Psychology courses

About Health Psychology Msc in Coventry University

Accredited by British Psychological Society (BPS), this course is designed to help you become a practising health psychologist, supporting others in dealing with the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness, as well promoting healthier lifestyles.

If you already possess Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), either from a BPS accredited Psychology degree or conversion course, successful completion of this Master’s fulfils the first of two stages towards becoming qualified as a practitioner Health Psychologist.

You’ll be taught by our highly experienced course team, which includes staff who have worked in a variety of settings as practitioners and/or researchers in areas such as pain management and the management of long term conditions, smoking cessation, public health, clinical health psychology and community health.

Why Coventry University?

An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.

Course information

Health psychology is based on the premise that illness is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors – things like genetic conditions, anxiety levels or lifestyle choices, family relationships and support systems – some of which can be remedied with counselling, education, social support and behaviour change interventions.

You will be taught how to develop, evaluate and deliver relevant interventions in a whole range of situations which are designed to improve health or enable individuals to better cope with illness. This may include helping people maintain a healthy weight, avoid risky or unhealthy behaviours and maintain a positive outlook in order to combat stress, depression and anxiety.

We place a significant emphasis on research methods, developing your knowledge and skills in planning, carrying out, analysing and writing about research in applied health psychology. For your dissertation, you will have the opportunity to produce an extensive piece of independent research under the supervision of research active academics.

Career prospects

Career prospects for qualified health psychologists continue to grow and completing the course will enable you to progress to further training towards a career as a Health Psychologist.

There are two stages to becoming a qualified practising Health Psychologist requiring a combination of professional education and supervised practice. In the first instance, you need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS, followed by a BPS accredited Masters in Health Psychology, such as this course.

The second stage requires a recognised doctoral-level qualification such as a BPS accredited Doctorate in Health Psychology or a PhD alongside the BPS’ Qualification in Health Psychology (QHP Stage 2). Only after completing both Stage 1 and Stage 2 are you eligible to register with the HCPC and use the legally protected title of ‘Health Psychologist’.

Health psychologists work in a wide variety of organisations such as the NHS within hospitals and community health settings, health research units, and public health departments within local authorities. They often work in partnership with other health professionals such as GPs, nurses, dieticians and public health practitioners. Some health psychologists set up, or work for, private consultancy firms offering services such as health service evaluations, therapeutic services within private healthcare settings and/or training services for health professionals. It’s also possible to follow a career as a health psychologist within academia, teaching and conducting health psychology research within universities or other research institutions.

For those who do not wish to go on to study further, the Masters will provide the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that are in demand by employers. There are a wide range and growing number of job opportunities within the health sector for which are graduates are well suited. Examples of jobs which our graduates may be suitable candidates for include: health improvement/well-being practitioner, health promotion specialist, behaviour change advisor, health trainer/instructor and research assistant within health services research teams.

Such employment is typically within the NHS, public health teams within local authorities, health-related charities and other third sector organisations.

The MSc will also enhance your career prospects by further developing skills required for graduate level jobs, giving you a competitive advantage over those educated to a graduate level. 

Where our graduates work

Our graduates have gone on to further study, including Stage 2 Health Psychology training, or a PhD and successfully qualified as Health Psychologists. We have also had students go on to successfully secure a place on a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

A 2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Psychology. Applicants with degrees in Science or Social Sciences with 50% study in psychology, will be considered on a case by case basis.

English as a Foreign Language: This course requires IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5. Pre-sessional English is available if required.

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