MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate Health Psychology
This course is open for applications
Accreditations and partnerships:
100% of MSc Health Psychology students are satisfied with the quality of their course overall.Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2026.
Ideal for students with Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC), the MSc provides Stage 1 training towards Practitioner Health Psychology status.
About
Interest in health psychology is growing rapidly among psychologists and other health service and occupational health professionals mostly thanks to the shifting emphasis in provision and governance of healthcare in the UK, and changes to the NHS' organisation and mission.
Excellent teaching and research
As a health psychologist, you'll provide valuable insights to a range of activities, and your skills will be highly sought-after in roles across the NHS, in private practice and in the charitable sector.
You may be providing psychological assessment and support in acute care situations, managing the psychological care and rehabilitation of people with chronic illnesses, or getting involved in health promotion activities including smoking cessation and dietary management.
There are also opportunities, after the MSc Health Psychology, to go on to academic teaching and research positions.
Psychology at UWE Bristol has particular strengths in teaching and research in the area of health psychology, and provides Masters and PhD programmes.
The faculty is also home to the world-leading Centre for Appearance Research, the Centre for Health and Clinical Research, and the Centre for Understanding Social Practice as well as the Institute for Sustainability, Health and the Environment.
You'll be among experts whose knowledge and experience feeds directly into the course's taught modules and supporting resources.
Transferable skills
If you hold Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), the MSc provides Stage 1 training towards Practitioner Health Psychologist status.
As well as covering the BPS' core curriculum, this course has a particular emphasis on transferable practical, professional and employment-related skills, and the opportunity to gain course credit through practical work in health psychology settings.
Watch: Welcome to the School of Social Sciences at UWE Bristol
Entry
Entry requirements
You must have a minimum 2:1 honours degree in Psychology or a closely related discipline. In exceptional circumstances, applicants with substantive relevant work experience or further training and a strong academic background will be considered, however we are unable to accept applicants without an undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely related discipline. Please contact the programme leader if you are unsure whether your academic background is suitable preparation for this programme.
We particularly welcome graduates with appropriate experience in health psychology, and those who have been employed as health or related settings are encouraged to apply. Previous successful applicants have had a wide range of health-related experience including working as nurses, health care assistants, admin in a health setting, health promotion, psychology assistant posts, research assistants, teaching. Newer graduates with an academic background incorporating health psychology with a plan for acquiring health-related work experience alongside the programme are also welcome to apply.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Some experience with statistics, e.g. T tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression
- Experience of completing a dissertation or research project
- An understanding of experimental methods in psychology the scientific method, between subject designs, within subject designs, confounding variables, psychological measurement etc
- An understanding of basic cognitive processes memory, attention, schema
- An understanding of basic psychobiology the stress response, sleep
- An understanding of human learning operant and classical conditioning, social learning theory
- An understanding of depression, anxiety, other psychological disorders
Disclosure of Criminal Background - the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not apply and all convictions, including those which are spent, must be disclosed. Applicants who are offered a place must undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form. All information will be treated in confidence and only taken into account when absolutely necessary.
Health Checks - applicants must be in good health. Those offered a place are required to complete a questionnaire and be prepared to undergo a medical examination if necessary.
Read more about our professional checks for Health and Education courses.
We don't accept deferred entry applications for this course.
English Language Requirement
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need in our English language requirements.
UWE Bristol's International College
International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
English language support
If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.
Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
How to apply
Our final date for applications is Monday the 13th April 2027 but we may close earlier due to high demand.
Read more about postgraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email: Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333
Structure
Content
You'll study:
Applications and Professional Skills in Health Psychology
This module explores how health psychology can be applied to understand and improve health outcomes in real-world settings. You'll examine theories of health and illness, behaviour change, health promotion and communication in healthcare, alongside topics such as screening, treatment decision making, stress, adherence and health policy. The module also considers the wider social, cultural and economic influences on health and wellbeing. Through practical activities and skills development, you'll learn how to apply psychological evidence and behaviour change approaches to support effective health interventions and professional practice.
