Apply psychological knowledge and social insight to facilitate meaningful improvements in health and wellbeing at both community and individual levels.
During this interdisciplinary course, you’ll explore the foundations of health and wellbeing from a community psychology perspective.
You’ll look beyond the individual level, to focus on how social, cultural, economic and environmental factors shape outcomes and combine to affect people’s quality of life. You will become familiar with aligning practice to the principles of the United Nations Human Rights Framework and Sustainable Development Goals.
This will allow you to critically reflect on the role of these factors as determinants of health and become equipped to deliver effective, ethical, and sustainable initiatives across diverse global and cultural settings.
You'll start by exploring what ‘quality of life’ means for groups in the UK and across the globe, while developing your understanding of key psychological and social change theories.
This combination will give you the foundation to then critically assess real-world examples of policies and approaches used to enhance people’s health and wellbeing and make informed judgements about what has and hasn’t worked effectively.
This will be followed by the chance to put your learning into practice through completing either a dissertation or a consultancy project. Both options allow you to apply your knowledge to real-world issues, while working within an ethical framework.
Beyond the core aspects of the course, you can tailor your learning with optional units from our Department of Education, Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies, and Department of Social & Policy Sciences to give you a more rounded viewpoint.
Learn from experts in the field
You’ll learn from experts in community psychology, health, wellbeing and prevention, as well as staff across the wider Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences with specialist knowledge in education, politics, sustainability, social change, public policy and human rights.
Their passion, knowledge, experience and research shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.
Gain key skills
Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll have gained:
- A critical and holistic understanding of key health and wellbeing challenges, including the social, cultural, political and policy contexts that shape outcomes at individual, community and population levels
- The ability to critically analyse and evaluate policies, models and interventions designed to improve health and wellbeing across diverse settings
- Advanced, evidence-based knowledge to design and justify ethical, contextually appropriate strategies to address complex health and wellbeing challenges in different communities
- A range of highly transferable professional skills, including:
- critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- interpretation of complex quantitative and qualitative data
- research design and methodological evaluation
- policy analysis and strategic decision-making
- communication and behavioural change approaches
Apply your skills to real-world issues
You will have the opportunity to use your knowledge and skills during either a dissertation or consultancy project. You’ll receive support to choose the pathway that best aligns with your interests and career goals.
The consultancy project offers a practice-focused experience, giving you the opportunity to co-develop a project brief with a partner organisation and apply your learning in a real-world setting.
You’ll engage in activities such as:
- critically engaging with literature including evaluating policies or practices
- contributing to improvement or reform initiatives
- working on community engagement initiatives
- analysing data to inform decision-making
The dissertation enables you to undertake an in-depth, independent research project on a topic of your choice, developing advanced research skills while exploring a focused question in detail to contribute to the Community Psychology knowledge base.
Both pathways are supported by expert academic supervision, ensuring you develop the skills, insight and experience needed to progress in your chosen field.
As a student on this course, you’ll join our respected Department of Psychology. Our teaching is informed by current research and practice, ensuring that what you study is up-to-date and relevant.
We are ranked top 60 in the world for Psychology () and offer several accredited undergraduate and master’s courses.
Through teaching input or supervision, you’ll also benefit from the specialist knowledge of people in the wider Department of Psychology community. Their research interests span a wide range of applied psychology topics, including:
- behavioural economics
- clinical psychology
- cognitive neuroscience
- digital science
- health psychology
- social psychology
- sustainability
We recognise that studying health, wellbeing, and social justice can prompt reflection and sometimes emotional challenges. We encourage openness and self-awareness, and support is available through reflective practice in teaching, the tutoring system, and wider university services to help you identify steps to manage any emotional demands.
Graduate prospects
This master’s degree is suitable if you’re looking to progress from undergraduate study or are a professional looking to further or change your career.
Worldwide, there is increasing emphasis on preventative, community-based approaches to health and wellbeing that recognise the social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors shaping health outcomes.
Governments, international agencies, and employers are prioritising initiatives that promote health equity, community resilience, and sustainable development. Examples include the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and nationally, the UK, Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England (Department of Health and Social Care, 2025).
This course prepares you for a wide range of established and emerging roles in public health, community development, mental health, health promotion, social care, and wellbeing services. Graduates may work across healthcare, government, NGOs, charities, education, housing, policy, and international development settings.
The programme can also support progression towards psychology-related professions, including clinical, counselling, educational, health, and forensic psychology, subject to additional training or professional requirements. It is equally relevant for those already working in health, social care, community, or voluntary-sector roles.
You will develop transferable skills in research, critical analysis, evaluation, and communication, alongside professional capabilities in leadership, co-production, partnership working, ethical and culturally responsive practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These competencies are valued across sectors and support careers in local, national, and international contexts.
