Health Psychology MSc - 2025/6

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

MSc Health Psychology

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
PGCert Psychology
PGCert Psychology
PGDip Psychology
PGDip Psychology

Professional recognition

British Psychological Society (BPS).
Successful completion of this programme fulfils stage one of the requirements towards Chartered Membership of the Society and full membership of the Division of Health Psychology.

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time PLD61007 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits
Part-time PLD61008 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Other internal and / or external reference points

Previous programme specification and review documents

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - Psychology

Programme Leader

LALLY Phillippa (Psychology)

Date of production/revision of spec

05/11/2024

Educational aims of the programme

  • To enable students to harness relevant theory and evidence in the integrated formulation of a wide range of commonly encountered health problems and issues
  • To facilitate self-reflection in support of personal and professional development via constructive feedback
  • To prepare students for professional work pursued in a highly responsible, self-regulated, self-efficacious and politically sensitive fashion
  • To produce students equipped with the basic interpersonal, technical and creative skills required for the effective analysis and formulation of health problems, and for the effective design, implementation and evaluation of health interventions
  • To provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of theory and practice in Health Psychology in accordance with the requirements and standards pertaining to Stage 1 of the British Psychological Society criteria for an accredited MSc in Health Psychology
  • To train students in the informed and systematic application of the research-practitioner involving problem analysis and formulation, intervention design and evaluation

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Implement some techniques pertinent to research and research-based practice in Health Psychology CPT PGCert, PGDip
Apply some basic and advanced research design and analysis methods, principles and techniques (including qualitative and quantitative methods) KCP PGCert, PGDip
Develop knowledge and understanding of Health Psychology as an applied, theory-based science and professional practice, situated within an interdisciplinary framework, in contemporary contexts K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Develop knowledge and understanding of theory and evidence pertaining to the curriculum areas detailed by the British Psychological Society: research and research methods; professional issues; contexts and perspectives in health psychology; physiological and psychosomatic disease processes; client groups and other stakeholders; health-related behaviours and cognitions; interventions; healthcare and professional settings plus measurement issues K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Understand, apply, interpret and critically evaluate basic and advanced research design and analysis methods, principles and techniques (including qualitative and quantitative methods) KCP MSc
Critically consider the contributions of, and limitations of applying, Health Psychology to address real-world problems KCP PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Analyse and theoretically formulate various problem scenarios and issues pertinent to the practice of Health Psychology using a range of models and theories consistent with the principle of 'integrative' practice CPT PGDip, MSc
Reflect on both hypothetical and real-world examples to iteratively inform theory development KCP MSc
Select, design, implement and evaluate a wide range of techniques pertinent to research and research-based practice in Health Psychology CPT MSc
Communicate ideas, principles, theories and problem formulations by oral, written and visual means, for specialist and non-specialist audiences PT PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Operate within a problem-solving research-based practitioner framework KT PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Use information technology (e.g. internet, electronic databases, word processing software, presentation software, data analysis packages) PT PGCert, PGDip, MSc

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.

Part-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over two academic years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module Selection for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Choose two modules to take in each semester.
Split the modules across two years as agreed with the Programme Leader. Part-Time students should consult with the Programme Leader at an early stage to discuss how best to address the course requirements across two years

Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module Selection for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Complete remaining two modules in each semester.
Split the modules across two years as agreed with the Programme Leader. Part-Time students should consult with the Programme Leader at an early stage to discuss how best to address the course requirements across two years

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics N
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Other information

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.

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.