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Psychological Well-being MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

This course reflects national and international developments in the enhancement of mental health and wellbeing, exploring psychological problems including depression, anxiety and stress.
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Overview

A rapidly expanding field worldwide, Psychological Well-being evaluates the factors that characterise and influence mental health and wellbeing, nurturing your understanding of the cultural, social and economic contexts in which they develop.

Many of our experienced academic team have expertise in the specific domains of wellbeing, which are embedded within the course, including developmental psychology, occupational psychology, health psychology, clinical psychology, counselling psychology and cognitive/biological psychology.

Benefit from occasional contributions from practitioners and academics working within a variety of wellbeing related settings such as work, education and health. Teaching facilities include dedicated laboratory and practical work areas, an observation suite and a vision research laboratory.

Completion of the course will lead to a number of career opportunities worldwide, including research, teaching and those within the caring professions. It also facilitates career development and progression. Other students might use the course as a stepping stone to specialised PhD study.

Although the course does not culminate in a qualification in Clinical Psychology, its content will be highly relevant to those applying for training in this area, or within related fields such as psychotherapy, counselling or coaching.

Key features

  • Develop your practical and professional skills through short placement activities involving interactions with clients and health and social care professionals.
  • Develop an awareness of the range of contemporary and traditional therapeutic approaches that may be employed in the treatment and prevention of mental health problems.
  • Extensive investment in our dedicated psychology teaching facilities allows you to put theory into practice.
  • Benefit from inter-professional learning and develop a range of transferable skills, alongside individuals from a range of backgrounds and sectors.
  • We were among the first universities to offer training in this area at master's level.
  • Flexible study opportunities – in addition to full-time, you can also study by distance learning, or by combining distance and campus-based learning, allowing professional development alongside work.
  • Develop a critical understanding of the psychological theory and research that underpin the study of mental health and wellbeing.

“I wanted to say how incredibly useful MSc Psychological Well-being is proving at the moment. I have started a role leading a project ... which will support and empower individuals experiencing mental health difficulties to make positive improvements in their lifestyle and physical self-care. I love it - I'm using almost everything I have learned on the Well-being course!”

Melanie Ward, MSc Psychological Well-being Graduate

Scholarships:
At DMU, we are committed to helping our graduates enhance their careers and personal development through further study.

DMU Sports Scholarship
Find out more about the DMU Sports Scholarships worth up to £6,000.

More courses like this:

Health Psychology

Masters by Research

  • UK/EU
  • International

Key facts for UK/EU students

Institution code: D26

Start date: September 2021

Duration: One year full-time; flexible part-time, distance learning or blended learning over two or three years.

Attendance: Two full days per week if you are a full-time student. If you are a part-time or blended learning student, attendance is variable depending on the duration of your studies. The course is available fully on-line for distance learners. You will also be required to attend a one day programme of induction in addition to a one day programme of preparation and skills development for working at postgraduate level. You may be required to attend the University for an interview as part of our selection process. The programme involves two placements; one is of one day duration and the other takes place over two consecutive days. These placements may require attendance outside of standard teaching days.

Location of study: De Montfort University Leicester UK

Fees and funding:
For 2021/22 full-time tuition fees will be £6,600. Part-time fees will be £550 per 15 credit module.

Students can expect the following additional costs. The cost of an enhanced DBS application is £44 at the time of writing. Transport costs to placement venues are unlikely to exceed £25.  Students are required to pay for duplication and binding of two copies of their final dissertation. This should not exceed £20. Students are encouraged (but not required) to purchase books to an approximate cost of £100 to support their studies.

Vice-Chancellor's 2020 Scholarship:
Up to 50 per cent off tuition fees offered to Home/EU DMU graduates who wish to continue their studies at DMU by enrolling on a postgraduate taught course. For more information visit our Vice-Chancellor’s 2020 Scholarship page.

Find out more about postgraduate course fees and available funding.

Find out more about the Vice-Chancellor's Sports Scholarships worth up to £6,000.

Find out more about additional costs and optional extras associated with this course.

Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

 


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How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Key facts for international students

Institution code: D26

Start date: September 2021

Duration: One year full-time; flexible part-time, distance learning or blended learning over two or three years.

Attendance: Two full days per week if you are a full-time student. If you are a part-time or blended learning student, attendance is variable depending on the duration of your studies. The course is available fully on-line for distance learners. You will also be required to attend a one day programme of induction in addition to a one day programme of preparation and skills development for working at postgraduate level. You may be required to attend the University for an interview as part of our selection process. The programme involves two placements; one is of one day duration and the other takes place over two consecutive days. These placements may require attendance outside of standard teaching days.

