About this course
MSc Health Psychology meets the Stage 1 training requirement for BPS accreditation. The course has a strong emphasis on psychological investigation and ethical issues.
- Study on this course which is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society for Stage 1 Training in Health Psychology
- Learn from an academic team that includes Health Psychologists registered with the BPS and HCPC and RAPPS Approved Supervisors for trainees continuing onto the BPS Stage 2 Qualification in Health Psychology or LJMU's Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology
- Access world-class facilities in the award-winning Tom Reilly Building
The primary goal of health psychology is to contribute to the understanding of how physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual factors influence health and illness within a sociocultural framework.
If you have an interest in how psychology affects health and illness behaviour, and how it can be used to enhance wellbeing and encourage healthier lifestyles, this Masters is ideal. If you intend to, or currently work with clients with long term conditions, you will also benefit from the course.
The curriculum aims to examine issues of coping and adjustment as well as relationships with caregivers. It covers all aspects of health across the lifespan, making the course suitable if you are working with children or adults.
During your studies you will learn about the application of psychology for the promotion and maintenance of health, the analysis and improvement of the health care system and health policy formation, the prevention of illness and the enhancement of wellbeing in those affected by illness or disability.
Staff in the School of Natural Sciences and Psychology produce high quality research in a range of areas of expertise including: health psychology, long term conditions (e.g. pain, diabetes, obesity, cancer, coronary heart disease), design and evaluation of complex interventions to improve health, screening, appetitive behaviour, mindfulness and the development and evaluation of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). The team have long-standing expertise in training and developing Health Psychologists.
Claire's story
Clare Austin studied Psychology for her first degree before coming to LJMU for her masters in Health Psychology.
I moved to LJMU as I had heard really good things about the place from friends who had already studied here.
Postgraduate study is very different to undergraduate as there are fewer formal lectures and much more independent study. This does, however, improve your timekeeping and organisational skills.
I have really enjoyed the freedom to do my thesis on a topic I am passionate about. LJMU is very good at supporting students and highlighting future opportunities – something that other universities don’t always do. I have always received constructive feedback on my assignments, enabling me to improve my weak areas, maximise my strengths and keep moving forward. Staff are helpful and flexible in their approach and this enables you to reach your true potential.
The University is also very good at preparing you for work and further study. We have had lots of career talks from alumni demonstrating the opportunities available to us. These have often been in areas we hadn’t previously considered.
Without LJMU I simply wouldn’t have had the great opportunities I have been given and I certainly wouldn’t have had the skills to carry out the PhD I am currently undertaking in the School of Sport and Exercise Science.”
Esther's story
Following her undergraduate degree in Psychology, Esther Gabriel joined LJMU to study for a masters in Health Psychology.
"I chose to study at Masters level because I want to be a Psychologist and therefore need a postgraduate qualification. I liked the fact that UK courses were just a year long and also that the standard of education is very good. I looked into a list of schools and discovered that LJMU was one of the best.
LJMU has good, innovative courses and my personal tutor and academic support group are always there to help whenever I need them. PG study is exactly what I was expecting: challenging, satisfying and fulfilling.
I am really keen to learn about holistic healing. Sustaining a patient's psychological wellbeing is an essential part of recovery. Mortality rates in a large number of long term conditions can often be attributed to depression or a sense of hopelessness which, in many cases, could be resolved.
My studies have given me a sense of empowerment, showing me that I can be what I want to be, they have expanded my research capacity and shown me that I can make a difference to those whose mental health issues are all too often ignored.
My personal tutor is a real source of motivation, encouraging me and showing me the way. I have never been made to feel uncomfortable when I have asked questions and no-one has given me the impression that my questions were foolish.
I feel a sense of safety in Liverpool and that, to me, is essential to my productivity. Liverpool is a friendly, serene city offering good value for money. I will certainly recommend it and LJMU to my friends.
On graduation I want to do a PhD in psychology and, long term, I want to become a leader in the field of health psychology for chronic conditions, including addictions."
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules and an empirical project. The specific programme aims include:
- providing an academically rigorous framework through which students can study scientifically the psychological processes involved in health, illness and health care with reference to the application of psychology for:
- the promotion and maintenance of health
- the analysis and improvement of the health care system and health policy formation
- the prevention of illness and the enhancement of wellbeing in those affected by illness or disability
- promoting students awareness of the range of applications of health psychology
- providing students with a qualification which meets stage 1 of the BPSs training towards Chartered Psychologist status
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Personal Effectiveness as a Senior Professional
10 credits
10 credits
This module is an integrated and holistic part of the first year of the programme and seeks to facilitate personal and professional growth, acting as a catalyst for reflection on learning from other first year modules and the wider aspects of the programme.
This module aims to explore the concept of senior professional practice through a personal, professional and organisational lens. Learners will be introduced to, and draw upon, theoretical perspectives to illustrate the complexity of leadership within different sectors. As a result, learners will locate and challenge both personal and professional constructs of a senior people professional and their own identity.
Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment
20 credits
20 credits
Learners will critically investigate the developments in ethical leadership, management and practice in a continuously evolving business context. Learners will critique a wide range of literature which explores the future world of work which includes the advancement in technology, sociodemographic changes, political and economic impact and influences and evolving employment legislation. Learners will also explore the role of values, behaviours and organisational citizenship and how this can drive business effectiveness and performance.
The Future of Work
10 credits
10 credits
This module will introduce learners to contemporary changes in the world of work by interrogating how interventions have changed the meaning of work, what new forms of work and employment relations have emerged, and the economic, social and ethical implications. In doing so, learners will also have an opportunity to consider financial aspects of the world of work from an organisational position.
