PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION – POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

KEY FACTS

Programme name Health Psychology / Psychology and Health

Award Masters in Science (MSc)
School Health Sciences
Department or equivalent Division of Health Services Research and Management
Programme code HPMSPSY01
(Route Code: PSHSPY – Health Psychology)
(Route Code: PSPYHS – Psychology and Health)
Type of study Taught Postgraduate
Total UK credits 180
Total ECTS 90

PROGRAMME SUMMARY

What is Health Psychology?

Health psychology is the study of the psychological and behavioural processes in health,
illness, and healthcare. Health Psychologists use their knowledge of theory and practice to
promote well-being and healthier lifestyles, and understand physical illness.

Programme overview
The MSc Health Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and
meets the Stage 1 requirements towards becoming a Chartered Health Psychologist in the
UK.

The MSc Psychology and Health is not accredited by the BPS and is for students who
have not completed a BPS accredited undergraduate degree in psychology. All students
complete the same nine core modules.

1. Introduction to Research Design and Statistics

2. Advanced Research Design and Statistics
3. Behavioural Medicine
4. Theoretical Foundations in Health Psychology
5. Professional & Contextual Issues in Health Psychology
6. Understanding and Managing Long-Term Conditions
7. Lifespan, Gender and Culture
8. HRM004 Developing Complex Interventions
9. APM002 Dissertation

Our programme places a strong emphasis on the theoretical underpinnings of health

psychology and training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and applied data
analysis.

Aims
The programme aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of
health psychology, informed by current scholarship and research, including a critical
awareness of current issues and developments in the field.

We aim to:

 Give you the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of health

psychology theory and research, and to develop relevant academic, research and
communication skills
 Develop in you an awareness of professional and contextual issues relevant to the
practice of health psychology.

Achievements you will gain at each stage

1. MSc Health Psychology

Successful completion of the MSc Health Psychology and the MSc Psychology
and Health means that you have demonstrated sound understanding and
competence of theory, research and practice in each of the eight taught modules
recommended by the British Psychological Society. In addition for the MSc award,
you would have demonstrated an ability to design and deliver an independent
applied research project that has relevance and makes a contribution to the field of
health psychology.

Should you fail to complete the research component, the following Diploma qualification
titles may be obtained:

2. Postgraduate Diploma Health Psychology/Postgraduate Diploma Psychology

and Health.
The PG Diploma award is granted in cases where you have passed all eight taught
modules, but failed (or decided not to complete) the research dissertation.
Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma means that you have
demonstrated sound understanding of theory, research and practice across the
eight core knowledge areas of health psychology as defined by the British
Psychological Society. Should you fail to complete and pass all eight taught
components, the following Certificate qualification title may be obtained:

3. Postgraduate Certificate Health Psychology/Postgraduate Certificate

Psychology and Health.
The PG Certificate award is granted in cases where you have failed to pass all
eight taught modules but have passed a minimum of four taught modules (60
credits). You cannot progress to complete the research dissertation unless all eight
taught modules recommended by the British Psychological Society have been
completed and passed.

Successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate means that you have

demonstrated sound understanding of the theory, research and practice of some of
the eight core knowledge areas as defined by the British Psychological Society.
WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE?

On successful completion of this programme, you will be expected to be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

 Exhibit a critical and systematic understanding of the nature of health psychology
as a profession, and the role of the health psychologist within this and the
broader healthcare community.
 Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the complex individual, psychological,
social, cultural and environmental determinants of health experience and
behaviour.
 Show critical awareness of the impact of different long-term conditions on an
individual’s clinical, psychological and social well-being.
 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of diverse approaches to developing
complex health interventions.
 Exhibit a critical and systematic understanding of the fundamental concepts and
theories linking psychological factors to health.
 Exhibit an acute awareness of ethical issues and dilemmas that characterise
health psychology research and practice and the ability to negotiate and manage
these effectively.
 Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of the impact of differing gender, life stage,
ethnicity and culture on an individual's health and health behaviours
 Show in-depth knowledge of the criteria against which research in health
psychology can be appraised effectively and the ability to carry out such an
appraisal.
 Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of behavioural and psychosocial
interventions in health psychology.
 Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the key features of a range of methodological
approaches and analysis techniques currently in use within health psychology
research, and be able to select the appropriate approach.

