towards achieving better patient outcomes and a healthier life for all. Within IQVIA, you will be working across two teams offering scientific services: Patient-Centred Solutions and Medical Communications. This paid position is designed to act as a placement for our programme. If successful, you would be employed with IQVIA with supervision and support to achieve the competencies and attend teaching weeks included. If interested to find out more, including how to apply for this position, please contact the programme co-directors Dr Lesley McGregor or Professor Vivian Swanson. The deadline for applications is October 15th at 12pm/noon (UK time).
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- show an advanced knowledge of Health Psychology theory, research and methods;
- develop, deliver and evaluate evidence-based health interventions;
- maintain high ethical and professional standards in Health Psychology practice and research;
- provide consultancy for individuals, teams or organisations;
- design, deliver and evaluate training courses in Health Psychology.
Professional accreditation
On successful completion of this 'Stage 2' training, you'll be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) under the protected title of ‘Health Psychologist’.
You will also be eligible to apply for full membership of the Division of Health Psychology and can become a BPS Chartered Health Psychologist.
This Professional Doctorate Health Psychology degree is fully accredited and commended by the British Psychological Society.
Work placements
Placements are an integral part of this course and you can work in a wide range of settings, including the NHS, local government, health and social care, third sector (charities) or other organisations. In most cases you'll identify your own main placement, and this will need to be organised and approved as part of the application and admissions process. Placements can be paid or unpaid, in your own workplace or elsewhere, or can be carried out on a voluntary basis.
Placements must cover at least two broad areas of work. This could be one main placement supplemented by shorter pieces of work elsewhere, or by time split more or less equally between two placements, or they can be sequential over time.
International candidates are expected to start and undertake most of their training in the UK.
Examples of placements with our current trainees include:
- working with a mental health charity, providing health behaviour interventions for clients and training staff who provide support for people with complex behavioural problems in GP practices;
- providing training for hospital staff in motivational approaches and behaviour change, and contributing to staff well-being support;
- working with people with learning disabilities;
- working in primary care to deliver health psychology interventions.
Study abroad
Plans to undertake part of the qualification abroad should be discussed well in advance with the coordinating supervisor or course team. For placements abroad, supervision requirements will be as for the existing course.