Biopsychosocial Perspectives on Health
In this module, you'll explore health and illness through biological, psychological and social perspectives, developing a holistic understanding of wellbeing across the lifespan. You'll examine topics such as epidemiology, health promotion, psychopharmacology, neuroplasticity, resilience and quality of life, alongside the influence of gender, ethnicity and family contexts on health. The module may also explore a range of health conditions, including chronic illness, pain, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Through studying approaches to treatment and care, you'll gain insight into contemporary health challenges and their management.
Health, Stress and Cognition
This module examines how cognition, stress and social factors influence health-related behaviour and wellbeing. You'll explore theories of health and illness, including social cognition and behavioural self-regulation models, and consider how these can be used to explain and promote behaviour change. The module also investigates the causes and consequences of stress, covering topics such as coping processes, resilience, post-traumatic growth and occupational stress. By critically evaluating different approaches to understanding health behaviour, you'll develop the knowledge needed to address complex health and wellbeing challenges.
Health Psychology in Action
This module provides the opportunity to apply health psychology in a practical setting through relevant work, voluntary or professional experience. You'll draw connections between psychological theory and real-world practice while developing skills in reflection, communication and professional development. Working with academic support and supervision, you'll evaluate how health psychology principles are used within organisations and services and consider their impact on individuals and communities. The module encourages you to develop the practical experience, awareness and professional confidence needed to work effectively in health-related environments.
Dissertation in Psychology
This module gives you the opportunity to undertake an independent research project in an area of psychology that reflects your interests and academic goals. Supported by expert supervision, you'll develop skills in research design, literature review, data collection and analysis while working within relevant ethical and professional frameworks. You'll learn how to formulate a research question, plan and carry out an original study, and communicate your findings effectively. Through the research process, you'll deepen your specialist knowledge and strengthen the analytical and investigative skills valued in both professional and academic settings.
Conducting and Evaluating Psychological Research
This module develops your ability to design, conduct and critically evaluate psychological research. You'll explore the philosophical foundations of research alongside a wide range of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method approaches. Topics may include interviews, focus groups, thematic analysis, correlation, regression, measurement and assessment, as well as approaches to evaluating research quality and evidence. Through practical activities and critical appraisal of published studies, you'll develop the research literacy needed to analyse data, assess methodological strengths and limitations, and apply appropriate research methods to answer psychological questions.
The course carries 180 M-Level credits available through six M-Level modules. You'll need to complete all six to achieve the MSc qualification.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
The course team is internationally recognised in health psychology, and has close links to the British Psychological Society division of health psychology, the Health and Care Professions Council, and the NHS.
We pride ourselves on presenting a balance of expertise in research and practice of health psychology.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Study time
Full-time students attend on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Part-time students attend on Mondays in Year one and Tuesdays in Year two.
Assessment
The course uses a wide range of assessments, including poster and seminar presentations, essays, exams, article and model critiques, reflective journals and a dissertation.
For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.
Fees
Full time course
Part time course
Supplementary fee information
See our funding pages for more information.
Please also check whether you might be eligible for a bursary for this course.
Features
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides Stage 1 training to become eligible for Practical Health Psychology status.
Study facilities
You'll have access to a wide range of course-specific and general support resources. The department is well equipped, and you can access many of the campus resources 24 hours a day - such as computer labs and extensive libraries.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Psychology, Sociology and Criminology facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Careers
Careers / Further study
Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers in the NHS and private sectors, helping individuals, groups and wider society reap the benefits of an advanced understanding the links between psychology and health.
The skills and knowledge you'll have gained through this course will be highly sought-after, and opportunities will arise in a range of roles.
For example, as a trainee Health Psychologist, as an advisor on health promotion, pain management, smoking cessation initiatives, public health matters and mental health issues.
You can also consider roles in medical training, or as an academic lecturer.
After completing the MSc, you'll need to complete Stage 2 training to become a Practitioner Health Psychologist. There are a number of ways you can do this, one of which is our Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology.
For further details of Stage 2 training, visit the Division of Health Psychology.
Life
Postgraduate support
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
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Health and Wellbeing
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Campus and facilities
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