Health Psychology MSc - 2023/4

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The School of Psychology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability: The programme is designed to equip students with multiple employability and transferable skills, as well as meeting the standards pertaining to Stage 1 of the British Psychological Society criteria for a practising Health Psychologist. The modules and assessments equip students with (1) the knowledge and ability to critically analyse existing literature, (2) the skills necessary to conduct research (e.g., literature review, study design and methodology, data analyses), (3) the ability to effectively communicate about research in written and oral forms, and (4) the knowledge, ability and confidence required to apply health psychology theories, concepts, methods, strategies and insights to tackle real-world health-related challenges. The programme also trains students in how to apply critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis and communication skills in different health-promotion contexts, including the communication of health psychology insights to non-specialist audiences (e.g., leaflets, interventions), and specialist psychology and health audiences (essays, systematic and critical reviews, group presentations). The range of different tasks and assessments foster the ability to work well both independently and in teams, while developing good leadership and time management skills.

Digital capabilities: The programme trains students in the use of software to administer qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis procedures. As part of their assessments, students must also demonstrate an ability to use appropriate software to create videos, leaflets, posters, and presentations (e.g., PowerPoint). Through the programme students also use software packages that facilitate in-class group activities (e.g., Padlet, Poll Everywhere) and meetings (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom). By the end of the programme students will be proficient in using both software packages suited to non-specialist settings (e.g. word processing, presentation software), and those more suited to specialist settings (e.g., research and analysis), and will show digital capabilities associated with the employability skills described above.

Sustainability: The programme is designed to allow students to understand and critically engage with health-related issues ¿ including promoting and protecting health, planetary health, and health inequalities ¿ which map directly on to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities). A broad range of health issues are discussed, including prevention (PSYM151) and management of physical (PSYM004, PSYM006) and mental ill-health (PSYM060). One module allows students to build their own psychologically informed health-promotion intervention (PSYM151), and students have the opportunity to conduct novel empirical research that focuses on one or more of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals as part of their dissertation project.

Global and cultural capabilities: The programme offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of health psychology theories and their application to real-world issues. Across modules, students are frequently encouraged to recognise the assumptions of the Western-based theories and methods that pervade in health psychology, and to identify and challenge the cultural specificity of health psychology. When designing interventions or suggesting solutions, they will be prompted to think about the cultural contexts in which such action will be implemented.

Resourcefulness and resilience: Students are encouraged to actively participate in programme activities and discussions in a friendly and safe environment. This provides them with the opportunity to exchange ideas, work collaboratively, and reflect on their ideas/opinions. These activities also allow students to build confidence, communication, and professionalism. By sharing their experiences and expertise and listening to others, students engage in self-reflection and are encouraged to re-consider their opinions and judgments. This provides students with the ability and space to respond positively to opportunities for exchange, learning, and personal development. By considering different points of view in the tasks and assessments across modules, they also develop the ability to adapt their knowledge and skills to the different contexts in which health psychologists operate.