Program Overview
The Master of Science in Health Psychology at University of Stirling is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered on-campus at University of Stirling. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in social sciences, the programme develops both theoretical foundations and applied skills essential for today's competitive environment.
Spanning 12 months, students engage with cutting-edge research, industry-relevant case studies, and practical projects. Instruction is delivered in English by research-active faculty with professional expertise.
The programme culminates in a dissertation or capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, research careers, and doctoral study in social sciences.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at University of Stirling.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Social Sciences.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Health Psychology programme at University of Stirling develop the advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and professional networks that leading employers in social sciences value. Common career destinations include:
- Leadership / Management Role: Apply advanced knowledge in leadership positions across industries.
- Research & Academia: Pursue doctoral studies or an independent research career.
- Consulting: Provide specialist expert advice to organisations in the field.
- Policy & Government: Shape public policy and sectoral regulation.
- Entrepreneurship: Launch innovative ventures leveraging deep specialist expertise.
Graduates have secured roles at multinational corporations, government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, and high-growth startups. Many also progress to doctoral (PhD) programmes.
Program Curriculum
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 .
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
Academic requirements A minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in Psychology or related subject or a Psychology (Conversion) degree with Merit. A qualification recognised by British Psychological Society giving Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership is preferred. Students accepted without a BPS-recognised qualification and intending to progress to BPS Stage Two training towards practitioner health psychologist status will be required to undertake an accredited Psychology conversion course following this programme. Find out more about our Psychology accredited conversion course . International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. 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 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill. Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band. 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
Modules Teaching We combine formal teaching, workshops and practical experience of health psychology applications. Where possible, each of the course modules will include teaching input from practitioners and health psychology trainees working with individuals or groups, either in a research or service delivery context. All members of the course team are accessible to students and will provide you with a flexible, individualised and engaging training experience that meets your needs. The modules are delivered in seminars which include lectures, workshops and practical/experiential activities. Teaching includes pre-recorded lectures followed by face-to-face live sessions. These are scheduled to take place two days per week to allow for work commitments. However, it is important to emphasise that this is a full-time course with the workload (e.g. reading, course work, research project) and time commitment required for a full-time postgraduate course. Assessment Assessment is by formal exams and coursework, including oral presentations, essays, group work, critical reviews of research and dissertation. Course director Professor Julia Allan (Course Director) Nicola Hunt (Administrator)
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 . Postgraduate tuition fee loans Some intakes of this course are eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Digital Health and Care Institute Bursary Each year, the MSc Health Psychology programme applies for bursaries from the Digital Health and Social Care Innovation Centre (DHI). Students who want to complete a research project in digital health during their studies and meet the DHI criteria can apply for these bursaries. Where awarded, bursaries cover the tuition fees for the MSc Health Psychology. Applications for the DHI bursaries for students starting the MSc in Health Psychology in September 2025 are now open. Find out more about the bursary and how to apply on the Health Psychology bursary information and application form . 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 . Scholarships and funding Funding 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. Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. 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. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling 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 various areas, including: health psychology, community health psychology, occupational health psychology, public health psychology, educational psychology. What does a health psychologist do? Typical work a health psychologist could be involved in: Influencing 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 £50,056 (Band 7). (prospects.ac.uk 2024). Some also set up their own business. Become a registered Health Psychologist Our Masters in Health Psychology prepares you for the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Stage 2 doctoral-level training. After completing Stage 2, you’ll be eligible for chartered membership with the BPS. You’ll also get full membership of the Division of Health Psychology and can apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 13,950/year (international)
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 . Postgraduate tuition fee loans Some intakes of this course are eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Digital Health and Care Institute Bursary Each year, the MSc Health Psychology programme applies for bursaries from the Digital Health and Social Care Innovation Centre (DHI). Students who want to complete a research project in digital health during their studies and meet the DHI criteria can apply for these bursaries. Where awarded, bursaries cover the tuition fees for the MSc Health Psychology. Applications for the DHI bursaries for students starting the MSc in Health Psychology in September 2025 are now open. Find out more about the bursary and how to apply on the Health Psychology bursary information and application form . 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 . Scholarships and funding Funding 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. Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. 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. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling 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 various areas, including: health psychology, community health psychology, occupational health psychology, public health psychology, educational psychology. What does a health psychologist do? Typical work a health psychologist could be involved in: Influencing 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 £50,056 (Band 7). (prospects.ac.uk 2024). Some also set up their own business. Become a registered Health Psychologist Our Masters in Health Psychology prepares you for the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Stage 2 doctoral-level training. After completing Stage 2, you’ll be eligible for chartered membership with the BPS. You’ll also get full membership of the Division of Health Psychology and can apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
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 . Postgraduate tuition fee loans Some intakes of this course are eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Digital Health and Care Institute Bursary Each year, the MSc Health Psychology programme applies for bursaries from the Digital Health and Social Care Innovation Centre (DHI). Students who want to complete a research project in digital health during their studies and meet the DHI criteria can apply for these bursaries. Where awarded, bursaries cover the tuition fees for the MSc Health Psychology. Applications for the DHI bursaries for students starting the MSc in Health Psychology in September 2025 are now open. Find out more about the bursary and how to apply on the Health Psychology bursary information and application form . 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 . Scholarships and funding Funding 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. Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. 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. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling 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 various areas, including: health psychology, community health psychology, occupational health psychology, public health psychology, educational psychology. What does a health psychologist do? Typical work a health psychologist could be involved in: Influencing 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 £50,056 (Band 7). (prospects.ac.uk 2024). Some also set up their own business. Become a registered Health Psychologist Our Masters in Health Psychology prepares you for the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Stage 2 doctoral-level training. After completing Stage 2, you’ll be eligible for chartered membership with the BPS. You’ll also get full membership of the Division of Health Psychology and can apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
About University of Stirling
University of Stirling
Stirling, United Kingdom
University of Stirling is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Start Date September 2025
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)