Psychology and Health Inequalities

Psychology and Health Inequalities - MSc

The conditions in which we're born, grow, and live can lead to unfair, unavoidable, and often disproportionate differences in health between people depending on their background. On the Psychology and Health Inequalities MSc, you'll learn to use psychology and research to better understand the drivers of those health inequalities, and what we might do to readdress the balance. You will benefit from the multidisciplinary expertise of a wide range of research active staff with links to health-related organisations and institutions, a high amount of one-to-one contact time, and varied teaching and assessment methods based on current research and practice. You can also apply your knowledge and learn in the real world on a work placement.

Month of entry

September

Mode of study

Full time, Part time

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area

Psychology

Fees for 2023/24 academic year

UK - Full time £10,000 per year. Part time £5,500 per year.
International - £18,800 per year.

Duration of study

One year full time, two years part time, up to five years modular

Apply now

Please note: this course is no longer accepting applications from international students for September 2023 entry

Why study Psychology and Health Inequalities at Keele University?

Keele is ranked top 150 in the world for Psychology (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021)

High staff-to-student ratio enhanced by small-group tutorials and a strong, inclusive research community

Blend of practice and research-led teaching drawing on broad base of expertise in psychology, sociology, anthropology, linguistics and epidemiology

Optional placement provides valuable work experience which relates your learning to professional settings and applications in policy, research or practice

Opportunities to hear from guest lecturers with experience of working with patients, carers or health agencies

Course summary

Our MSc in Psychology and Health Inequalities is designed to help you understand and address the social drivers and barriers that can lead to inequalities in health across different groups of society. For example, the differences in life expectancy and quality of life based on where people live or their household income, the health disparities associated with ethnicity and minority status, or the disproportionate chance of developing a physical and/or mental health problem depending on sexuality.

This MSc programme will prepare you to use psychological theory and models in conjunction with developing your research skills further to bring about positive change in society. You will also have the option to go on placement within a health-related organisation where you will gain valuable experience in the real world where you can apply your knowledge and get prepared for life after your MSc.

This course is of interest to anyone who has an interest in working with seldom heard and disadvantaged groups in society from a health perspective. For example, working for Government agencies to understand how to tackle health inequalities at a policy level, working with charities to understand barriers to accessing health services, or applying your knowledge in research settings to make sure seldom heard groups are included. Our course will also further develop your research training which will equip you with the transferable skills you need to conduct research both within and outside of the health field and to pursue further postgraduate training such as a PhD.

Next Steps

Apply now
Visit us
Enquire about this course

insert-a start insert-a end

Course structure

The MSc Psychology and Health Inequalities course starts each September and can be studied as either a one year full-time or two year part-time course. It also possible to study more flexibly part time on a modular basis, accumulating degree credits by taking individual modules over a period of up to five years. This course is spread over two semesters, semester one runs from September to the middle of January, with an assessment period in January and semester two runs from the middle of January to the end of September.

You will take eight modules during your time on the course with each module being worth 15 credits, except for the dissertation which is worth 60 credits. You will need to complete a total 180 credits over the course of your MSc to obtain the master’s qualification. For full-time students, six core and two optional modules are spread over two semesters (120 credits in total), while the Dissertation is worked on throughout the duration of the course (60 credits). Part-time students take 90 credits per year for two years with the dissertation taken in the second year.

Semester one core modules

PSY-40109 Approaches and Methods in Health Inequalities (15 credits, Semester 1)

You will focus on some of the common research methods used in health research, including quantitative methods like randomised clinical trials and epidemiological approaches, qualitative methods such as discourse analysis and interpretative phenomenological analysis, as well as mixed-methods approaches.

PSY-40085 Critical Approaches to Health, Social and Political Psychology (15 credits, Semester 1)

Challenging your understanding of what psychology is, you will consider the role of the environment and social context in shaping individual psyche, and how we can break down barriers that may exclude individuals and groups from full participation in society. You will be encouraged to reflect on your own assumptions and values, and those of organisations and social influencers, through perspectives offered by, for example, discourse analysis and social representation theory, around topics such as LGBTQ+, loneliness, and infant feeding.

