collageThis 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 professional doctorates, higher research degrees, or employment as a researcher.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Full time: 1 yearPart time: 2 yearsFlexible: up to 5 years
Part-time students typically complete three modules in their first year (90 credits) and one module plus the dissertation in their second year (90 credits).
Application dates
All applicantsOpen: 9 November 2020Close: 31 May 2021NotificationThis programme is now full and we are currently not accepting applications for September 2021 entry.
Tuition fees (2021/22)
UK:£10,500 (FT)£5,250 (PT)Overseas:£23,300 (FT)£11,650 (PT)
Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master’s fee taken in an academic session.Accreditation:
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) so that students who successfully complete the course can apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership Location: London, Bloomsbury
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard (in addition to the language and successful reference criteria).
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: GoodPre-Master’s and Pre-sessional English
UCL Pre-Master’s and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Visa information
This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting October.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
About this degree
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 four core modules (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Child Development.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
Development of Brain and BehaviourSocial and Individual developmentCognitive development in typical and atypical populationsResearch and Analytical Methods in Psychology
Dissertation/research project
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 6,000 words (+/- 10%), a poster and a lay report.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures delivered by both UCL Institute of Education academic staff and guest speakers, group work, and computer workshops giving hands-on practice. Assessment is through coursework involving a variety of methods including research reports, extended writing pieces, policy briefs, group work, lay reports as well as the dissertation.
Each of the taught modules has 30 hours of contact time (lectures, seminars and group activity). Students are expected to supplement these contact hours via self-directed study. Further time is set aside for contact with supervisors for the dissertation, where the bulk of the work consists of independent research activity.
Additional costs
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
IOE Centenary Masters Scholarships
Value:Full tuition fees and accommodation (1 year)Eligibility:OverseasCriteria:Based on both academic merit and financial need
IOE-Clarke Scholarships
Value:Tuition fees, stipend, flights (1 year)Eligibility:OverseasCriteria:Based on both academic merit and financial need
IOE Windle Trust Scholarship
Note:Deadline: 31 December 2020Value:Full tuition fees and some allowances (Up to 3yrs)Eligibility:OverseasCriteria:Based on both academic merit and financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Graduates are currently working as:
- assistant psychologists in the field of child development in the public and private sectors
- social science researchers
- educational or clinical psychologists (following the completion of a professional doctorate)
- PhD students
Employability
This programme will prepare participants for progression to higher research degrees, employment as researchers or professional training to work with children and young people applying their psychological knowledge.
Why study this degree at UCL?
UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is one of the world’s leading centres for education and related areas of social science, and the Department of Psychology and Human Development is unique in the UK for its dedicated focus on developmental and educational psychology. Students therefore have the opportunity to learn from leading researchers in these fields. IOE houses major longitudinal studies such as the Millennium Cohort Study. It is conveniently located for attending research seminars in neighbouring colleges and institutes, such as the Birkbeck Babylab and the Institute of Child Health. In addition to the IOE’s extensive library and online resources, students have access to Senate House, which contains the British Psychological Society collection.
For the eighth year in succession the IOE has been ranked number one for education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
The programme provides the opportunity for suitably qualified applicants to gain the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society. Our alumni include government ministers; heads of schools, other educational institutions and NGOs; Olympians; and prize-winning authors.
Accreditation:
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) so that students who successfully complete the course can apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
Department: Psychology & Human Development
What our students and staff say
Staff view
“Much current research focuses on the cognitive processes and skills that support effective science learning in primary school children. A central objective is to help develop new approaches to the initial teaching of science that will benefit a range of learners, especially those at the lower end of the ability spectrum. The sheer wealth of contact with other researchers that being in London provides me with has been and continues to be a major stimulus to my own work.”
PROFESSOR ANDY TOLMIE
Educational Neuroscience MA/MSc, Child Development MSc, Psychology of Education MSc
UCL Institute of Education
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
This programme is suitable for psychology graduates who wish to progress to research careers or professional training. Suitably qualified graduates of other disciplines take the programme to become eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society.
A minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
Application deadlines
All applicants31 May 2021
For more information see our Applications page
What are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Child Development at graduate level
- why you want to study Child Development at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
- Psychology & Human Development
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