MSc Health Psychology

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Manchester Metropolitan University

Program Overview

The MSc Health Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) provides students with a rigorous understanding of how psychological, biological, and social factors influence health, illness, and wellbeing. It is ideal for psychology graduates or health professionals who want to design behaviour-change interventions, conduct research, or prepare for practitioner roles.

Curriculum structure:
Since this is a one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) course, students cover core theory, methods, and practice before completing a major research project.

In their studies, students examine Understanding & Changing Health Behaviour, learning behaviour-change theories and how to design interventions. Through Biological Mechanisms & Neuropsychological Health, they explore the neuropsychology of illness and stress reactivity. The module Health, Illness & Society deepens their grasp of social and cultural determinants of health. In the Health Psychology Practice module, learners apply their knowledge to real-world settings. Finally, they complete a Research for Innovation Dissertation, conducting independent research using quantitative or qualitative methods.

Focus areas:
“behaviour change theory; biological/neuropsychological health; social determinants of illness; applied health psychology; research methods”

Learning outcomes:
“critically understand health-psychological theories, design behaviour-change interventions, apply neurobiological insights to health, engage in professional practice, and carry out independent empirical research.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as a Stage 1 qualification toward Chartered Health Psychologist status.

Reputation (employability):
MMU’s health psychology team is embedded in a research-active department (Stress, Health & Performance Research Group), and graduates can progress to NHS roles, research careers, or doctoral-level training.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students develop practical health psychology skills through applied research projects and professional training for Stage 1 accreditation. They utilise the Department of Psychology's specialist facilities and have links with health organisations. The programme's experiential components include:

Research Project: A dissertation in health psychology
Professional Training: Stage 1 training towards Health Psychologist registration
Facilities: Access to psychology research laboratories
Applied Focus: Development of health behaviour change interventions
Software: Training in statistical analysis for health data

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Manchester Metropolitan University’s MSc Health Psychology program typically enter roles such as Health Psychologist Trainee, Clinical Researcher, Public Health Consultant, and Healthcare Policy Advisor. These graduates possess strong expertise in psychological theories of health, behaviour change, and research methodologies, enabling them to contribute effectively in health promotion, clinical settings, and policy development.

Key employability and progression information includes:

University services include dedicated Personal and Programme Support Tutors, career mentoring, access to placements in NHS, charitable organisations, and commercial sectors, plus tailored workshops on employability and professional development.
According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey, 92.7% of UK-domiciled graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months, with competitive salaries aligned with healthcare and research roles.
University–industry partnerships include NHS trusts, health charities, and research institutions offering work-based learning opportunities and live projects to enhance applied skills.
The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as Stage 1 training, providing long-term professional value and a pathway to Stage 2 clinical health psychology training.
Graduates report high satisfaction with their development in therapeutic principles, advanced research skills, and health behaviour interventions, which support their employability and career advancement.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue doctoral training (clinical or health psychology), PhD research in health-related topics, or specialist professional qualifications to advance their careers in health psychology and related fields.