PSY-40095 Advanced Research Skills, Design, and Analysis (15 credits, Semester 1)

Through hands-on workshops and interactive sessions, we prepare you to plan, conduct and analyse your own psychological research. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, you will learn to generate research questions, translate these into the design of your research, appropriately analyse data, and report your findings by writing a structured psychology lab report, using standard (APA) formatting. You can tailor your studies by focusing on the methods, design and analysis most useful to you.

Semester two core modules

PSY-40081 Advanced Studies in Health Inequalities (15 credits, Semester 2)

Drawing on published research from psychology and related disciplines, you will engage in lively ‘journal club’ discussion sessions to familiarise yourself with cutting-edge, contemporary issues. You will be able to focus on health inequalities of particular interest to you, for example, past students have considered bisexual women's health, infant feeding, social representations in old age, ageing, sleep, and the impact of homelessness on health.

PSY-40083 Using Research to Influence Policy and Practice (15 credits, Semester 2)

You will explore how research can be used to influence policy and practice, across a range of settings such as government, charity sector, and education. Gaining hands-on experience of writing for a policy setting, you will be tasked with writing a policy brief on a policy related to a health issue of your choice in a similar style as the POST notes produced by the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology.

PSY-40038 Research Apprenticeship in Psychology (15 credits, Semester 2)

You will work with staff as part of their research teams, gaining valuable experience of working on an active research project alongside an experienced research mentor. Apprenticeships are offered across a range of subjects, fields, and activities and represent the diverse expertise of our academic staff. These will support and extend your research skills. Projects could involve designing and preparing full or partial research reports, systematic literature reviews, grant proposals and ethics applications, with the real possibility that research findings may eventually be published.

Dissertation

PSY-40045 Dissertation (60 credits, preparation in Semester 1 and 2, writing up over summer)

You will undertake an independent project in your chosen field of interest under the supervision of an experienced member of staff. It is your chance to apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout the course to design, conduct, analyse and report an appropriate piece of empirical research, demonstrating a level of knowledge and understanding beyond what you have learned in class. Previous students have investigated a range of health-related topics such as the impact of NGO funding on the wellbeing of orphan and vulnerable children, barriers and facilitators to early mental health screening in looked after children, and the experiences of women who have breastfed in public spaces.

Optional modules

You will study two additional 15-credit modules of your choice - one in the first semester and another in the second semester. Optional modules allow you to tailor your learning and to specialise in topics that align with your future career ambitions.

PSY-40139 Health Psychology (15 credits, Semester 1):

Health Psychology is the study of psychological, social, and behavioural processes that are involved in health and illness. On this module, you will learn about how we might use behavioural theories to improve health and wellbeing, and how we can use health interventions to affect positive change.

PSY-40099 Rethinking Research: Knowledge, Power and Diversity (15 credits, Semester 1):

Developing inclusive research practices, and being able to represent the voices of marginalised groups, is critical to changing society and politics. This module aims to develop a critical awareness of how research knowledge is generated, and how structural inequalities are created and reinforced by research norms and practices. At an advanced level, you will learn key skills in how to design, analyse, and evaluate applied social and political psychological research that is both inclusive and captures human diversity. This module develops your understanding of how research can be carried out to bring about social change within diverse communities and community organisations. After learning about the core principles of what defines action research, you will gain 'hands-on' experience. You will co-create a group action research project taking it from initial design stage through to data collection, analysis, and dissemination. You will then write a advocacy policy brief targeted at decision and policy makers.

