MSc Clinical Health Psychology

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Strathclyde

Program Overview

The MSc Clinical Health Psychology at University of Strathclyde provides comprehensive training in clinical, health and neuropsychology, integrated with professional practice and advanced research methods. It is designed for graduates who aim to pursue doctoral training or careers in clinical and health-related applied psychology roles.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students begin with core modules such as Clinical Psychology (examining mental health disorders and their treatment) and Professional Practice (focusing on ethics, practitioner skills and applied psychology standards). They also complete Research Methods in Clinical Health Psychology, developing advanced quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research skills.
Year 1 (cont’d): In the latter part of the programme they study Neuropsychology (covering neurological disorders, neuroanatomy and assessment) and Health Psychology (exploring health behaviours, chronic illness and intervention-design). They then undertake Introduction to Psychological Therapies, engaging in practitioner-led workshops to build clinical intervention competence.
Final phase: The course culminates in a Dissertation – Clinical Health Psychology (60 credits), where students undertake an independent empirical study or systematic review in the fields of clinical, health or neuropsychology, applying their methodological and applied skills to a real-world question.

Focus areas: "clinical psychology, health psychology, neuropsychology, professional practice, advanced research methods"
Learning outcomes: "Graduates will understand theory and practice across clinical, health and neurological psychology; be able to conduct rigorous research; and develop practitioner-level skills relevant for applied health psychology roles or doctoral training."
Professional alignment (accreditation): This programme does not confer eligibility for British Psychological Society (BPS) Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) nor does it fulfil Stage 1 training for Health Psychology qualification.
Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Strathclyde ranks among the UK’s top-20 institutions for Psychology (Complete University Guide) and emphasises strong graduate career support in applied health and research-orientated psychology.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students develop practical skills through applied research projects and specialist training in clinical health methodologies. They utilise resources from the Department of Psychology and have access to health-related research facilities. The programme's experiential components include:

Research Project: A dissertation involving original research in clinical health psychology
Software: Training in SPSS for statistical analysis of health data
Practical Skills: Development of professional skills for clinical health settings
Research Environment: Access to the Department of Psychology's research infrastructure
Applied Focus: Training in health psychology interventions and evidence-based practice

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Strathclyde are equipped for careers in applied psychology roles, research, and as assistant psychologists in healthcare settings. This program develops expertise in clinical, health, and neuropsychology, preparing students for further clinical training or research careers.

Progression and Future Opportunities:

The university’s Careers and Employability Service offers personalized career guidance, practical workshops, and support for gaining relevant work experience, including placements in clinical and health research settings.
Many graduates proceed to roles such as Assistant Psychologist, Research Assistant, Health Psychologist, and Mental Health Worker, with average salaries ranging approximately from £25,000 to £38,000 depending on sector and experience.
The course benefits from collaborations with NHS trusts and healthcare organizations, providing practical placement opportunities and professional networking.
Though the MSc itself does not confer clinical qualifications, it supports progression to doctoral-level clinical psychology training and has strong research training credentials.
Graduation outcomes include high employability rates in healthcare and research sectors, often serving as a stepping stone to funded PhD programs or clinical doctorate training.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can advance by pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or a PhD in clinical or health psychology, leveraging the foundational skills gained during this MSc to specialize and qualify as Practitioner Psychologists or pursue research-led careers