Introduction

As a PhD trainee, standard university regulations and policy concerning postgraduate research students apply to you. This handbook complements the standard university documents, and the FSHMS Postgraduate Research Student Handbook (accessed via the Faculty Graduate School website) by setting out the additional information that applies specifically to the PhD in Health Psychology Research and Professional Practice. This information relates to the additional requirements that must be met by the PhD in Health Psychology Research and Professional Practice in order to cover all the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) standards of proficiency for Health Psychologists, and the British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology Stage 2 training competences. Because this programme has been accredited and approved as meeting these additional Stage 2 training requirements, in addition to an PhD it can also confer eligibility to apply for BPS Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) status and eligibility to apply to the HCPC for registration as a Health Psychologist.

This handbook is issued on the condition that it does not form part of a contract between the University and any trainee. The information given has been made as accurate as possible at the time of going to press, but the University reserves the right to modify or alter any of the contents advertised, without prior notice.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact:

Programme Director

Dr Sarah Kirby

  • Location: Room 3015, Building 44
  • Tel: 023 8059 5452
  • Email: sek@soton.ac.uk

Graduate School Senior Administrator

Chris Baker

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council, the statutory regulator for practitioner psychologists in the UK. It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practise using a title protected by the Health Professions Order 2001 (e.g. Health Psychologist) is on the HCPC register. For more information, please see the HCPC website at: http://www.hpc-uk.org/.

The programme is also accredited by the British Psychological Society. Successful completion of the programme confers eligibility to apply for Chartered Membership of the Society and full membership of the Division of Health Psychology (http://www.health-psychology.org.uk/). The British Psychological Society is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. They promote excellence and ethical practice in the science, education and practical applications of psychology. As a postgraduate student on an accredited programme, Graduate membership of The British Psychological Society will broaden your appreciation and understanding of psychology, and open up a network of like-minded students, academics and professionals, not to mention future opportunities. Membership of the Society also reflects your aspiration to represent the highest possible professional standards. Completing an accredited programme gives you a route for progressing to Chartered Psychologist status, the gold standard within the discipline. Only Chartered members of the Society can use the designation CPsychol after their name and the Chartered Psychologist logo. BPS membership has a powerful voice in raising the profile of psychology, developing standards and advancing the discipline. They champion the work of their members and the contribution psychology can make to society. They support their members by providing guidance, career development and networking opportunities. Their members matter to them and Graduate members have a competitive advantage in the jobs market with:

  • MBPsS, your designation as a Graduate Member in recognition of your academic achievement and professional status
  • Their monthly flagship publication, The Psychologist, keeping you up-to-date with the very latest research, news and views
  • Their Member Networks: Providing a rich web of personal and professional contacts that enable you to stay informed with your areas of interest
  • Invaluable rates on professional development opportunities, conferences and events, designed to inspire and guide you throughout your studies and career
  • PsychSource, a single access point to our 11 journals and 32 other titles published by Wiley-Blackwell. This facility also includes full-text journal articles, journal abstracts, BPS Blackwell books and multimedia content. PsychSource is fully searchable and personalisable according to Member interests
  • A wide range of guidelines, guidance documents and support in professional practice and ethical decision-making
  • Opportunities to join specialist registers and promote your competence and expertise.

To find out more and hear what benefits of belonging to the Society their members enjoy most, watch their videos on http://www.bps.org.uk/videos/members-explain-benefits-belonging

The membership team is available at membership@bps.org.uk or +44 (0)116 252 9911.

Comments are closed.