
Psychology and Health Inequalities - MSc
- Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
- Start date
- September 2021
- Duration of Study
- 1 year (Full time) / 2 years (Part time)
- Subject Area
- Psychology
- FEES (2021/22 academic year)
- UK - FT £9,000 / PT £4,950
- EU/International - £16,500
Course Overview
This programme has been developed for students who are interested in gaining an advanced understanding of psychological methods and theory as well as an appreciation of health inequalities from an interdisciplinary perspective.
About the course
Overview
The MSc in Psychology and Health Inequalities has been designed to give you advanced training in psychological research methods and analysis, whilst also introducing advanced study of health inequalities from a wide range of perspectives, including psychological, sociological, linguistic, and epidemiological. In addition to your taught components, you will have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation project on a topic of your choice under the supervision of a research-active member of staff.
Keele has a well-established and growing community of researchers in health inequalities. Recent research within the School of Psychology has considered health from the perspectives of older adults, LGBTQ communities, people with intellectual disabilities, gender, new mothers, and Eastern European migrants, amongst others.
Key features of your MSc programme in Psychology will include:
- Two-semester Advanced Study module with an interdisciplinary focus enabling you to explore a range of different topics in health inequalities
- Strong focus on your personal skills development throughout the course to help you pursue your career goals
- Opportunities to pursue your personal interests in Psychology and Health Inequalities with support from experts in this field
- A broad range of research methods training to maximise your employability skills
- Small group specialist teaching in Health Inequalities from research-active tutors
- A large cohort of MSc students sharing the core Psychology modules provides a lively and supportive peer community
The programme provides taught content and research training in a range of areas in Psychology and Health Inequalities building on areas of staff research expertise.
Course structure
Our MSc Psychology programmes are designed to foster a vibrant and collaborative peer culture amongst our MSc students. We know it’s vital that you develop the advanced specialised skills you will need to pursue careers in your chosen fields. Throughout your MSc degree you are supported and encouraged to focus your work to help you conduct in-depth explorations of Psychology and Health Inequalities and your personal interests.
Our MSc Psychology programmes aim to:
- Equip you to formulate and conduct psychological research projects
- Develop your knowledge of different theoretical perspectives, philosophical traditions and methodological approaches to psychology
- Enable you to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods and different forms of data, and to evaluate their appropriateness for different research problems
- Enable you to define and formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, and to design appropriate research to answer these questions using relevant methods of data collection, consistent with British Psychological Society principles of ethics and research governance
- Provide you with knowledge of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and data analysis techniques
- Provide you with a range of opportunities to engage with advanced research in substantive areas relevant to their own research topic and to the discipline of psychology
- Provide you with opportunities to enhance and develop your written and communication skills, independent learning skills, and critical reflection and evaluation skills
You will develop these skills under the guidance of a faculty member with expertise in this area.
Taught modules
Over the course of the MSc, students will complete 120 credits across 7 modules (see below for more info). Of these 180 credits, 120 credits are focused on specialist Health Inequalities content. The remaining 60 credits develop students’ general psychological skills and knowledge.
