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Psychology of Child Development

MSc
Duration
1 year
Start
September 2025
Delivery
In-person

Our MSc Psychology of Child Development course is designed to advance your knowledge of child psychology. It’s ideal for individuals who aim to pursue further postgraduate research or a career in child development. It also presents a great career development opportunity for professionals already working with children.

Why study with us

  • The course comprises of specialised, dedicated Child Development modules. Each module focuses upon different developmental psychology and is assessed entirely by coursework.
  • Learning is supported by dedicated Child Psychology Laboratories. Facilities such as The Child Observation Suite and Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, as well as over thirty extra laboratories.
  • Develop your skills in applying psychology in a range of developmental settings. The course includes a placement module and a project of your choice.
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What you'll do

  • You’ll gain experience of developmental psychology in practice within an organisation such as a school, charity or childcare setting
  • You’ll design and conduct research which will further prepare you for a career in child development.
  • The teaching for this course takes place on one day of the week. This means you can divide your time between classroom and individual study and work around the other elements of your life.

Modules

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

Our range of subjects and study modes can support your goals. Take your next step with a postgraduate degree.

How to apply

Academic expertise

This course is built on the research expertise of the academic staff specialising in different areas of developmental psychology. We engage with employers to make sure that our curriculum is delivering the skills that the industry needs.

We work with professionals from various sectors, including:

  • NHS Trusts
  • Patient groups
  • Medical practitioners
  • Allied health professionals
  • The Prison Service
  • Police forces
  • Local education authorities
  • Schools and professional sports organisations.
Dr Reyhan Furman
Senior Lecturer in Developmental Cognition
JB
Dr Jo Bryce
Senior Lecturer
Dr Georgia Chronaki
Senior Lecturer in Developmental Neuroscience
Dr Mike Eslea
Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Dr Charlotte Field
Senior Lecturer
Dr Nadiia Denhovska
Lecturer in Developmental Cognition
Dr Kat Cartmell
Course Leader for Psychology Courses at UCLan Burnley

Future careers

You'll be given opportunities and support for career development throughout this course. The course has a dedicated placement module that is taken only by students studying on this programme and is not shared with other courses. This provides a clear focus around opportunities to work in areas related to child psychology.

Entry requirements

  • Applicants should hold at least 2:1 degree in related subject including sufficient psychology content and research skills. This need not necessarily be a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society as applicants from related subject areas will be considered for a place on the course. The admissions policy of the School is, however, to consider every applicant on their own individual merits therefore prospective students with a lower second class degree and a final year project and/or research methods and statistics grades at a higher level will be considered.
  • IELTS: 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
  • Satisfactory DBS check required

This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, this may include children. In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB).

Not got the grades?

Our courses with a foundation year could be exactly what you're looking for. They provide an alternative route to study for this degree.

Find out more about our courses with a foundation year.

Fees and funding

2025/26
UK
Full-time£9,450 per year
Part-time£1,050 per 20 credits
International
Full-time£17,900 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

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This course is delivered by the School of Psychology and Humanities

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page