Online MSc Health Psychology - BPS accredited
2-3 years
Part Time
Tuition: GBP 9,450
Paid in Instalment
Intakes: May 2026
Deadline: 4 May 2026
Course overview
The Online MSc Health Psychology teaches the complex interplay between environmental, psychological, social, political and biological factors that help health psychologists understand the impact on communal and individual health. This Masters in Health Psychology course from the University of Derby is BPS accredited, and is structured to teach the necessary skills and knowledge for health psychologists to evaluate and design health-based interventions, and use psychological theory and practice to promote health, prevent illness and support those with physical health conditions.
Health psychology and behavioural science work together to play a critical role in fostering change in health-related behaviours.
Gain a critical awareness of the role of psychology in the management of long term conditions for individuals and their wider social networks (e.g. family and friends), and develop your skills in the systematic reviewing of relevant literature to make evidence based decisions and recommendations.
This Online MSc Health Psychology course is a Stage One qualification and allows those who hold Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS to progress to Stage Two training in Health Psychology. The teaching team on the MSc Health Psychology course consists of registered Health Psychologists, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and chartered psychologists with considerable experience within the field of Psychology. Teachers use research informed, evidence based health curriculum to keep this psychology course course up to date with current developments in the field.
This Online Masters in Health Psychology is a contemporary degree that covers the foundational issues faced by health psychologists and is suited for individuals looking to work in the NHS, public health, private health or charity. Accredited by the British Psychology Society (BPS), the University of Derby Online MSc Health Psychology course equips you with the first stage for practice as a registered health psychologist and for achieving status as a Chartered member of the BPS (CPsychol).
Online MSc Health Psychology - BPS accredited
Online MSc Health Psychology - BPS accredited
Accreditation
The Online MSc Health Psychology by the University of Derby is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and is one of the longest BPS accredited Online degrees in Psychology.
The British Psychological Society was established over a 120 years ago and champions the field of Psychology, Psychologists and the wider professions in the field. With over 65,000 members, the organisation is committed to aiding the field in having a positive impact on both Psychologists, as well as the community and its individuals.
Teaching & Assessment
The Online MSc Health Psychology is taught by a team of research active psychologists, with expert knowledge of health psychology practice, research and theory. Their professional experience and comprehensive knowledge teaches applied psychology practices combined with a strong research foundation. The University of Derby Psychology academic team have recently published in:
- Weight Bias
- Atrial fibrillation, quality of life and distress
- Hemodialysis, quality of life and compassion
- Death anxiety in health care professionals
Students will be taught through
- Weekly live sessions
- Pre-recorded videos
- Dynamic Microsoft Teams spaces to discuss key topics
- Guest lectures delivered by industry specialists
- Independent online study and research
Each module in the Online MSc Health Psychology is taught through a rich variety of activities with timely and focused feedback.
The Online Masters in Health Psychology course is assessed through 100% coursework, completed individually, through a range of methods such as developing health promotion resources, essays, intervention reports, oral presentations and research project reports. This structure is designed to ensure students meet the learning outcomes while also supporting the development of their professional and employability skills.
Benefits
This psychology course is delivered entirely online, allowing study from anywhere in the world
Student support and guidance on the Online Msc Health Psychology course:
Whilst students are encouraged to become life-long, independent learners, additional support and guidance is provided to help achieve these goals. achieve your goals, including a dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor. In addition, students have access to the University of Derby
- Library
- Health and Wellbeing Centre
- Careers and Employability Service
- IT Support
- Union of Students
- Develop@Derby for study, personal and employability skills
Career path
Health psychology specialists work in a range of settings across private, public and non-profit sectors and graduates have gone on to work in the NHS, mental health centres, care facilities and chronic illness management sectors.
Other graduates have used the MSc Health Psychology course to gain places on clinical psychology programmes, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Psychological Treatment services.
Eligibility - Entry Requirements
Applicants are required normally to have at least a 2:1 Honours Degree in Psychology, which is recognised by the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC).