Skills
 Ability to design and carry out appropriate quantitative and qualitative data
analysis, at an advanced level.
 Synthesise the evidence, using robust systematic review methodologies.
 Develop pragmatic research questions and choose appropriate methodologies.
 Critically evaluate the merits and limitations of methodological approaches
 Apply theory-driven and evidence-based approaches to the development of
complex interventions.
 Construct logic models describing the causal pathway from a proposed
intervention to a health outcome and support this with evidence.
 Formulate intervention functions and select appropriate behaviour change
techniques and modes of delivery for identified determinants of behaviour.
 Evaluate theories at conceptual and practical levels.
 Critically evaluate health psychology research.
 Demonstrate effective presentation skills
 Reflect on one’s own professional development and identify further training
 needs.
 Develop the skills to critically evaluate the ethical and legal implications of
research and practice.
 Communicate and discuss key debates in health psychology.

 Develop the ability to work effectively as a member of a group and manage time
effectively.
 Develop an effective working relationship with a supervisor.

Values and attitudes

 Demonstrate an appreciation that ethical issues underpin all health-related
research and practice.
 Reflect on the ethical and legal implications of health psychology research and
practice.
 Show respect, empathy and sensitivity to patients/clients, as well as colleagues.
 Display tolerance of disagreement in a field characterised by the presence of
alternative and sometimes conflicting epistemologies.
 Exhibit a willingness to work as an effective team member and learn from others to
achieve common goals.
 Exhibit a balanced view of theoretical critique in health psychology, displaying
awareness of both the strengths and limitations of each theoretical approach.
 Promote a flexible and pragmatic attitude towards intervention development that
recognises real world constraints and values scientific rigour.
 Demonstrate a critical awareness of those issues regarding gender and culture
relevant to practice in health psychology.

This programme has been developed in accordance with the QAA Subject Benchmark for
the discipline.

HOW WILL I LEARN?

During the course of your studies at City you will be part of an active academic/research
community with a wide range of interests. You will be encouraged to attend lectures and
seminars which will support your acquisition of knowledge in the area of Health
Psychology. The programme uses a wide range of teaching, learning and assessment
strategies including lectures, seminars, class discussions, student presentations,
interactive computer-based exercises, a virtual learning environment, guided independent
and collaborative learning and individual supervision.

The programme is offered as both a full-time and a part-time programme:

 Full-time students attend the taught component of the programme for one year.
 Part-time students attend the taught component of the programme over two years.

Academic years consist of 3 terms: The Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.

Full-time and part-time modes of study

Autumn term Spring term Summer term Whole year
Full-time Behavioural Understanding APM002
Medicine (15 and Managing Dissertation
credits) Long-Term module (60
Conditions (15 credits)*
Lifespan, credits)
Gender &
Culture (15 Advanced
credits) Research
Design &
Introduction to Statistics (15
Research credits)
Design &
Statistics (15 Professional &
credits) Contextual
Issues in
Theoretical Health
Foundations in Psychology (15
Health credits)
Psychology (15
credits) Developing
Complex
Interventions
(15 credits)
60 credits 60 credits 60 credits 180 credits
Part-time year Introduction to Professional &
1 Research Contextual
Design & Issues in
Statistics (15 Health
credits) Psychology (15
credits)
Theoretical
Foundations in Developing
Health Complex
Psychology (15 Interventions
credits) (15 credits)
30 credits 30 credits 60 credits
Part-time year Behavioural Understanding APM002
2 Medicine (15 and Managing Dissertation
credits) Long-Term module (60
Conditions (15 credits)
Lifespan, credits)
Gender &
Culture (15 Advanced
credits) Research
Design &
Statistics (15
credits)
30 credits 30 credits 60 credits 120 credits
*Full-time students will enrol for the dissertation module in the Autumn term, supervisor of
the dissertation will usually start in the Autumn term but this is to be agreed with your
dissertation supervisor. Part-time students will enrol for the dissertation module in the
Autumn term of year 2. Regardless of when supervision begins, the amount of contact
time with your dissertation supervisor is regulated by the guidance provided for the
dissertation module.

Registration period
The normal period of registration for full time students is one year which includes the
taught programme and the dissertation. The normal period of registration for part time
students is two years, which includes the taught programme and the dissertation.

