BSc (Hons) Psychology (Health Psychology) (Full Time)

Taught by an experienced staff team, this new course offers an opportunity to study a growing area of interest in psychology with a wide range of applications in the workplace.

Course overview

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes (and the interrelation between the two). It is concerned with how we act and interact, both as individuals and in groups, and in exploring the thoughts and feelings that underlie our behaviour using techniques such as experiments, questionnaires and interviews.

This course covers all of the major areas of psychology, with specific units focusing on health psychology. This is a relatively new field of applied psychology which is concerned with people’s attitudes, behaviour and thinking in relation to health and illness. For example, many people behave in ways that are detrimental to their health, despite being encouraged to exercise, eat healthily and drink in moderation.

Health psychology applies psychological theories and techniques to try and find out why people behave the way that they do in relation to their health. Once the factors that contribute to a particular behaviour are understood, the major challenge is to try and change individuals’ behaviour to improve their health. 

Industrial focus

Throughout your studies, you will consider a range of both theory and experimental evidence. The emphasis is on real-world applications of psychological theory and research within the field of health and illness, particularly in Year 3. 

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Course content

Year 1

Six core units:

• Introduction to Cognitive, Developmental and Social Psychology
• Introduction to Abnormal, Biological and Personality Psychology
• Research Methods and Statistics
• Integrating Psychology: Skills and Applications
• Psychological Investigations 1
• Investigations in Health Psychology.

Year 2

Six core units:

• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychological Measurement 1
• Psychobiology
• Developmental Psychology
• Measurement in Health Psychology. 

Year 3

Three core units (including a dissertation), one option unit and two specialist units:

Core units:

• Psychology Project
• Personality and Individual Differences
• Psychological Debates: Conceptual and Historical Issue.

Specialist units:

• Health Psychology: Promoting Healthy Behaviour
• Health Psychology: Treatment Issues and Health Care.

Option units:

• Applied Cognitive Psychology
• Applied Developmental Psychology
• Applied Social Psychology
• Curriculum Plus.

Why choose this course?

• This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), giving students eligibility for graduate membership, the first step towards becoming a chartered health psychologist.
• Modern facilities include dedicated observation, cognitive, psychophysiology and computer laboratories.
• Major psychological teaching/research software includes MEL LAB, SuperLab, and apparatus for psychophysiological work such as Biopac.
• A dedicated, supportive and experienced staff team with a wide range of professional expertise and research experience.
• Covers a wide range of areas such as adherence to exercise, coping with pain, GP-patient relationships, alcohol use, smoking and eating behavior. 

Assessment

Coursework essays, practical group-based written reports, group and individual presentations, time-limited assignments, examinations, poster presentations and final-year dissertation.

Key career skills

Analysis and research,presentation, project management, communication and problem solving.

Projects/work experience

A voluntary research assistance scheme is in place which provides opportunities to participate in research projects currently undertaken by members of staff. This may include projects on young peoples’ alcohol use, adherence to exercise and enhancing fruit and veg intake. There will also be opportunities to work with community based services on locally relevant projects which will form part of the final year specialist units.