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MSc|Postgraduate Taught

Clinical Health Psychology

Entry year
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.1
Duration
2 years (Part-time)
1 year (Full-time)
Places available
TBC (Part Time)
TBC (Full Time)
This course is now closed to applications for September 2021. If you are interested in September 2022 entry, please register your interest.

Clinical health psychology (sometimes referred to as behavioural medicine, medical psychology or psychosomatic medicine) is an applied discipline that focuses on people with a health condition that could be prevented, treated or rehabilitated through the use of psychological techniques or procedures. The primary interest is on problems that present as physical complaints rather than emotional or mental health issues. Nevertheless, clinical health psychology is concerned with the emotional problems that may arise as a result of a physical health complaint. The topics covered in the MSc include: research methods, health behaviour change, psycho-oncology and adjustment to long term physical illness.

This MSc aims to provide graduate students with an opportunity for advanced study in specialist topics in the field of clinical health psychology and to prepare graduate students for more advanced research in clinical health psychology, professional training in psychology or other discipline-related professional training.

Applications for this course received after 30th June 2024 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.

Applications for this course received after 30th June 2024 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.

Clinical Health Psychology highlights

Student Experience

The programme’s focus on clinical and health psychology distinguishes it from other programmes in the UK

Internationally Renowned Experts

Students on the programme will be taught by internationally renowned researchers in clinical health psychology

Career Development

Students on the programme will be able to avail of placement opportunities in a range of applied clinical and health settings

Course Structure

This MSc is one-third research methods and analysis, one-third clinical health psychology content and one-third dissertation.

Optional placement

The optional Applied Psychology Experience module will give students the opportunity to undertake a short placement in a setting relevant to the course. This might include working with a Clinical or Health Psychologist or in a third sector organisation.

People teaching you

Course Director

Psychology

Teaching Times

Teaching will take place on two days each week.

Learning and Teaching

Lecturers on the programme are experts in Clinical Health Psychology and have active research programmes in the area. Thus, teaching on the programme is research-led.

We operate a proactive system of student support. The Postgraduate Advisor of Studies will guide and support you through your time with us, supported by the School’s knowledgeable and friendly administrative staff. Good communication between staff and students is central and we operate a Student-Staff Consultative Committee specifically for taught MSc programmes. Membership of this committee includes elected representatives from each of the taught postgraduate programmes, the Director of Postgraduate Taught Education, programme directors and the School Manager. This Committee allows students to quickly raise matters of concern to them and enables the School to keep students appraised of matters affecting the School and wider University.

The School of Psychology at Queen’s has a distinguished history in educating undergraduate and postgraduate students. The School operates a single honours undergraduate degree on which c500 students are enrolled, three taught MSc degrees, professional doctorates in Clinical Psychology and Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and a highly active research PhD programme. Many of the members of staff teaching on our programmes have international reputations in their field. All are committed teachers and researchers.

Our aim as a School is to recruit the best students locally and internationally. We aim to build a supportive learning environment that stimulates students to do their best work.

We provide students with a range of opportunities to learn and have included some further information on these below.

  • Excellent supervision

    Students are assigned a dissertation supervisor early in the course, with whom they develop a project, obtain ethical approval, analyse and interpret data and write the final report. We encourage students to be ambitious for their project and it is not unusual for MSc dissertation data to be of publishable quality.

  • Lectures

    Lectures serve a number of purposes: they provide information about a topic and the basis for further self-directed study. They also provide an opportunity for class discussion, questions and feedback. In many cases lectures are followed by student-led seminars.

  • Placements

    Students will have an opportunity to avail of the option of learning in the workplace by undertaking a short placement in a context that is relevant to Clinical Health Psychology. This may involve working with a clinician or in a health-focussed third sector organisation.

  • Self-guided study

    Self-guided study is an essential part of any taught MSc course when private reading and research, preparation for assignments and reflection on feedback is carried out.

Assessment

We will assess your performance in a variety of different ways

  • Coursework essays
  • Literature reviews
  • Case studies
  • Practical reports
  • Portfolios
  • Presentations
  • Dissertation

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Research Skills (10 credits)

    Optional Modules

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or above in Psychology or an acceptable related subject, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

In the absence of a formal qualification that meets the above criteria, applicants may apply for recognition of prior learning. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL).

QUB:
Intercalating medical and dental students within QUB will be considered if they have successfully completed the 3rd/4th year of their course at first attempt and achieved at least a 2.1 Honours standard. Intercalating applicants should also ensure they have permission to intercalate from either the Director for Medical Education or Dentistry as appropriate.

External:
An external medical or dental student wishing to intercalate must have successfully completed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying. External intercalating applicants should also ensure they have the permission of the Head of Undergraduate Medical/Dental Education or equivalent from their home University.

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2024. However, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note: a deposit will be required to secure a place.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

The MSc Clinical Health Psychology is likely to be of interest to students considering careers in Clinical or Health Psychology. We expect some graduates to go on to complete professional training in these areas whilst others may forge careers in the health service, or in the third sector.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £7,300
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £7,300
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £25,800
International £25,800

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications:

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 
1.2  You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course.
1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/EPS/terms-and-conditions/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

When to Apply

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2021. In the event that any programme receives a high volume of applications, the university reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Entry Portal (DAP) against the programme application page.

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus