MSc Health Psychology

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Nottingham

Program Overview

The MSc Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham provides advanced understanding of how psychological, social, and biological factors influence health and illness. It suits students aiming for research, clinical training, or careers promoting health behaviour change.

Curriculum Structure:
In the first term, students develop foundational knowledge through Introduction to Health Psychology and Biological, Social and Environmental Influences on Health, exploring models of health behaviour and the interaction between mind and body. The second term focuses on application and research through Stress, Health and Illness and Psychological Approaches to Managing Illness, allowing students to study coping mechanisms and interventions. The final phase includes a Research Project in Health Psychology, where students design and conduct independent research on a chosen health topic.

Focus areas: "Health behaviour, stress and coping, health interventions, illness management"

Learning outcomes: "Students gain the ability to design, apply, and evaluate psychological approaches to health promotion and illness prevention."

Professional alignment (accreditation): Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as Stage 1 training in Health Psychology.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Nottingham ranks among the UK’s top psychology departments for graduate employability and research quality (QS, Guardian).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the University of Nottingham's MSc Health Psychology gain practical skills through hands-on research and engagement with clinical and educational settings. They utilise specialist facilities including the on-site Sue Pembrey Centre for paediatric research and the Learning Sciences Research Hub. This experiential learning is structured around key components:

Research Project: An independent dissertation project, often involving data collection with clinical populations or in educational settings.
Placements: A optional clinical/educational placement module, providing direct experience in local NHS trusts or special schools.
Software: Training in SPSS for statistical analysis and specialist tools for qualitative and observational research.
Facilities: Access to the Sue Pembrey Centre and the Learning Sciences Research Hub for interdisciplinary research.
Seminars: Attendance at research seminars featuring experts from the Institute of Mental Health and the School of Education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham gain comprehensive skills and knowledge in the psychological factors influencing health and illness, equipping them for careers in healthcare, public health, and research. Typical roles include Assistant Psychologist, Research Assistant, Healthcare Worker, and Public Health Consultant. The program is British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited and offers a strong balance of theory, research, and practical application:

Nottingham’s Careers and Employability Service provides tailored workshops, one-to-one career coaching, and access to NHS and public health sector networks, including job fairs and alumni connections.
About 78.4% of postgraduates in the School of Medicine secure graduate-level employment or further study within 15 months, with average starting salaries around £30,100.
The program partners with NHS trusts, public health organizations, and research institutes for placements, internships, and collaborative projects.
Its BPS accreditation ensures long-term professional recognition and eligibility for further clinical training.
Graduates typically enter roles such as NHS Assistant Psychologists, healthcare workers, research assistants, or pursue PhD study.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can progress to doctoral clinical psychology training, PhD research in health psychology, or specialized public health roles.

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