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 some sessions which are delivered by practitioner psychologists who hold registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. 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, allowing professional development alongside work.
• Develop a critical understanding of the psychological theory and research that underpin the study of mental health and wellbeing.

Reasons to study Psychological Well-being at DMU:

• Enhance your specialist skills and career opportunities
• Flexible study opportunities – in addition to full-time, you can also study part-time, by distance learning, or by combining distance and campus-based learning; allowing professional development alongside work
• 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
• Recent extensive investment in our dedicated psychology teaching facilities allows you to put theory in to practice
• Benefit from inter-professional learning and develop a range of transferable skills, alongside individuals from a range of backgrounds and sectors
• Many of our recent graduates have presented their original and innovative research at national conferences

Structure and assessment

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.

Facilities and features