Applied Child Psychology - MSc
The MSc in Applied Child Psychology is designed to prepare psychology graduates for the next stage of their career in research or applied developmental psychology. Students will benefit from the expertise of established expert researchers on topic areas including child social development (e.g., bullying and peer relationships), cognitive development (e.g., theory of mind, attention in autism and ADHD), education (e.g. girls and science and enhancing collaborative learning in the classroom) and more.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Fees for 2026/27 academic year
- UK - Full time £10,400 per year. Part time £5,700 per year.
International - £18,200 per year.For modular fees, please click here
Duration of study
- One year full time, two years part time, up to five years modular
This course is no longer accepting applications from international students for the 2025/26 academic year.
Why study Applied Child Psychology at Keele University?
Course summary
Since childhood plays such a huge role in shaping the rest of our lives, studying the mind and behaviour of children in order to support their physical, mental, intellectual and emotional growth can be both fascinating and rewarding.
Our MSc Applied Child Psychology will be of interest to anyone, UK-based or international, who currently works with or is interested in careers supporting children, from infancy to adolescence, in a professional or personal capacity in education, healthcare, childcare, forensic settings, such as courts, and leisure or voluntary settings, such as sports clubs and youth groups.
It will prepare you to design and conduct psychological research to assess children’s physical, cognitive and emotional development. This encompasses everything from memory capacity to how they learn language, use reasoning or imagination, feel and express their emotions, and interact with their peers and with adults.
Teaching is very much linked to practice, with multiple opportunities to work on research with other students and staff, capitalising on our expertise in areas as diverse as sensory and brain development disorders, such as ADHD and deafness; bullying and peer relationships in schools; sibling aggression; and roles of parents and teachers.
You will have the opportunity to carry out a work-based or research-based placement during your studies. Doing a work-based placement will give you valuable experience, observing and reflecting on the ways in which different practitioners approach children’s issues, for example, within a school, charity or youth group. In legal settings, for instance, child psychologists are often consulted to make children feel more comfortable socially, physically and morally when testifying in court.
The Action Research project too offers a chance to tackle any issues of particular interest to you, opening up dialogue with relevant stakeholders and preparing your analysis and recommendations. For example, you may consider interventions for bullying within a school or how to improve information sharing with parents, teachers and other interested parties on matters ranging from mood disorders to gender identity. In doing so, you will develop essential transferable skills, learning to tailor communication and research to suit different audiences.
This course is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council's Doctoral Training Pathway and is eligible for applications for funding for a combined MSc and PhD application. Visit the NWSSDTP to learn more.
"I've really enjoyed this course. It has enhanced my passion for research and has equipped me with many transferable skills. I will now be undertaking a PhD, in the aim of pursuing a career in lecturing "
Course structure
On this MSc, you will study the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children from infancy to adolescence, as well as the experimental and scientific techniques used to address these question. You will develop the expertise and skills to appropriately assess and create experiments to better understand development and childhood.
You will be introduced to the different considerations and practicalities required when working with children in a range of educational, health and wellbeing and social settings, some of whom will be unable to provide informed consent and may be limited in their ability to communicate. For example, building rapport to put children at ease, or being sensitive to their needs in experimental context, by using novel methodologies, such as use of puppets or measuring attention via eye movements. You will also develop valuable, transferable skills in analysis and data processing, creative thinking, decision making and communicating with different groups.
The MSc Applied Child Psychology can be studied as either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course, with a September start date. It also possible to study more flexibly part-time on a modular basis, accumulating degree credits by taking individual modules over a period of maximum of five years.
You will complete 180 credits to obtain the master’s qualification, comprising five modules. For full-time students, modules are spread over two semesters (120 credits in total), while the Dissertation is worked on throughout the duration of the course (60 credits). You will agree the topic for your Dissertation with your supervisor during Semester 1. You can choose optional modules from within Psychology. Part-time students take 90 credits per year for two years, with the dissertation taken in the second year.
