Applied Child Psychology - MSc

The MSc Applied Child Psychology at Birmingham City University offers advanced study of child development in real-world settings, combining theory, research, and practice. It is suited for graduates interested in working with children in education, clinical, or social care contexts, or those aiming to strengthen their research skills.

Curriculum Structure:
In the first year, students study The Applied Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development, learning how cognitive, social, emotional, and neurological processes evolve in childhood, alongside Neurodiversity in Applied Contexts, which explores atypical development and inclusive psychology. They also complete Skills and Methods for Applied Research in Child Psychology, gaining competence in quantitative and qualitative research tailored to children. Moving deeper, they take Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, applying theory to mental health issues in youth, and Educational Psychology in Practice, where they examine learning, assessment, and intervention in school settings. In the final phase, students carry out an Empirical Research Project in Applied Child Psychology (60 credits), designing and executing an original study, and optionally reflect professionally through Practitioner Reflection and Development or Applying Skills to Working with Children.

Focus areas: “Child development, neurodiversity, clinical and educational psychology, applied research, inclusion.”
Learning outcomes: “Understand typical and atypical child development, design and conduct empirical research, apply psychological theory to educational and clinical settings, and reflect on professional practice.”
Professional alignment (accreditation): While not a chartered psychology route, the course supports progression toward doctoral training in educational or clinical psychology for those with a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree
Reputation (employability rankings): According to BCU’s data, 95% of students are satisfied with the course.