The maximum period of registration for this programme is 5 years.

WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT?

Assessment and Assessment Criteria

In order to assess and promote learning, the programme uses a wide variety of methods.
For example critical review essays assess your critical analysis and knowledge of the field,
while the systematic review assesses critical appraisal skills. Research methodology is
assessed via short reports and your dissertation. Finally, your communication skills are
developed and assessed through the oral presentations.

Assessment Criteria are descriptions, based on the intended learning outcomes, of the
skills, knowledge or attitudes that you need to demonstrate in order to complete an
assessment successfully, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment
can be measured. Grade- Related Criteria are descriptions of the level of skills, knowledge
or attributes that you need to demonstrate in order achieve a certain grade or mark in an
assessment, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be
measured and placed within the overall set of marks. Assessment Criteria and Grade-
Related Criteria will be made available to you to support you in completing assessments.
These may be provided in programme handbooks, module specifications, on the virtual
learning environment or attached to a specific assessment task.

Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided in line with our Assessment and Feedback Policy. In particular,
you will normally be provided with feedback within three weeks of the submission deadline
or assessment date. This would normally include a provisional grade or mark. For end of
module examinations or an equivalent significant task (e.g. an end of module project),
feedback will normally be provided within four weeks. The timescale for feedback on final
year projects or dissertations may be longer. The full policy can be found at:
https://www.city.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/68921/assessment_and_feedback_poli
cy.pdf
Assessment Regulations
In order to pass your Programme, you should complete successfully or be exempted from
the relevant modules and assessments and will therefore acquire the required number of
credits.

The pass mark for each module is 50%.

The programme consists of eight core 15 credit modules, plus a 60 credit empirical
dissertation module. In order to obtain the MSc Health Psychology, students must
accumulate 180 credits, including the dissertation. The Pass mark for each module is
50%. Each module contributes 8.33% to your overall mark and the dissertation 33.33%.

If you fail an assessment component or a module, you will normally be offered one resit
attempt. However, if you did not participate in the first assessment and have no
extenuating circumstances, you may not be offered a resit.

If you are successful in the resit, you will be awarded the credit for that module. The mark
for each assessment component that is subject to a resit will be capped at the pass mark
for the module. This capped mark will be used in the calculation of the final module mark
together with the original marks for the components that you passed at first attempt.

If you do not meet the requirements for a module and do not complete your resit by the
date specified you will not progress and the Assessment Board will require that you be
withdrawn from the Programme.

If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme, the Assessment Board will
consider whether you are eligible for an Exit Awardas per the table below.

If you would like to know more about the way in which assessment works at City, please
see the full version of the Assessment Regulations at:
http://www.city.ac.uk/__data/assets/word_doc/0003/69249/s19.doc

WHAT AWARD CAN I GET?

Master’s Degree Health Psychology / Psychology and Health:

HE Credits Weighting Class % required

Level (%)
Dissertation 7 60 33.5 With distinction 70
Taught 7 120 66.5 With Merit 60
Without 50
classification

Postgraduate Diploma Health Psychology / Psychology and Health:

 HE Credits Weighting Class % required
Level (%)
Taught 7 120 100 With distinction 70
With Merit 60
Without 50
classification

Postgraduate Certificate Health Psychology / Psychology and Health:

HE Credits Weighting Class % required

Level (%)
Taught 7 60 100 With distinction 70
With Merit 60
Without 50
classification

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

Taught component
The programme consists of eight core 15 credit modules, plus a 60 credit empirical
dissertation module. In order to obtain the MSc Health Psychology, students must
accumulate 180 credits including the dissertation.

All modules are compulsory and there are no optional modules.

Module Title SITS Code Module Core/ Can be Level

Credits Elective Compensated
?
Theoretical HYM001 15 Core No 7
Foundations in
Health Psychology
Lifespan, Gender & HYM002 15 Core No 7
Culture
Behavioural HYM003 15 Core No 7
Medicine
Introduction to HYM004 15 Core No 7
Research Design &
Statistics
Advanced Research HYM005 15 Core No 7
Design & Statistics
Developing complex HRM004 15 Core No 7
Interventions
Understanding and HYM006 15 Core No 7
Managing Long-term
Conditions
Professional & HYM007 15 Core No 7
Contextual Issues in
Health Psychology
 Dissertation component

In order to be eligible for the MSc, students must complete the 60-credit dissertation. You
are normally required to pass all taught modules before progressing to the dissertation.

