Discover the MSc Clinical and Health Psychology programme, designed to provide an advanced understanding of mental and physical health and wellbeing. Located in vibrant Liverpool City Centre, this course uniquely blends cutting edge academic expertise with the latest clinical insights from experienced practitioners, enabling you to pursue a career in clinical or health psychology.
Introduction
The MSc Clinical and Health Psychology course offers a unique curriculum, combining expert academics with cutting edge research, practitioner guest speakers, and those with lived experience to provide advanced knowledge in the research, theory and practice of Clinical and Health psychology. Build your understanding of the psychology of mental and physical health and wellbeing, psychological distress, and behavioural issues alongside receiving training in professional practice and research methods.
This course has been designed to prepare you with the academic knowledge and skills to prepare students to apply for further postgraduate study or careers in Clinical and Health Psychology. In particular, the course has been designed with input from the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Team to help prepare students who wish to pursue a DClinPsy following graduation. The Department of Psychology also works closely with the University’s Careers and Employability Service to ensure students are provided with opportunities to undertake training to enhance their employability skills, as well as support students seeking to find either research or clinical volunteering or paid opportunities.
Who is this course for?
This programme is designed for Psychology graduates looking to gain advanced knowledge in Clinical and Health psychology, prepare for a PhD in a clinical or health-related area, or pursue a career as a Practitioner Psychologist.
What you'll learn
The knowledge and skills to prepare you for further postgraduate studies in the professions of clinical and health psychology
The knowledge and skills to prepare you for research studies in clinical and health psychology
Transferable skills which will enable you to pursue a wide range of careers in cognate disciplines
A broad base of knowledge in clinical and health psychology, equipping you with the ability to scrutinise and critically evaluate both established theories, and more contentious ideas about human behaviour and experience.
Specialised knowledge in selected areas of the disciplines of clinical and health psychology, informed by cutting-edge research and taught by an internationally recognised faculty.
Developing, testing and communicating research ideas and highlighting the role of empirical research in the creation of knowledge
High levels of discipline-specific and employability skills to ensure successful transition to further education and employment, either as Chartered Psychologists or psychologically literate professionals in other careers.
A comprehensive understanding of professional working in research and practice settings, including ethical and statutory obligations.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
Each of the first two semesters include 2 x 20 credit discipline specific modules which focus on the key principles, theories, interventions, and debates within Clinical and Health psychology and how they are applied in practice. There are also 2 x 20 credit modules in Research Methods and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Techniques in Semester 1 and Semester 2. The 60 credit Empirical Research Project module runs across all three semesters.
PSYC740 Advanced Research Methods in Clinical and Health Psychology (20 credits)
PSYC741 Professional Issues and Careers in Clinical and Health Psychology (20 credits)
PSYC742 Fundamental to Applied Clinical and Health Psychology (20 credits)
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
Each of the first two semesters include 2 x 20 credit discipline specific modules which focus on the key principles, theories, interventions, and debates within Clinical and Health psychology and how they are applied in practice. There are also 2 x 20 credit modules in Research Methods and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Techniques in Semester 1 and Semester 2. The 60 credit Empirical Research Project module runs across all three semesters.
PSYC743 Controversies in Clinical Psychology (20 credits)
PSYC744 Controversies in Health Psychology (20 credits)
PSYC745 Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Techniques in Clinical and Health Psychology (20 credits)
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester three
Each of the first two semesters include 2 x 20 credit discipline specific modules which focus on the key principles, theories, interventions, and debates within Clinical and Health psychology and how they are applied in practice. There are also 2 x 20 credit modules in Research Methods and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Techniques in Semester 1 and Semester 2. The 60 credit Empirical Research Project module runs across all three semesters.
The PSYC700 Empirical Research Project (60-credits) will run across Semester 1, 2, and 3.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Each of the first two semesters include 2 x 20 credit discipline specific modules. In Semester 1, students are provided with foundational knowledge of the key principles, theories, and interventions used within clinical and health psychology and how they are applied in practice. They will be also introduced to professional skills and career development issues for working in clinical and health psychology. These modules scaffold learning for Semester 2 where they are then introduced to introduced to current, topical controversies in clinical and health psychology, which require students to debate, utilise evidence, and to form positions based on their teaching and learning. Discipline-specific modules involve lectures and research seminars delivered to the full cohort. Lectures cover important theory and research across the whole module syllabus to provide students with a solid understanding on which to base detailed investigation of specific subjects. Seminars involve independent learning where students work in small groups to answer lecture generated core questions. Seminar sessions are student-led and facilitated by staff. All teaching will be delivered by core teaching staff and where possible by guest practitioner speakers working in Clinical and Health Psychology, including D-Clin trainees.
There are 2 x 20 credit modules in Research Methods and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Techniques. Research Methods and Analysis modules will involve lectures and practical laboratory sessions delivered to the full cohort. Lectures will introduce a specific research method or analysis technique and will be delivered by core teaching staff. Practical laboratory sessions are student-led and facilitated by staff. They aim to deepen students learning about various research methods and provide them with practical skills to apply quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to clinical and health psychology research data.
There is also a 60 credit empirical research project module which runs across all three semesters. Students will complete an empirical project in which they will work largely independently, still under the guidance of an experienced member of staff in exploring their own interests by designing and carrying out an independent research project in an area of Clinical and Health Psychology. In addition, as part of this module there will be taught components including assessment workshops for research proposals, posters, and report writing. Students will also undertake a Personal Development Portfolio, which will address skill development, self-reflection and employability.