People Management and Development Strategies for Performance
20 credits
20 credits
The module aims to explores how people professionals create value and deliver outcomes for organisations and employees, and how contributing to the achievement of business objectives improves performance and enhances the employee experience.
Applied Business Research
10 credits
10 credits
This is a year long module designed to allow learners to develop learner skills to research a real-life workplace problem whilst gathering appropriate evidence. Learners will learn the research process through participating in workshops and conducting online exercises. Learners will work on a real research problem that will develop their skills in designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative research projects. During this module, a systematic knowledge of change management will be deployed to allow learners to consider organisational change. In addition, the module prepares learners for professional enquiry, by enabling them to independently conduct a research project utilising quantitative and/or qualitative methods. When considering future practice, learners will be encouraged to reflect on planning for sustainability.
Strategy Implementation
20 credits
20 credits
This is a specialist module on the programme for the Organisational Development pathway and will build upon previous learning, analysing and evaluating organisational strategy to provide solutions to meet Organisational Development needs. In addition the module will have a strong focus on approaches and tools to inform Organisational Development strategy development.
Organisational Design & Process Improvement
10 credits
10 credits
This module will enable learners to:
- Critically evaluate models of organisational design to facilitate efficient workflow that promotes collaborative working across functions.
- Critically analyse process improvement methodologies that support organisational effectiveness and performance.
This module is a specialist module on the SPPA/MSc programme for the Organisational Development pathway. The module will build upon previous Organisational Development learning and will develop learners' capabilities in organisational design and process improvement.
Culture Change
20 credits
20 credits
This is a specialist module on the programme for the Organisation Development (OD) pathway. The module will build upon previous OD learning and will put practice OD interventions utilising diagnostic and dialogic tools and techniques. In addition the module will have a strong focus on analysing and evaluating organisational culture.
Professional Enquiry
60 credits
60 credits
Based on the research proposal submitted for the applied business research module, the first element of this module focusses on developing ability to produce a literature review that critically analyses key publications and other evidence to underpin the research questions. This is followed by the professional inquiry which enables a systematic approach to define, design and undertake a business approach project in people management/organisational development/learning and development practice. This module addresses the significance of capturing robust quantitative and qualitative evidence to inform meaningful insight to influence critical thinking. It focusses on analysing evidence through an ethical lens to improve decision-making and how measuring the impact of practice is essential in creating value.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Teaching for full-time students is on Mondays and Wednesdays. There is a mixture of teaching hours from 9am to 6pm, which vary across semesters. Formal teaching occurs in semester 1 (September to December) and semester 2 (January to May), although you are required to attend university to meet with your dissertation supervisor and to attend presentation days, etc until your final thesis submission date at the end of August. Around 35 hours’ student learning per week is recommended.
Part-time students attend on Wednesdays in year 1 and Mondays in year 2. Your final thesis is submitted in August in year 2.
Teaching methods
The course provides a range of learning approaches. Workshop activities provide opportunities for formative feedback from peers and tutors and tutor support during the preparation of coursework also facilitates formative feedback.
Applied learning
Many students conduct their research project in applied health settings such as the NHS and charity sectors. As such, these research studies support you to build real experience in the working environment and create professional relationships outside of the university setting.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Assessment methods on this course include: essay assignments, practical reports, reflection portfolios, a research proposal and dissertation, written examinations, problem-solving exercises, intervention assignments, oral presentations and research posters.
The assessment strategy is informed by current philosophy in Higher Education, the BPS accreditation and curriculum requirements as well as the guidelines from the Universitys Academic Framework.
Where you will study
The School is based in LJMUs City Campus at the Byrom Street site, which is located in the heart of Liverpool city Centre. We offer postgraduates excellent laboratory and research facilities, including appetite laboratories, psychology testing labs and neuroscience labs in our award-winning Tom Reilly Building.
Course tutors
Lisa's career began in the NHS as a Programme and Commissioning Manager within public health. She moved into academia in 2011 to develop her interest in healthcare research and to promote the field of health psychology. Lisa is an HCPC Practitioner Psychologist; a BPS Chartered Health Psychologist and a BPS Health Psychology Stage Two Professional Supervisor and Assessor. She is currently carrying out public health research in smoking cessation, physical activity and obesity plus healthcare research in Type 2 diabetes, the treatment of obesity, improving patient adherence to clinical advice and experiences of care.
The most rewarding aspect of my role is supporting MSc students in developing their career ambitions, particularly those who aspire to become Health Psychologists.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Health psychology graduates work in a variety of areas. Many go on to Stage 2 training and subsequently achieve Chartered Psychologist status and become HCPC Registered Health Psychologists.
Post MSc, some students work in research settings and go on to doctoral research (PhD/Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology).
A growing number of graduates work in health education, health promotion, health administration and health audit, others are involved in the organisational aspects of delivering health care and work within the health service.
Graduates from the programme have secured roles including PhD Researcher, Health Trainer, Health and Migration Consultant, Assistant Psychologist and Smoking Cessation Adviser. They work for organisations including Ps4SE, The NHS, The Adelphi Group and mental health care groups.
Tuition fees and funding
- Degree Apprenticeship:
- £19,000
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Maths and English
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
Mature entry
The programme team has a strong commitment to widening participation and positively welcomes non-standard applicants. Candidates with some management experience or those who are about to enter a managerial role and have demonstrated an aptitude for study can be accepted without previous experience of higher education.
-
RPL
In line with the UK Quality Code (2018) fairness and reliability are embedded principles within admissions and recruitment, and inclusivity pervades throughout the process from outreach activity to processes and practices to enrolment.
Recognition of prior learning for apprenticeship applications to the programme will be in alignment with the present LJMU Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Policy acknowledging:
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Your university life
From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.
Related Links
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest news and stories from the university
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.