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Professional Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology DEdPsy

London, Bloomsbury

The DEdPsy is a three-year professional training doctorate programme that is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Successful completion of the programme enables graduates to register as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC and as a Chartered Educational Psychologist with the BPS as well as enabling them to practice as an Educational Psychologist in the UK.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Fees to be confirmed
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Fees to be confirmed
Duration
3 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
AEP/DFE funded applicants: 04 Sep – 30 Oct 2024

Applications closed

International applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 15 Feb 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants for DFE funded places should check the AEP website for eligibility.

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

All applicants must have a BPS recognised degree qualification in Psychology equivalent to an upper second-class Bachelor's degree. Applicants with a lower second-class Bachelor's degree but a further academic qualification at Master's level will also be considered. Additionally, all applicants must have a minimum of two years voluntary or paid employment experience working with children and young people in the 0-25 age range in community, health, social care or educational contexts. Applicants must also have enhanced level DBS status. We actively encourage applications from those from diverse backgrounds as we aim to develop a profession that reflects the diversity of the populations we work with.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 5

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The DEdPsy programme provides British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved professional training to become an Educational Psychologist (EP). Our programme enables trainee EPs to integrates psychological theory and practice through teaching sessions and professional placement opportunities. The programme is based on contemporary andragogy and models of professional learning. We use contextualised psychological analysis (CPAs), skills labs and training in video enhanced reflective practice (VERP) to support professional learning and our assessments are based on the connected curriculum and include developing training materials and resources to support children and young people with a range of special needs.  

The programme heuristic is based on Bronfenbrenner’s Theory of Human Development (2005). This theory embraces an eco-systemic framework that considers the influences of family and wider social and political systems on the developing child, in order to consider how best to respond to a diverse range of learning, social and emotional needs, including mental health and therapeutic needs. Trainee EPs are trained to use a diverse range of assessment techniques and approaches including standardised and dynamic assessments, cognitive behavioural approaches, therapeutic play and video interactive guidance. The placement experiences in Local Authority EP services facilitate trainees to apply psychological theory in practice to develop high quality, psychologically informed evidence-based interventions and strategies that will support the inclusion of all children and young people within their community and learning contexts.

Who this course is for

This programme is perfect for psychology graduates with experience of working with children and young people in a range of different settings, who wish to apply psychology to make a positive difference. The programme heuristic is based on Bronfenbrenner's Theory of Human Development (2005) which recognises the complex influences and interactions, across the multiple systems and contexts within which children and young people develop. The programme equips our trainees with the psychological knowledge skills and expertise to intervene at these different levels (child, family, peer group, school, community) to promote positive change when children, young people, families and teachers may be facing challenges.

Read about what it takes to become a UCL graduate research student

What this course will give you

The DEdPsy programme at IOE provides a unique context in which to train as an educational psychologist. The location of the programme in the Department of Psychology and Human Development, within the world’s leading centre for education research, provides our trainees with access to outstanding teaching and research opportunities within the disciplines of psychology and education, and our trainees are taught and supervised by world leaders in their fields.

Find out how your research could have an impact

The foundation of your career

Trainee EPs successfully completing the programme meet the professional skills and competency requirements set out by the HCPC and BPS. As such they are entitled to register with the HCPC for the protected title of Practitioner Psychologist (Education) and to apply for chartered status with the BPS. Graduates are eligible to apply for posts as educational psychologists in local authority children’s services in the UK.

Employability

There are national shortages of Educational Psychologists and employment prospects are excellent. Those who take up a UK government-funded bursary are required to work in an English local authority children's service for a minimum of three years post qualification.

Networking

Within the Department of Psychology and Human Development and the Centre for Doctoral Education there are a wide range of seminars which provide networking opportunities. Some taught sessions are held jointly with other DEdPsy programmes within the South East and London (SEAL) training Consortium and this enable trainees to meet with trainee EPs from other programmes. There are also sessions that are shared with trainee clinical psychologists and speech and language therapists. Trainee EPs are also encouraged to attend and present their research at the annual national conference for trainee EPs hosted by the BPS Division of Educational and Child Psychology and to work alongside their supervisors to publish their work.

