Program Overview
Introduction to the Health Psychology MSc Program
The Health Psychology MSc program at the University of Surrey is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities necessary to pursue a career in health psychology. The program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and meets the requirements for Stage 1 of the BPS criteria for a practicing health psychologist.
Awarding Body and Teaching Institute
The awarding body and teaching institute for this program is the University of Surrey.
Framework and Final Award
The program is taught at FHEQ Level 7, and the final award is an MSc in Health Psychology.
Subsidiary Awards
Subsidiary awards available include:
- PGCert in Psychology
- PGDip in Psychology
Professional Recognition
Successful completion of this program fulfills the requirements for Stage 1 of the BPS criteria for a practicing health psychologist and leads to full membership of the Division of Health Psychology.
Modes of Study
The program is available in two modes of study:
- Full-time: 1 year, 180 credits, 90 ECTS credits
- Part-time: 2 years, 180 credits, 90 ECTS credits
Faculty and Department
The program is offered by the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Psychology.
Programme Leader
The program leader is LALLY Phillippa (Psychology).
Date of Production/Revision of Specification
The program specification was produced/revisioned on 27/01/2026.
Educational Aims of the Program
The educational aims of the program are to:
- Enable students to apply relevant theory and evidence to formulate health problems and issues
- Facilitate self-reflection and personal and professional development
- Prepare students for professional work in a responsible and self-regulated manner
- Equip students with the skills required for effective analysis and formulation of health problems and interventions
- Provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of health psychology theory and practice
- Train students in the application of research-practitioner skills
Programme Learning Outcomes
The program learning outcomes are:
- Implement techniques pertinent to research and research-based practice in health psychology
- Apply basic and advanced research design and analysis methods
- Develop knowledge and understanding of health psychology as an applied science and professional practice
- Develop knowledge and understanding of theory and evidence in health psychology
- Critically evaluate research design and analysis methods
- Analyse and formulate problem scenarios in health psychology
- Reflect on theory development
- Select, design, implement, and evaluate research and research-based practice in health psychology
- Communicate ideas and principles in health psychology
- Operate within a problem-solving research-based practitioner framework
- Use information technology in health psychology
Attributes Developed
The program develops the following attributes:
- C: Cognitive/analytical skills
- K: Subject knowledge
- T: Transferable skills
- P: Professional/practical skills
Programme Structure
The program structure is as follows:
- Full-time: 1 year, 180 credits, with modules taught in semesters
- Part-time: 2 years, 180 credits, with modules taught in semesters
Modules
The modules offered in the program are:
- PSYM034: MSc Dissertation
- PSYM022: Maintaining Health Throughout the Lifespan
- PSYM064: Qualitative Research Methods
- PSYM147: Advanced Research Methods and Design
- PSYM151: Contemporary Health Psychology: Research and Practice
- PSYM065: Quantitative Research Methods
- PSYM004: Chronic Conditions
- PSYM006: Psychological Aspects of Healthcare
- PSYM060: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Health Psychology
Opportunities for Placements/Work-Related Learning/Collaborative Activity
There are no opportunities for placements, work-related learning, or collaborative activity in this program.
Other Information
The program is designed to develop graduates with strengths in employability, digital capabilities, global and cultural capabilities, sustainability, and resourcefulness and resilience. The program equips students with multiple employability and transferable skills, meeting the standards pertaining to Stage 1 of the BPS criteria for a practicing health psychologist.
Quality Assurance
The program is subject to the Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programs at the University of Surrey.