Program Overview

Clinical Health Psychology (MSc)

Overview

Clinical health psychology (sometimes referred to as behavioural medicine, medical psychology or psychosomatic medicine) is an applied discipline that focuses on people with a health condition that could be prevented, treated or rehabilitated using psychological techniques or procedures. The primary interest is on problems that present as physical complaints rather than emotional or mental health issues. Nevertheless, clinical health psychology is concerned with the emotional problems that may arise because of a physical health complaint.

Course Structure

This MSc contains taught modules that comprise clinical health content and research methods. One-third of the MSc is a dissertation.

Optional Placement

Employer surveys suggest that graduates who have spent time in a workplace whilst studying are at an advantage when it comes to applying for graduate employment. In the light of these findings, we offer an optional placement module to our students. We work with a range of organisations who engage with clinical health related populations to secure projects to enable students to develop valuable skills in:

• Researching a particular area of clinical health
• Understanding the lived experience of people experiencing difficulty
• Developing and testing evidence-based strategies and interventions
• Communicating important health messages
• Evaluating the impact
• Writing of a report or developing a resource pack

Modules

Core Modules

• Applied Research Methods (20 credits)
  • Academic writing
  • Study design in Psychology, including specific research designs and approaches used in the applied fields of clinical health psychology or applied developmental psychology
  • Literature searching
  • Equality and diversity in research
  • Research ethics
  • Open science
  • Data security, particularly when working with external organisations
• Data Analysis (20 credits)
  • Underlying assumptions and workings of a range of statistical techniques
  • How to conduct statistical analyses
  • How to interpret the outputs of analyses using these techniques
  • The epistemological assumptions underpinning qualitative research
  • How to conceptualise, design, conduct and critically appraise qualitative research
  • Strengths and limitations of different types of interviewing and other methods of qualitative data collection
  • Methods of qualitative data analysis and how to use these as appropriate for each context
• Health Behaviour Change (20 credits)
  • Theories (e.g. Health Belief, Reasoned Action, COM-B System, Ecological Models) and determinants of health behaviour
  • Health-enhancing (e.g. screening, exercise and diet, sleep, sexual health) and health-compromising behaviours (e.g. alcohol, smoking, drug use, eating disorders)
  • Intervention strategies (e.g. Assessment, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to promote health behaviour change
• Clinical Health Psychology Dissertation (60 credits)
  • This module provides students with the opportunity to conduct independent research into a topic relevant to clinical health psychology
• Psychological Adjustment in Long-Term Physical Conditions (20 credits)
  • This module provides an introduction to the psychological challenges of living with a chronic physical condition and potential intervention strategies to address these
• Psycho-oncology: Living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis (20 credits)
  • This module covers several key tenants of Psycho-Oncology for clinical health psychologists

Optional Modules

• Introduction to Therapeutic Skills (20 credits)
  • Taught by qualified clinical psychologists, this module sets out to equip students with some foundation level therapy skills and an understanding of how therapeutic models are used across applied contexts
• Applied Psychology Experience (20 credits)
  • This module will give the students an opportunity to experience first-hand health psychology practice in an applied setting

Entrance Requirements

• Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or above in Psychology or an acceptable related subject, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University
• QUB: Intercalating medical and dental students within QUB will be considered if they have successfully completed the 3rd/4th year of their course at first attempt and achieved at least a 2.1 Honours standard
• External: An external medical or dental student wishing to intercalate must have successfully completed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region

English Language Requirements

• An IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years)

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) £7,300
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) £7,300
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) £9,250
• EU Other £25,800
• International £25,800

Additional Course Costs

• Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications
• Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications
• You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course
• This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements

Career Prospects

• The MSc Clinical Health Psychology provides a strong grounding in clinical health psychology including research, theory, and practical applications
• Graduates who wish to pursue a career as an applied psychologist either progressing into research or a PhD, or into further clinical training such as clinical psychology will find this course of interest
• The focus of the course also supports graduates into careers in health policymaking, service development, public health, assistant psychology roles, and the charitable and voluntary sector

How to Apply

• Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply

Terms and Conditions

• The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study
• Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions