To support the growing need for awareness of physical and mental health, The MSc Clinical Health Psychology and Wellbeing aims to train graduates of psychology and other relevant fields (e.g. public health and nursing) in understanding and supporting individuals’ experience of health care and wellbeing. Graduates of the programme can develop their skills in psychological intervention while working with clients and build their professional and clinical skills. They can also work in companies to improve workplace happiness and employees’ wellbeing.
Post-graduation, students may work in the public health, charities, research councils, the prison service, schools, organisations, and universities. Career opportunities include health promotion, public health, smoking cessation, drug and alcohol services, obesity management, stroke or cardiac rehabilitation, pain management etc. In addition, students may pursue further postgraduate training in research (e.g. PhD) or by completing training in specialised fields to become a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist.
Graduates of the programme will be equipped with professional and employable skills and attributes such as:
We have strong partnerships with many health psychology organisations and trusts which means that you'll be able to undertake an eight-week work placement and gain valuable hands-on work experience. Possible placements include working with addiction management, cancer screening, pain management, exercise promotion, stroke rehabilitation amongst others.
This master's degree allows you understand how psychology is applied to physical health and psychological wellbeing, and mental and physical ill health. You'll also focus on health promotion and health behaviour change.
During the course you will study counselling skills; interventions to promote health and wellbeing and to treat mental ill health; chronic illness and its management; health promotion and health behaviour change; and research methods.
Please note the number of credits to be completed for relevant awards:
This module will introduce key areas of wellness and illness, including health promotion and behaviour change, positive psychology and wellbeing, mental ill health and chronic health conditions. You'll be able to focus on intervention and the promotion and enhancement of health and wellbeing.
This module will introduce the main schools of psychological therapy, their theoretical origins and demonstrate how the theory is applied in practice. You'll also be introduced to the basic principles of communication skills that form the foundation of all counselling and therapy.
This module will help you develop the skills required to work in health psychology settings. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement. You'll be supported to develop you personal and professional skills, including clinical skills and becoming an ethical and reflective practitioner.
*Health and safety protocol to be applied according to COVID-19 restrictions.
This module will allow you to develop a critical understanding of current research evidence and perspectives on psychological trauma and its effects. You'll review the impact of trauma on different groups and at different stages of the lifespan and critically examine the models of intervention for psychological trauma. You'll also explore the current debates around ameliorating factors and developmental outcomes.
This module will give you the opportunity for an in-depth, advanced study in a specific area of applied psychology. You'll apply appropriate principles of empirical research to an issue of your choice, and present your research study in the form of a written journal article, using appropriate styles and conventions.
This module aims to introduce you to qualitative research methods, and to provide you with knowledge and practice by equipping you with a combination of practical and theoretical skills. You'll be introduced to and familiarised with a range of qualitative methodologies and methods of generating and analysing data in-depth. You'll also develop reflexive practice, which is an essential aspect of qualitative research.
This module aims to provide you with the core skills and knowledge in quantitative research methods in psychology. The focus is on understanding how research questions relate to design and appropriate analyses. It provides you with advanced skills in a variety of statistical analyses.
You'll be encouraged to focus on both your personal and professional development in several areas. Your professional skills for example, will include clinical, counselling and research skills, analysing and appraising the usefulness and application of psychological theories, and becoming an ethical and reflective practitioner.
You'll also be continually enhancing your employability by developing your decision making and communication skills as well as practising self-awareness and self-reflection.
Our new campus demonstrates what can be achieved when all stakeholders share a clear vision. The concept was developed by a London architect, Graham Wilson, who also is credited for developing many of Middlesex buildings in Hendon.
Course fees are subject to annual inflation. An international Admin Fee is also applicable for international students. For more details, see link to respective fees and payment plans below.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we've learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning. Please regularly check this section of the course page for updates.
You'll attend interactive classes and workshops where you'll take part in discussions, role-play and problem-solving exercises and group work.
The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions in a pandemic era.
This information is likely to change slightly for 2022 entry as our plans evolve and based on health and safety guidelines from higher authorities. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown in 2022/23 | ||
Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: | 9 hours |
Tutor set learning activities | Average hours per week, per level: | 2 hours |
Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.
Definitions of terms
When not attending your teaching, sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and examinations. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library, Study Rooms and online materials accessible via MyUniHub.
You will have access to academic support services that will assist you in the following areas;
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team who possess the expertise, knowledge and experience closely aligned to the content of the modules on offer. The team includes academics, professional practitioners, and technical staff. Graduate Teaching Assistants or trained postgraduate research students may also have input into your teaching under the supervision of the module leader.
The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. This will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment which will count towards your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks.
There is formal ‘summative’ assessment as part of the module, usually towards the end of the module. Assessment is generally by coursework – this includes practical assignments, project reports, both individual and group presentations and other written work. Assessment for certain modules can also be a mix of coursework and written examinations which are conducted at the end of the module syllabus. The grades from the summative assessments count towards your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.
You will receive feedback on formative assessment and written summative assessments. Feedback on examination performance can be requested from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and progress, and you are encouraged to review and discuss your feedback with your module or personal tutor.
We will aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission.
Details of progression and pass marks for assessment can be found in the university regulations.
Once you've completed this MSc course, you can choose to work in a variety of sectors such as the health service, public health, charities, organisations and academia.
Work may include helping people deal with diabetes, pain, or stroke; health promotion in communities, schools or the workplace; designing and delivering interventions for weight loss or smoking cessation; promoting wellbeing and mental health; and research and teaching.
Our graduates could potentially find careers :
You could also choose to continue your studies and training by training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to work in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services, applying to study for a PhD (i.e. a research degree) or, if you have the Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society, you could apply for training to become, for example, a counselling or clinical psychologist.
***This programme allows students to work in industry with a specialised masters but students cannot register to practise as clinical or counselling psychologists as further training in that specific field, is required to perform as a practitioner.
