Curriculum Content

The following curriculum objectives form the cornerstones of the taught components of the programme and of each participant's learning and research plan. Each plan is tailored to individual and professional needs as well as UCL requirements.

(a) Applied research

• to acquire applied research skills which foster the development of insight, knowledge, understanding and expertise in a Local Authority or other educational psychology practice context
• to develop the skills to critically appraise and synthesise literature relevant to topics within educational psychology
• to develop a critical appreciation of the epistemological assumptions underlying a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods
• to develop an understanding of a range of both quantitative and qualitative research methods
• to develop mastery of methods employed in a personal research project which may involve either quantitative or qualitative methods or a combination of both
• to have opportunities to extend professional understanding and practice in relation to research ethics

(b) Professional practice

• to engage with leading-edge research and theory in educational psychology
• to consider how to adapt this knowledge to manage problems faced by educational psychologists in everyday professional practice
• to critically evaluate and extend/develop such aspects of professional practice
• to become a reflective and ethically sensitive practitioner

The psychology of adult learning and the provision of effective learning experiences for experienced professionals are particular areas of expertise at UCL. Learning activities build on and utilise participants’ prior knowledge of psychology and professional experience in educational psychology. The curriculum is delivered through:

• A carefully planned balance of in-person taught sessions at UCL and opportunities for accessible online tutorials and group problem-solving sessions.
• Access to UCL’s excellent web-based learning environment (Moodle), including our innovative research methods course
• Regular 1:1 tutorials with a personal tutor, alongside additional access to support and advice about more specialist research methodologies from other tutors within the team
• Regular group opportunities to discuss and share your developing individualized research plan with a supportive group of peers, and tutors
• Annual progress review meetings with your tutor and research advisor, providing additional advice and support as required
• Leading Edge Psychology Days and Workshops which include nationally known keynote speakers as well as practice components. The days focus on topical areas chosen by course members

Timetable Overview

Regular in person-taught sessions are provided at UCL, as well as days which offer online opportunities for tutorials and group discussion-based sessions. Given that course members are busy, practising educational psychologists, we believe that this approach offers a balance between the benefits of being part of a group and the accessibility of online support.

The DEdPsy at UCL is an intensive programme. In addition to attending timetabled days over the course of the four years, participants will need to commit up to 5 hours each week of term time to work on their doctorate studies. Further time will need to be allocated for data collection and other work-place based research activities. The programme facilitates private study by offering flexible off-site tutor support, access to excellent and diverse libraries and research materials and electronic learning modules. It should be noted that the four years is a minimum period of registration. It is not unusual for course members to need an additional year or two to complete the programme.

The assessment requirements for the four-year DEdPsy programme for practising Educational Psychologists are:

1. A research thesis of 30-40,000 words in length which makes a distinct contribution to knowledge of the subject and offers evidence of originality shown by the discovery of new facts and the exercise of independent critical power.
2. Four professional assignments of 7,000 words each, which offer course members the chance to illuminate, develop and evaluate aspects of current or future practice in Educational Psychology. Assignments must relate to each of one of the following core topics in applied psychology:
   
   • Psychological Assessment and Intervention
   • The Profession of Educational and Child Psychology and its Context
   • Personal Effectiveness in a Professional Context
   • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
   One of the four assignments must be written as a draft journal article, which could after amendments be submitted for a journal.

Practising Educational Psychologists on the programme have based their assignments and theses on a wide range of topics, many of which are at the cutting edge of EP practice. Click here to view a full list of research thesis and assignment topics.