Location of study: De Montfort University Leicester UK

Fees and funding:
Full-time £15,100
Distance learning

Students can expect the following additional costs. The cost of an enhanced DBS application is £44 at the time of writing. Transport costs to placement venues are unlikely to exceed £25.  Students are required to pay for duplication and binding of two copies of their final dissertation. This should not exceed £20. Students are encouraged (but not required) to purchase books to an approximate cost of £100 to support their studies.

Find out more about postgraduate course fees and available funding.

Find out more about the Vice-Chancellor's Sports Scholarships worth up to £6,000.

Find out more about additional costs and optional extras associated with this course.

Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

 


Linkedin   Twitter   Youttube  

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

  • Applicants are usually expected to have (or be predicted to obtain) a 2:1 honours degree in psychology or psychology and a second subject of 2:2 or above or equivalent
  • Applications will also be considered from students who hold a 2:2 honours degree from a relevant but non-psychology based course
  • Applicants should have studied at least one Psychology module at undergraduate level, and have undertaken training in quantitative/qualitative research methods and data analysis
  • Other appropriately qualified/experienced applicants with a science or social science background will be considered on the basis of the university's accreditation for prior learning/accreditation prior experiential learning procedures
  • You must complete a declaration form and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application form (if you are overseas you will also need to submit a criminal records certificate from your home country), before starting the course, which need to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admission policy. Contact us for up-to-date information

Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process. If you are unable to attend, alternative arrangements may be made.

English language requirements:

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.

Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information.

 

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessment

Academic expertise

 

Course modules

The MSc consists of theoretical, work-related and research-based modules as described below. Please note that ALL modules are compulsory for successful completion of the award. There are no optional modules.

  • Approaches to the Study of Well-being (15 credits) - provides an introduction to the study of mental health and well-being from a variety of perspectives including: evolution and development, physiology and neuroscience, philosophy and positive psychology
  • Well-being Through the Lifespan (15 credits) - extends the study of psychological perspectives on well-being and explores influences on, and potential threats to, psychological well-being at key stages throughout the lifespan (e.g., in childhood, at work, in older age)
  • Lifestyle, Wellness and Well-being (15 credits) - relates to national and international initiatives concerned with the maintenance of physical health and well-being, exploring the effects of lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, drinking alcohol, drug use, eating behaviour) on physical and psychological well-being
  • Well-being in Cultural, Economic and Social Contexts (15 credits) - focuses on well-being within a broader, rather than individual, framework. You will explore the cultural context of well-being in addition to social and economic influences and considerations
  • Approaches to Psychological Problems (30 credits) - considers decreased well-being as manifested in psychological problems, including anxiety disorders, depressive illness and substance abuse. A variety of psychotherapeutic approaches are explored and you will take part in two short placement activities that involve interactions with clients and health and social care professionals.
  • Research Methods and Data Analysis for Psychologists (30 credits) - equips you with the quantitative and qualitative research and data analysis skills necessary to undertake research at MSc level
  • Research dissertation (60 credits) - allows you to design and conduct an original research study on a well-being related topic of your choice.

You also have the opportunity to undertake one of two combinations of modules and exit with a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert), or undertake all modules, except the dissertation and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip); as well as completing the full MSc programme.

Further information is available from the course leader.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching typically includes lectures, group seminars and individual tutorials, You are encouraged to become an independent and proactive learner, and we will recommend reading and electronic resources for independent study to help develop the breadth and depth of your knowledge.

The majority of your studies will take place at the university but we also incorporate community-based learning experiences on your placement activities. There is a significant focus on developing skills that are transferable to a variety of careers and contexts on national and international levels.

Learning activities are designed to help you develop your teamwork, presentation and problem-solving skills, plus more traditional academic skills such as synthesis, evaluation and application. We also help you to develop your skills and understanding in professional areas such as ethics and reflective practice.

You will benefit from the support of a personal academic tutor, who you are encouraged to meet with regularly. We also offer a range of additional support services to help you develop the skills required for Master’s level study.

Assessment is based exclusively on coursework, for which bespoke guidance materials are provided. The kinds of coursework that you will undertake are varied, and include:

  • Formal essays
  • The production of research reports
  • Real-time and web-based presentations
  • Problem-solving tasks
  • Literature reviews
  •  Case studies and reflective writing

The dissertation provides you with an experience of the research process from its inception to completion.

