What do you think are the benefits of a postgraduate degree?

There are several benefits to completing a postgraduate degree. On a personal level, it’s an opportunity to really escalate your growth rate, by enhancing your critical thinking, research skills and independence.

A postgraduate degree also helps further develop technical skills and dive deeper into the work area you’re most passionate about. It also allows you to further gain in-depth specialised knowledge.

^{Find out more about PG study in NI}

Such a degree can be a direct ticket to move onto further higher positions through conducting more specialised research through a PhD. Consequently, this improves your career prospects, especially that the market has now filled with a lot of competition, and AI is replacing human tasks. It has the potential to raise your income as you have spent more time working on your expertise.

Last but definitely not least, there is nothing as rewarding as finding a network of like-minded, high calibre people who may become great business partners, or lifelong connections.

^{PG study allows you to make closer connections with your peers and advisors}

Why did you decide to pursue PG study?

Having discussed the benefits of a Postgraduate degree, I would say I decided to get an MSc to uplift my academic and work profile and make connections with people that would inspire me to better myself and keep growing.

As an aspiring clinical psychologist, I must have a master’s degree completed before being able to get my training as an intern in Lebanon, and before becoming a licensed and certified clinical psychologist, so I figured it’s a win-win situation as I will be acquiring research and therapeutic skills needed in my continuation.

^{David Keir Building, home to the School of Psychology}

What made Queen’s stand out from other universities during your initial research?

The impressive follow up from the programme and course directors before the start of the programme, its quick replies and information provided last but not least, its Russell Group standing, making it a very prestigious and reliable institution. 

Why did you ultimately decide to move to Belfast and study at Queen’s?

It was pretty an intuitive decision I must say. I wanted a challenge, which was living abroad in a completely new place. I knew nothing about Belfast, and I didn’t bother to research much because I wanted to get here and discover it all without any expectations, but Queen’s really attracted me. The clinical health psychology programme seemed too good to be true as I always had a dream of combining medicine and psychology in one, so this master’s degree seemed the perfect fit.

^{Find out more about Ghada's course}

How has the Queen’s Graduate School supported your postgraduate journey?

The Queen’s Graduate School is currently offering me an opportunity of a lifetime, through the course “Master your Leadership”, which is inherently boosting my social, emotional, and cognitive well-being, through nurturing my existing leadership skills. The Graduate School has become my second home, as it’s a safe, welcoming and warm space allowing my classmates and I to get together and productively work on our assignments. 

How will your course at Queen’s help with your future career aspirations?

As the MSc in Clinical Health Psychology intends to provide me with a comprehensive world class education in the clinical and scientific aspects of psychology, this in turn aligns perfectly with my aspirations of becoming a clinical psychologist. It is required of me to have a thorough understanding of mental health disorders and their complexities, examining, and utilising effective treatment modalities and mastering the art of understanding human behaviour.

^{Follow Ghada on a day in her life!}

What skills have you developed as a result of your course?

Critical thinking, intricate skills to conduct ethically sound research in clinical health psychology, teamwork; and leveraging my peers’ and educators’ skills. 

Have you utilised any of the careers and employability services offered by Queen’s? If so, how have they helped to get you ‘future-ready’ following the completion of your degree?

Yes, I have, in fact I’ve been attending the bitesize employability sessions, and other employability related sessions, even though they don’t contribute to my ‘future-ready’ award, I’ve learned many new tips and tricks to improve my soft and communication skills. 

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Lebanon Admissions Guide

Postgraduate study at Queen's

Clinical Health Psychology (MSc)

Ghada Al Fakih Clinical Health Psychology | Postgraduate Student | Beirut, Lebanon Ghada Al Fakih is a passionate, hard-working, and selfless individual, devoted to helping others grow, while elevating surrounding vibrations with harmony and positivity. She is a well-rounded and accomplished individual with a strong passion for helping others. She is a valuable asset to any team and is sure to make a positive impact on the world. Ghada is pursuing her Master of Science in Clinical Health Psychology at Queen's University Belfast. She has a strong background in psychology and public health. She is a certified Emotional Liberation Breathing Practitioner and has completed a clinical psychology rotation at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.