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Psychology at UEA
Find out more about studying Psychology at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Developmental Psychology: Clinical Applications to Children
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Other Start Dates
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UEA is ranked 14th overall for research quality in Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience
Times Higher Education REF 2021 AnalysisTop 20
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Our MSc Developmental Psychology: Clinical Applications to Children offers you a unique opportunity to combine cutting-edge theory with real-world clinical insight. Delivered through a partnership between the School of Psychology and the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies at Norwich Medical School, it equips you with the skills employers are looking for.
You’ll explore the latest developmental theories while gaining hands-on experience in essential research methods. With dedicated modules focused on contemporary clinical psychology in children, you’ll develop a strong applied understanding of how theory translates into practice.
You can shape your degree to match your interests and career goals by choosing topics such as qualitative research, quantitative analysis, or a research placement.
Guided by expert academics, you’ll complete an independent research project, building the confidence to develop, present, and apply your ideas in professional settings.
If you’re passionate about understanding children and young people, this course will give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a real impact on their wellbeing and mental health.
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Careers
Career Pathways
An MSc in Developmental Psychology: Clinical Applications to Children prepares you for a wide range of careers supporting the development, wellbeing and mental health of children, young people and their families. The combination of advanced psychological knowledge, practical experience and research skills equips you for roles across health, education, social care and the voluntary sector.
Graduates may pursue careers in areas such as:
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
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Assistant Psychologist roles
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Family Support Services
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Special Educational Needs (SEN) coordination
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Child welfare, safeguarding and youth services
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Neurodevelopmental services
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Charities and non-profit organisations specialising in child development, mental health and family support
Career Support
You'll have opportunities to enhance your employability throughout the course. You can choose to undertake an optional placement in a research or professional setting, giving you valuable experience and helping you build your professional network.
The course also includes tailored careers and employability support, opportunities to present your research, and regular research seminars featuring visiting developmental psychologists and researchers. You'll also have access to UEA's award-winning Career Central(opens in a new window) service, offering personalised careers advice, workshops and support with applications and interviews.
After the Course
By the time you graduate, you'll have developed the research, analytical and professional skills needed for a wide range of careers working with children and young people.
The course also provides an excellent foundation for further postgraduate training and research. Many graduates go on to doctoral study or professional psychology training, including programmes leading to careers in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) or Educational Psychology (EdPsyD), subject to the relevant entry requirements and experience.
Study and Modules
Structure
Throughout the year, you'll study a range of taught modules while developing your own independent research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
In your first semester, you'll explore key areas of developmental psychology, including cognitive development, language acquisition, neurodiversity and developmental conditions. You'll examine the opportunities and challenges of conducting research with participants across different stages of development. Alongside this, you'll develop practical research skills through hands-on training in developmental research methods.
You'll also be introduced to psychological practice with children and young people, exploring different theoretical perspectives used to understand child development. Drawing on your knowledge of developmental psychology, you'll examine the needs of children experiencing developmental differences and the approaches used by practitioners to support them.
In semester two, you'll focus on psychological practice with children and families, including developmental assessment, psychological formulation and evidence-based interventions. Experiential learning and reflective practice are embedded throughout the semester, helping you develop the practical and professional skills required for careers working with children and young people.
You'll also choose to either advance your quantitative or qualitative research skills or undertake an optional external placement. Placements provide valuable professional experience and opportunities to build your network. Previous students have completed placements in research laboratories in the UK and overseas, special schools, museums and the Ministry of Justice.
Your dissertation allows you to investigate a topic that matches your interests while working closely with an expert academic supervisor. From designing your study to analysing and presenting your findings, you'll develop advanced research, analytical and project management skills.
You'll receive practical research methods training and may have the opportunity to conduct your research within our Developmental Labs or in partnership with schools.
Recent dissertation topics have included:
- Toddlers' word learning
- Infant temperament and later screen time
- Moral development in children
- Visual cognition and infant habituation: a computational modelling study
- Understanding poor sleep in infants at risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical workshops, giving you the opportunity to build both your theoretical knowledge and applied skills. Teaching is delivered by experts in their fields and includes interactive discussions, specialist topic sessions, and hands-on training in research methods and laboratory techniques.
Throughout the clinically focused modules, you'll explore the real-world context of psychological practice and the wider profession. Through experiential learning, you'll develop practical skills, reflect on professional practice and enhance your employability for a range of psychology-related careers.
In semester two, you'll further develop your research expertise by choosing a module that supports your dissertation through advanced quantitative or qualitative methods, or complements your career goals through an optional placement.
Your independent research project (dissertation) gives you the opportunity to investigate a topic in depth, from designing your study to presenting your findings. You'll be supported throughout by a dedicated academic supervisor, with regular meetings providing personalised guidance, feedback and support.
As part of our research-active school, you'll be encouraged to attend weekly research seminars featuring internal and external speakers, as well as research group meetings. These events provide valuable opportunities to broaden your knowledge, engage with current research and build your professional network.
You'll also become part of our vibrant postgraduate community, with opportunities to join student-led groups and societies centred on shared interests, including our Multicultural Student Group and Python Coding Club.
Throughout your studies, you'll have access to tailored careers support from specialist advisers, alongside the UEA's Learning Enhancement Team and Student Support, including dedicated wellbeing support whenever you need it.
Assessment
Assessment is based on a mixture of coursework and exams, allowing you to develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills you'll use in your future career. Depending on your modules, you'll complete assessments such as research proposals, critical literature reviews and a report reflecting on your placement experience.
You'll receive regular written feedback throughout the course, and many modules include formative assessments to help you build confidence and refine your work before final submission.
For your dissertation, you'll be supported by an academic supervisor who will provide guidance and feedback throughout the year, including verbal feedback during supervision meetings and written feedback on draft work.
Our varied assessment methods ensure you graduate with strong analytical, research, critical thinking and communication skills that are valued by employers.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Psychology or related degree (eg. medicine, neuroscience or biological science)
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Psychology or related degree (eg. medicine, neuroscience or biological science)
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £9,700
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International Students: £25,000
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees(opens in a new window) for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.