- Health Psychology
MSc — 2025 entry Health Psychology
Study a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited curriculum, designed to give you an insider’s perspective on theories, methods and techniques of health psychology, and the relationship these have with health and illness.
Why choose
this course?
- Access our state-of-the-art psychology facilities, including a six-room virtual reality suite and two observation laboratories, and use the latest equipment to conduct experiments
- Learn from lecturers who are active researchers in topics such as eating behaviour, fatigue, stress and obesity.
- Join our Health Psychology Research Group to take part in seminars and workshops, and benefit from our links with renowned research institutions across the world.
- Get the Stage 1 qualification needed to progress onto Stage 2 training, to become a chartered health psychologist with the BPS.
Statistics
100%
Of our psychology masters graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
9th in the UK
Surrey is ranked 9th in the UK for overall student satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2023)
12th in the UK
Surrey is ranked 12th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025
Accreditation
What you will study
You’ll study the psychological processes involved in maintaining health, the pathological responses to ill health and stress, and the promotion of wellbeing among the physically ill. You’ll learn theories and practical issues relevant to health psychology and gain an understanding of different approaches to research.
You’ll explore a range of applied topics, such as living with chronic conditions, health issues impacting health psychology, how we can help people to maintain their health across their lifespan, psychological aspects of healthcare, and the use of cognitive behavioural therapy for health psychology. We’ll also give you an insight into qualitative and quantitative research methods, ensuring you have a solid foundation to collect, analyse and interpret different kinds of data.
Professional recognition
MSc - British Psychological Society (BPS).
Successful completion of this programme fulfils stage one of the requirements towards Chartered Membership of the Society and full membership of the Division of Health Psychology.
Research groups
You’ll be invited to join our Health Psychology Research Group where we investigate topics, including behaviour change, chronic conditions, governance, policy processes, risk appreciation, and stress and fatigue.
You’ll participate in discussions about research topics, findings and publications, and you’ll benefit from our links with renowned research institutions across the world. We also have a host of external speakers that visit us and present their work, and a collection of seminars and workshops, allowing you to network with like-minded individuals.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module provides students with advanced knowledge and understanding of methods, theory and practice in developing and maintaining health throughout the life span. This module has been designed in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas for a British Psychological Society accredited Health Psychology Masters degree: contexts and perspectives in health psychology, physiological and psychosomatic disease processes, client groups and other stakeholders, health-related behavior and cognitions, interventions, measurement issues and professional issues. This module will help students to better understand how health psychology theory can be used in health across the lifespan.
View full module detailsThis level 7 module introduces students to the principles and practices of qualitative research. It provides students with the requisite knowledge and skills to undertake, critically evaluate, and write up a small qualitative research project. Students will be introduced to a range of methods of qualitative data collection and analytic procedures and gain insight into the application of qualitative methods through practical group work. Students will be encouraged to participate actively and think critically about the principles, methods and procedures that we will discuss. In terms of the students’ learning journey, the module will equip them to undertake a qualitative project for their dissertation should they choose to do so. The module is designed to introduce students who have little or no experience of qualitative research to the principles and practices of this approach. It also meets the needs of those who already have some experience in this area, by enabling these students to build on, refine, and extend their existing knowledge through the provision of advanced material on Surrey Learn in the form of captured content relating to additional methods of analysing qualitative data. These students will also be encouraged to extend their practical knowledge and experience by selecting an analytic procedure that they have not previously used to analyse the data for their group project. Through conducting a small group project students will be given the opportunity to gain experience in conducting qualitative research and in applying the principles and practices covered in the lectures. The module provides students with an opportunity to learn about the interpersonal skills required to conduct a good research interview and those needed to successfully conduct and manage a group project. Students are also encouraged to develop their personal reflective skills to enhance their understanding of how their own cultural background, social identity, gender, previous experiences, and prior knowledge can shape data collection and analysis, as well as individual sense-making.
View full module detailsThis module will provide students with knowledge, skills, and practical experience of advanced research methods and design. It emphasises a critical and creative approach to evaluating research methods and design and applying them to scientific questions. It will support the development of novel, theoretically significant, rigorous, and impactful research proposals.
View full module detailshis module provides students with an understanding of core theories and concepts in health psychology, and the skills and methods used to translate, and reflect on the translation of, health psychology into real-world contemporary health behaviour contexts. The module thus covers transferrable skills useful for a career in health psychology research and practice. Students will also gain an awareness of professional issues in behavioural health psychology. We will encourage students to think reflexively on how to apply professional and transferrable skills in the context of different issues that impact contemporary health psychology. The module has been designed in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas of a British Psychological Society accredited degree: professional issues, core skills, contexts and perspectives in health psychology, health-related behaviors and cognitions, interventions and healthcare and professional settings. This module will help students to learn to think critically and reflexively about the application of health psychology theories, concepts, methods and skills within different contemporary health behaviour domains.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This course is a lab-based/practical course intended to get students to use the freely available Jamovi software for data analysis and to understand what they are doing when they use it.
