Applied Child Psychology

Entry requirements

• • Applicants must have a minimum 2:2 honours degree in Psychology or another relevant discipline (Education, Health and Social Care, Sociology, Childcare, etc.), and GCSE Mathematics (or equivalent) at Grade C or above. If you do not have GCSE Mathematics at the required level, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.
  • As this course is not a BPS accredited route into chartered psychology, this course does not require applicants to have a BPS accredited undergraduate degree or to have completed a Psychology conversion course.
  • Applicants with undergraduate degrees in less relevant disciplines or alternative level-six qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis if they are able to demonstrate a substantial amount of relevant work-based experience.
  • Successful candidates for the Professional Placement option will be required to obtain Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance before enrolment in order to undertake the placement.
  • Relevant experience of working with children and experience and skills in research methods is desirable.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Want to study child psychology at Master’s level? Our MSc Applied Child Psychology course will allow you to explore and develop knowledge of cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and neurological development, as well as research methods in child psychology, and consider the implications for policy and practice in applied contexts such as education and mental health.

The course aims to equip you with a range of applied and transferable skills, enhancing your opportunities for professional and career development in a variety of disciplines within the field of child psychology. Modules will encourage you to develop specialist theoretical and practical knowledge that will underpin your work with children and consider applications of this knowledge to professional contexts and situations, e.g., supporting children with diverse developmental, neurological, and psychological needs.

Although the course is not part of a chartered route into psychology or a prerequisite for entry into Educational or Clinical Psychology training, the course provides an MSc level qualification alongside employability coaching and the option of completing a six-month work placement. If you already have a BPS accredited undergraduate degree in psychology, successful completion of the MSc Applied Child Psychology course can enhance your prospects of applying for doctoral training in these highly competitive fields.

The course is also open to applicants with non-psychology backgrounds and provides opportunities for enhancing and specialising your knowledge of child psychology for work in a wide variety of child-related environments and professions. This includes childcare, education, child and adolescent mental health, pastoral care, special educational needs (SEN), supporting children with disabilities, coaching and mentoring young people, and careers involving research with children.

Finally, if you are already working in the field of child psychology, the course can enhance your future employment and promotion prospects, for example, by aiding re-specialisation as a SENCO, mental health lead, or progression to more senior roles. The option to study full-time or part-time also means that you can fit your studies around your existing work and personal commitments.

Regardless of your current situation and academic background, the course has been developed with your future employability firmly in mind and offers opportunities for you to shape your learning to suit your current work status, experience level, and future ambitions. If you have questions about this course, please contact our Course Leader, Dr Ian Mundy (ian.mundy@bcu.ac.uk).

Information for international students

See website for details.

Fees and funding

Learn more about postgraduate fees and funding.