The MSc in Health Psychology starts students on the path to becoming a Chartered Psychologist and provides training in the applications of psychological theory and research methods.
Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Science (MSc)
If you started this programme in 2017, you can find information about 2017 entry on the 2017 Health Psychology page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
One year full time
A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in Psychology. This must be recognised by the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
UK and EU: £8,500
Overseas: £20,980
1 July 2018. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
The MSc in Health Psychology is a one-year taught programme run in collaboration with NHS Fife and the School of Medicine and the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at St Andrews. Upon successful completion, you will be equipped with the necessary skills to embark on your Stage 2 training or to facilitate research at MPhil or PhD level.
The programme is intended for graduate psychologists who wish to apply theoretical knowledge from their initial degree into a qualification that can launch them into a career of health psychology working for a health care provider or into health-related research.
The programme consists of two full-time semesters of taught modules followed by an independent research period culminating in the submission of a 5,000-word dissertation. On average, the Health Psychology cohort makes up around 10 to 12 students per year.
Students will take six compulsory modules. Teaching is delivered through:
Assessment approaches include:
Students will have access to a broad, well-qualified and experienced team of academic and health psychologists from both Schools of Medicine and Psychology. In addition, students will be assigned a supervisor who will provide advice and support on the research dissertation project.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue, which is for the 2017–2018 academic year and therefore some elements may be subject to change for 2018 entry.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Students will conduct and report a research project from a health psychology perspective. Projects may comprise field or laboratory-based studies.
The research project will be planned during both academic semesters and written during the summer. It will involve two to three months of data collection and will be written up as a 5000-word dissertation, in appropriate scientific journal style, to be submitted by a date specified in August.
Students will be assigned a supervisor who will provide guidance during the planning, research and writing phases.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2018 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
The School of Medicine has a busy programme of conferences, workshops and visiting speakers from universities in the UK and from abroad.
The School of Psychology and Neuroscience hosts a weekly seminar programme. These seminars include public lectures, open school discussions and papers presented by a variety of guest lecturers from the UK and abroad. Following the seminar, a wine reception is held in the staff common room.
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.
Many Health Psychology graduates go on to the Stage 2 qualification route to become qualified Chartered Psychologists of Health Psychology or obtain a studentship for a health-related PhD programme.
The Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council provide funding for doctoral training in health, biological and related sciences covering up to four years funding and, in some cases, accommodation fees.
Students enrolled on the MSc Health Psychology go on to employment opportunities in the NHS Psychological or Public Health Services or join health services research programmes.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
School of Medicine
University of St Andrews
Medical and Biological Sciences Building
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9TF
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3585
Email: medpgt@st-andrews.ac.uk
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).
St Andrews has two postgraduate prospectuses - one for taught courses and one for research programmes. Both prospectuses are available for you to view and download.