Overview
Health psychology is a growing and much needed field. Prevention of and management of conditions is needed at all levels and health psychologists can apply their expertise to develop and evaluate interventions and work within multi-disciplinary teams (The British Psychological Society 2024).
Health Psychologists focus on prevention of ill-health, promoting healthier lifestyles and enhancing overall well-being. They work to support individuals in improving an maintaining their health.
Develop in-demand skills required to become a health psychologist
Our Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology trains you in the scientific and practitioner skills needed to become a Health Psychologist. You’ll learn through real-world placements alongside teaching and workshops.
During the first year of the course you’ll be taught theories and develop skills in many areas such as:
- Understanding theories of adult learning and putting these into practice.
- Developing, delivering and evaluating health psychology interventions.
- Developing the professional application of health psychology to promote health and prevent illness in specific contexts.
- Developing, utilising and demonstrating research skills in an organisational or other external context. You’ll carry out high-quality research suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
You’ll work with an experienced internationally recognised health psychology team.
Throughout the Healthy Psychology Professional Doctorate you’ll acquire specific competencies as defined by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and adhere to standards set by HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council).
Study a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course
Our Health Psychology Professional Doctorate is accredited by the British Psychological Society. It provides Stage 2 training to become eligible for Chartered Psychologist status. It is also approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. After graduation you’re eligible to apply for registration with HCPC. Registration allows you to use the title of Health Psychologist.
A significant component of Stage 2 training involves supervised practice. This ensures you build your skills under the guidance of experienced professionals. Supervision is provided by our experienced health psychology team.
We have an excellent international reputation in the field of health psychology with a strong record of research into health and health behaviour. 100% of our research impact and environment, and 87% of our overall research in Psychology is classed as world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
Gain practical experience on health psychology placements
Placements are an integral part of this Doctorate in Health Psychology. You have two years of supervised practice on placement. You can work in a wide range of settings, including the NHS, local government, health and social care, third sector (charities) or other organisations. You'll identify your own main placement. This must be organised and approved as part of the application and admissions process. Placements can be paid or unpaid, in your own workplace or elsewhere.
Previous and current trainees have developed their professional practice and other competency skills through their placement with charities, the NHS or within local government. For example:
- Diabetes Scotland
- Alzheimer Scotland
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust
- NHS Lanarkshire
- Birmingham City Council
Placements must cover at least two broad areas of work. Examples of past placements are:
- Working with a mental health charity, providing health behaviour interventions for clients. Training staff who provide support for people with complex behavioural problems in GP practices.
- Providing training for hospital staff in motivational approaches and behaviour change. Contributing to staff well-being support.
- Working with people with learning disabilities.
- Working in primary care to deliver health psychology interventions.
You’ll also engage with industry through guest lectures and seminars. Past speakers include charities such as the British Liver Trust and MS Society, and external organisations such as NHS Grampian and Grammatology Ltd.
Top-up Research Doctorate in Health Psychology
A two-year, part-time top-up route is available for those with a doctoral-level (practitioner) qualification in Health Psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society (QHP). Top-up applicants must be eligible for registration as a ‘Health Psychologist’ with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This route focuses on completing the research module to earn the Professional Doctorate Health Psychology.
Top reasons to study with us
Study abroad
Plans to undertake part of the qualification abroad should be discussed well in advance with the coordinating supervisor or course team. For placements abroad, supervision requirements will be as for the existing course.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Applicants must:
- hold an honours degree in Psychology;
- be eligible for graduate membership of the BPS or hold the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC);
- have completed a BPS accredited (Stage 1) MSc Health Psychology at Merit grade or above.
The University of Stirling has been operating a very successful MSc in Health Psychology since 2003. You can apply for a place on this MSc if you do not currently meet this entry requirement.
International entry requirements
Application procedure
Apply for Professional Doctorate
The online application process requires personal information and evidence of academic ability. It also gives you the opportunity to upload the following supporting documents:
- University postgraduate taught application form (includes personal statement for all, and expression of interest for 'top-up' only)
- CV
- Academic transcripts (undergraduate degree, BPS Approved MSc Health Psychology),
- Evidence of graduate membership of British Psychological Society
- Names of two referees (one of whom must be academic)
- Placement and Training Plans
- (if applying for Recognition of Prior Learning) RPL evidence including written statement, certificate/award and transcript of results detailing prior learning
As part of the admissions process, you are asked to complete a Placement and Training Plan. This is to show us that there are realistic opportunities and plans for undertaking supervised practice as expected of a trainee health psychologist.
The closing date for applications is mid October
If your application is acceptable, you will be invited for interview in early November. Those offered a
Apply for Professional Doctorate
Apply for top-up doctorate
Applicants for the Top-up Doctorate should apply by submitting an expression of interest and selecting a research supervisor from the Health and Well-being Research area in the Psychology Division of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
Your submission should include an outline research proposal, which will be discussed with your potential supervisor before taking forward your application.
Depending on the context and topic area of research, you may be asked to complete some of the placement documents and checks described above as part of your application.
You will also be required to submit certificated evidence of:
- successful completion of the British Psychological Society Qualification in Health Psychology (QHP);
- eligibility for entry to the HCPC Register (Health Psychologist).