View full module detailsThis module builds on the modules covered in Semester 1 (Contemporary Health Psychology and professional practice and Maintaining health throughout the lifespan). A range of chronic conditions are covered, some which are a global challenge and others which are less well known. Students will learn about these conditions and how the different health psychology theories are used to understand the various beliefs and behaviours associated with these conditions and how they may be targeted in interventions for change. This module provides students with advanced knowledge and understanding of the application of theory to practice relating to chronic conditions. This module has been designed in accordance with requirements (Stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas for a British Psychological Society accredited Health Psychology Master's degree: contexts and perspectives in health psychology, physiological and psychosomatic disease processes, client groups and other stakeholders, measurement issues, health-related behavior and cognitions, interventions and healthcare and professional settings. This module builds employability skills by broadening knowledge of chronic conditions and interventions, and will help students to understand how to apply health psychology theory and practice to different chronic conditions and patient populations.
View full module detailsThis module covers psychological factors that influence the patient's passage through the health care system from symptom perception to help seeking to the consultation with a focus on specific aspects of health care such as surgery, vaccinations and psychological interventions. This module has been designed in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas for a British Psychological Society accredited Health Psychology Masters degree: contexts and perspectives in health psychology, client groups and other stakeholders, health-related behaviour and cognitions, interventions, measurement issues and healthcare and professional settings. This module will help students to better understand how health psychology theory can help us understand the patient experience of healthcare.
View full module detailsThis module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of methods, theory and practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) used in Health Psychology. This module has been designed in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas for a British Psychological Society accredited Health Psychology Masters degree: health-related behavior and cognitions, interventions, healthcare and professional settings and professional issues.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Core
It is a requirement of the University that taught postgraduate programmes include a dissertation and/or major project module. For this module students will conduct their own piece of empirical research in an area of Psychology relevant for their Masters course under supervision of a member of academic staff. For the assessment students will subject either a qualitative or mixed-method research report of 10,000 words or a quantitative research report of 8,000 words (maximum). Overall student workload: 600 hours This includes 12 hours of tutor supervision. These hours will include development of theoretical framework, aims and hypotheses, recruiting samples, fieldwork and liaison with key personnel as appropriate, data recording and analysis, interpretation and writing up. Specific times for these subsections cannot be given as they vary from project to project.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Complete all compulsory modules.
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
This level 7 module introduces students to the principles and practices of qualitative research. It provides students with the requisite knowledge and skills to undertake, critically evaluate, and write up a small qualitative research project. Students will be introduced to a range of methods of qualitative data collection and analytic procedures and gain insight into the application of qualitative methods through practical group work. Students will be encouraged to participate actively and think critically about the principles, methods and procedures that we will discuss. In terms of the students’ learning journey, the module will equip them to undertake a qualitative project for their dissertation should they choose to do so. The module is designed to introduce students who have little or no experience of qualitative research to the principles and practices of this approach. It also meets the needs of those who already have some experience in this area, by enabling these students to build on, refine, and extend their existing knowledge through the provision of advanced material on Surrey Learn in the form of captured content relating to additional methods of analysing qualitative data. These students will also be encouraged to extend their practical knowledge and experience by selecting an analytic procedure that they have not previously used to analyse the data for their group project. Through conducting a small group project students will be given the opportunity to gain experience in conducting qualitative research and in applying the principles and practices covered in the lectures. The module provides students with an opportunity to learn about the interpersonal skills required to conduct a good research interview and those needed to successfully conduct and manage a group project. Students are also encouraged to develop their personal reflective skills to enhance their understanding of how their own cultural background, social identity, gender, previous experiences, and prior knowledge can shape data collection and analysis, as well as individual sense-making.
View full module detailsThis module will provide students with knowledge, skills, and practical experience of advanced research methods and design. It emphasises a critical and creative approach to evaluating research methods and design and applying them to scientific questions. It will support the development of novel, theoretically significant, rigorous, and impactful research proposals.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of methods, theory and practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) used in Health Psychology. This module has been designed in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas for a British Psychological Society accredited Health Psychology Masters degree: health-related behavior and cognitions, interventions, healthcare and professional settings and professional issues.
View full module detailsThis course is a lab-based/practical course intended to get students to use the freely available Jamovi software for data analysis and to understand what they are doing when they use it.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Choose two modules to take in each semester.
Split the modules across two years as agreed with the Programme Leader. Part-Time students should consult with the Programme Leader at an early stage to discuss how best to address the course requirements across two years
Year 2
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module provides students with advanced knowledge and understanding of methods, theory and practice in developing and maintaining health throughout the life span. This module has been designed in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas for a British Psychological Society accredited Health Psychology Masters degree: contexts and perspectives in health psychology, physiological and psychosomatic disease processes, client groups and other stakeholders, health-related behavior and cognitions, interventions, measurement issues and professional issues. This module will help students to better understand how health psychology theory can be used in health across the lifespan.
