Course Summary
Our PSI-accredited MSc in Health Psychology is delivered by a team of leading Health Psychology researchers and practitioners. You'll develop knowledge and skills to understand and apply psychology in promoting health, preparing you for diverse career paths in research, healthcare, and beyond. This is Ireland’s only Psychological Society of Ireland accredited Health Psychology programme.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology at National Framework of Qualifications Level 8 (or equivalent) accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or equivalent international qualification. Applicants who have achieved at least a 2.1 (or equivalent) in their primary psychology degree are offered a place on a programme, with applicants who have achieved a 2.2 result added to the waitlist. Waitlisted applicants are offered a place pending availability.
Application Details
Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.
An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).
Next start date: September 2026
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
Some decide to pursue a career in research. Our course is widely regarded as providing excellent training in research methods and practice, and our graduates are highly sought after for research positions and opportunities. Graduates have gone on to further research at PhD level and have acquired positions as lecturers and researchers in third level institutions, and leading behavioural scientists in health policy sectors.
Others are more interested in applied options and may progress to further training, such as the Structured PhD in Health Psychology Practice, Clinical Psychology or Counselling Psychology.
Some go directly into applied work settings, such as the Department of Health, community partners (such as Croi Heart and Stroke Centre) or private industry.
Behavioural science is a growing discipline with widespread application in the health sector. The World Health Organisation has in recent years established a Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit, where behavioural scientists are employed for their knowledge, theory and skills in health behaviour change interventions.
Similarly, national organisations, such as the National Screening Service, are establishing Units of Behavioural Science, where behavioural scientists are employed to apply behavioural science to increase the effectiveness of cancer screening programmes.