Duration
Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2026 Semester One – 2 March
2027 Semester One – 1 March
Available locations
Grafton
Points
240
Programme type
Postgraduate
Research options available

Programme overview

This two-year postgraduate programme provides a strong background in the theoretical, methodological and practical applications of health psychology.

The programme will equip you with a sound knowledge base and the high-quality research skills needed to design and carry out effective health psychology research and interventions in healthcare settings.

You will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention programmes and be able to use sophisticated methodological approaches in the health area.

Programme structure

  • Two years full-time or four years part-time

240-point research masters programme

  • Four core courses cover patient behaviour, assessment issues in health psychology, and intervention methods (60 points).
  • Choose from a selection of advanced level courses listed in Health Psychology, Population Health, Psychiatry, Psychology, or Exercise Sciences as approved by the Programme Coordinator (60 points).
  • Thesis (120 points).

Master of Health Psychology courses

Masters first year courses:
Compulsory courses:
HLTHPSYC 714 Health Psychology (15 Points)
Staff: Professor Keith Petrie
A review of the psychological factors involved in health and illness. Topics include the understanding of patient behaviour in medical settings, preventative health behaviour, cognitive models of illness, stress and illness, communication and adherence to treatment, the psychology of physical symptoms and coping with chronic disease.

HLTHPSYC 715 Research Methods in Health Psychology (15 points)
Staff: Professor Elizabeth Broadbent
A review of the principal methods used in the design, conduct and analysis of studies in the health psychology area. This will include both quantitative and qualitative approaches to health psychology research.

HLTHPSYC 719 Health Psychology Assessment (15 points)
Staff: Professor Nathan Consedine
Extends content knowledge in health psychology through the development of skills in the assessment and evaluation of constructs commonly used in health psychological research and practice. Includes consideration of general issues in psychometric theory and the specific assessment issues commonly confronting widelyused health psychological research designs, as well as detailed coverage of specific content areas including illness cognitions, health-related psychophysiology, emotions and health outcomes. Restriction: PSYCH 747, PSYCH 701 A & B

HLTHPSYC 720 Health Psychology Interventions (15 Points)
Staff: Associate Professor Anna Serlachius
Reviews the underpinning theory base for approaches commonly used in health psychology interventions such as CBT, and applies these approaches to examples from the field of health psychology. Individual and group/community treatment targets will be considered, including common difficulties that impact on disease occurrence or management, and the psychological consequences of disease. Restriction: PSYCH 748, PSYCH 701

Compulsory to be eligible for the PGDip in Health Psychology:
HLTHPSYC 743 Psychopathology and Clinical Interviewing (15 points)
Staff: Professor Keith Petrie A review of the common psychological disorders encountered in clinical practice and health settings. Practical teaching of clinical interview and diagnostic skills is completed in class.

Optional but recommended:
HLTHPSYC 716 Psychoneuroimmunology (15 points)
Staff: Professor Elizabeth Broadbent
An outline of the nature of the human immune system, its measurement and the limitations of current practices and models. The main focus of the course is the extent to which psychological processes such as stress, emotions and social interactions have been found to influence immune behaviour and the implications of these findings for health and well-being.

HLTHPSYC 717 Emotions, Emotion Regulation, and Health (15 points)
Staff: Professor Nathan Consedine
Extends content knowledge in health psychology by focusing on the expanding literature linking emotions and emotion regulation with health outcomes. The course provides an overview of the nature and functions of emotions, discrete versus dimensional approaches, developmental and cultural considerations, and the links between emotions and cognitive processes. Specific topics include direct and indirect pathways linking emotions and health, links between emotions and health-deleterious behaviours (e.g., smoking, drinking, diet), symptom detection, screening behaviour, treatment decision-making and adherence.

HLTHPSYC 758 Technology and Health (15 points)
Staff: Associate Professor Anna Serlachius
Explores the growing field of digital health and the impact that technology is having on psychological treatments and healthcare delivery. The course will cover a range of eHealth interventions in patient populations as well as discuss issues surrounding the development and implementation of digital health interventions.

Further information about content and applying for the Master of Health Psychology is available on the Health Psychology postgraduate programmes page.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Year 1 120 points

  • Code:
    HLTHPSYC 714
    Name:
    Health Psychology
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    HLTHPSYC 715
    Name:
    Research Methods in Health Psychology
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    HLTHPSYC 719
    Name:
    Health Psychology Assessment
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    HLTHPSYC 720
    Name:
    Health Psychology Interventions
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Name:
    Stage VII Course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Name:
    Stage VII Course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Name:
    Stage VII Course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Name:
    Stage VII Course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts

Year 2 120 points

  • Code:
    HLTHPSYC 796A/B
    Name:
    Thesis
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    120 pts

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Research 240 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 6.0

    Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, with a major in Psychology

Further programme requirements

Research 240 points

You need to have completed a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology, with a GPA of 6.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II. 

Alternatively, you must have completed a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science with a major is Psychology, and passed 60 points in a relevant postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma (or 60 points of relevant 700 level courses) with a GPA of 5.0 (provided the postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma has not been awarded). 

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Research 240 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

Further programme requirements

Research 240 points

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in arts or science with a major in psychology at a recognised university (or similar institution), with a GPE of 5.0 in your final year of study.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Health Psychology cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$10,018.80*
International students
NZ$52,585*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $9.24 per point, estimated at $1,108.80 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2026
1 December 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

The MHealthPsych prepares students for entry to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology, which provides specific training in clinical health psychology and a route to Registered Health Psychologist status. Other opportunities include research and health promotion careers within hospital, private or university environments. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Clinical Health Psychologist
  • Community Health Psychologist
  • Occupational Health Psychologist

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

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923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513