Online courses

Overview

Health Psychology MSc (online)

*Please note: only candidates with a Psychology degree will be eligible for this programme

Our Health Psychology Masters degree programme aims to provide students with the skills needed to understand health behaviours and psychological interventions involved in promoting wellbeing.

This online BPS-accredited course has been designed by leading faculty at Ulster University, including Registered Health Psychologists with a strong academic and clinical background. Our course will enhance your professional skills, theoretical knowledge and understanding of health issues and psychology, enabling you to take your career to the next level.

Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the broader principles and application of research methods and statistical techniques that drive the field. Our Masters in Health Psychology establishes a strong foundation of common theoretical concepts, themes and issues relating to how psychology can improve our wellbeing through proper application.

If you’re looking to train as a health psychologist, or work as a healthcare consultant, Public Health Advisor or another health-related field, our course will equip you with the necessary leadership skills and knowledge to excel in your career.

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    • Type
      MSc Online
    • Length
      Two years minimum, four years maximum, part-time
    • Intakes
      September, November 2022, January, May, July 2023
    • Fees
      £8,495
    • Typical Entry Requirements
      UK 2:1 Honours degree in Psychology conferring eligibility for GBC membership of the British Psychological Society (OR a national or an international equivalent e.g. PSI).
    • *This programme is only open to Psychology Graduates*

Entry Requirements

Typical Entry Requirements

  • 2:1 honours degree in Psychology conferring eligibility for GBC membership of the British Psychological Society (OR a national or an international equivalent e.g. PSI).
    OR
  • An accredited MSc Psychology conversion course with a merit grade or above.
  • Applicants will have to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grades A-C or equivalent).

APPLICANTS WITHOUT A PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

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Modules

Modules

  • Bio-Behavioural Mechanisms underlying Health
  • Individual Perspectives in Health Psychology
  • Methods and Issues in Research and Practice
  • Social, Cultural and Family Perspectives in Health Psychology
  • Context and Perspectives in Health Psychology
  • Models and Applications in Health Psychology
  • Dissertation for Health Psychology
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Fees & Funding

Fees

Total Course fees: £8,495

Fees are payable on a module-by-module basis. Fees shown above are applicable for the 2021/22 academic year of entry. Fees illustrated are subject to increase at the start of each academic year. Terms and conditions apply.

Funding

Flexible options allow students, sponsors or their employers to make payment as easy as possible. A 10% Alumni Discount is available for eligible candidates.

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Faculty

Academic Expertise

Dr Lynn Dunwoody

Dr Lynn Dunwoody

Dr John Mallett

Dr John Mallett

Dr Jenny Davison

Dr Jenny Davison

Dr Marian McLaughlin

Dr Marian McLaughlin

Dr Liz Simpson

Dr Liz Simpson

Dr Niamh Kennedy

Dr Niamh Kennedy

Professor Melanie Giles

Professor Melanie Giles

Dr Gavin Breslin

Dr Gavin Breslin

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About the Course

Health psychology is a fast-growing field. Driven by the global increase in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity and chronic illnesses, there is a recognised need for a psychological approach to manage lifestyle choices, address wellbeing and educate people about their health.

On our BPS-accredited Masters programme, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the field and its scientific foundation. Students will learn how to use their knowledge of psychology and health to promote well-being, as well to help people manage the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness.

Study anytime and anywhere with our 100% online distance learning Masters. You will learn from active researchers and registered health psychologists with a strong academic and clinical background. Renowned for its world-class research, Ulster University is in the top 25% of UK universities for world-leading research power (Research Excellence Framework, 2014).

Our BPS-accredited Masters will allow you to specialise in the increasingly critical and relevant area of health and illness management and place you on the pathway to become a Registered Health Psychologist or work in research, public health, healthcare consultancy, community healthcare or charity.

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Why choose this programme?

Do you have an undergraduate or conversion degree in psychology? If so, this programme could be for you.

Ulster University is renowned for its world-class teaching, facilities and outstanding research.

