Health Psychology - MSc
Course Overview
Health psychology is the practise and application of psychological research into behaviour relevant to health illness and health care. It looks at the role of environmental, psychosocial, and socio-cultural factors that may contribute to disease or its prevention. Health strategy now is shifting from the treatment of disease to the maintenance of health and prevention of illness. This is ever more important in the Welsh context given that there are higher rates of behaviour related ill health in Wales compared to the rest of the UK, and a correspondingly high level of risky behaviours (Welsh Assembly Government, 2004).
Course Content
This degree addresses the recommendations of the ‘Wanless Report’ (2004) and various Government papers to produce high quality graduates that could help improve the health of Wales and beyond by using specific psychological knowledge and skills.
Students will complete the following six taught modules and they will also complete a dissertation which will be an independent piece of research.
• Research Method and Design:
Equips the student with the qualitative and quantitative research skills necessary to undertake masters level research
• Biopsychosocial Issues in Health:
Explores the impact of biopsychosocial factors in health
• Health Psychology and the Health Psychologist:
Provides a critical account of the application of health psychology in the community and workplace
• Changing Health Behaviour:
Critically evaluates psychological theories of behavioural change
• Chronic Illness, Stress and Pain:
Critically evaluates theories and models of chronic disease, stress, pain and their management.
• Communication in the Health Care Context:
Develops the students’ understanding of effective communication strategies.
Career Potential
An MSc in Health Psychology is the first step (stage one) towards Chartered Psychology status for students who are eligible to hold the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). The MSc in Health Psychology will provide the knowledge base and research skills which will underpin stage two of the process towards Chartership with the BPS (two years of supervised practice). Completion of stage 2 with the BPS also confers eligibility to become a Health Professions Council (HPC) registered Health Psychologist. All practitioner psychologists are regulated by the HPC. Alternatively, the Post Graduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Practitioner Health Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University offers a quicker route towards registration with the HPC. Health psychologists work in all areas relevant to health, illness and health care delivery.
Entry Requirements
A good honours degree (normally 2.1 or above) in Psychology, from a BPS (British Psychology Society) accredited undergraduate course.
Key Facts
Campus: Llandaff
School: Cardiff School of Health Sciences
Course Length: One year full-time or two years part-time
Assessment:
The MSc is assessed by range of different coursework assignments.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply
Selection Procedure:
Candidates will need to meet the admissions criteria. They will be expected to provide a CV and covering letter explaining why they wish to become a health psychologist.