View full module detailshis module provides students with an understanding of core theories and concepts in health psychology, and the skills and methods used to translate, and reflect on the translation of, health psychology into real-world contemporary health behaviour contexts. The module thus covers transferrable skills useful for a career in health psychology research and practice. Students will also gain an awareness of professional issues in behavioural health psychology. We will encourage students to think reflexively on how to apply professional and transferrable skills in the context of different issues that impact contemporary health psychology. The module has been designed in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas of a British Psychological Society accredited degree: professional issues, core skills, contexts and perspectives in health psychology, health-related behaviors and cognitions, interventions and healthcare and professional settings. This module will help students to learn to think critically and reflexively about the application of health psychology theories, concepts, methods and skills within different contemporary health behaviour domains.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module builds on the modules covered in Semester 1 (Contemporary Health Psychology and professional practice and Maintaining health throughout the lifespan). A range of chronic conditions are covered, some which are a global challenge and others which are less well known. Students will learn about these conditions and how the different health psychology theories are used to understand the various beliefs and behaviours associated with these conditions and how they may be targeted in interventions for change. This module provides students with advanced knowledge and understanding of the application of theory to practice relating to chronic conditions. This module has been designed in accordance with requirements (Stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas for a British Psychological Society accredited Health Psychology Master's degree: contexts and perspectives in health psychology, physiological and psychosomatic disease processes, client groups and other stakeholders, measurement issues, health-related behavior and cognitions, interventions and healthcare and professional settings. This module builds employability skills by broadening knowledge of chronic conditions and interventions, and will help students to understand how to apply health psychology theory and practice to different chronic conditions and patient populations.
View full module detailsThis module covers psychological factors that influence the patient's passage through the health care system from symptom perception to help seeking to the consultation with a focus on specific aspects of health care such as surgery, vaccinations and psychological interventions. This module has been designed in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria. This module addresses the following curriculum areas for a British Psychological Society accredited Health Psychology Masters degree: contexts and perspectives in health psychology, client groups and other stakeholders, health-related behaviour and cognitions, interventions, measurement issues and healthcare and professional settings. This module will help students to better understand how health psychology theory can help us understand the patient experience of healthcare.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Core
It is a requirement of the University that taught postgraduate programmes include a dissertation and/or major project module. For this module students will conduct their own piece of empirical research in an area of Psychology relevant for their Masters course under supervision of a member of academic staff. For the assessment students will subject either a qualitative or mixed-method research report of 10,000 words or a quantitative research report of 8,000 words (maximum). Overall student workload: 600 hours This includes 12 hours of tutor supervision. These hours will include development of theoretical framework, aims and hypotheses, recruiting samples, fieldwork and liaison with key personnel as appropriate, data recording and analysis, interpretation and writing up. Specific times for these subsections cannot be given as they vary from project to project.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Complete remaining two modules in each semester.
Split the modules across two years as agreed with the Programme Leader. Part-Time students should consult with the Programme Leader at an early stage to discuss how best to address the course requirements across two years
Teaching and learning
You’ll be taught by lecturers who are active researchers, ensuring everything you learn is up-to-date and relevant to employers. These may include:
- Professor Mark Cropley, an expert in stress, health and fatigue
- Dr Bridget Dibb, an expert in wellbeing and living with chronic conditions
- Dr Benjamin Gardner, an expert in habit theory
- Dr Phillippa Lally, an expert in behavioural support for adults living with and beyond cancer
- Professor Jane Ogden, an expert in eating behaviour and obesity.
- Group work
- Lectures
- Online learning
- Role play
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Independent study
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including coursework, essays, examinations and presentations.
Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from Academic Administration.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
On successful completion of this course, you’ll have the necessary Stage 1 training required to progress onto Stage 2 training. To become a chartered health psychologist, you’ll need to complete Stage 2 training.
Our alumni take on roles as health advisers, prison therapy assistants, projects officers and public health officers, working for NHS trusts, healthcare organisations and charities.
The broad and transferrable skills that you’ll develop are also highly relevant in other fields, including behavioural analysis and wellbeing. Many of our graduates go on to complete a PhD, investigating an area of personal interest.
100 per cent of our psychology graduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
Learn more about health psychology careers on the BPS website.
Our exceptional facilities will give you access to the latest equipment, including a virtual reality suite to simulate real-life scenarios and two observation labs. You’ll also have access to an extensive library of psychometric and clinical tests, 20 bookable project rooms, a breakout space, equipment lockers and a computer lab.
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:1 UK honours degree in psychology, or a recognised international equivalent.
A 2:2 UK honours degree or equivalent may be accepted with evidence of relevant work experience or a related graduate qualification (e.g. masters or postgraduate diploma).
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.
This is a regulated course that requires declaration of criminal convictions at the application stage, please visit our declaration of criminal convictions web page for more information.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Selection will be based on the information provided in the candidate’s application.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £10,900
- Overseas
- £24,900
September 2025 - Part-time - 2 years
- UK
- £5,500
- Overseas
- £12,500
- If you are on the two-year part-time masters programme, the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Additional costs
- General programme related costs such as study materials
- Potential costs involved in conducting independent learning remotely e.g. internet connection etc.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyPlease note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyAdmissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
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We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.