If you prefer, you can also study the MSc Health Psychology via our online provision.
Why study Health Psychology at Derby?
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
If you don't already hold a GBC, it is possible to gain this by completing a BPS-accredited conversion programme before or after completing this programme.
Become part of the wider Health Psychology Community
Our lecturers have brilliant professional links throughout the Health Psychology community, including the Health Psychology Training Committee, Division of Health Psychology and other organisations. They will encourage you to network and get involved with other organisations outside of the University of Derby. These valuable networking sessions could really help you progress in your career and help you stay current with what is happening in the Health Psychology landscape.
Two students are committee members of the Health Psychology Trainee Network Conversation Cafes. These are UK-wide networking opportunities for students on BPS-accredited stage one health psychology programmes. Find out more by following HPTN on Twitter.
Discover the HPTN on Twitter
You’ll study modules such as:
Modules
- Psychology of Health and Wellbeing - This module aims to provide you with a broad knowledge-base of the role of psychology in the experience of health, and wellbeing in relation to the historical, social and political context of health psychology and health services policy
- Health Promotion and Behaviour Change - This module aims to provide you with an understanding of a range of factors that influence health behaviour and the role of psychology in health promotion and behaviour change
- Psychology of Illness - Within health psychology it is essential to understand the links between psychological factors, physiological mechanisms, and behaviour in the onset and progression of illness. It is also essential to understand the experience of symptoms and symptom response in the context of healthcare utilisation, and how the experience of healthcare and treatment impacts a broad range of patient outcomes. This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge base in these areas
- Living with Long Term Conditions - The aim of this module is to provide students with a critical awareness of the role of psychology in the experience and management of long term conditions for individuals living with long term conditions and their wider social networks (e.g. family and friends)
- Advanced Psychological Research Methods in Context - The aim of this module is to provide you with advanced knowledge and skills related to quantitative and qualitative research methods within the context of applied psychology
- Clinical and Professional Skills for Practitioner Psychologists - The aim of this module is to support your personal and professional development, and enable you to reflect on, and plan for, your own development as a trainee health psychologist and to support you accessing relevant opportunities during and on completion of the programme
- Empirical Research Project - It is intrinsic to the award of MSc that you present evidence of your capacity to conduct a substantial piece of independent empirical research that builds clearly upon your prior learning and which draws upon appropriate methodologies. The aim of this module is to allow you to identify a research issue, formulate pertinent research questions and explore these questions through the application of contemporary psychological methodologies and appropriate data analysis and dissemination methods
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
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:
Entry requirements for UK students: BSc (Hons) Psychology qualification that confers Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS. Applicants should usually have a 2:1 or above, although we will consider applicants with a 2:2 where there is relevant experience and subject to a satisfactory interview. We will also consider applicants with closely aligned degree qualifications where there is relevant experience.
Entry requirements for EU/international students: As above (or the equivalent international qualifications). If English is not your first language, you will need to hold IELTS 6.5 in all areas.
2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,450 for the full course* | £1,050 per 20 credits |
| International | £14,900 for the full course | N/A |
Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.
* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable
2025/26 (August 2025 - July 2026)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,720 for the full course* | £1,080 per 20 credits |
| International | £16,900 for the full course | N/A |
Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.
* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable
About postgraduate awards
Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.
| Award | Credits |
|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate | 60 Credits |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 Credits |
| MA or MSc | 180 Credits |
This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.
Funding your studies
Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.
Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies
Alumni discount for Derby graduates
We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.
Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount
How to apply
Please look at our before you apply.
Health psychology specialists work in a range of settings across the NHS, industry and local authorities as well as in the voluntary sector and academia. A number of our graduates have gone on to deliver services in health promotion, public health, mental health and chronic illness management. There are also opportunities to enter other graduate professions, such as education and management.
Some of our students have gone on to stage two postgraduate training to practise as registered health psychologists whilst others have secured funded PhDs in health psychology-related areas. Others have used the MSc to gain places on clinical psychology training programmes or to access training in areas including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Increasing Access to Psychological Treatment services.
Find out more about the range of careers available
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
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