Module Title SITS Module Core/ Can be Level

Code Credits Elective compensated?
Dissertation APM002 60 Core No 7

You are required to complete all the taught modules successfully before submitting the
dissertation.

TO WHAT KIND OF CAREER MIGHT I GO ON?

If you want to practise as a Health Psychologist in the UK, you will need to complete Stage
1 (MSc in Health Psychology) and Stage 2 training (doctoral level qualification in health
psychology). You will then be able to apply for Chartered Membership of the British
Psychological Society (BPS), Full membership of the Division of Health Psychology and
you will also be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions
Council (HCPC) as a Chartered Health Psychologist. Only by registering with the HCPC,
the statutory regulator, are you able to use the protected title Health Psychologist.

City’s MSc Health Psychology constitutes the first stage in becoming a Health
Psychologist. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are eligible to apply for
Stage two training in health psychology. This can be completed either by a Professional
Doctorate in Health Psychology at an approved university or Qualification in Health
Psychology via the BPS, the latter of which is normally combined with a PhD in Health
Psychology.

Graduate destinations
Graduates of the MSc in Health Psychology / Psychology & Health take a variety of career
paths including:

 Further education, such as a PhD or Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology

 Research Assistants in higher education, NHS or the private sector
 Assistant Psychologists in an applied setting
 NHS or third sector healthcare professionals, such as smoking cessation officers,
public health and health promotion practitioners

If you would like more information on the Careers support available at City, please go to:
http://www.city.ac.uk/careers/for-students-and-recent-graduates.

WILL I GET ANY PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION?

The MSc Health Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and
meets the Stage 1 requirements towards becoming a Chartered Health Psychologist in the
UK. The MSc Psychology and Health is not accredited by the BPS and is for students who
have not completed a BPS accredited undergraduate degree in psychology.

Accrediting Body: British Psychological Society

BPS Review Dates:

24 February 2002
18 May 2007

HOW DO I ENTER THE PROGRAMME?

MSc Health Psychology

 A minimum of an upper second (2.1) Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from a UK
university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A lower second-
class (2.2) or equivalent degrees may be accepted if evidence of further study or
relevant work experience is provided.
 Applicants must have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the
British Psychological Society (BPS).

MSc Psychology and Health

 A minimum of an upper second (2.1) Bachelor’s degree from a UK university, or an
overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

English Language Requirement

If English is not your first language, you need to provide evidence of English proficiency.
We only accept the following English language qualifications:

 GCSE - grade C or above

 SEB - grade C or above
 Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English - Pass
 IELTS – Overall score of 7 or above and at least 6.5 in each subtest

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, INTO
City, University of London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive
and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Please click the links below for more information:

 English for University Study

 Pre-sessional English

Please note that due to changes in the UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI) list of Secure
English Language Teaching System Tests (SELT) we are no longer able to accept TOEFL
as evidence of English language for students who require a Confirmation of Acceptance
for Study (CAS), as of April 2014.
Overseas Qualifications
Equivalent qualifications from an overseas university will be considered.

IT skills
All students are expected to be computer literate.

Equal Opportunities
The Programme is committed to equal opportunities. The admissions decision will rest on
the qualifications, needs and aspirations of the applicant.

RPL/RP(E)L Requirements
RP(E)L: Students may apply for RP(E)L for a minimum of one module and a maximum of
25% of the overall credits for the programme (taught modules only).

Exemptions are not awarded for programmes/qualifications that were awarded five years
ago or longer, prior to the enrolment date for the intended programme of study at City.
Programmes/qualifications which were awarded over five years ago may be considered
towards RP(E)L requests if the candidate can provide supporting evidence which gives an
account of ways in which learning achieved through the programme/qualification has been
applied actively and updated within the past five years.

Former students of City who have been withdrawn from a programme due to academic
failure are not normally permitted to RP(E)L any awarded credits back onto the same
programme within the School.

Version: 1.0
Version date: June 2016
For use from: 2016-17