Health Psychology

In this major, you’ll focus on the ways the mind and body are connected.

You'll look at how biological, psychological, spiritual, social, cultural, and environmental factors all influence people's health and illness.

When you study Health Psychology, you don’t just look at the individual—you broaden your perspective and uncover the key factors that contribute to the full picture of our health and wellbeing. You’ll look at people’s experiences of health, wellbeing, and illness in relation to their whānau, their environment, and the social structures that surround them.

Career options

If you’re interested in a career in the health sector, this could be the major for you. Potential roles include health promoter, health researcher, wellbeing adviser, counsellor, or youth worker. Or if you are interested in becoming a practicing health psychologist, you could continue to postgraduate study and then register as a psychologist.

Learn from experts

The Health Psychology major is led by Dr Ally Gibson, a senior lecturer with experience in a range of areas from looking at cancer care, to issues of gender, sexuality, and intimacy—she’s currently leading a large research project looking at people’s experiences using dating apps during the pandemic.

“I’m really excited that my students get to learn about issues that are affecting people’s health right now—like living through the pandemic—and learn how to apply psychological theory to understand how these issues impact people’s health and wellbeing, and what we can do to improve it.”

Postgraduate study

This major provides a good potential pathway to the Master of Health Psychology.