Health Psychology, MSc at University of Aberdeen

Health Psychology is the fastest growing field of psychology in the UK. This MSc programme aims to provide you with an understanding of theories and methods in this exciting field and the ability to apply them to play an active role in helping solve the health challenges our society faces.

Successful completion of the MSc Health Psychology confers Stage 1 of the BPS training requirements for Chartered Health Psychologist status.

Although the topics covered are diverse, the main areas of interest are:

• Health behaviours - understanding and changing participation in health damaging and health protecting behaviours
• Psychological aspects of illness and disability - examining the psychological impact of illness on individuals, families and carers, promoting positive 'illness behaviours'
• Health related cognitions and emotions - investigating the cognitive and emotional processes which explain health and illness behaviours
• Processes influencing the delivery of health care - studying factors that influence how health care professionals and organisations deliver care
• Professional practice - training in key skills such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and health coaching

How You'll Study

The course emphasises active learning and repeated exposure to best practice. A variety of teaching methods are used to help students achieve the three main course aims of; understanding (lectures, tutorials, self-study), application (observation, placements, group work, practicals, problem based learning), and the development of a critical academic attitude (structured discussions, debates, critical review tutorials).

Much of the teaching is participatory and students are expected to consolidate all taught content by completing related tasks and activities and engaging in independent study.

Learning Methods

• GROUP PROJECTS
• INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS
• LECTURES
• RESEARCH
• TUTORIALS

Why Study Health Psychology?

• The programme has a strong emphasis on multi-disciplinary working which provides an excellent learning environment for future health psychologists.
• The University's Aberdeen Health Psychology Group (AHPG) is an internationally recognised academic centre in Health Psychology. The group co-ordinates the MSc and various members of the research staff are involved in the teaching.
• You will benefit from the AHPG's close working relationship with other disciplines and specialities (like epidemiology, health services research, health economics, pharmacy, exercise physiology, public health nutrition and academic primary care).
• The programme runs from the Foresterhill Health Campus which includes a large teaching hospital, Medical School and the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, providing easy access to facilities and specialists from a range of disciplines.
• The MSc is embedded within a research-active Medical School which means that teaching and research projects reflect the real world workings of Health Psychology.
• The course is BPS accredited.
• The Medical School at the University is ranked 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK (Source: The Guardian league tables 2019).
• The University of Aberdeen is a Top 30 UK University, Complete University Guide 2020
• The University of Aberdeen is a World Top 170 University (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020)

Careers

With an ageing population, an obesity epidemic and an associated increase in chronic health conditions requiring behavioural interventions, the demand for Health Psychologists is expected to rise further.

Health Psychologists, because they have studied the general theory behind human behaviour and behaviour change, can work in a variety of environments and organisations.

Many will find excellent jobs at the NHS as healthcare practitioners or in academia. Others may choose career paths in the consumer and marketing sector, in health related commercial organisations (e.g. weight management companies), in charitable organisations, or in any other setting where behaviour or behaviour change is a focus.

Completion of the MSc confers Stage 1 of the British Psychological Society’s requirements for training as a Health Psychologist so students will be eligible to begin Stage 2 training (two years of supervised practice) upon graduation. In Scotland, several funded 'Health Psychologist in Training' posts are advertised each year to enable graduates to complete their Stage 2 training while employed by the NHS.

One thing is sure: whatever route you choose, you will have a qualification that there is significant demand for.