Overview

Clinical health psychology (sometimes referred to as behavioural medicine, medical psychology or psychosomatic medicine) is an applied discipline that focuses on people with a health condition that could be prevented, treated or rehabilitated through the use of psychological techniques or procedures.

The primary interest is on problems that present as physical complaints rather than emotional or mental health issues. Nevertheless, clinical health psychology is concerned with the emotional problems that may arise as a result of a physical health complaint. The topics covered in the PGDip include: research methods, health behaviour change, psycho-oncology and long term physical illness.

This PGDip aims to provide graduate students with an opportunity for advanced study in specialist topics in the field of clinical health psychology and to prepare graduate students for more advanced research in clinical health psychology, professional training in psychology or other discipline-related professional training. It also provides graduate students with an opportunity for advanced study in specialist topics in the field of clinical health psychology and prepares them for more advanced research in clinical health psychology, professional training in psychology or other discipline-related professional training.

Career Prospects

Introduction
The PGDip Clinical Health Psychology is likely to be of interest to students considering careers in Clinical or Health Psychology. We expect some graduates to go on to complete professional training in these areas whilst others may forge careers in the health service, or in the third sector.