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Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Semester one core modules
PSY-40181 Theory and Application in Child Psychology (30 credits, Semester 1)
The focus of this module is to explore the issues related to key relationships in a child's life and how this may relate to children's social development. As well as highlighting the importance of these relationships you will learn about how psychological knowledge can be applied to support healthy relationships in children. Indicative content may include issues relating to children's relationships with caregivers, siblings, peers and teachers. You will also explore topics around child behaviour more broadly. Indicative content may include children and play, humour, culture, and emotion.
PSY-40163 Applied Psychological Research Methods (30 credits, Semester 1)
You will develop a critical understanding of different quantitative and qualitative philosophical approaches to understanding the world (e.g., social constructivist, semantic, frequentist, Bayesian). The module takes you through the full research process, from the implementing of an appropriate research method to address a psychological question to handling, extracting and analysing the data and finally through to interpreting and disseminating the findings.
PSY-40179 Professional Practice in Psychology (30 credits, Semester 1 and 2)
This module offers you the experience to develop your employability skills in both an applied and a research setting. You will take part in an interview with a member of the module team and work to secure a placement relevant to your interests and specialism prior to the start of the placement. We will encourage you to consider how you can apply your psychological knowledge and expertise to your placement and to reflect on the skills you have developed through your placement. You will be expected to visit your placement on approximately a weekly basis for 30-50 hours during the second semester. While we would strongly encourage you to engage with a work-based placement for the valuable opportunity and insights it can provide, you will have the option to conduct an academic-based placement at Keele University.
In addition, this module provides valuable experience on a live research project working alongside an experienced research mentor or mentors. After completing a skills audit in the first semester you will be assigned to a research project offered across the range of expertise available, with care taken to ensure that the research project develops or extends your research skills in an area that you have identified. Projects will vary from year to year depending on current staff research, and you might take a number of different roles in the research from designing and preparing research materials through to analysing existing datasets. The module will help you to develop a key range of research skills including learning to follow guidance and respond to feedback and effective communication of research in writing.
Semester two core modules
PSY-40183 Changing Practice Across the Lifespan Using Evidence (30 credits, Semester 2)
In this module, we will explore how scientific evidence can be used to influence policy and practice across the lifespan in a range of different settings such as education, government, charity sector, social change, the legal system and more.
This will be done using real case studies carried out by Keele staff and external contributors where appropriate.
The assessment will give you the opportunity to write a policy briefing in the format used to help Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and UK Parliament staff navigate complex research.
You will also gain in-depth experience with action research, a democratic research tool that works with participants instead of studying them from afar. We will teach you the core principles and guide you through a real lived example of action research of your own design. You will be taught about ethics, professionalism and fairness as well as how to navigate working with communities, co-produce research findings and get their collective voice heard by sharing findings with those in positions of power and influence.
PSY-40179 Professional Practice in Psychology (30 credits, Semester 1 and 2)
This module offers you the experience to develop your employability skills in both an applied and a research setting.
You will take part in an interview with a member of the module team and work to secure a placement relevant to your interests and specialism prior to the start of the placement. We will encourage you to consider how you can apply your psychological knowledge and expertise to your placement and to reflect on the skills you have developed through your placement. You will be expected to visit your placement on approximately a weekly basis for 30-50 hours during the second semester. While we would strongly encourage you to engage with a work-based placement for the valuable opportunity and insights it can provide, you will have the option to conduct an academic-based placement at Keele University.
In addition, this module provides valuable experience on a live research project working alongside an experienced research mentor or mentors. After completing a skills audit in the first semester you will be assigned to a research project offered across the range of expertise available, with care taken to ensure that the research project develops or extends your research skills in an area that you have identified. Projects will vary from year to year depending on current staff research, and you might take a number of different roles in the research from designing and preparing research materials through to analysing existing datasets. The module will help you to develop a key range of research skills including learning to follow guidance and respond to feedback and effective communication of research in writing.
Dissertation
PSY-40169 Applied Research Dissertation (60 credits)
This module is the culmination of your Masters programme of study and enables you to apply the skills gained across the programme to an empirical study in an area of psychology within your programme's discipline. You will have the opportunity to work closely under the supervision of an academic member of staff on designing, conducting, analysing and reporting their research in a dissertation.
