Health Psychology

The MSc in Health Psychology is designed for individuals with a strong first degree in Psychology who wish to develop the knowledge, skills and expertise to progress to a range of career options where Psychology is applied to health.



What will I study?



The MSc (Health Psychology) is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme of academic study in the discipline of health psychology.



Health Psychology is concerned with the application of psychological theory, research, and practice to the promotion and maintenance of health; the identification and amelioration of psychological factors contributing to physical illness and the improvement of the health care system and formulation of health policy.

Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology at National Framework of Qualifications Level 8 (or equivalent) accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or equivalent international qualification. Applicants who have achieved at least a 2.1 (or equivalent) in their primary psychology degree are offered a place on a programme, with applicants who have achieved a 2.2 result added to the waitlist. Waitlisted applicants are offered a place pending availability.

1 year, full-time; 2 years, part-time

Next start date: September 2026

Our graduates enter a wide range of jobs and future training opportunities.



Some decide to pursue a career in research. Our course is widely regarded as providing excellent training in research methods and practice, and our graduates are highly sought after for research positions and opportunities. Graduates have gone on to further research at PhD level and have acquired positions as lecturers and researchers in third level institutions, and leading behavioural scientists in health policy sectors.



Others are more interested in applied options and may progress to further training, such as the Structured PhD in Health Psychology Practice, Clinical Psychology or Counselling Psychology.



Some go directly into applied work settings, such as the Department of Health, community partners (such as Croi Heart and Stroke Centre) or private industry.



Behavioural science is a growing discipline with widespread application in the health sector. The World Health Organisation has in recent years established a Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit, where behavioural scientists are employed for their knowledge, theory and skills in health behaviour change interventions.



Similarly, national organisations, such as the National Screening Service, are establishing Units of Behavioural Science, where behavioural scientists are employed to apply behavioural science to increase the effectiveness of cancer screening programmes.