Applicants with a 2:2 Honours Degree in Psychology, which is recognised by the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC), may be accepted onto the course subject to a satisfactory interview.
We will consider your application if you have a degree in a related discipline (such as mental health, public health, or a joint honours with psychology elements) (min 2:1 with Honours) which does not confer Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS, and you have relevant work experience or can demonstrate the ability to study at Level 7 through the completion of other postgraduate study. The Programme Leader may invite you to interview as part of the Admissions process.
English language qualification
If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.5
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 580 (paper based) 237 (computer based) or 92 (internet based)
- Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
- Cambridge Advanced Certificate: pass
- London Tests of English: we accept level 5 for postgraduate courses
- International GCE O-level English Language: grade C
- International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: grade C
Core Modules
Within health psychology it is essential to understand the links between psychological factors, physiological mechanisms, and behaviour in the onset and progression of illness. It is also essential to understand the experience of symptoms and symptom response in the context of healthcare utilisation, and how the experience of healthcare and treatment impacts a broad range of patient outcomes. This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge base in these areas.
In order to conduct and evaluate research within the field of applied psychology you must be able to draw upon a variety of research methods (qualitative and quantitative), assess the appropriateness of various different research designs, employ a range of analytical techniques including advanced statistical and qualitative analytics techniques and be able to interpret the findings in order to draw appropriate interpretation and conclusions in relation to specific hypotheses or research questions.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the role of psychological theories and techniques in the promotion and maintenance of health
- Apply psychological theory to the design, development and evaluation of an intervention to modify a specific health related behaviour
Module content
The module will include learning material covering the following areas:
- Mediators of health and health behaviours
- Psychological principles and techniques of behaviour change
- Health promotion theory, models & approaches
- Health promotion in context
- Design and evaluation of health promotion campaigns
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the role of psychology in the experience and management of long term conditions
- Systematically review literature relevant to the discipline of health psychology
Module content
This module will cover topic areas such as:
- Incidence and range of long term conditions including stigmatised conditions, mental health conditions and physical disability
- Psychological impact of diagnosis, adjustment and living with long term conditions
- Role of psychology in management of long term conditions including coping and psychology intervention
- Long term conditions across the lifespan including dying, death and bereavement
- Evidence based decision making
The module is also intended to support students’ own professional development, and a series of reflective activities are designed to enable students to reflect on, and plan for, their own professional development as applied psychologists.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of applied psychology training and practice in the UK
- Understand the principles of critical self-reflection
- Critically reflect on personal and professional development in the context of applied psychology
Module content
This module will cover topic areas such as:
- UK and international perspectives and training models
- Scientist-practitioner perspective
- Applied psychology competencies
- Professional competence and regulation
- Multi/inter-disciplinary working and leadership
- Communication skills
- Motivational interviewing
- Facilitating behaviour change
- Professional development planning
- Reflective practice
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an ability to identify, review, analyse and evaluate relevant empirical evidence to identify pertinent areas for psychological research, and articulate appropriate research question or hypothesis
- Design a piece of health psychology research and demonstrate awareness of and competence in applying all relevant ethical guidelines and principles
- Conduct a feasible and ethical empirical study to address pertinent research question(s) and analyse and interpret the findings of the study to form coherent conclusions about the research question(s)
- Present research in a way that is consistent with the standards of presentation and clarity expected of a professional research report within the field of psychology
Course fee
Global:
- Course Fee: GBP 9,450
+VAT if applicable
Fees are determined by where applicants are currently working and residing
GBP is Great British Pounds
Academics
Refaat Kazoun
Philippe Riewer
Ajith Kumar
What our student say
Khaled Abdullah Ahmed Nusair
University of Leicester
MBA
It was an exciting, interesting journey within the University modules, staff, tutors and program. The staff at Stafford are very supportive, cooperative and professional, I am really thankful to all of them.
