Our Health Psychology course provides up-to- date and thorough grounding in the theories, concepts and empirical findings in health psychology. It will prepare you for a subsequent research degree or professional training in health psychology (i.e. PhD and/or BPS Stage 2 training in Health Psychology). We aim to equip you with the skills to apply the scientific and theoretical basis of health psychology using scholarly and critical approaches. We also provide formal training in quantitative and qualitative research methods so that you are able to evaluate, plan and conduct research. Clinical placements provide the opportunity to observe health psychology in practice and to learn basic clinical skills.
The clinical placement takes place in the second semester and is organised by a dedicated member of academic staff in NHS departments across King’s Health Partners, in industry and health related charities and public services. Placements consist of a dedicated piece of work completed by the student in their host department coupled with shadowing and observing health and clinical psychologists. Previous placements included auditing patient experiences in an NHS outpatient department, designing an information leaflet on health psychological measurement for allied health professionals and interviewing patients about their experiences of psychological therapy among others, some of which have led to academic and professional publication.
You will also be required to undertake a significant piece of empirical work (a research project). All research projects are conducted in collaboration with a supervisor. While you will be encouraged to develop your own research proposal, you will also have the opportunity to work on projects developed by academic staff in their areas of expertise.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment
“We have a core research identity focused around individuals with long term conditions and multimorbidity. We look at how health psychology can support their illnesses. One of the ways this influences the course is our approach to practical clinical skills and developing interventions informed by our research.”
Dr Joe Chilcot, Admissions Tutor
Watch our Open Evening Presentation to find out more about the Health Psychology MSc.
BPS Accreditation
The course is stage 1 accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) who highlighted four areas of particular strength:
1. The opportunity for students to undertake a placement that provides invaluable experiences for students and to gain professional skills which will benefit them in seeking employment.
2. The availability of personal support from the staff and the quality and timeliness of feedback on their assessments.
3. The integration of the course with other health psychology provision and other applied psychologists in the region.
4. Students are well prepared to undertake further professional training (stage 2) in health psychology as a result of their introduction to a range of therapeutic interventions and the process of conducting a systematic review.
Format
You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Health Related Behaviours, Cognitions & Emotions
Lectures (36 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (14 hours) | Self-study time (100 hours)
Psychosocial factors of Chronic Illness and Disability
Lectures (36 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (14 hours) | Self-study time (100 hours)
Psychology and Health Care Delivery
Lectures (36 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (14 hours) | Self-study time (100 hours)
Health Psychology in Action & Professional Development
Lectures (24 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (15 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (100 hours) | Self-study time (161 hours)
Basic and Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
Lectures (60 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (20 hours) | Self-study time (350 hours)
Research Project
Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (500 hours) | Self-study time (80 hours)
Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Course Assessment
The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations, coursework and practical work. The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.