MSc Applied Child Psychology

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

The MSc Applied Child Psychology at University of Sussex offers in-depth training in understanding children’s psychological development across educational, family, and mental health settings. It is ideal for psychology graduates or practitioners seeking to advance into roles that support children and young people through assessment, intervention, research and policy.

Curriculum Structure:
In the first part of the year, students engage with modules like Contemporary Issues in Child Psychology and Psychology in the Family, where they develop a broad understanding of developmental, relational and contextual influences on children’s wellbeing and learning, and begin applying psychological theory to home- and school-based settings.
In the next phase, they study units such as Child Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology and Professional Assessment of Children, exploring how to assess developmental and mental-health issues, understand educational psychology frameworks and design interventions in applied settings.
The year concludes with the ACP Research Dissertation, a supervised empirical project or systematic review where students apply research methods and theoretical knowledge to a real-world question in child psychology.

Focus areas: "child and adolescent development, professional assessment of children, educational and clinical intervention, applied research methods"
Learning outcomes: "Graduates will acquire expert knowledge of children’s psychological development, gain competence in applied assessment and intervention methods, and develop advanced research skills suited for applied practice or doctoral study."
Professional alignment (accreditation): While not offering chartered psychologist status, the programme aligns with training expectations for assistant educational or clinical psychology roles and supports progression into specialist child-psychology pathways.
Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Sussex is ranked 11th in the UK for Psychology (Times Higher Education 2025) and =15th (QS 2025), and its MSc Psychology programmes report strong graduate outcomes in employment or further study

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical research skills through hands-on laboratory classes and a major research project. They have access to the School of Psychology's specialist facilities, including EEG and eye-tracking labs. The programme's experiential components are:

Research Project: A substantial independent empirical project
Laboratory Access: Use of specialist facilities including EEG and eye-tracking equipment
Software: Training in R for statistical analysis
Practical Classes: Hands-on research methods and statistics labs
Technical Training: Experience with research design and psychological testing methods

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Applied Child Psychology at the University of Sussex often pursue roles such as child and educational psychologists, mental health practitioners, research assistants, and social care workers, applying their knowledge to support children's wellbeing. This program equips students with a practical understanding of psychological assessment, intervention, and research, preparing them for careers across education, mental health, and social services.

Progression and Future Opportunities:

The university’s Careers Service provides tailored support including professional development workshops, placement opportunities, and career advice specific to psychology and child-related professions.
Employment stats indicate high employability, with many graduates securing roles in NHS mental health teams, schools, and research institutions, earning salaries in the range of £25,000 to £40,000 depending on experience and role.
The university maintains strong collaborations with public health and education sectors, enabling practical placements and professional networking.
The course’s accreditation and professional training components support progression toward becoming a chartered child psychologist or educational psychologist.
Typical career roles include Child Psychologist, Educational Psychologist (post-doctoral training required), Mental Health Support Worker, and Research Associate.

Further Academic Progression:
Students can continue their studies by pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical or Educational Psychology, or engage in specialized research degrees to deepen expertise in child development, mental health, or intervention strategies.