Accreditation

The DEdPsy follows the BPS accredited training programme that leads to Chartered status as an Educational Psychologist. The programme is also approved by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and successful completion leads to conferment of the protected title of Practitioner Psychologist (Education).

Teaching and learning

The programme embraces a wide range of contemporary models of andragogy and professional learning, including:

  • lectures and seminars,
  • workshops and group activities,
  • problem based learning activities in the form of contextualised psychological analysis, based on real professional work,
  • skills labs,
  • video enhanced reflective practice,
  • practice placement activities including assessments and the application of  therapeutic techniques and interventions.

The programme follows the BPS defined curriculum and meets the HCPC required standards of proficiency, education and training. Over the three years of the programme trainee EPs work alongside their academic and professional EP tutors to develop their professional skills and competencies as an educational psychologist. They will also work with academic staff to develop outstanding research skills and expertise.

The DEdPsy comprises three main elements:

  • taught modules
  • professional practice placements
  • research based thesis study

The programme's modules are taught by an outstanding team of applied educational psychologists and world-class academics. Teaching and learning on the programme is based on models of andragogy and the connected curriculum, ensuring that learning and assessments are professionally relevant. Our contemporary curriculum is delivered using innovative teaching approaches, including video-enhanced reflective practice (VERP) and video interactive guidance (VIG). We use skills labs activities to develop professional practice skills and problem-based learning activities, in the form of contextualised psychological analysis, to develop evidence-informed practice and holistic conceptualisations of the multiple systems and variables influencing the presenting issues and concerns for service users.

Trainee EPs research is jointly supervised by a professional and academic EP tutor and an academic psychologist. Trainees have the freedom to select their research topic based on personal interest, the interests of their placement provider, or they may decide to contribute to the research priorities of the department. The thesis study will make a distinct contribution to the professional knowledge base and will support the development of policy and practice. Trainees are supported to present their studies at national conferences and to publish their findings.

The programme assessments reflect the connected curriculum and include: an essay, a practice viva examination, video enhanced interactive practice activities, a Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) or Social Inclusion project, a series of professional practice portfolios reflecting trainee professional development over three years, a Year 1 small scale research project or pilot study, and a thesis study.

The programme is full time and trainees will follow the model of employed EPs whilst on their local authority placement, working 8-hour days for 300 days across three years of study. During the Year 2 and Year 3, trainees are placed in local authority services for 130 days per year, and attend university for blocks of teaching input three times each term. Each week they are on placement they have protected time for university directed study, including specific placement activities, including work to support skill development in cognitive behaviour approaches, and applying therapeutic play techniques, data collection, supervision and self-directed study. Trainee EPs should expect to work into the evenings and some weekends during busy times on the programme, for example when either assignments, or their thesis is due for submission.

Research areas and structure

We actively integrate our Trainee EPs (TEPs) in the research activity of the department. During their training they have contributed to national research led by Professor Peter Blatchford, which investigated the impact of education health and care plans on children's educational experiences, social inclusion and educational progress. They have also worked on research funded by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, alongside Professor Elizabeth Pellicano and Professor Vivian Hill, investigating how the rights of children attending residential special schools are protected and promoted.

Other research topics have included:

  • evaluations of interventions to support children’s mental health, including CBT
  • the influences of gang culture on childhood; investigations into the diagnosis and management of ADHD
  • explorations of the experiences and educational outcomes of Looked After Children
  • support for young offenders
  • the influences of ITC and social media on childhood development
  • literacy and language development interventions
  • autistic children’s friendships
  • sensory impairments
  • SEN and inclusion issues and much more.

Research environment

IOE is a world-leading centre for research in education and related social science. We host the UK's largest doctoral cohort in these areas. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2024), IOE was ranked first for education for the eleventh consecutive year, ahead of Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge.

The department of Psychology and Human Development at IOE provides exceptional opportunities to conduct research supervised by world leaders working in the fields of education and psychology. The quality of our trainee research theses was highlighted by the BPS as one of a number of strengths of our programme. Many of our trainees go on to publish their thesis studies alongside their supervisors, or present their study findings at national and international conferences.

The DEdPsy is a full-time programme. The first year of study is university based with 40 days of placement activity facilitated by our Professional EP Tutors. In Year 1 trainees will also complete a research report of 10,000 words which may be a pilot study for the thesis study, that is completed in Year 2 and Year 3.

