PhD/MPhil Health Psychology / Programme details

Year of entry: 2024

Programme description

Our PhD/MPhil Health Psychology programme enables you to undertake a research project that will contribute to knowledge and theory in Health Psychology.

The growing field of Health Psychology involves the study of psychological processes in all aspects of health, illness, and healthcare.

Research in the Health Psychology at Manchester includes understanding fundamental psychological mechanisms involved in health, including psychobiological mechanisms, developing and evaluating interventions that enable people to maintain good health and avoid illness, achieving better outcomes for people with health conditions, and improving the experience and outcomes for those undergoing diagnostic and health care processes.

Students enrolled for a PhD in Health Psychology will become members of the Manchester Centre for Health Psychology (MCHP), which is a vibrant and internationally leading grouping of researchers working in this field.

Members are sited across the University and health and social care settings in Greater Manchester, but come together for regular events and networking opportunities.

Students enrolled on the programme will also have opportunities to teach on various other courses, including BSc Psychology and our MSc courses in Clinical and Health Psychology.

Please note that this programme does not confer accreditation for Stage 1 or Stage 2 training to become Chartered Psychologists , nor form a basis for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Registered Health Psychologists.

However, opportunities within the MCHP are available for supervision from registered Health Psychology Supervisors via the independent route for students holding appropriate qualifications.

Special features

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

Teaching and learning

PhD/MPhil programmes are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one to two years (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Scholarships and bursaries

Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK and overseas. 

For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the  funded programmes  and  funding opportunities  pages.

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on the Doctoral Academy Blog and the support available through our Faculty Doctoral Academy.

Facilities

You will have access to a range of  research and learning facilities  across the University and at some of our partner organisations.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk