Master of Psychology in Health Psychology

Master of Psychology in Health Psychology

Course Title

Master of Psychology in Health Psychology

MQF Level

7

Duration and Credits

4 Semesters

120 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Applicants must be proficient in the Maltese language and be in possession of either:

  1. a Bachelor degree in Psychology with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division), or an equivalent qualification from this or another university or
  2. a Bachelor degree in Psychology with at least Second Class Honours (Lower Division), together with a Master's degree in Psychology-related areas from this or another University or
  3. a Bachelor degree in Psychology or a Bachelor degree with Psychology as a main area of study, in both cases obtained with at least Category IIA or another degree in a related area deemed relevant by the Board of Studies obtained with at least Second Class (Honours)(Upper Division),

provided that all applicants applying in terms of this paragraph would either have obtained 60 ECTS credits in Psychology, as approved by the Board, following the award of their degree, or have obtained the Higher Diploma in Psychology with at least Pass with Merit, which together with their degree are deemed to be comparable to the qualification indicated in paragraph (a).

In addition to the qualifications listed above, applicants are also required to have either:

  1. a minimum of 2400 hours of experience in a clinical or counselling or educational or forensic or health or neuropsychology setting, or
  2. a minimum of 1200 hours of experience in a clinical or counselling or educational or forensic or health or neuropsychology setting, under the supervision of a warranted psychologist. This experience should normally be obtained after applicants have been awarded the qualification indicated in the above paragraphs.

Professional aptitude and disposition shall be measured by means of exercises involving

  1. role play with a client,
  2. group discussion, and
  3. personal interview.

Applicants who obtain less than 60% for the professional aptitude and disposition criterion shall automatically not be admitted into the Course.

The maximum number of students that can be admitted into the course is 4 students.

Requires the submission of a Police Certificate of Conduct.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The course equips you with the necessary psychology knowledge, values, attitudes and skills required to practise as a Health Psychologist. This is done firstly through taught units on the theories and research on health, wellbeing and a lifespan biopsychosocial approach to the development of children, young adults, adults and older adults, as well as a focus on health systems. Secondly, you will have 9 hours of supervised field placement per week throughout the course to develop professional values, ethics, attitudes and skills to address the various needs of persons through individual, group, system, and society level strategies. Thirdly you are also provided with training in research including the submission of a dissertation. The Master of Psychology in Health Psychology programme is the only route in Malta through which, when followed by two years of supervised practice, you can obtain a warrant to practice as Health Psychologists.

 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
FSD5572 Family Therapy and Systemic Practice 5 ECTS    
PSY5608 Research Methods 10 ECTS    
PSY5616 Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents 5 ECTS    
PSY5641 Core Placement 1: Health Psychology - Behaviour Change 10 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PSY5613 Psychotherapeutic Approaches: Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Humanistic-Existential Therapy and Couples Therapy 5 ECTS    
PSY5643 Stress, Health and Illness 5 ECTS    
PSY5662 Assessment in Health Psychology 5 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PSY5614 Leading Groups in Professional Settings 5 ECTS    
PSY5645 Long-Term Health Conditions 5 ECTS    
PSY5661 Interventions in Health Psychology 5 ECTS    

 

 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PSY5593 Dissertation 30 ECTS    
PSY5646 Core Placement 2: Health Psychology - Behaviour Change 10 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
PSY5618 Psychotherapeutic Approaches: CBT, Ethics and Psychopharmacology 5 ECTS    
PSY5621 Psychology of Ageing 5 ECTS    
PSY5647 Understanding the Role of Individual Differences, Developmental and Cultural Factors in Health 5 ECTS    
PSY5648 Applications of Health Psychology in Healthcare Settings 5 ECTS    

 

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the degree of Master of Psychology in Health Psychology - M.Psy. (Health) - under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the various theoretical underpinnings of the schools of psychotherapy.
  • Construct relevant therapeutic techniques and strategies whilst drawing from the psychoanalytic, humanistic-existential and systemic theoretical frameworks.
  • Select appropriate health psychology models and interventions to promote health and foster behaviour change on a primary, secondary and tertiary level in different health settings including health promotion, mental health setting and general hospital.
  • Critically assess and comment on both published and unpublished sources with regards to individual and cultural differences.
  • Critically weigh up the contributions and limitations of health psychology in addressing various problems and issues of human development.
  • Demonstrate competence in conducting assessment and intervention sessions appropriately and independently with older adults suffering from depression, anxiety and dementia, as well as plan appropriate interventions to support families and care-givers.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 21,600
Yr 1: Eur 10,800 - Yr 2: Eur 10,800

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

As already stated, the Master of Psychology in Health Psychology programme is the only route in Malta through which, when followed by two years of supervised practice, you can obtain a warrant to practice as Health Psychologists. Health psychologists can work directly with clients across all stages of development and in different settings, including clinical health within health centres and hospitals; health promotion, occupational health, community and public health within public/private organisations to promote health and wellbeing. Other Health Psychologists may decide to focus on research in health-related issues or influence public policy on health care issues.

The Master of Psychology in Health Psychology also provides access to doctoral programmes in psychology both locally and overseas.

 

Every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. However, as the content is being constantly updated, users are advised to verify the details contained in these web pages with the relevant University office or authority before making decisions based on the published information.

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https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/pmpsyhlpftt5-2025-6-o/