Specialist Modules
Advanced Study in Health Inequalities |
45 credits |
Using a guided independent learning approach, this module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of key concepts, theories and research evidence relating to health inequalities and to develop your critical awareness of current issues and new insights in this interdisciplinary area of research. In addition, you are given the opportunity to apply your knowledge and gain valuable experience either by reflecting on and evaluating a ‘live’ health issue or by undertaking some work shadowing within a health-related organisation in the local community (subject to criteria published in the module guide). |
Dissertation Module |
60 credits |
Research is a key emphasis in our programmes and you will be supported by a specialist tutor in your chosen field to undertake original research as part of the Dissertation module. Our expert staff and specialist facilities can support a range of projects across the field. |
Research Apprenticeship in Psychology |
15 credits |
Every year we run apprenticeships in which students join staff working on real research projects across a broad range of areas of psychology. Students are allocated to an apprenticeship based on the self-development goals you each identify in your personal skills audit. This ensures the apprenticeship provides you with experiences and opportunities that will support your future career ambitions and encourage you to learn new skills. |
Core Psychology Modules
Contemporary Research in Psychology | 15 credits |
This is a breadth module that enables you to engage with psychological research across a range of topics and sub-disciplines at the cutting edge of contemporary research in psychology. You will attend research seminars given by experts within and outside Keele and reflect on and critically evaluate the theoretical, methodological and ethical issues associated with a wide range of contemporary topics and issues in psychological research. |
Advanced Research Skills and Design | 15 credits | This innovative module gives you a broad range of advanced research skills and familiarity with a range of cutting edge research designs in psychology, the help you progress through the rest of the programme being able to set your work in wider context. It introduces new techniques not typically covered at undergraduate level as well as equipping students with the advanced research skills or critical literature reviewing, generating a suitable research question, identifying a suitable method, ethical issues in research, and managing time and research relationships. You will complete a detailed skills audit and engage in some complex reflections of your own abilities and how you can progress through the course - an innovative assessment praised by our external examiners for encouraging engagement and thinking about personal development. |
Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis | 15 credits | The topics covered in this module are: extensions of the regression model, analysis of variance, logistic regression, and multivariate data reduction techniques such as factor analysis, together with a few more specialist methods, which you can select between based on your interests. The material is taught using SPSS, and although the module encourages a sound understanding of statistical principles, the primary emphasis is on practical data analysis. |
Research Methods Training
All students can tailor their research methods training to suit their needs and interests by choosing one of the following optional modules and complete a project in an area of Health Inequalities:
Qualitative Research Methods |
15 credits |
This module will give you an appreciation of different approaches to qualitative data collection and analysis. We encourage you to try out data collection and analytic methods you haven't used before. During the module you will design, conduct, analyse and reflect on a qualitative research study based on a topic you are interested in. Students often choose to explore something that complements or extends their dissertation research. |
Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience Research Methods |
15 credits |
This module develops your knowledge and practical skills with contemporary methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience such as electroencephalography (EEG), eyetracking, and other contemporary methods. It prepares you to design, conduct, and critically appraise research using these methods. Lectures cover the theoretical background of the methods and, for several months, you will gain hands-on experience with data collection, data analysis, and use of specialist software and equipment. This module will emphasise a framework which will allow you to understand existing methods and follow the development of new methods going forward. |
How you'll be assessed
Each module has different prescribed learning activities, including formal lectures and seminars, discussions and consultation with staff. You should expect some lively debates and interesting discussions. Please be aware that you will be expected to contribute to the programme, in the form of advance reading (of which there is a substantial amount), preparing presentations and contributing to discussions in seminars, and bringing your own ideas to bear on the teaching material.
The programme is assessed through a range of formats including:
- Blog portfolios
- Personal skills audits
- Research critiques
- Lab reports
- Unseen exams and class tests
- Verbal presentations
- Independent research written up as a dissertation
Entry Requirements
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
This course is open to graduates with a first or upper second-class degree in relevant subjects such as psychology, public health, nursing, sociology, anthropology, etc. or overseas equivalent. Applicants without a degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis, where they can provide evidence of relevant professional experience or other experiential prior learning.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.
If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.
During your degree programme you can study additional english language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.
Fees and scholarships
Fees (2021/22 academic year)
UK students FT £9,000 / PT £4,950 per year
EU/International students £16,500 per year
Some travel costs may be incurred if an external project or placement is undertaken; any such costs will be discussed with the student before the project is confirmed. It will be possible for the student to select an internal project and that would not incur any additional travel costs. There may be additional costs for textbooks and inter-library loans.
Living costs
Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.
Scholarships and Funding
The University is committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Each year we offer a range of prestigious scholarships;
UK/EU students - more information on scholarships and funding
International students - more information on scholarships and funding
Our expertise
Dr Sue Sherman (Programme Director)
Careers
Graduates of our programme will leave equipped with a range of psychological research, analysis and communication skills, which, in conjunction with advanced study of health inequalities will give you the necessary expertise and knowledge to pursue research in academia or to work in related careers in the private, public or third sectors, for example in government, charities, social enterprises or business.