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Applied Child Psychology

MSc

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  • Level of study:
    Masters
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
  • Start date:
    September 2027
  • Duration:
    One year full-time; two years part-time
  • Attendance:
    Full-time, Part-time
  • Course delivery:
    On-campus (City Campus)
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About this course

Psychology is the systematic study of behaviour and experience, and this course offers you the chance to undertake an in-depth look and critical evaluation of psychological development in children and adolescents. On this degree you'll get to explore everything from social and cognitive development, to psychological and behavioural difficulties in childhood.

You’ll focus on psychological theory and research, and their impact on the development of policy and practice across education, clinical and social settings.

Please note that the BPS do not accredit MSc Applied Child Psychology courses.

  • 100% of Applied Child Psychology students

    would recommend studying at NTU to others (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2026)

  • Apply your learning

    Apply your learning to real world problems across education, clinical and social contexts.

  • Put your research skills into practice

    with your independent research project, focusing on a topic of your choice.

  • Set days in university each week

    With 3 set days in university each week (2 for part-time students), balance your studies around your other commitments such as part-time work.

This course explores social and cognitive psychology, and psychological and behavioural difficulties experienced by children. While this course doesn't have a focus on training you in the practice of conducting assessments of children directly, we concentrate on the child in context – developing your understanding of contemporary, historical and cross-cultural understandings of childhood psychology. We’ll also develop your research skills and observational methods, showing how these can be applied in settings that involve children.

Module information

A standard full-time MSc course is made up of 180 credits studied each year. Some courses may vary, however, and you can find information on the total number of credits achieved per module below.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

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How you're taught

The MSc Applied Child Psychology starts in late September. A dedicated induction day is provided for all students which introduces you to your course, to your teaching teams and to the university facilities. The day ends with an informal social event.

The course is completed in one year of full-time study (your final piece of coursework is submitted in late August) or two years part-time. The teaching terms run from late September to Christmas and then from January to Easter. The contact teaching for full-time students is delivered over three days per week, and for part-time students over two days per week.

Study and support

The course will be delivered through a combination of methods including:

  • taught modules
  • lectures
  • interactive workshops
  • small group teaching

There will also be an expectation that students will engage in independent study during the course.

International students in psychology can also access additional language and study skills support, as well as help in acclimatising, via our own International Student Support Officer. In addition, our library offers unlimited support – both in groups and one-to-one – for all academic skills, ranging from essay-writing to reading journal articles and interpreting statistics. You will also be assigned a personal academic tutor, who will be able to offer more personalised support when needed.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed in a variety of ways and on a modular basis through:

  • examination
  • coursework
  • essays
  • laboratory reports
  • literature reviews
  • research project.

An active research environment

Throughout the course you will benefit from research-informed teaching. All staff teaching on the course are research-active in their field of interest, which includes members from the Communication for Inclusion Research Unit (CIRU) and the Specific Language Impairment Research Unit (SLIRU).

Find out more about psychology research, including the Centre for Research in Language, Education and Developmental Inequalities and the Language and Psycholinguistics research group.

World-leading research

  • In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 100% of NTU's research environment in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of quality.

In-sessional English language support

In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying on degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes and students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of them according to need.

Who will teach you?

Entry requirements

UK students

Applying with prior qualifications

You will need an undergraduate degree (minimum 2.1) in Psychology, or an allied discipline (supported by relevant experience of working with children) or other recognised equivalent qualification. Allied disciplines include childhood studies, behavioural sciences, education, social sciences and speech or language therapy.

Applying with non-standard entry qualifications/experience

Applicants without such qualifications will be considered on an individual basis but will be required to demonstrate how their experiences and knowledge would enable them to study this course at Masters level in their Personal Statement.

International students

Academic entry requirements: You will need an undergraduate degree (minimum 2.1) in Psychology, or an allied discipline (supported by relevant experience of working with children) or other recognised equivalent qualification. Allied disciplines include childhood studies, behavioural sciences, education, social sciences and speech or language therapy. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country

Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. You will be required to demonstrate how your experiences and knowledge would enable you to study this course at Masters-level in your Personal Statement.

English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.
  • Full-time - £9,350
  • Part-time - £4,675

Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including scholarships, discounts and loans.

Scholarships

You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies. See which courses are eligible for scholarships.

Alumni discount

We’re happy to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.

Postgraduate loans

There is a government postgraduate loan scheme for Masters degrees. The loan contributes towards costs of study, and students can put it towards tuition fees, maintenance costs or other costs at their discretion. Find out more about postgraduate loans.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.
  • Full-time - £18,750
  • Part-time - £9,375

Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including scholarships, discounts and loans.

Scholarships

You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies. See which courses are eligible for scholarships.

