Child Development

This Master's programme will deepen students' knowledge of child development and developmental psychology and prepare them for professional work with children and young people, or progression to higher research degrees or employment as a researcher.

This programme provides a high-quality education in the main theories, methods, and findings of psychological research relating to child development. The programme aims to enable independent learning and an approach to developmental psychology that is both informed and critical. Participants have the opportunity to conduct research that contributes to the field of child development.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits),  an optional module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

A Postgraduate Diploma, three core modules (90 credits), one optional module (30 credits), full-time one year or flexible study up to four years, is offered.

A Postgraduate Certificate, two core modules (60 credits), flexible study up to two years, is offered.

Core modules

• Developmental Psychology
• Methodology and Statistics
• Social Development

Optional modules

Psychology graduates can take any optional module.

Graduates seeking BPS accreditation must take either Atypical Development or Language Development

• Atypical Development
• Language Development
• or other approved Master's level modules

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures delivered both by UCL Institute of Education academic staff and guest speakers, group work, and computer workshops giving hands-on practice. Assessment is through coursework involving exercises in statistics and methodology, and extended pieces of writing on set topics as well as the dissertation.

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, either in psychology or a related subject, that has been accredited by the British Psychological Society.