Why choose the School of Sport, Psychology and Social Science
Our MSc Health Psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Forms Stage 1 of the training you need to gain chartered psychologist status and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a health psychologist.
Opportunities to engage in research internships, conducting research alongside local voluntary, community and social-enterprise groups.
About the course
This course enables you to develop your understanding of how psychology and health can be used to promote general wellbeing. You learn how to apply the scientific and theoretical principles and ideas of health psychology while developing the practical skills and knowledge required for employment or research in the field. You study social and psychological issues, including aspects such as obesity, lifestyle and stress, and explore how we can understand, intervene and promote health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
For further course information, contact Dr Erica Cook at erica.cook@beds.ac.uk
Course accreditation
This course is accredited to the British Psychological Society (BPS). It forms Stage 1 of the training you need to become a chartered psychologist member of the Division of Health Psychology within the British Psychological Society.
Facilities and specialist equipment
Within the Psychology department, we have dedicated, specialist, industry-standard psychology laboratories and computing environments including:
- Cognitive neuropsychology lab
- Biological and cognitive psychology lab
- Virtual reality lab
- Research cubicles containing up-to-the-minute equipment and technology such as:
- Driving simulator
- Eye-tracking software
- Physiological data-acquisition system
- EEG recording equipment
- Podcasting equipment
- KAT Walk Mini 5 omnidirectional VR treadmills
- Data-analysis software
- Experiment and survey-building software
Industry links
Our courses are developed and regularly reviewed by a panel of industry professionals from the NHS, local authority and commercial organisations.
Student experience
This course equips you with in-depth knowledge and understanding alongside core skills, which will support you in progressing to your Stage 2 training, where you can develop your practice to become an accredited health psychologist.
Gain a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues in the field as well as a high level of knowledge of advanced research methods, allowing you to perform complex data analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis.
Learn from an academic team actively involved in research in the field. Their research and practice expertise directly informs teaching, creating a focus on the real-life application of psychology.
Gain first-hand experience of psychology in action through course contributions from specialist speakers and our alumni.
Benefit from membership of our Student Research Institute, providing opportunities to engage in research; work with staff as an assistant; and attend specialist research conferences.
Present your supervised research to your peers and psychology professionals at our annual Student Research Conference.
Applicants should have one of the following:
- A BSc or BA (Hons) in Psychology with a minimum of a 2:2 classification or above, or
- A BSc or BA (Hons) in a closely related discipline (such as health, social, or community care) with a 2:2 or above.
The MSc Health Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and fulfils Stage 1 of the two-stage training process required to become a Chartered Health Psychologist. To meet BPS accreditation requirements, applicants should normally hold a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in Psychology that provides Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) or an equivalent qualification from outside the UK. If you are an international applicant with a psychology degree, you can check your eligibility for GBC and learn how to apply through the BPS.
If you do not hold a BPS-accredited (or equivalent) degree but are interested in studying health psychology, you may still be considered for entry. Please note that, if you later decide to pursue Stage 2 training, you will need to complete a BPS-accredited MSc conversion course to become a graduate member before progressing.
We welcome applications from graduates and professionals with a background in psychology, health sciences, social care, nursing, public health or community development who wish to deepen their understanding of the psychological aspects of health and wellbeing. The course is particularly suited to those aspiring to work in healthcare, research, policy or behaviour change settings.
Course Leader - Dr Erica Cook
I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) a Registered Health Psychologist with the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) with interests in health psychology and public health.
Course Leader - Dr Erica Cook
I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) a Registered Health Psychologist with the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) with interests in health psychology and public health.
You study a range of units that develop your scientific knowledge, professional practice and research skills, preparing you to make a real impact in health psychology and related fields. All units are worth 15 credits apart from your dissertation, which offers 60 credits towards your Master’s award. You complete your dissertation in the final semester but will conduct your research, design and draft it across all three semesters.
Semester 1
In Lifestyle and Individual Differences, you explore how lifestyle factors and individual differences shape health and illness, evaluating the influence of demographic variables such as culture, age and gender.
Professional Skills for Health Psychologists provides a strong foundation in the core professional skills you need to work as a health psychologist in areas including communication, ethical practice, reflective learning and professional development.
Gain in-depth knowledge of advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods in the unit Advanced Research Methods for Psychologists, when you receive supervised training in using statistical and qualitative software.
In Perceptions and Actions, you explore how health beliefs and psychological factors influence lifestyle choices.
Semester 2
Develop a broad understanding of health psychology as a discipline and profession in Health Psychology in Context as you explore key models, methods and applications used to explain and improve health and wellbeing.
Our Public Health unit focuses on the role of health psychology in public health practice, considering how psychological science contributes to disease prevention, health promotion and the reduction of health inequalities.
Build your understanding of the biological foundations of health in Mechanisms of Health and Disease. You explore the major body systems, the biological mechanisms underpinning disease, and how these interact with psychological and social processes.
Stress, Coping and Chronic Disease examines how stress influences both physical and psychological wellbeing, and consider how psychological interventions can support health outcomes.
Semester 3: Dissertation completion
Your independent research project provides an opportunity to investigate a specialised topic within health psychology. Guided by expert supervision across all three semesters, you will design and conduct an original piece of research for completion this semester, presenting it in the format of a publishable journal article.
We use a diverse and inclusive range of assessments that mirror real-world professional practice, preparing you for Stage 2 training in Health Psychology. These assessments allow you to demonstrate your understanding beyond traditional essays or exams, linking theory directly to real-world health challenges.
Assessments include:
- Applied consultancy projects that challenge you to apply theory to practical, real-world scenarios.
- Real-life case studies where you develop skills in psychological assessment and formulation, learning how to understand health-related behaviours and design personalised interventions.
- Build professional confidence through simulated roleplays, feedback and reflective practice, enhancing your ability to work effectively with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
- Mini systematic reviews to enhance your ability to evaluate and synthesise research evidence critically.
- Behaviour change intervention design, using behavioural science to address national and global health challenges.
- Creative assessments, such as podcasts, blogs, digital leaflets and webpages, allow you to communicate psychological ideas in accessible and engaging ways. They help you develop key professional skills in communication, digital literacy and evidence translation, preparing you to make a real impact in health and wellbeing settings.
- Independent research dissertation, where you plan, conduct and present your own research project, showcasing your ability to deliver rigorous, evidence-based work.
Many of these assessments can be tailored to your personal and professional interests, allowing you to explore areas that align with your career goals. We also take a developmental approach to assessment, with built-in learning support sessions to help you refine your academic writing, research and presentation skills throughout the course.
Careers
This BPS-accredited MSc opens the way to stage two training to become a chartered psychologist and registered health psychologist. Career options include working for the government (for example, advising on policy making, effective interventions or advertising strategies); research preventing illnesses especially coronary heart disease and cancer; and patient/practitioner communications and teaching. Graduates also work in the NHS on preparing for surgery and psychological methods to manage stress, pain or terminal illness.
If you wish to move into employment following graduation, there are a variety of areas where you will find opportunities such as research; teaching; social care; health care including roles in the NHS; business including human resource management; and the sports sector.
You will also have acquired specific knowledge in research methods and other core areas in psychology to continue your research studies at PhD level.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
