Master of Health Psychology

Understand and improve health and wellbeing with the Master of Health Psychology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Pursue a rewarding career

Available as a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or 240-point Master's, this programme will provide you with a unique skillset. You’ll develop an advanced understanding of the interactions between the biological, psychological, social, environmental, and cultural aspects of health and wellbeing.

If you want to make a positive difference to the wellbeing of Māori, Pasifika, and diverse communities, this is an ideal area of study to pursue.

You can look forward to a career helping people build healthy lifestyles, manage stress, and realise their potential to create social and physical wellbeing with mana and cultural integrity.

Take a holistic approach to improving wellbeing

During your studies you’ll take a holistic approach to exploring people’s health and wellbeing, looking at behaviour from a biological, psychological, spiritual, cultural, and social perspective.

You’ll gain an understanding of diverse communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. You’ll develop the required skills—as well as an awareness of boundaries and ethics—for working effectively and safely with people and groups to improve their health and wellbeing.

You’ll also build on your research skills and knowledge so that you can understand and critique evidence and implement programmes and interventions.

Be part of decision-making and strategy for a healthier future

Graduates of the Master of Health Psychology can choose to take their skillset to diverse roles in the health sector, including in health promotion, health psychology, and health policy roles.

The pathway to becoming a registered psychologist

The Master of Health Psychology can be a further stepping stone in your studies towards becoming a registered psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. This can be achieved by attaining a B+ grade average in the Master of Health Psychology, followed by successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology Practice.

Contribute much-needed research

Looking deeper into core topics may spark a career in doctoral study and academic research. Topics you could explore include:

• health promotion
• lifestyles and behaviours linked to wellbeing
• experiences of illness and disease
• managing long term conditions
• relationships with health professionals
• professional psychology practice.

Following this path, you’ll contribute to much-needed research designed to reduce disparities in health outcomes and care.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Find out more

Contact us for more details about the Master of Health Psychology, key dates, and information about what to expect from this qualification.

Scholarships

You can apply for a postgraduate scholarship offered by the University to help fund your studies.

Find out about your study options for pursuing a career in health psychology.

Qualification family structure

The Master of Health Psychology is part of a tiered family of qualifications:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology
• Master of Health Psychology

You can start your study with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology and then work towards a Master of Health Psychology. Or, if you are ready, you can jump straight into the Master of Health Psychology.

Pathway to becoming a registered psychologist

When you graduate from the Master of Health Psychology, you may be eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology Practice. You’ll need an average grade of at least B+, and you’ll need to have taken HPSY 503 and the other core courses of the MHlthPsyc.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology Practice programme is a pathway to becoming a registered psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

Duration and workload

The Master of Health Psychology will take you two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study.

If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year. If you’re a part-time student, you can estimate your workload by adding up the number of [points] you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours of work.

Duration and workload

The Master of Health Psychology will take you two years of full-time study to complete. You can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year. You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of [points] you’ll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours of work.