Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology (DHealthPsych)

About this course

LJMU's Prof Doc in Health Psychology meets the requirements for BPS Stage Two training in Health Psychology and leads to eligibility for registration with the HCPC.

• Choose this programme which meets the requirements for BPS Stage Two training in health psychology and leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Benefit from studying on a course that is British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited and HCPC approved
• Experience quality training and supervision on a course underpinned by high-grade research and practice activity
• Learn from enthusiastic, expert staff offering supportive learning opportunities
• Enjoy career opportunities in the health industry, healthcare provision, teaching and research
• Option to study 3 years Full-time, 4 years Part-time or 6 years Part-time

Health psychology is an exciting new discipline with growing opportunities for qualified professionals.

Course modules

Core modules

• Professional Practice in Health Psychology (270 credits)
  • This module focuses on Consultancy, Teaching and Training, Behaviour Change Interventions and Research.
  • It aims to capture the professional competencies of:
    • research
    • consultancy
    • behaviour change interventions
    • teaching and training
  • in Health Psychology, over the period of training.
• Planning Training in Health Psychology (30 credits)
  • This module's primary objective is to assess the trainee's capacity to align their training with the national competences for health psychologists, and to showcase a critical self-assessment of their developmental plan.
  • It serves as the introductory module for the DHealthPsy program, focusing on aiding trainees in crafting a training plan akin to the one mandated by the British Psychological Society for their Stage II Qualification in Health Psychology.
  • Additionally, it encourages reflective thinking by using a SWOT analysis to evaluate the training plan.
• Reflection in Health Psychology (60 credits)
  • This module serves as the culmination of the DHealthPsy program.
  • It is designed to prepare students for their future roles as health psychologists by enabling them to reflect on their development, choices, and decisions throughout their training.
  • The primary objective of this module is for trainees to demonstrate their comprehensive professional skills development and their capacity for reflective and meta-reflective thinking about their development, choices, and decisions made throughout their training.

Professional accreditation

The programme is BPS accredited for Stage 2 Training in Health Psychology for those applicants with BPS Graduate Basis for Chartered Status (GBC). This means, by the end of the course, you will be provided with a qualification which meets the requirements of Stage 2 training.

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Assessment
  • All teaching is on Thursdays (mostly fortnightly) and in the slots 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, leaving you some time in the day to meet with your supervisor.
  • Sessions are formally scheduled from January to May/June and September to December in year one and on an ad hoc basis in subsequent years.
• Teaching methods
  • In keeping with the nationally agreed curriculum competences for Health Psychologists, you will be developing your skills in teaching and training, behaviour change interventions, research, consultancy and demonstrating that you have the generic professional skills needed to qualify in this field.
  • This is achieved through your own job role, taught sessions on the programme and extensive supervision.
• Applied learning
  • Applicants must have a suitable pre-determined placement (paid or voluntary) before undertaking the course.

Career paths

• A growing number of health psychology graduates work in health education, health promotion, health administration and health audit.
• There are also opportunities in the organisational aspects of delivering health care within the health service and in research/teaching.
• Staff on the course have supervised trainees working in the health service, universities, private healthcare companies including occupational health, health and safety laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and in private practice offering health coaching and therapeutic interventions.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home
  • Full-time per year: £8,150
• International
  • Full-time per year: £18,250
• 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.
• 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

• Qualification requirements
  • a BPS Accredited MSc in Health Psychology (or BPS Stage I Qualification), normally at merit level or higher
• Undergraduate degree
  • a good honours degree in Psychology and GBC
• Additional requirements
  • Interview required
    • All candidates will be interviewed
  • Extra Requirements
    • To become a Health Psychologist, you must have the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership from the British Psychological Society and fulfil a number of requirements:
      • Stage 1 training involves the satisfactory completion of an accredited Masters programme - such as MSc Health Psychology at LJMU
      • Stage 2 training includes two or more years spent acquiring a range of supervised skills connected with professional skills, interventions, consultancy, research, and teaching and training (as facilitated through this course)
    • RPL
      • RPL is accepted on this programme

International requirements

• IELTS
  • IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
• Other international requirements
  • International students applying to study a full-time taught Masters, MRes, MPhil or PhD at LJMU should check if they require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate
  • International students entering on a student visa cannot study part-time
• Extra Requirements
  • To become a Health Psychologist, you must have the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership from the British Psychological Society and fulfil a number of requirements:
    • Stage 1 training involves the satisfactory completion of an accredited Masters programme - such as MSc Health Psychology at LJMU
    • Stage 2 training includes two or more years spent acquiring a range of supervised skills connected with professional skills, interventions, consultancy, research, and teaching and training (as facilitated through this course)
  • RPL
    • RPL is accepted on this programme

How to apply

• 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.
• Please note: Applications are open for January 2027 intake. However, there are only ten places available per year and competition can be strong. We therefore recommend early application.
• To help you to maximise your application success, and due to the nature of the programme, discussions with us - prior to application - are strongly advised. Please contact Programme Director: Dr Rachel Tarling at [insert email]

---

Overview:

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a public university located in Liverpool, England. It is a large and diverse institution with a strong focus on providing high-quality education and research opportunities.

---

Services Offered:

LJMU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus accommodation options are available for students.

Student Support:

The university provides comprehensive support services, including academic advising, career counseling, financial aid, and mental health resources.

Library:

LJMU has a well-equipped library with extensive resources and study spaces.

Student Futures:

This service helps students with career planning, job searching, and employability skills development.

International Student Support:

Dedicated support is available for international students, including visa guidance and cultural adjustment programs.

---

Student Life and Campus Experience:

LJMU offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience for its students. Key aspects include:

Sports, Societies, and Lifestyle:

Students can participate in a wide range of sports clubs, societies, and social events.

Campus:

The university has multiple campuses located in Liverpool, providing a diverse and stimulating environment.

Go Abroad:

LJMU offers opportunities for students to study abroad and gain international experience.

Volunteering:

Students can engage in volunteering activities and contribute to the local community.

---

Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Reputation:

LJMU is known for its high-quality teaching and research.

Diverse Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

Location:

Liverpool is a vibrant and culturally rich city, providing students with a stimulating and enjoyable living experience.

Student Support:

LJMU provides comprehensive support services to ensure student success.

---

Academic Programs:

LJMU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate:

Bachelor's degrees in various fields, including business, law, health sciences, engineering, and the arts.

Postgraduate:

Master's degrees, PhD programs, and other postgraduate qualifications.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Programs that combine work experience with academic study.

Continuing Professional Development:

Short courses and programs for professionals seeking to enhance their skills.