Course description

The best bits

• Learn from lecturers at the forefront of psychological research
• Develop the foundational skills that underpin clinical and professional practice in health psychology
• Understand the application of health psychology to roles within the NHS, public, private and charity sectors
• Access inter-professional learning opportunities across the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care
• Network with the wider health psychology community including the opportunity to attend the Midlands Health Psychology Network conference

Studying Health Psychology at Derby means you will be taught by our team of research-active psychologists, who have expert knowledge of health psychology theory, practice and research. As well as delving into the theoretical underpinnings of health psychology, you'll also be exploring the issues faced by today's health psychology professionals. Their comprehensive knowledge and professional experience will really help you learn, and their strong research profile means that you'll be part of a vibrant department at the forefront of developments in health psychology.

The team have recently been involved in the following areas of work, including published work:

• "We All Need Purpose and Reason to Be Here.": A Qualitative Investigation of How Members of Alcoholics Anonymous with Long-term Recovery Experience Aging
• The Derby Packed Lunch Trial; using behavioural insights to reduce primary school children’s sugar consumption
• What is the role of stress cardiovascular reactivity in health behaviour change?
• Systematic Review of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation, quality of life and distress: a cluster analysis of cognitive and behavioural responses

You will also have the opportunity to conduct your own research, which the teaching team will support you to have published where appropriate.

The teaching team are engaged in a range of research work, which you are welcome to get involved with. We actively encourage you to take part in a range of research activities if you are interested.

Accreditation

Study a course that provides Stage One training in Health Psychology and is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for those who already hold Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC).

Both GBC and Stage One training are prerequisites for entry onto Stage Two of training to become a practitioner Health Psychologist.

Completion of Stage One and Stage Two training in Health Psychology will provide:

• eligibility for Chartered Psychologist status with the British Psychologist Society
• eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a practitioner Health Psychologist

How you will learn

You will be taught by a dedicated team of registered and/or chartered, research-active psychologists who have expert knowledge of health psychology theory, practice, and research. As part of the course, you’ll undertake your own research project, specialising in an area of health psychology that particularly interests you and that is relevant to your career aspirations where possible.

Our MSc Health Psychology combines research-led teaching with an innovative portfolio of applied assessments to ensure you develop both the knowledge and transferrable skills necessary for progression towards Stage Two training or directly into employment. Our focus on professional skills and employability through post-programme planning is a key feature of the course.

If you study this course on campus full-time, you’ll attend the University two days a week. If you choose to study part-time, you’ll attend one day a week.

Assessment

The programme embeds a focus on professional skills and employability and assessments across the programme support this. Assessments are applied in nature, are diverse in format and may include:  

• oral presentations
• intervention reports
• systematic review
• research project report(s)
• reflective practice portfolio

Who you'll meet

You will be taught by an established academic team who are active in research and specialists in their field including:

• Dr Amy Baraniak
• Dr Brenda Caldwell-Phillips
• Professor James Elander
• Dr Daniel Gaffiero
• Dr Fiona Holland
• Paul Staples
• Dr Vicki Staples
• Professor David Sheffield