PSY-40107 Enhancing Reproducibility in Research (Semester 1, 15 credits):

A 2016 survey of over 1500 researchers by the prominent journal Nature found that 90% believed there is a "replication crisis" in research. The factors leading to a lack of reproducibility are complex and many, ranging from the behaviour of individual researchers through to the incentive structures within academic publishing and funding. This module will provide an in-depth exploration of the main threats to reproducible research together with concrete solutions to counter these. The module will also provide hands-on experience of coding with an open-source statistical programming language and how to create a fully reproducible report of quantitative data analysis. Note that no prior programming experience is required. The module will leave you well-positioned to enhance the trustworthiness and quality of the research you conduct.

PSY-40089 Psychology Placement (15 credits, Semester 2):

You will be encouraged to participate in the optional placement module as a valuable personal and career development opportunity. This module allows you to relate your learning to actual research or practice in your chosen professional setting, and it will place you in a strong position post-graduation. We will draw on our existing collaborations with external organisations to help you find meaningful placement opportunities in health settings. Alternatively, we can support you to find a placement with an organisation that you identify yourself. You will gain authentic work experience in a relevant health environment. As an example, and depending on availability, this could include a different academic setting, a charity or healthcare organisation. The placement can be either based at the organisation's facilities or be digitally based; therefore, you could take a placement in an organisation which you might not be able to commute to.

PSY-40087 Action Research: Co-Creating Research to make a Difference (15 credits, Semester 2):

This module develops your understanding of how research can be carried out to bring about social change within diverse communities and community organisations. After learning about the core principles of what defines action research, you will gain 'hands-on' experience. You will co-create a group action research project taking it from initial design stage through to data collection, analysis, and dissemination. You will then write an advocacy policy brief targeted at decision and policy makers.

PSY-40103 Advanced computational and statistical approaches to behaviour (15 credits, Semester 2):

This module will extend your abilities to employ a variety of computational and statistical approaches to predict behaviour and test scientific theories. Explore, for example, multivariate methods, machine learning, cognitive modelling, Bayesian analysis, and agent-based modelling—all important skills that will enhance your employability and research skills.

Next Steps

Apply now
Visit us
Enquire about this course

insert-b start insert-b end

insert-c start

COLLABORATE AND FOSTER NETWORKS

The School of Psychology is housed in the Dorothy Hodgkin building. Located at the heart of campus, our school offers a supportive environment with a close-knit student and staff community. The majority of lecture theatres, resource facilities and academics are situated within the building. When you need to collaborate with peers, or would like to gain feedback from academics, everyone is housed under one roof.

insert-c end

Funding

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.

Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2023 start date falls in the 2022/23 academic year. Please see the 2022/23 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2023.

Planning your funding

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Scholarships

The University is committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Each year we offer a range of prestigious scholarships;

UK students - more information on scholarships and funding

International students - more information on scholarships and funding

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in this case, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Next Steps

Apply now
Visit us
Enquire about this course

insert-d start insert-d end

Your career

The Psychology and Health Inequalities MSc programme is designed to equip you with a range of transferable skills and experiences so that you are prepared you for a variety of possible career paths. For example, you will learn about the social determinants of health, develop your research and analysis skills, learn about engaging with different marginalised groups in society, how to use research to influence policy and practice, gain valuable experience in the real-world on your placement, and benefit from one-to-one supervision from an expert in their research field as part of your dissertation.

These skills and experiences will make you well placed to work in areas that need an advanced understanding of research and analysis, health and health behaviours, seldom heard groups in society, and how the conditions people are born, grow, and live can shape their health and what we might be able to do to readdress the balance. For example, you might want to work within a government department seeking to understand how policies might impact different groups in society, or with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) or charity creating ways to support people from more disadvantaged backgrounds. Alternatively, you might pursue further postgraduate study by doing a PhD or taking further professional training. The Psychology and Health Inequalities MSc will prepare you for these roles and many more.

