Health Psychology (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in Psychology or in a closely related subject. 

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country. 

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.  

You'll study the taught part of your course over semesters 1 and 2. This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and 1-2 modules we’ll ask you to choose from out of a list of 10, these include topics include: 

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) 
• apprenticeships in health psychology 
• ageing societies 
• social policy 

You’ll also attend bespoke skills workshops, focusing on: 

• psychological interventions 
• research skills (including interviewing)
• communication to support behaviour change
• practicing professional skills 

During semester 2 you’ll also begin preparing for your dissertation.  

For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress. 

Part-time study

The part-time study option of this course runs for 27 months, starting in September and running to December the following year.  

You’ll study the taught part from September to May of year 2, and the remaining months are spent on your dissertation. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

You’ll learn through engaging seminars with active class discussion and take part in individual, paired and group activities, debates and presentations.  

As part of this project management MSc, you’ll take part in interactive workshops to help you develop your practical skills and competencies.

You’ll be encouraged to undertake independent study to consolidate your learning and grow your knowledge on topics.   

Assessment

We'll assess you through:  

• a behaviour change diary 
• a mini systematic review 
• 3 skills portfolios; containing professional development plans and training logs 
• research methods reports on your own mini qualitative project and the analysis of quantitative datasets 
• essays 
• exams 

Dissertation

As part of this course, you’ll complete a 10,000-word dissertation project. 

Expert supervisors will present their research expertise and opportunities to you so you can select a supervisor for the dissertation. 

You'll choose from a wide range of subject areas under the supervision of an expert in the field.  Find out more about the health psychology research that our staff undertake at the Centre for Applications of Health Psychology. 

Students have also been supervised by colleagues from other subject areas in The University of Southampton, including:

• Macmillan Survivorship Research Group
• psychologists based in medicine 

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor. 

MSc Health Psychology graduates work in a variety of settings such as the NHS, Higher Education, health promotion, schools or industry. 

Our graduates progress to a diverse range of employment and further training in the UK and overseas, including working in universities and other educational settings, human health activities including specialist medical and hospital-based activities, care work, and business.   

Many of our graduates have also been successful in securing funding for PhD study.  

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £30,300.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Psychology Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Psychology.

Find out more about Southampton Psychology Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

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Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two references, one academic reference and one academic or professional reference.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000