Psychology: Health Psychology

Course Overview

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. The programme is fully accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).



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.



The overall aims of the Programme are:

• To equip graduates with a comprehensive knowledge base in health psychology, at postgraduate level

• To train students to conduct high quality research in the area of health psychology

• To train students in a wide range of transferrable skills, including communication skills, group work, evidence synthesis, critical review, and professional and ethical conduct.

• To prepare students to undertake future professional training in health psychology and other areas of psychology, such as clinical psychology



Programme staff are active in developing and promoting health psychology in Ireland and internationally. A number of internationally recognised health psychologists contribute to the programme throughout the year. It is intended for psychology graduates seeking to develop their knowledge and expertise in Health Psychology. The MSc will enable students to conduct high quality research and will prepare them to undertake further professional training in health psychology and other areas of psychology.



Our graduates enter a wide range of jobs and future training opportunities. Some decide to pursue a career in research and progress to either a research post or a PhD. 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 or private industry.

Modules included on the programme are:

• Health Promotion and Behaviour Change

• Research Methods in Psychology

• Perspectives in Health Psychology

• Biobehavioural Processes in Health and Illness

• Psychological Processes in Health and Illness

• Research & Professional Skills

• Minor Dissertation



The modules cover a wide variety of topics, including adjustment to chronic illness, doctor-patient communication, management of chronic pain and the nature of stress and its psycho-biological consequences.



Students also take classes in research methods in health psychology and carry out an empirical research project in a health-related area. In addition, they have the opportunity to attend research seminars given by international experts in the field of health psychology.



Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases). Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

Undergraduate degree in Psychology at National Framework of Qualifications Level 8 (or equivalent) accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or equivalent qualification.

• The selection of candidates is based on academic merit. In recent years, candidates who have been offered a place on the programme have at least an upper Second Class Honours (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in Psychology

• If an applicant does not hold an Undergraduate degree in Psychology accredited by the PSI, they will needed to provide information on their qualification to demonstrate equivalence.

o To be considered “equivalent” a qualification should be greater than >50% Psychology and be based on a relatively broad range of psychology courses including the biological psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, personality and individual differences (including psychometrics) and research methodology.

o Applicants must demonstrate research competence in practical work and in the completion of a supervised research project. This project should include carrying out an extensive piece of empirical research and would normally involve the collection and analysis of original empirical data.

o In deciding on equivalence, we follow the PSI Guidelines on the Accreditation of Undergraduate and Conversion Programmes



International applicants are required to submit module descriptors, module weightings and a copy of their dissertation. The English language requirement for non-native English speakers on this programme is: IELTS of 7.0 overall, with not less than 6.5 in any component.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year, full-time

2 years, part-time

Next start date: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Given the strong academic and research basis of this programme, this qualification has relevance for working in a diverse range of settings. Previous graduates have gained employment in research posts and health service evaluation. Other opportunities include working with health authorities or voluntary organisations, that provide support, education and training to those with health-related difficulties. Graduates may also find employment in the area of health promotion or health education.



In addition to helping to prepare for employment in which a background in psychology is an advantage, the MSc (Health Psychology) also provides an excellent foundation for further postgraduate study. Some previous students have progressed to PhD studies, and have gained employment in Universities and other higher education settings (eg. teaching psychology to health professionals or those in training, as well as psychology students and/or conducting research). Others have pursued studies in Clinical Psychology, with Clinical-Health Psychology a potential route in which to specialise.