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Developmental and Educational Psychology MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Developmental and Educational Psychology MSc offers comprehensive research training in developmental and educational psychology, and is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as providing the basis for further study at doctoral level. Students will develop in-depth knowledge of specialised research skills, and be able to use a broad range of methods to critically appraise and conduct rigorous research in the field. Through the option modules, students have the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the cognitive, neurobiological and social mechanisms involved in child development and education.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£14,200
£7,100
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 27 Mar 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in psychology from a UK university, that has been accredited by the British Psychological Society, or a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree that contains at least 60 credits (excluding year one) in the five core areas of psychology (Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Personalities and Individual Differences and Social Psychology). Alternatively, an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, either in psychology or a related subject.

The English language level for this course is: Level 4

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.

This course is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting September.

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

Students will develop in-depth knowledge of specialised research skills, and be able to use a broad range of methods to critically appraise and conduct rigorous research in the field. Through the option modules, students have the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the cognitive, neurobiological and social mechanisms involved in child development and education.

Who this course is for

This course is suitable for those who wish to progress to doctoral study upon completion and pursue a research career either in academia or the public or private sectors, or progress to further professional training. 

This degree does not lead to the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society and is therefore not suitable for anyone wishing to embark on a career in educational psychology who does not already have GBC.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This course is recognised by the ESRC as a research training Master's course within the Psychology pathway of the UCL, Bloomsbury and East London (UBEL) Doctoral Training Partnership. It can therefore be taken as the '1' within the DTP (Doctoral Training Partnership) 1+3 (Master's plus PhD) structure, or provide the basis for an application for +3 (PhD only) funding. Details of this funding route can be found here.

UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is one of the world's leading centres for education and related areas of social science. The Department of Psychology and Human Development is unique in the UK for its dedicated focus on developmental and educational psychology. Students therefore have the opportunity to learn from leading researchers in these fields.

For the twelfth year in succession IOE has been ranked number one for education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

70% of graduates are in highly-skilled work or postgraduate study across 6 countries. The majority of graduates go on to be employed in the health and social care sector, or academic research and higher education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-22).

Employability

This course provides valuable preparation either for doctoral study in the academic community, the public sector or in industry.

Networking

Students will have opportunities to attend research centre seminars, journal clubs and research talks.

Teaching and learning

This course is delivered through a combination of lectures by IOE academic staff, group work, discussion, and computer workshops giving hands-on practice.

Assessment is through coursework. Coursework involves small exercises conducted throughout the module, group work, critiques of set research articles, extended pieces of writing on set topics, pre-registered reports, grant proposals and the dissertation. Some option modules are assessed by written exams.

Students can typically expect between 10 and 12 contact hours per teaching week throughout each Terms one and two, consisting of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, and departmental talks. In term three and the summer period students will be completing the dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors. These hours will depend on the module options chosen, as they fall in different terms. It is estimated that there should be 20 hours self-directed study per week.

Modules

The course consists of two core modules (60 credits), two option modules (60 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Part-time students will be expected to complete 180 credits, including two compulsory modules, two option modules and an independent dissertation over two years. In Year 1, students will be expected to complete the two compulsory modules and one option module, totalling 90 credits. In Year 2, students will be expected to complete the remaining option module and the dissertation, again totalling 90 credits. 

Modular flexible students will be expected to complete 180 credits, including two compulsory modules, two option modules and an independent dissertation, over five years. This must be in agreement with the department.

It is recommended that Advanced Quantitative Methods and Qualitative Data Analysis are taken at the start of the course and the dissertation should be taken in the final year.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules









Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Developmental and Educational Psychology.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £14,200 £7,100
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

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

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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

Students can apply for funding to take this course as the first part of a 1+3 award within the UCL, Bloomsbury and East London ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership. Preliminary applications for funding must be made by early January - see https://ubel-dtp.ac.uk/ for details.

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

IOE - Aziz Foundation Scholarships

Value: Full tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation at International Students House (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Developmental and Educational Psychology at graduate level
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen course
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements and your references, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this course match what the course will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (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: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Psychology and Human Development
Psychology and Human Development

ioe.msc.devandedu@ucl.ac.uk

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