Potential roles related to the course:

Researcher/analyst working with government departments, charities, or private industry
Research assistant
Further postgraduate study (e.g., PhD)
Communications advisor
Research consultant
Information officer
Research manager
Market and/or user experience researcher
Public health advisor and/or analyst

Next Steps

Apply now
Visit us
Enquire about this course

insert-e start insert-e end

Teaching, learning and assessment

How you will be taught

We use a range of teaching methods on the Psychology and Health Inequalities MSc that draw from the latest research and practice to give you a rich learning environment. Modules are typically taught using methods such as small-group tutorials and roundtable discussions, problem-based learning scenarios, flipped classroom approaches, and a blend of traditional face-to-face teaching combined with online guided study and your own independent learning. Furthermore, because of the smaller class sizes at Keele, you will benefit from a lot of one-to-one contact with staff who are actively involved with research and regularly interact with healthcare providers, charities, government organisations, and patient and public groups.

Teaching schedule

The taught modules run during the first two semesters. The Dissertation module runs across all three semesters: the supervisor and topic are agreed during Semester 1 and the dissertation is completed during the summer.

Semester 1 runs from the end of September to the end of January, with an assessment period in January.
Semester 2 runs from the last week of January to the middle of June, with the assessment period in June.
Semester 3 runs from June to the end of September.

How you will be assessed

Assessment is varied and includes the use of group and individual reports, essays, presentations, and practical projects, with most modules combining multiple forms of assessment. Where possible, assessment is designed to reflect the workplace, including specialist and transferable general skills, such as team working, idea generation, critical thinking, problem solving, meeting deadlines and so on. For example, on the ‘Using Research to Influence Policy and Practice’ module, you will be tasked with writing a policy brief on a policy related to a health issue of your choice and in a similar style as the POST notes produced by the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology.

Next Steps

Apply now
Visit us
Enquire about this course

insert-f start

Keele Postgraduate Association

Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

KPA interior

Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

insert-f end

Our expertise

Teaching staff

You will be taught by staff, who are internationally recognised for their research, impact, and teaching innovation, who not only believe in the power of psychology to address major health inequalities but want to develop your potential to drive positive change.

A key strength of the Psychology and Health Inequalities MSc is that you will be taught by research active members of staff from a range of disciplines. Most of the teaching you will receive during your time on the Psychology and Health Inequalities MSc will be from members of the ‘Health, Wellbeing, and Behaviour change Group’, some of which are described below:

Dr Alexander Scott, Lecturer (Psychology and Health Inequalities MSc Programme Lead) – Alex is a health psychology researcher primarily interested in the role sleep plays in the experience of mental health difficulties and the impact of sleep on wider health behaviours.
Dr Sue Sherman, Reader – Sue’s current areas of research expertise concern factors affecting vaccine decision making, with a current focus on COVID-19, HPV and varicella, and exploring barriers and facilitators to engagement with cervical screening.

Dr Alexandra Kent, Senior Lecturer – Alexandra’s research expertise includes the negotiation of power and authority in interaction, requests, shared decision making in interaction, and help-seeking behaviours.
Professor Alexandra Lamont, Professor in Music Psychology – Alexandra's expertise lies in positive psychology, developmental psychology and in research methods, as well as her specialism in music psychology.
Professor Abigail Locke, Professor of Social and Health Psychology (Head of School) – Abigail is a critical social/health psychologist with research interests around gender, parenting, health and identities.
Dr Katie Wright-Bevans, Lecturer – Katie is a social and community psychologist, her research interests are broadly around health promotion, inclusion, justice and equality. She is interested in community-based and participant-led health promotion, understanding processes of social change, and the health promotion of vulnerable or marginalised groups.
Dr Jenny Cole, Lecturer - Jenny's work concerns gender, health and the body. She is currently focusing on weight stigma in health contexts, particularly during pregnancy and new parenthood and is also interested in weight stigma as a barrier to effective healthcare.
Annabel Roberts, Teaching Fellow – Annabel’s work focusses on understanding how non-cisgender members of the LGBTQ+ community are constructed, contested and challenged in everyday life in the UK to facilitate social change, visibility and inclusion.

Next Steps

Apply now
Visit us
Enquire about this course

insert-g start insert-g end insert-h start insert-h end

Visit us Enquire about this course Programme specifications

Book to visit us