The course will give you an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and applied bases of health, illness and disease. The main aim is to help you to develop the theoretical and methodological skills essential for conducting independent research and applying health psychology in practice. We provide a coherent programme of study covering the content, methods and application of health psychology as defined by the core Stage 1 curriculum of the BPS, Division of Health Psychology. In particular, the course emphasises the importance of an evidencebased approach to health psychology, and develops the core skills you will need for Stage 2 training. Although all modules are core, there is considerable flexibility within the module structure for you to choose particular areas of study of interest.

Core Modules

Data Handling and Research Methods for Applied Psychology

Through lectures, seminars and practical classes you will address the theoretical and practical issues involved in acquiring and analysing quantitative and qualitative data for health psychology research. From a qualitative perspective, we explore interview techniques and interviewer effects, and qualitative analysis (including content analysis, interpretive phenomenological analysis and grounded theory). The main quantitive topics covered are: an introduction to discriminant, factor and cluster analysis; Anova/Manova; epidemiological statistics; experimental designs – hypotheses, models and theories; multiple regression; power analysis; questionnaire design; survey design and sampling.

Health Psychology: A Lifespan Development Perspective

This module takes a developmental approach to understanding relationships between biological and social factors that influence health and disease through the lifespan. It emphasises the dynamics of change rather than a ‘stage’ approach. Using this approach you will examine a number of key topics including children’s health and the family context, normative transitions and life events, and vulnerability and resilience. Age-related and gender issues are also explored.

Health Psychology in Practice

You will examine a range of issues relating to health psychology practice, including client-related issues, ethical considerations, intervention issues, and professional development in health psychology. Practising Health Psychologists will be invited to contribute to the module, and teaching and learning will take place in interactive group sessions where issues relating to current health psychology practice will be discussed. These sessions will involve a range of teaching methods which will give you the experience of participation, while also demonstrating good practice for running sessions as trainers/leaders. You will also be able to put theory into practice in regular practical sessions.

Individual Differences, Health, Stress and Illness

This module aims to give you an appreciation of the role of individual differences (including social and cultural factors) in health and illness. It will introduce you to the biological mechanisms by which stress can impact on physical and psychological health (psychoneuroimmunology), and how stress and well-being can be measured to enable evaluation of stress-management interventions. You will also consider the physiological and psychological correlates of acute and chronic pain, the theories, perception and management of chronic illness, and the meaning and mechanism of action of the placebo effect.

Research Based Project: Health Psychology

This module is designed to enable you to realise your training in the context of a particular research problem, aspect of methodology, or policy. The area of work should bring together your occupational experience or preference with the substantive material covered during the taught components of the course. There is no set syllabus, and projects are intended to give you maximum flexibility in selecting an appropriate area of application, and investigating and assessing potential research sources and their relevance to the existing field of knowledge.

Specialist Topics for Applied Psychology

This module will cover the areas of review writing skills, systematic review protocol, design critique, and grant application writing skills. Relevant professional issues will also be explored, including: inter professional working; research ethics; presentation skills; careers; portfolio development for project research; national and international perspectives on applied psychology; and practice specific issues.

Theories and Perspectives in Health Psychology

This introductory module explores a broad range of topics in health psychology within a multidisciplinary framework. You will consider the social and cultural context of health and illness, the importance of social cognition models in health care, and issues around communication and health care decisions. The module emphasises theoretical and methodological issues in health psychology research and application, and describes the historical context within which it has been developed. It encourages the critical evaluation of research and methodology in health psychology.