Health Psychology Manchester Metropolitan University

Overview

By taking the Health Psychology course from Manchester Metropolitan University you’ll explore human behaviour, health behaviour change, neuropsychology and research methods. And, you’ll seek ways to improve health, illness and healthcare systems through applying psychological theory and practical methods.

Some of the topics you’ll consider include the factors that make a person vulnerable to developing conditions like coronary heart disease or COVID-19, and why where people live matters to their health outcomes.

You might apply psychology to ensuring that children get enough physical activity, in understanding the experience of people living with a stroke, or how we can help people with diabetes to take their medications.

You’ll also study the principles and practice of research and evaluation, applying these skills to a field-based dissertation. You’ll complete a 70-hour work-based learning opportunity to apply your health psychology learning and build your work experience.

Career

Your understanding of human behaviour, health behaviour change, neuropsychology and research methods gained on this course will enable you to apply for graduate roles in many sectors.

You could find yourself working in an NHS team, or in a commercial, charitable or research organisation. Alternatively, you may want to go on to pursue a PhD or train to become a qualified Health Psychologist.

To practise as a health psychologist in the UK, you’ll need to have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), having completed a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate psychology degree or conversion course. Following your MSc Health Psychology at Manchester Met, you will need to complete doctoral-level health psychology training and register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Once you’re registered, you could work in a variety of health, social care and business settings. You might work at an NHS hospital or in a private practice, in marketing for a health-related commercial organisation or stop smoking services.

Other areas you might develop your career in are local authorities, think tanks, charities or research departments in universities.