MSc in Applied Child Psychology
Reasons to study MSc in Applied Child Psychology at Keele (previously MSc Child Development)
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject from a private university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject or 65% in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in psychology or in a childhood, family, early years, youth or related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group C.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application. For international students, find out how we work with approved agents as part of our admissions process.
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Postgraduate funding and scholarships
Fees
Some travel costs may be incurred if an external project or placement is undertaken; any such costs will be discussed with you before the project is confirmed. It will be possible for you to select an internal project and that would not incur any additional travel costs. There may be additional costs for textbooks and inter-library loans.
Funding
Whether you're continuing from undergraduate study or returning to education, our dedicated financial support team is here to help.
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in this case, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2026 start date falls in the 2025/26 academic year. Please see the tuition fees archive for the 2025/26 fees.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our financial support team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Additional costs
You can expect some additional mandatory costs which support learning activities, specialist equipment, fieldwork, or other course-related requirements. Details are outlined below. For general information, see the university's additional costs information.
For students completing a placement in Schools:
- Enhanced DBS check with digital ID check: £60.70. This price is not set by the University and is liable to increase.
"I was given the opportunity to develop an evidence-based intervention to improve teacher awareness of depression and anxiety in adolescents. This provided the chance to develop skills to utilise in my future career, thus reaffirming the real life impact this type of research can have on children and young people."
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching
Our teaching and learning strategy is wide-ranging and innovative, seeking to give you a rich learning environment that draws actively upon leading edge research, as well as current professional practice. It includes traditional lectures, workshops and small group tutorials.
You will be taught by staff who work with children of all ages, studying anything from developmental issues, such as deafness in new-borns, to the effects of social contexts like bullying in adolescence, the ways in which children develop adult-like thinking or the legal and moral ramifications of working with young people.
You will learn how to write policy reviews which communicate scientific information to non-scientists, and develop the practical and ethical skills involved with working with children.
All our psychology MSc programmes are designed to prepare you for careers in practice, research or academia, including PhD study. The research apprenticeship, dissertation and optional placement provide ample opportunity to tailor your knowledge and skills development, and gain relevant research and work experience before you graduate. You will gain valuable transferable skills learning how to design research experiments, conduct interviews, collect and analyse data using appropriate statistical methods.
Taking advantage of several modules being shared across MSc Psychology programmes, we deliberately strive to create a vibrant and collaborative peer culture among our students, promoting transformative debate and discussion, and introducing you to different ideological beliefs. Previous cohorts have included students from different countries, some straight from undergraduate degrees, and others who have already been involved with organisations that work with young people, for example, Girlguiding.
Assessment
Assessment is varied and includes the use of group and individual reports, essays, presentations and practical projects. Most modules combine multiple forms of assessment.
Where possible, we focus on 'authentic assessments': assessments that closely mirror the kinds of tasks you might be expected to execute in the real world. This includes writing for both expert and lay audiences, public speaking, designing and mapping out complex research projects, which is on a par with project planning and management. You will develop specialist and transferable general skills, such as team working, idea generation, critical thinking, problem solving, meeting deadlines and so on.
On the Using Research to Influence Policy and Practice module, you will be tasked with writing a policy brief on a policy related to a health issue of your choice, for example, on gender identity, behaviour or safeguarding for Girlguiding, a local sports club or government department.
Facilities
Based in the Dorothy Hodgkin building at the centre of campus, the School of Psychology offers a thriving and dynamic environment with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, and plenty of spaces for socialising and studying.
The recently refurbished 230-seater lecture theatre is one of the largest on campus. For independent or small group study, you have the choice of a larger communal room with computers or smaller study rooms you can book.
When it comes to specialist facilities, at Keele, you really are spoiled for choice. We have two video observation suites, both feature two-way mirrors and are equipped with video and audio recording equipment. There are eye tracking laboratories, with an EyeLink 1000 Plus eye tracker and SMI ET and Pupil Labs eye tracking glasses. Our brain electrophysiology lab has been kitted out to perform EEG experiments, as well as simultaneous eye tracking, pupillometry, and galvanic skin response (GSR) measurements.