Teaching contact hours

Contact hours in a typical week will depend to some extent on the optional modules you choose to study. However, typically you will have up to 9 contact hours of teaching and this will break down as:

Personal tutorial/small group teaching: 1  hour of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week

Medium group teaching: 4  hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week

Large group teaching: 4 hours of lectures each week

Personal study: 28.5 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using hand-outs and online activities.

Academic expertise

Psychological Well-being is taught by experienced psychologists, based at De Montfort University, with occasional contributions from practitioners and academics working within a variety of well-being related contexts.

The team has expertise in the specific domains of well-being embedded within the course for example:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Occupational psychology
  • Health psychology
  • Clinical psychology
  • Cognitive and biological psychology

A number of the team are currently working or publishing in areas that relate to well-being and mental health, or are supervising PhD research in this area.

For example, articles authored by team members have been published in a diverse range of peer-reviewed journals including:

  • Social Science and Medicine
  • Mental Health Review
  • The International Journal of Human Resource Development and Management
  • The Journal of Adolescence
  • The Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
  • Neurosurgery and Psychiatry Child Development
  • Health Education Research: Theory and Practice
  • Journal of Health Psychology

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Investment of £12 million in Health and Life Sciences has developed our first-class teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom. 

Psychology students benefit from access to a suite of research rooms and computer laboratories which are restricted to Psychology undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Psychology Division also provides a wide range of software and equipment to support the development of experimental studies and resources to facilitate the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data - both electronically and in person.

The MSc Psychological Well-being at DMU provides the opportunity to complete a programme with a distinctive focus on mental wellness and we were one of the first Universities in the UK to offer training in this area.

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Blackboard, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Opportunities and careers

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Placements

All students are provided with the opportunity to undertake two short placements within clinical and community contexts within Leicester and/or Leicestershire. These involve meeting, observing and working alongside patients and healthcare professionals from a range of backgrounds. The first of these placements is of one day duration and the second of two days duration. Costs (usually travel) associated with these placements are variable.

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Graduate careers

Completion of the course will lead to a number of career opportunities worldwide, including research, teaching and those within the caring professions. It also  facilitates career development and progression. Other students might use the course as a stepping-stone to specialised PhD study.

Although the course does not culminate in a qualification in Clinical Psychology, its content will be highly relevant to those applying for training in this area, or within related fields such as psychotherapy (e.g.The NHS IAPT Service), counselling or coaching. There are also opportunities in the field of public health and well-being (e.g. in areas such as smoking cessation, safer sex promotion, drug and alcohol use). A full day of employability and enhancement events is held in February or March each year.

DMU Open Evenings

The perfect way to find out more about DMU is to attend one of our postgraduate open events.

Here, you can speak with course academics and current students, discuss fees, learn about your career prospects and tour the campus.

Book now

Order a prospectus

Our prospectus will give you a clearer idea of what it's like to live and study at DMU and a snapshot of the courses we offer.

Order your copy

How to apply

We welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications and experience.

Find out more

More about your DMU

50% off selected PG courses
Open evenings
Research at DMU
Case study
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50% off selected PG courses

If you’ve completed an undergraduate degree at DMU, then you can benefit from a tuition fee discount of up to 50 per cent on our postgraduate courses. The discount is available on selected full-time, part-time and distance learning postgraduate courses running across multiple start dates. 

The discount, based on academic achievement and merit, applies automatically to all DMU UK and EU students who are graduating this year or have graduated within the past two years and achieved a 2:1 (or equivalent) or above. Learn more here.

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Postgraduate events

The perfect way to find out more about DMU is to attend one of our postgraduate open evenings or events. Here, you can speak with course academics and current students, discuss fees, learn about your career prospects and tour the campus.

You can also watch and ask questions in one of our postgraduate live streams.

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Research at DMU

The Institute for Psychological Sciences hosts several special interest clusters, including health psychology, cognition and neuroscience, social, personality and culture psychology, and psychology and technology. 

The health psychology cluster is an active and enthusiastic research team with an interest in researching psychological issues relating to health. Our research spans a broad range of areas, from preventative health to chronic health conditions, as well as psychological factors relating to health settings and the professionals who work within them. We use multiple methodologies from both quantitative and qualitative traditions. We have an outward-looking approach to research projects and welcome prospective novel collaborations.

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Case study

“Throughout my BSc Psychology and MSc Psychological Wellbeing studies at DMU, my research skills developed exponentially, and this would not have been possible without the excellent teaching, support and opportunities within my faculty. 

"With encouragement from staff, I have been able to continue my postgraduate studies. I would encourage other students to never give up on their dreams.” Louise Cunliffe, Psychological Well-being MS