The BPS accreditation criteria requires that trainees complete 300 placement days to achieve the qualification and the remaining 260 placement days are attained during local authority placements in Year 2 and Year 3 (130 days per annum). Typically, trainees will be based in a local authority placement for three days a week. University attendance in Year 2 and  Year 3 is in two blocks of 3-4 days each term. Trainee EPs on placement are supported through a service level agreement between the placement provider and the university to protect their access to the range of professional experiences required to complete their training.

During the final two years of study trainees will complete a thesis study of 30-35,000 words.

The programme has a spiral curriculum and progresses from: foundation knowledge, skills and expertise in Year 1, to skill mastery in Year 2 and advanced level application skills in Year 3. Alongside the research thesis study trainees complete a professional practice portfolio of 30-35,000 words demonstrating their progression in professional expertise.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules






Compulsory modules






Compulsory modules




Fieldwork

For all trainees, the first year of training is primarily based within the university, with placement opportunities provided in our linked local authorities and supervised by our EP academic and professional placement tutors. The placements are located in inner and outer London boroughs, and the surrounding home counties. A small group of trainees will be placed in each service, with placements allocated in order to minimise travel time as far as possible.

Placement

In Year 2 and Year 3 UK trainee EPs who have secured government funding for their training will be eligible for a bursary and placement within London and the South East regions' educational psychology services. Trainees EPs can express preferences for five EP service locations and will be matched to placements by a panel that includes key stakeholders: Principal EPs, Programme Directors and a trainee EP.

The majority of overseas or EU trainees will undertake a voluntary placement in a UK Educational Psychology Service, supervised by one of our programme tutors. In exceptional circumstances, overseas/EU trainees may be permitted to organise a placement of 260 days (approximately 3 days per week) for Year 2 and Year 3 in their home country. The placement will need to be arranged with a supervisor based in their home nation who is eligible for Chartered Educational Psychologist status with the British Psychological Society (or the equivalent Psychological Society of that country) International placements are also contingent on satisfactory progress in all aspects of the programme, and all university teaching sessions must be attended.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.


Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) Fees to be confirmed
Tuition fees (2025/26) Fees to be confirmed

The published fee is for students in Year 1 only. The fees for Years 2 and 3 (per year) are: UK £TBC, Overseas with UK placement £TBC (subject to UCL's fee increase of 3-5% annually).

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

This programme requires that all trainee EPs have an enhanced DBS check, that is for working with both children and vulnerable. The DBS must be completed before trainee EPs can start their placements. Whilst on placements trainees are responsible for all of their travel costs.

Trainees are also responsible for covering any travel, accommodation, and other expenses involved in conducting research for their dissertation or any school visits and should account for these costs when planning their finances.

The bursary funding available to UK students incorporates these costs.

This programme requires a completed DBS check for some compulsory modules. You will receive more information from UCL on how to complete the check once you have firmly accepted an unconditional offer for the programme. A charge for Post Office ID verification (£15.00) needed for an application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is payable by the student. The cost of the DBS check itself is paid for by UCL.

If you have lived, worked, studied or travelled in any single country outside of the UK for six continuous months or more, in the last five years, you will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct/Police Check from the relevant country/countries. The cost of this check varies by country and is payable by the student. More information on how to obtain these can be found on gov.uk.

For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the UCL Graduate Admissions team.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

DfE funding is available for 17 UK students each year who meet the eligibility criteria to apply. This is specified on the AEP website: https://www.aep.org.uk/

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

All UK applications for a government funded bursary place should be made via the Educational Psychology Funded Training (EPFT) Scheme on the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) website in the Autumn Term. The deadline is usually in late November of each year for references and early December for completion and submission of the full application. The AEP website is regularly updated to give deadline dates for the application process. Applicants are strongly advised to check this website for up-to-date information.

EU/Overseas applicants who are not eligible for UK funding should submit their application online via the Apply now button below. To find our programme easily, enter 'DEdPsy' as the search keyword. The unique code for this programme is DDYEDUSCAP24. Please note that you do not need to put the name of a proposed supervisor or research area on the application form. 

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

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Got questions? Get in touch

Psychology and Human Development
Psychology and Human Development

ioe.dedpsy@ucl.ac.uk

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