Clinical and Health Psychology

Clinical and health psychology applies psychological knowledge to the understanding, prevention, and treatment of mental and physical health conditions. Where general psychology asks broad questions about human behaviour and cognition, clinical and health psychology focuses those questions specifically on wellbeing and illness: how psychological factors contribute to the development of health problems, how people adjust to and cope with illness and disability, and what therapeutic approaches can help people live better lives. This three-year full-time degree at the University of Gloucestershire offers a grounded introduction to this applied branch of psychology.

You will study the theoretical foundations of both clinical and health psychology, examining models of mental disorder, approaches to psychological assessment and formulation, and the evidence base for major therapeutic approaches. Health psychology modules will address the psychological dimensions of physical illness, including how lifestyle behaviours, stress, and social factors influence health outcomes, and how psychological interventions support behaviour change and adjustment to chronic conditions. The programme includes a mini placement in your second year, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience in a real-world setting, whether in mental or physical health services, or in a research or academic context, so that you can connect what you are learning with how practitioners actually work.

A typical entry tariff of 120 UCAS points reflects the academic standard expected. Graduates from clinical and health psychology programmes are well positioned to pursue postgraduate training in clinical, counselling, or health psychology, which is typically required for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a practitioner psychologist. Other graduates move into roles in mental health services, health promotion, social care, research, human resources, and related fields.

The discipline's emphasis on evidence-based practice and understanding of human behaviour makes its graduates valuable across a wide range of caring and professional contexts.