Our MSc in Health Psychology is accredited by the BPS and taught by a qualified and credible teaching staff, made up of registered health psychologists and chartered psychologists with strong academic and clinical backgrounds.

The programme is designed along a BPS framework, meaning content and assessments are in line with the industry and relevant to current practice. Our MSc constitutes Stage 1 Training towards becoming a Registered Health Psychologist.

We have an established reputation for delivering world-class research and are in the top 25% of UK universities for world-leading research based on research power (Research Excellence Framework, 2014).

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Distance Learning

Our 100% distance learning programme gives you the freedom to tailor your learning around other commitments and study flexibly at a time that suits you. 

With more than 20 years of experience delivering online courses, Ulster University’s tutors are well-versed in delivering effective and engaging online learning experiences. Ulster’s online Masters courses offer an immersive curriculum, with interactive study sessions, 24/7 access to materials and peer discussions across time zones. 

As a distance learning student, you’ll receive support from course academics and a Student Success Team, who will be on hand to guide you from day one right through to graduation.

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Fees

Total Course fees: £8,495

Fees are payable flexibly on a module-by-module basis.

A 10% Alumni Discount is available for eligible candidates.

Fees shown above are applicable for the 2021/22 academic year of entry. Fees illustrated are subject to increase at the start of each academic year. Terms and conditions apply.

Intakes

Start when it suits you with intakes (for psychology graduates only) in:

September, November 2022, January, May, July 2023.

Entry Requirements

*NB this is not a conversion course – you must have an existing Psychology degree.*

To enrol in the course, applicants will require

  • EITHER
    • At least a 2:1 honours degree in psychology conferring eligibility for GBC membership of the British Psychological Society (or National/international Equivalent e.g. PSI).
  • OR
    • An accredited MSc Psychology conversion course with a merit grade or above
  • PLUS
    • Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grades A-C or equivalent).

English language requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement. Ulster University also recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

These typical entry requirements apply to the 2023/2023 academic year of entry and may be subject to change.

Modules

Graduates of the programme will emerge with skills that cover an extensive range of disciplines. The course comprises six core modules and a dissertation:

  • Bio-Behavioural Mechanisms Underlying Health
  • Individual Perspectives in Health Psychology
  • Methods and Issues in Research and Practice (MIRP)
  • Social, Cultural and Family Perspectives in Health Psychology
  • Context and Perspectives in Health Psychology
  • Models and Applications in Health Psychology (MAHP)

Dissertation

  • You will also be required to complete a piece of in-depth research and write a Dissertation on an area of particular field interest at an appropriate Masters level of scholarship

Our flexible programme is structured to allow you to take on the course at your own pace and enable you to fit studies around your work and life commitments.

To complete the full MSc degree, you need to successfully complete all modules as well as the dissertation to earn the necessary 180 credits. Through your dissertation, you will have the opportunity to apply your newly acquired skills and knowledge to solve health and illness issues.

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Programme Learning Outcomes

Through our course, successful students will:

  • Display in-depth knowledge and understanding or the appropriate and ethical use and application of qualitative and quantitative methods and statistical analyses used in health psychology.
  • Demonstrate critical awareness and understanding of professional behaviour, in a variety of contexts with other health professionals and client groups.
  • Critically evaluate theories of behaviour change applied to health-related behaviours and cognitions.
  • Identify and apply the techniques appropriate to research in the field.
  • Identify and apply the skills necessary for the assessment of psychological factors in the field.
  • Achieve Stage 1 Training in becoming a Registered Health Psychologist.

Careers

Students undertaking the BPS-accredited Health Psychology Masters will gain Stage 1 training – an essential step to becoming a Registered Health Psychologist. Many Masters graduates go straight into further study, specialising in advanced research areas such as pain management, aging, drug abuse, addiction behaviours and beyond.  

Many graduates go on to work in the human health sector, helping people deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness and to encourage healthier lifestyles. According to the BPS, Health Psychologists are found in a range of settings, including, but not limited to, hospitals, community health settings, research units, local authorities and public health departments.