Our team of highly experienced and committed tutors includes:

• Dr Susan Birch (Senior Educational Psychologist, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Educational Psychology)
• Dr Phil Stringer (Previously Area Senior Educational Psychologist and former PEP, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Educational Psychology)
• Dr Gavin Morgan (Senior Educational Psychologist, West Northamptonshire)
• Dr Ben Hayes (Senior Educational Psychologist, Kent)
• Prof Ravi Das (Lecturer in Research Methods and Statistics)

Each year we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the programme, which provides useful feedback that we incorporate into the organisation and delivery of the programme. Recent evaluations have highlighted high levels of satisfaction expressed by the majority of current course members. Positives of the programme cited by previous course members include:

“The teaching team are undoubtedly the most significant asset. There is always someone available to offer insight and expertise. The teaching sessions are interesting, engaging and highly relevant with use of current studies and papers. All materials and supplementary reading material is well managed and easily accessed on Moodle. The UCL library is also an incredible resource.”

“Has relevance to my ongoing practice. Flexibility to choose what topics to research”

“Blended approach of online learning and face to face. Support of other course members who are in a similar position…juggling a number of competing demands on one's time”.

“Quality of latest research, materials and the leading edge day and annual conference”.

“It’s beautifully designed and organised. an excellent group of tutors - supportive and helpful. the admin team throughout have been fantastic. I would warn them that its a lot of work and the expectations are (rightly) high”.

“Brilliant for sharpening the mind and getting your research and academic skills updated”.

“Excellent teaching and learning experiences that will challenge and extend your existing skills and knowledge. Membership and peer support from your cohort of psychologists working in different roles. Dedicated time for critical reflection and consideration of professional practice”.

“I have changed as an EP. I have more breadth and confidence. I have made friends and worked with lovely colleagues”.

The DEdPsy team organise Leading Edge Psychology Days which are open to EPs, TEPs and other professionals from across the country, therefore providing excellent networking opportunities. The structure of the day is well-established and involves both research and practice components of selected topics which are delivered by established researchers and innovative EP practitioners. Please click here to read about our forthcoming and recently held Leading Edge Psychology Days.

Please click here to view research by our graduates and tutors.

University College London (UCL) is one of the foremost teaching and research institutions in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1826 to provide higher education for all who could benefit from it, regardless of religion, race or class, and is both the longest established and largest of the various colleges and institutes that make up the University of London. The College was the first to admit women to higher education on equal terms with men, and also pioneered the teaching of many subjects at university level, including psychology.

Over half of the diverse 38,000 strong student community is engaged in graduate studies, with almost half of these pursuing research degrees. We have hundreds of collaborative research partners and an ever-expanding worldwide network of more than 200,000 UCL alumni helps to maintain the university's international reputation for innovation and excellence.

UCL is proud of its record of academic distinction. It can count 29 Nobel Prize winners among former academic staff and students, and our academic community includes 35 Fellows of the Royal Society, 11 of the Royal Academy of Engineering and 22 of the British Academy. UCL has the highest number of professors of any university in the UK, 975, as well as the highest number of female professors.

Ideally situated in the heart of Bloomsbury, central London's huge array of libraries, museums, public gardens, cinemas, theatres, cafés, bars and restaurants are all within easy reach. The UCL campus provides graduate students with many useful amenities, including a university bookshop; a language centre offering numerous evening courses; a multi million pound fitness suite; UCL's very own West End Theatre, the Bloomsbury; numerous fine and diverse museums and collections and extensive well resourced library facilities cited by many current DEdPsy course members as a particular asset to research.

To read more about the our history of Educational Psychology training and our place within the Department of Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, part of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, click here.

Fees for the DEdPsy, commencing in January 2023, are estimated to be:

• UK students: £2,950
• Overseas students: approximately £13,230

Study is available on a part-time basis only. Fees are payable for each year of formal registration.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to seek support from their employer (including support with payment of programme fees). Where an applicant's employer contributes financial support, an annual report on the applicant's progress will be made to the employer if requested. This report is open to the applicant.

Potential applicants are welcome to contact the Programme Directors, Dr Susan Birch and Dr Phil Stringer, to arrange an information telephone discussion about the programme and interview procedure.

Please contact our admin team if you have any general queries about the programme:
Tel: 020 7679 5307
email: edadmin@ucl.ac.uk