MSc in Health Psychology

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Galway

Program Overview

The MSc in Health Psychology at University of Galway is a one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) NFQ Level 9 master’s that equips graduates with advanced expertise in how psychological theory, research and methods apply to health, wellbeing and behaviour change in individuals and populations. It suits graduates with an accredited psychology degree who want to pursue careers or research roles in health settings, community wellbeing, health policy, behavioural intervention design, or as a foundation for further professional training in clinical or health psychology.

Curriculum structure:

In the master’s year, students build a solid understanding of health psychology principles and research competence across core academic and applied topics. They study Perspectives in Health Psychology to ground their knowledge of theory and application across health contexts, and Biobehavioural Processes in Health and Illness to explore how behaviour interacts with physiological and psychological aspects of health. Through Health Promotion & Behaviour Change, learners examine strategies to design and evaluate interventions that promote healthier lifestyles and behaviours. Advanced Research Methods and Research and Professional Skills develop students’ competence in both quantitative and qualitative research design, data analysis and ethical practice. Psychological Processes in Illness and Health Care deepens understanding of psychological reactions within healthcare settings, and the programme culminates in a Dissertation — an original supervised research project that demonstrates independent scholarly inquiry in health psychology.

Focus areas (in a string):

Health psychology foundations, biobehavioural processes, behaviour change & health promotion, advanced research methods, psychological processes in health care, research dissertation.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Apply health psychology theory to real-world health challenges; design and evaluate behaviour change interventions; conduct advanced quantitative and qualitative research; interpret data in health-related contexts; and complete an independent research dissertation.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

Awarded as an NFQ Level 9 Master’s degree by University of Galway, and accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), supporting progression toward further professional psychology training, research careers or applied health-behaviour roles.

Reputation (employability rankings):

University of Galway is ranked among the top global universities (QS World University Rankings) and is recognised for strong research and postgraduate training in psychology and health sciences, enhancing graduate competitiveness for roles in health, policy, research and wellbeing sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical research skills by conducting their own empirical investigation, receiving advanced methodological training, and studying professional issues in applied contexts. The core of the experiential learning is an independent dissertation project, supported by dedicated training and access to university resources. This hands-on experience is delivered through several specific components:

Major Independent Research Project: Every student completes a dissertation based on an empirical investigation. This is the program's central practical exercise, requiring students to design, conduct, analyze, and report on original research in applied psychology.
Core Methodological Training: A compulsory Research Methodology and Statistics module provides the foundational technical skills needed to execute the empirical dissertation, covering essential research design and data analysis techniques.
Applied Optional Modules: Students choose from specialized applied modules like Theory of Psychotherapy, Applied Forensic Psychology, Counselling Skills, and Issues in Clinical Psychology. These modules translate theoretical knowledge into practice within specific fields.
Professional Skills Development: The compulsory Philosophical and Professional Issues in Applied Psychology module addresses ethical, philosophical, and practical considerations for working as a professional psychologist.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of University of Galway's MSc in Health Psychology advance to roles applying behavioral science to health promotion, illness management, and policy, with strong research and intervention skills. Typical positions include health psychologist assistant, behavioral researcher, health policy analyst, and wellbeing consultant in public health or NGOs. These outcomes support careers in research, healthcare delivery, and further professional training.

Career Support Elements:

University Services: Career guidance through the School of Psychology, research networking, and placement connections with partners like Croí Heart and Stroke Centre.
Employment Stats: High demand for graduates; roles in health policy/research with starting salaries €38,000-€48,000, often leading to senior positions.
University-Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with HSE, Department of Health, WHO behavioral units, and community organizations for applied projects.
Long-term Accreditation Value: PSI-accredited Stage 1 training for chartered health psychologist status; foundation for global health psychology credentials.
Graduation Outcomes: Employment in research posts, health service evaluation, lecturing, or organizations like National Screening Service.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates pursue PhD research at University of Galway, Structured PhD in Health Psychology Practice, or professional doctorates in clinical/counselling psychology, leveraging the dissertation and research methods training