Welcome to your Health Psychology course

Welcome to the MSc Health Psychology Community here at Staffordshire University. We hope you are excited to be joining us in September. We are looking forward to welcoming Staffs Graduates as well as those new to us here at Staffordshire University. Starting a postgraduate course can be quite daunting, so we want to help you prepare in advance. On this page, you will find lots of useful information that will help you get settled into the Staffordshire University family.

Induction will take place between 27th-29th September during welcome week and will cover key aspects of the course, including: an overview of the modules that you will undertake; course expectations; details of learning resources you will have access to; and information about the support you will receive. Further details regarding induction will be made available in due course. 

Your staff team

We want to make sure you know some of our team before you arrive. Hopefully this will help you recognise us and ensure you know who you can contact if you need any additional help and guidance.

Dr Gemma Hurst

Course Director

I am the Course Director for Postgraduate Psychology and I contribute to our Health Psychology programmes (MSc and Professional Doctorate). I am a Chartered Psychologist (BPS) and a HCPC registered Health Psychologist.

Gemma's profile

Pre-Arrival Preparation

To prepare for the course, you may want to:

- Make a list of health psychology topics that you are interested in and start to think about the focus of your dissertation.

- Consider the key skills that you will need to undertake postgraduate study and how this differs from undergraduate study.

- Familiarise yourself with the BPS codes of ethics and conduct (Guidelines and policies – The British Psychological Society (bps.org.uk))

- Refresh your memory of the research methods training that you have received to date (quantitative and qualitative).

Introductory Reading

If you would like to carry out some preparatory reading for the course, here are some suggestions (we don’t expect you to read them all!):

Clark-Carter, D. (2018) Quantitative psychological research: The complete student's companion. (4th edition) Hove: Psychology Press. (Or an alternative psychology research methods textbook)

Ogden, J. (2019). Health Psychology: A Textbook (6th Edition). Maidenhead: O.U. Press.

Marks, D., Murray, M., Evans, B., & Estacio, E. V. (2015). Health Psychology: Theory research and Practice (4th Edition). London: Sage.

Course Delivery

If you are studying the MSc Health Psychology full-time, you will usually be required to attend campus for taught sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10am-5pm). For part-time students, you will usually attend on Thursdays in your first year Tuesdays in your second year. 

Free Downloadable Software

There is a variety of software which can be downloaded from the University’s website and can also be accessed via the button below. This software is free for all of our students, as we understand to reach your full potential and succeed in your degree you need the tools to help you. The software available includes:

  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Microsoft Teams
  • SPSS and AMOS
  • Maple
  • NVivo
  • Sophos Antivirus
  • Asure Dev Tools for Teaching
  • VMWare
  • Free Training

Free Software

Other Useful Links

Further information can also be found in the ‘current student’s portal’

Join a Society

Getting involved in a student group can enhance your time at University. It is a great way to make new friends and connections, learn from other students and develop new skills whilst having some fun at the same time. Whether you want to join a group as a member, get involved in running a group as part of a committee or help run an event or organise your own – your Students’ Union is here to make it happen! Please check out the Students’ Union website for more information on all of our groups, volunteering and other opportunities, or get in touch with the Students’ Union if you have more questions.

Click here for a list of the current clubs and societies run through the Students’ Union

Academic skills

Whether you're joining us from school or college, or you're returning to education after some time away, everyone can benefit from the Academic Study Skills resources provided by the University library.

The Academic Skills team is here to support you throughout your academic journey and to help you gain the skills you need to reach your full potential. They can assist with academic reading and writing skills, give advice on how best to plan assignments, and help improve your time management.

The library's Academic Skills Guides offer the key information to make studying easier and give a comprehensive guide to the learning resources and services we offer.

Staffs CampusConnect

Staffs CampusConnect is our student-led community app for new students. Connect with other people from your course, hometown or country, and even those with similar interests.

To register, please ensure you use your Applicant ID (Student Number) that you received in your offer letter, and the email address you used in your application to us.

Register for CampusConnect

Welcome website

Our welcome website will provide you the link to your new student life. It's all about how you find your place at university, including everything from how to meet friends, feel confident in doing your academic work, being a member of your Student Union and getting involved in Union Societies, Academic Societies, Sports, Volunteering or representing your peers in your School.

Part of this Welcome Week - we have an exciting program of University and course level activities planned for you for your first week in September. We are also building an extended program for you to join a series of events throughout the first half of the autumn term. Further details will be shared with you via the Welcome website and Students' Union pages over the coming weeks.

Welcome website

Campus map

Use our campus map to familiarise yourself with our campus before you arrive.

Campus map (PDF)

Check your email

Please make sure you check your personal email account regularly over the next few weeks. We will be sending you lots of information about Welcome Week.

We look forward to welcoming you to the course in September. 

If you have any questions, please send them to Dr Gemma Hurst (G.L.Hurst@staffs.ac.uk).

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