Psychology, Health and Wellbeing MSc

Course content

What will you study on the MSc Psychology, Health and Wellbeing?

We focus on supporting your future employability by helping you develop a range of professional, research and transferable skills (e.g. communication skills for working with clients and skills related to smoking cessation, health promotion and health behaviour change).

Coursework includes case studies, health behaviour journal, designing health promotion materials, laboratory reports, research proposals and essays.

This module aims to introduce students to the discipline of health psychology, setting it apart from other related disciplines. Students will be introduced to the concept of health and the main theories/concepts relating to the psychosocial determinants of health/illness, including stress and health behaviours. They will also be introduced to the applications of health psychology to health promotion and in particular, to behaviour change, including designing and evaluating interventions.

The aim of this module is to provide students with an introduction to the main schools of psychological therapy, their theoretical origins and how the theory is applied in practice. The module will also introduce students to the basic principles of communication skills that form the foundation of all counselling and therapy. Finally, the module will familiarise students with the role of counselling and therapy within all areas of applied psychology.

This module aims to introduce students to the physiological processes involved in the onset and progression of a variety of acute and long-term conditions. The process of health care delivery, from symptom perception through consultation to treatment/management from the perspective of both clients and health professionals will be discussed. The health care needs and experiences of clients across the lifespan will be considered.

The aim of this module is to provide postgraduate students with research skills and expertise from theory to implementation required by areas in Applied Psychology. The module is designed to fulfil training requirements identified in the National Occupational Standards for Applied Psychologists Key roles 2 3 by offering a comprehensive in-depth and systematic account of a range of skills in quantitative and qualitative research strategies, and the use of SPSS software in statistical analysis as applicable to the course syllabus. A variety of teaching methods and assessment will be employed with the aim of inspiring and challenging each student, whilst promoting independent learning and a critical appreciation of the research process. Students will engage in laboratory classes, workshops, lectures/seminars, tutorials, group work, and practical sessions on SPSS and qualitative data analysis. Ultimately the aim is to train students to develop, implement and maintain personal and professional standards and ethical research practice in Applied Psychology.

This module aims to provide students with an opportunity for an in-depth, advanced study in a specific area of applied psychology, pertinent to the degree for which they are registered, guided by, but largely independent of, tutor support. Students are encouraged to apply appropriate principles of empirical research to an issue of their choice within the subject area of their degree registration. Students will be guided to present their research study in the form of a written journal article, using appropriate styles and conventions.

On this module, students will develop a critical understanding of current research evidence and perspectives on psychological trauma and its effects. The impact of trauma on different groups and at different stages of the lifespan will be reviewed. Models of intervention for psychological trauma will be critically examined and the current debates around ameliorating factors and developmental outcomes will be explored.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.