Alumni discount

We’re happy to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money, the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment as part of your offer conditions. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, in order to enrol on the course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about your advance payment, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, phone the Student Money Team on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

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Cost of living in Nottingham
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Our student benefits and free services
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Money advice for international students

Careers and employability

Students generally choose the MSc Applied Child Psychology because they wish to pursue a career working with children (as a teacher, support worker, and so on).

Many already work with children and complete the course in order to improve their prospects of promotion and career progression. Others see the qualification as a means of helping to secure a path to teacher training or a doctoral training place in educational psychology*.  It is also possible to pursue an academic and / or research career in child / developmental psychology following graduation (by working as a research assistant or associate, for example, or by studying for a PhD).

Your qualification in psychology is likely to be popular with a whole range of potential employers because you will have demonstrated an ability to write essays and reports, to master advanced statistics and to talk and present in front of other people (amongst other transferable skills).

Careers and job application advice is available to all our postgraduate students and is provided on a one-to-one basis by a subject specialist within the Department, supported by the university-wide careers service.

*Further study and / or a BPS-accredited conversion course conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership may be required - please note that the BPS do not accredit Applied Child Psychology MSc courses.

Employability team

Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about the service.

  • Employability support

    Employability Get careers support throughout your postgraduate studies and for up to three years after graduation. You can also access NTU's online careers resources whenever you need them, for life.

  • Graduate employers

    Graduates from this course have successful careers in organisations such as:

    • NHS
    • Local government
    • Private healthcare providers
    • Autism West Midlands
    • Ipsos MORI
    • Multi Academy Trusts

  • Our graduates are…

    Graduates from this course now work in a wide range of roles such as:

    • Assistant Psychologists
    • Mental Health Practitioners
    • Teachers
    • Nursery Practitioners
    • Researchers
    • SEND Coordinator/Keyworkers
    • Senior Support Workers

  • NTU Enterprise

    If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Where your course could take you

Discover how our students and alumni used their qualification to further their careers. Take a look at our other profiles and explore the possibilities awaiting you.

  • Sumaya Afrin Misti

    Sumaya’s award-winning work with children’s mental health

    Sumaya Afrin Misti won the British Council Study UK Bangladesh Alumni Awards 2026, honouring the remarkable achievements of graduates who are shaping the world.

    View profile

Campus and facilities

As a Psychology student, you’ll mostly study in our Chaucer and Taylor buildings and benefit from our Psychology Laboratories which includes eye-trackers, motion capture labs, virtual reality and driving simulation suites, a mock prison cell, and an £80,000 EEG system. These facilities support your learning alongside staff research in the exciting areas of human cognition, behavioural neuroscience, human interaction and communication, and human development.

NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to stay busy between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our stylish Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets for every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and much, much more!

Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. It’s stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure. Enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.

Applying

UK students

All applications to this course can be made through our NTU Applicant Portal.

If you are interested in joining us in September, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September the previous year.

All applications welcome

We welcome applications from prospective students with a range of qualifications and experience, and all are assessed on an individual basis. Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria can still be considered providing they have relevant experience to compliment any qualifications. All applicants will need to apply through our NTU Applicant Portal.

If you're applying without prior qualifications, you'll need to submit comprehensive details of your achievements with evidence to substantiate your claim (any documentation can be uploaded to the My Documents section of the Applicant Portal). This type of application will be considered with respect to the University’s provision for ‘accreditation for prior experiential learning’. Decisions regarding the accreditation of prior learning are a matter of academic judgement.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Many students choose to collect research data in the UK as part of their projects. You may be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check depending on your project topic.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Good luck with your application!

Apply now

International students

Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Many students from overseas choose to collect research data in the UK as part of their projects. DBS checks only cover students from the UK, so unless you have been resident in the UK for five years or more, we will need a criminal record check from your home country if you plan to work with vulnerable populations. Checks from overseas can sometimes be referred to by a variety of names such as a Police Check or a Good Behaviour Record. To find out what it is called in your home country and how to apply for one, please visit the government website.

If you are an overseas student and are planning to collect data for your research project from vulnerable populations in your home country, you are advised to apply for a home police check to support your research. You will need to demonstrate in your ethics form that you have met all the requirements of your home country to work with vulnerable populations.

If you are unable to obtain a home Police Check and still wish to work with vulnerable populations in your home country, discuss this with your Course Leader in the first instance. It will need to be made clear in your written correspondence with any participants / organisations that the University has been unable to engage with any disclosure and barring service checks prior to you undertaking your research.

Once you have obtained your police check, a copy of the documentation (in English) should be passed to the relevant course administrator in the School of Social Sciences Office.

Please read our application guidance before you start your application.

Where a Student visa is required, we advise you to prepare and apply as early as you can as visa processing time can vary.

We'll send you important emails throughout the application process. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam mail folder.

Apply now

Personal statement guidance

When you apply to NTU, we’ll ask you to submit a personal statement – here are our tips on what to include and how to structure your personal statement.

Application support

If you have any questions about applying, get in touch through our online form or call us on 44 (0)115 848 4200.

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