Master’s specialisation in Health and Medical Psychology
The Health and Medical Psychology Master specialisation provides you with the theoretical background and professional skills required for health psychology interventions and research. You will focus on the relationships between biopsychosocial processes and health outcomes, such as between cognitions, emotions and behaviour, psychophysiological stress systems, brain functioning and mental or physical health. More specifically, topics of interest are both the diagnosis and treatment of the psychological aspects of chronic somatic diseases as well as the prevention of disease and promotion of health.
Laura Ramiro Pires, alumna
Why this specialisation at Leiden University?
‘As a self-employed coach I train expatriates through their journey of personal change. I also work as a research assistant. The content and support during my studies prepared me excellently.’
u As a health and medical psychologist you can work in a large variety of settings and organisations, with many different topics, target groups, and methods. For example, you can train medical staff, set up big health promotion campaigns, help individual patients, or do research. u We work in close collaboration with other organisations, such as the Leiden University Medical Centre. u A unique feature of this specialisation is the use of the Scientist-Practitioner model for fundamental and applied health topics in both the general population and in patient populations.
Facts and figures
Language: Duration: Degree: Start: Admission: Start: Admission:
Discover the world at Leiden University
English 1 year MSc September 1 Apr non-EU/15 May EU February 15 Oct non-EU/15 Nov EU
Course information
SEMESTER I
SEMESTER II
Basic Therapeutic Skills (5 EC)
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (5 EC)
Two elective courses (10 EC)*
Core course
Internship
Psychological Assessment and Interventions in Chronic Disease (5 EC)
Cognitive Behaviour Interventions (5 EC)
(Clinical) Internship (10 or 20 EC)
Master’s Thesis
Master’s Thesis 1st part**
Master’s Thesis 2nd part (20 EC)
Elective course
* Not necessary if you do the 20 EC internship. We recommend that you choose from the following electives: Health Psychology in Practice, Innovations in eHealth Care, Trainers Course Communication Skills. For more elective courses, see Prospectus on our website **You’re supposed to advance a substantial part of your thesis in semester I, but you will receive the EC after fully completing the thesis in semester II.
Career possibilities Completion of the master’s specialisation Health and Medical Psychology will prepare you for subsequent academic trainings, such as:
u Communication adviser (e.g. for health promotion) u Lecturer / researcher at a university or government research institute (e.g. TNO, RIVM or WHO)
🌍 careerzone.universiteitleiden.nl/en
u a qualification as health care psychologist PDO ‘GZ-psycholoog’ (adult)
More information
u a PhD study u a specific therapy-training programmes (e.g. cognitive behaviour therapy)
🌍 masters.universiteitleiden.nl/ health-medical-psychology
Possible career options include: u Healthcare psychologist in a mental health care centre, medical centre, rehabilitation centre or in private practice (possibly in combination with a BIG registration) u Public health or care innovator u Life style trainer/ coach u Policy maker /adviser to government and municipal services
Are you curious about the student point of view on this Master’s programme? Send our student ambassador Annemieke an email: ambassador.mscpsy@ fsw.leidenuniv.nl
✉