Program Overview

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Master's Programme in Psychology with Specialisation in Health Psychology

The Master's Programme in Psychology with Specialisation in Health Psychology is a one-year, full-time programme that aims to provide in-depth knowledge and skills related to psychological processes in health, illness, and healthcare. The programme is strongly research-oriented and takes a holistic perspective on humans and human health, dealing with biological, psychological, and contextual factors.

About the Programme

The programme explores the relationship between psychology and health, including how psychological processes affect health and illness. It covers areas such as the role of psychological and social factors in the onset and treatment of physical health problems, health-promoting behavior, patients' perception of illness, and the interplay between psychological and biological factors.

Unique Programme

This is the only Master's Programme in Health Psychology in Sweden, offering expertise in demand worldwide.

International Education

The programme is given in English, and a large proportion of the students have an international background.

While Studying

The programme includes lectures, seminars, reverse classrooms, and practical exercises. Students and teachers from different backgrounds come together to improve health, with some students having a basic education in healthcare and others having a social science education.

Programme Overview

The programme consists of two semesters:

• Semester 1:
  • Health psychology I: introduction, 7.5 credits
  • Research design and data collection, 7.5 credits
  • Health psychology II: lifestyle perspective, 7.5 credits
  • Data-analysis, 7.5 credits
• Semester 2:
  • Health psychology III: occupational perspective, 7.5 credits
  • Health psychology IV: environmental perspective, 7.5 credits
  • Master’s thesis, 15 credits

Future and Career Opportunities

The programme functions as an extension and in-depth study of previous academic degrees in several health sciences for work tasks related to physical and mental health. Many employers seek integrated biological and psychological expertise, which the programme provides. It is also a good preparation for postgraduate studies in the field of health.

Degree

The programme leads to a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) with a main field of study in Psychology and specialisation in Health Psychology.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must have:

• A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognised university.
• Special requirements: 90 ECTS in health or behavioral science subjects (including physiotherapeutic and occupational therapeutic subjects).
• Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Selection

The selection is based on academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS).

Application and Tuition Fees

As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, applicants are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.

• Application fee: SEK 900
• Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300
• Total fee: SEK 96,600

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the language skills required? Students are required to have proficiency in English equivalent to English course B/6 from Swedish upper Secondary School (high school).
• Are there any tuition fees? Citizens outside of EU/EEA and Switzerland will have to pay application fee and tuition fee.
• Can I get any scholarships? Some scholarships are offered by the Swedish Institute and some by Umeå University.
• Do I need to send in CV, Motivation letter or Recommendation letters? No, none of those documents are required. If sent, they will not be considered.
• What selection criteria is used? Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS).