Overview

Why choose this course

The School of Psychology is home to over 50 research-active staff, who have recently received over £4m in research grants. We have expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and use both subjective measures as well as more objective or biological assessments of health. We’re recognised for our original contributions to psychological science, our rigorous use of methodology, and our research’s significance for government policy and everyday life.

Research within the School of Psychology addresses the main theme of ‘research across an individual’s life’, and covers a range of areas including cognition, neuroscience, child development, health, the impact of the environment, decision making, food and consumer behaviour and social psychology.

Our strong track record in research-based professional training is shown in the strength of our policy-related research in areas such as health, sustainability, forensics and the workplace.

We can supervise research leading to a PhD in many areas of psychology. You’ll be trained in the most advanced and innovative research methods, and prepared to compete in the job market. We’ll give you a solid grounding in research methods, and the skills to communicate your findings.

The PhD in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey is offered through our Health Psychology Research Group, who are involved in a broad spectrum of research covering chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease; health behaviours including eating behaviour, smoking and exercise; help seeking with a focus on risk perception and symptom perception; the impact of surgery; and illness cognitions including illness identity, risk and treatment expectancies.  Our Health Psychology PhD programme currently has about 10 students, within our broader Psychology PhD community of 50 students, and a University-leading completion rate.