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The Faculty

The Faculty of Life and Health Sciences is a leading provider of health-related education, with almost 6,500 students and approximately 250 academic staff.

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences has a strong reputation in the field and was the first to provide a distance learning MSc in Health Psychology accredited by the BPS in the UK.

Our teaching staff are composed of a dedicated and research-active group of academics, including registered health psychologists. Our psychologists have links with several professional organisations including the Public Health Agency and Health Trusts. The School of Psychology is also actively involved with the Division of Health Psychology at regional, national and international level.

Meet Your Faculty

Dr Lynn Dunwoody

Dr Lynn Dunwoody

Lecturer

Dr Lynn Dunwoody is an HCPC registered Health Psychologist and a Chartered Psychologist with the BPS. After completing her PhD at Ulster University in 1994, Lynn worked in clinical practice for 15 years in a private clinic, before joining Ulster as a lecturer in Health Psychology in 1996.

Her research is health psychology focused in the areas of adversarial growth, CBT and quality of life in relation to cancer, among other areas.

Dr John Mallett

Dr John Mallett

Senior Lecturer

Dr John Mallett is a Senior Lecturer at Ulster University and a chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society. With over 20 years’ experience teaching statistics and research methods, John is widely published in the areas of psychology, health and social policy.
His expertise in advanced statistical analysis is reflected in many of his publications. He has obtained research funding from a wide range of organisations and has presented research findings to government departments.

Dr Jenny Davison

Dr Jenny Davison

Lecturer

Jenny Davison is a Lecturer in Psychology within the School of Psychology at Ulster University. A BPS Chartered Psychologist and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Jenny has worked as a Research Fellow at both Ulster University and Queens University Belfast and has a specific interest in child and adolescent health and wellbeing.

She is also a full member of the Division of Health Psychology (DHP) and DHPNI.

Dr Marian McLaughlin

Dr Marian McLaughlin

Senior Lecturer

Marian McLaughlin is a Senior Lecturer within the School of Psychology at Ulster University. A fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the Centre for Higher Education and Research Practice, she is also a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the BPS.

Marian’s main research interests are in the areas of child health and well-being, including theoretical applications to health for the design and evaluation of behavioural change interventions including sexual health, oral health and e-cigarette use.

Dr Liz Simpson

Dr Liz Simpson

Course Director

Dr Liz Simpson is Senior Lecturer at Ulster University and Course Director of the online BPS accredited MSc in Health Psychology. She is also a registered Health Psychologist, Chartered Psychologist (BPS), a member of the School of Psychology Research Institute and Chair of the Health, Education and Well-being RRG from 2012-2018.

She has over 20 years’ experience of research in health psychology and has contributed to research investigating factors that contribute to health and wellbeing with age.

Professor Melanie Giles

Professor Melanie Giles

Professor

Melanie Giles is a Professor of Psychology and Head of School. She is also a Chartered Psychologist and a registered health practitioner with the HCPC as well as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Centre for Higher Education Research Practice.

Her main research interests are how social psychological theory can be applied to predict and increase our understanding of health-related behaviours.

Dr Gavin Breslin

Dr Gavin Breslin

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Gavin Breslin is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Psychology, Ulster University, a member of the Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute and Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

A British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, Gavin is also the lead advisor for research underpinning Sport Northern Ireland and the Public Health Agencies ‘Wellbeing in Sport Action Plan 2019-2025’ which he authored.

Dr Niamh Kennedy

Dr Niamh Kennedy

Lecturer

Since 2017, Niamh Kennedy has worked as Lecturer in School of Psychology, Ulster University, where she is joint lead of the Cognitive Neuroscience lab.

As a cognitive neuroscientist, she specialises in researching neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation following stroke and brain injury.

Prior to joining Ulster, she worked for 7 years as a Lecturer in Rehabilitation Neuroscience as a member of the Acquired Brain Injury Alliance in University of East Anglia (UEA).

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