How you're assessed
The programme adopts a range of assessments, which enable students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired and ensure that module and programme outcomes have been achieved. Particular emphasis is placed on the introduction of ‘authentic’ assessments, which allow students to practise tasks more closely aligned to future employment and study demands. Authentic assessment means that we assess students using tasks that mirror those they might undertake as professionals through choice of purpose, format, intended audience, resources and collaborative or student designed elements. Authentic assessments require students to undertake tasks which demonstrate meaningful and integrated application of relevant academic knowledge, skills and understanding. There are many benefits to authentic assessment in Psychology. We expect that our assessments will have a positive impact on the students learning by mirroring real life contexts of Clinical and Health psychologists’ working environments. They contribute to the development of students as self-managing professionals who can self-direct their learning.
Assessments undertaken on the MSc aim to equip students for future study or professional work in Clinical and Health psychology. All summative assessments are coursework based. Students will be expected to write post-interview reports, policy briefs, position papers, and presentations in the discipline-specific modules. In the Research Methods modules students will write methodological protocols, critique published papers, and write systematic review protocols and reports. In the empirical research project module, they will complete a research proposal, an academic poster, and a year-long research report. These assessments encourage the development of skills, which are utilised in the real world of Clinical and Health Psychology and in other careers. These assessments promote and evaluate among others the ability to critically appraise research and evidence, appraise published work and research methodologies and report on Clinical and Health interventions. Assessment support sessions and formative assessments will prepare students to complete the summative assessments effectively.
The need to provide extensive, constructive and timely feedback for all assessments to students has been a major drive in the development of the curriculum. This is achieved by engaging all members of the theme teams in both the delivery and assessment of each module, providing clear guidance to assessors and establishing comprehensive monitoring and moderating mechanisms to ensure reliability and validity. All interim assessments are submitted and marked online. Five types of feedback are provided throughout the programme: in text, rubric, general ‘what worked well, even better if’, generic and individual feedback.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Your experience
A typical day for an MSc Clinical and Health Psychology student would involve a blend of lectures, seminars, practicals, online learning, and independent study.
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
An exciting place for postgraduate study
Internationally recognised qualifications with a wide range of programmes
Access to some of the best specialist units in the UK
World-leading excellence in research and research-connected teaching
The MSc Investigative and Forensic Psychology is renowned worldwide and attracts a large number of international students and visiting speakers each year
Provides specialist training with taught and research components
Work alongside internationally-renowned academic researchers and experts in their field.
The MSc Clinical and Health Psychology is ideal for students wishing to pursue a career in clinical or health psychology either as practitioners (following further postgraduate study) or as researchers.
A high proportion of students will wish to pursue further postgraduate studies in Clinical and Health Psychology (including Stage 1 Health Psychology or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) or progress to a PhD in Clinical or Health Psychology or in other areas of the Social Sciences in the UK or overseas. A further proportion will wish to pursue research careers in health or clinical psychology or cognate discipline. Students with this degree will be in a more advantageous position, than those students with a BSc in Psychology with respect to further postgraduate study.
In addition, there are a variety of careers that are open to graduates with an MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology, including those in the health service, civil service, local government and the third sector, as well as in private industry and commerce. Employers are frequently wishing to employ students with Masters degrees in psychology.
The Programme provides students with key employability skills which include written, oral and visual communication skills, numeracy and data analysis skills. They include the ability to find, evaluate and synthesise information which is essential in many careers. They will also develop personal and professional skills and ethical awareness important for their working lives. They will acquire information technology skills which are also important for their careers. Further, students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course.
Employability is embedded in all of the modules, through the use of practitioner guest speakers, authentic assessments and reflective skills mapping. The programme leader has worked closely with the Academic Director of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology when designing the course to ensure that our teaching, learning, and assessment methods provide the academic knowledge and skills to prepare students to apply for doctoral study in Clinical Psychology. Furthermore, D-Clin Psy trainees will be also be utilised as guest speakers to provide students with experience of the D-Clin Psy application process and curriculum.
The Department of Psychology also works closely with the University’s Careers and Employability Service to ensure students are provided with opportunities to undertake training to enhance their employability skills as part of our Academic advisor system, as well as support students seeking to find either work placements or volunteer opportunities. There are activities specifically designed to prepare students from their future, for example Psychology careers week, which brings together practitioners and recruiting organisations.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
Opportunities to get support with volunteer and paid clinical roles
Research Intern and Assistant opportunities
Close links with D-Clin Psy course – opportunities to learn from D-Clin Psy trainees and academics on the course
Students will be provided with both psychology-specific and generic employability training
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£11,700
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£28,300
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
We accept a 2:1 Psychology honours degree from a UK university (or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution) with at least 65% in all research methods modules and all statistics modules. This degree should confer Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Prior clinical and health psychology experience is not essential. However, it is viewed as giving applicants an advantage at the application stage.
International qualifications
Applications from international students wishing to undertake the programme will be evaluated to ensure that their qualifications have been gained from a recognised institution, and to ensure that the applicant has achieved the required academic level. The following criteria will be used to decide whether an international qualification is comparable to a British Bachelor’s degree:
In order to assess that the degree held by the applicant is from a recognised institution, the University of Liverpool will refer to the World Higher Education Database. Only a qualification obtained from an institution: (a) listed in the publication; (b) validated by an institution listed; or (c) recognised by a validation body; will be considered to be a suitable basis for entry onto the programme.
In order to assess the standard of the qualification, the University of Liverpool will consult the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) for the United Kingdom, or other appropriate services.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5
TOEFL iBT
A score of at least 570 on the paper-based test; or a score of at least 230 on the computer-based test with a score of at least 4.5 on the essay section of the test; or a score of at least 88 on the internet-based test with a minimum of 22 in the reading and 24 in the writing components. . TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
