Bridging the gap between medicine and psychology, our course focuses on understanding the behavioural processes around health and sickness, and is one of the only MScs in this subject to offer a compulsory 18-week placement. Our MSc Health Psychology programme is designed to allow students to develop knowledge and skills across all of the main areas of health psychology to postgraduate level. We cover a wide range of topics, from advanced research methods, through to a working and evidence-based knowledge of health psychology approaches, theories, models and interventions.

You will develop a strong knowledge base and core transferable skills. You will learn to analyse, debate, discuss and devise behaviour change interventions for use in primary, secondary and community care. You’ll become autonomous in the design and analysis of research, and develop skills towards becoming an independent researcher. You’ll develop an awareness of the practical reality of working in applied settings before going on to perfect those skills in our embedded placement. All of this will provide you with a solid foundation for further study and/or employment in a variety of areas, including PhDs, research assistantships, and further training.

Full details in the Curriculum Handbook

Contact

If you’d like to know more about the programme, please contact:

Dr Emily Mattacola
Programme Director for MSc Health Psychology
emily.mattacola@buckingham.ac.uk

Rosie Johnson
Admissions Officer
psychology-admissions@buckingham.ac.uk

Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS), usually obtained via achieving a 2:1 or higher in an accredited undergraduate Psychology degree.

Mature students

Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.

International students

We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country. International applicants are advised to check with the BPS if your course qualifies for GBC. You can use the “Non-UK applicants” tab to apply for GBC.

The University is a UKVI Tier 4 Sponsor.

English levels

If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.

Selection process

Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so they may be conducted by Skype or phone.

The Psychology Admissions Team would be happy to answer any questions you may have:

Email: psychology-admissions@buckingham.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1280 828322

Terms and conditions for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the terms and conditions between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the terms and conditions outlined in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the terms and conditions contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer.

Read the admissions terms and conditions > >

This is a one year, full-time programme accepting students in both September and January. Alongside the taught modules, there will be opportunities for you to gain practical work experience from our embedded 18-week placement. Taught modules include:

• Context & Communication in Health Psychology
• Health Behaviour, Cognitions & Interventions
• Managing Chronic Illness: Healthcare and Professional Settings
• Professional Issues in Health Psychology
• Physiological and Psychosomatic Disease Processes
• Advanced Qualitative Methods
• Advanced Quantitative Methods
• Dissertation in Health Psychology

We adopt a personalised teaching style built on creating outstanding working relationships between students and staff. All modules use a tutorial style of teaching, in which students are taught every week, on every module in groups of 7 or fewer, allowing for regular high-quality contact time with your tutor. It is through this method that students can achieve excellence in their qualification in a supportive environment. You will work with tutors with wide-ranging expertise across research, consulting and applied settings, including spinal cord injury, pain, social support, sexual & reproductive health, and health in vulnerable populations.

All modules are assessed by a combination of two-three assignments. Assignments differ according to the module requirements but include a variety of assessment styles over the programme including traditional essays and examinations, poster presentations, critical reflections and role plays. You will conduct a systematic review and apply legal and ethical practice frameworks to a case you have come across in your work on placement, reflecting your skills and development. Your dissertation is written in a format for submission to a journal, allowing you to aim to publish your work quickly and easily with support from your supervisor. Previous students have conducted their dissertation on topics including:

• Investigating the impact of exercise programmes in schools
• Understanding the psychological impact of isolation in spinal cord injury
• Assessment of care pathways for people in secure mental health and forensic hospitals
• Understanding the barriers to mindfulness

See the School of Psychology and Wellbeing Curriculum Handbook and Research Degrees Handbook for further information.

Applied psychologists can be found in settings such as hospitals, universities, government, local authorities, communities, schools and in private practice. They may work in conjunction with healthcare agencies such as NHS Trusts and health authorities. Alternatively, you may decide to pursue a career in research, in which case universities and charities are the main employers.

Working as a Chartered Psychologist requires a doctoral level qualification. After your MSc Health Psychology, you might decide to stay on with us to study your PhD.

Students who have completed their undergraduate Psychology degree at the University of Buckingham are entitled to an alumni discount for the MSc Health Psychology programme. The discount is dependent on the degree classification you received (25% for gaining a 2:1 and 33% for gaining a first).

Postgraduate loan scheme

A new system of postgraduate loans for Masters degrees in the UK will be introduced from 1 August 2016 with support from the UK Government. The loan will provide up to £10,000 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. The loans can be used for tuition fees, living expenses or both.

You may also find it useful to visit our External Funding page.

On-campus accommodation

We guarantee on-campus accommodation to all new students for their first four terms of study, as long as it is booked and paid for in good time, so you’re assured of a safe and secure home from home when you arrive at the University. Most new students choose this option.

Living on campus enables you to become involved in University activities, make friends, and integrate with the University community. For some of you this will be your first time in the UK; for others it will be the first time living away from home – and independence brings its challenges as well as its excitements. Whatever your circumstances, we know how important it is for you to feel comfortable in your accommodation.

What’s included?

All our study bedrooms are fully furnished, centrally heated, and connected to the internet. With few exceptions they have a wash basin and small refrigerator. We have a large number of ensuite rooms, and are upgrading more rooms each year. There are shared kitchens for when you wish to cook for yourself.

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more, visit our Accommodation pages or get in touch with our Accommodation Team.

We recommend that all prospective students visit our campus if they are able to, and campus tours include a typical student room. Arrange a tour via your Admissions Officer.