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 67 overall with a minimum of 62 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 94 overall with 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 20 in listening and 22 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The course focuses on developing high quality practice and research skills and your capacity to work as an independent scientist-practitioner. It emphasises person-centred and collaborative ways of working.
Modules
Teaching
This course primarily focuses on placement learning, to enable you to develop as an independent scientist-practitioner in Health Psychology. You will usually be working (either full-time or part-time) in a health-related setting(s) for the duration of the course. You will need to complete a minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent) professional practice.
Although most learning takes place in the placement, the course supports this with regular short blocks of teaching: around 20 core days (with additional sessions if required) in total over the first two years of the course. Each year will have three teaching blocks: in January, May and September.
Year 1
Induction week at the start of the course and two further blocks of teaching following an interactive format or skills-based learning, including sessions from HCPC-registered practitioner health psychologists or other guest lecturers (with professional registration). Teaching blocks include content relevant to the key competences of teaching and training, professional practice, psychological interventions, consultancy and research.
Year 2
The second year also includes three teaching blocks.
Year 3
Year 3 will primarily include one-to-one research and supervision sessions. You will be able to revisit teaching sessions from years 1 and 2 if required, and keep up your involvement with the course via regular research, training and peer support meetings.
Over the course you will have a BPS Registered Co-ordinating Supervisor who will be a member of the Health Psychology team at the University of Stirling. Throughout the course, you will be supported by individual supervision. Face-to-face meetings will be tailored to meet the needs of the individual, but will tend to be more frequent in the earlier stages of the qualification. You will also have workplace supervisors for the supervised practice element of the training.
You will study four modules in the course, described below. All modules are compulsory.
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework and by research thesis which will be externally assessed and examined by viva voce. Formative feedback will be provided by the course team for all coursework before final submission. All coursework will be double-marked by a member of the course team. You will complete a portfolio of coursework and practice for each of the taught modules. Research projects will be externally examined and subject to a viva. You must pass all modules and the viva voce to obtain the qualification. You are required to pass all taught credits before progressing to the submission of the research element of the award.
Feedback on assessment
You will normally receive feedback on coursework within three weeks of completion of the assessment. Feedback is usually provided electronically on formal coursework. Feedback and Guidance sessions with teaching staff are available on all modules. These provide regular opportunities to discuss feedback further.
If you would like to know more about the way in which assessment works at the University of Stirling, please see the full version of the assessment regulations at:
Classroom hours
There are approximately 20-33 core days of formal teaching delivered over years 1 and 2 of the full-time course. Additional optional sessions will be arranged over the course where opportunities arise. Formal taught materials will be available via SharePoint.
Course director
Dr Lesley McGregor, Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology
Professor Vivien Swanson, Professor in Health Psychology
Key staff
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
|
UK and Republic of Ireland students |
International (including EU) students |
|
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £18,600 | £37,300 |
| Full-time annual fee (charged years 1-3) | £6,200 | £12,433 |
| 2 year top-up research doctorate (annual fee) | £4,786 | £18,200 |
|
UK and Republic of Ireland students |
International (including EU) students |
|
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £19,000 | £38,000 |
| Full-time annual fee (charged years 1-3) | £6,333 | £12,667 |
| 2 year top-up research doctorate (annual fee) | £5,006 | £19,500 |
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
This fee is charged as an annual course fee. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fees policy.
Doctoral loans
If you're domiciled in England or Wales you may be eligible to apply for a doctoral loan from your regional body:
- English students can apply for a loan of up to £28,673 from Student Finance England.
- Welsh students can apply for a loan of up to £28,395 from Student Finance Wales.
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
IQVIA paid placement opportunity
Are you keen to progress your career in health psychology? Is the Professional Doctorate the right route for you but you simply can't find a suitable placement?
We have worked with IQVIA to secure a position in their company, which aims to drive innovation towards achieving better patient outcomes and a healthier life for all. Within IQVIA, you will be working across two teams offering scientific services: Patient-Centred Solutions and Medical Communications. This paid position is designed to act as a placement for our programme. If successful, you would be employed with IQVIA with supervision and support to achieve the competencies and attend teaching weeks included. If interested to find out more, including how to apply for this position, please contact the programme co-directors Dr Lesley McGregor or Professor Vivian Swanson. The deadline for applications is October 15th at 12pm/noon (UK time).
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Health Psychologists can work in many different settings such as:
- Health coaching to promote health behaviours (e.g. in smoking cessation programmes, weight reduction, sexual health, health education).
- Supporting the effective management of chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, cancer).
- Rehabilitation programmes (e.g. for patients with coronary heart disease).
- Working with patients and carers in palliative care.
- Working with primary health care teams in the community.
- Health promotion in educational, community or industrial settings.
Many health psychology graduates work in the NHS. Trainee Health Psychologists in the NHS start at £35,392 (Band 6). After qualification, salaries in the NHS start at £43,742, rising to £70,417 to £96,376 for Consultant Health Psychologists (source: prospects.ac.uk 2024).
Our Health Psychology Professional Doctorate graduates can be found working independently, or in organisations including the NHS and community and public health settings.
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