Developmental Psychology is the empirical study of the development of behaviour and thinking through the lifespan. Developmental psychologists study how social, emotional and cognitive processes change and develop in infants, children and adults. On the basis of research evidence, they propose explanations for developmental outcomes. In addition to studying developmental psychology, students on the BSc Developmental Psychology will learn about all the major areas of adult psychology, including the biological basis of behaviour, individual differences, and the influence of the social context on behaviour. They will specialise in developmental psychology as they progress through the programme. Students will be introduced to the methods used to study behaviour and changes in behaviour as well as to the ethical considerations of such work. This forms an important part of the training of psychologists. Findings from research in developmental psychology are used to advance our understanding of and knowledge of how to support children in a variety of applied settings including education, health, the legal system, and therapy and counselling work with children.

• We have successfully run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Psychology for over thirty years.
• The BSc (Hons) Developmental Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (formerly known as Graduate Basis for Registration) (for those achieving a Lower Second Class Honours degree or above). This is an essential pre-requisite for continuing onto professional training programme. It is worth noting that many of these now require ‘good’ degrees (First Class or Upper second Class Honours degrees).
• As well as our BSc programmes the School of Psychology offers postgraduate programmes in all the main areas of Professional Applied Psychology: Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology and Occupational Psychology, as well as having numerous postgraduate research students.
• The BSc Developmental Psychology has a significant option element, including modules relevant to later professional training.
• The programmes are available full-time and part-time allowing students flexibility in terms of attendance patterns.
• Over 80% of our BSc graduates have found jobs or postgraduate training places within 6 months.
• Several UEL psychology graduates have become professors of psychology and a great many have achieved senior positions in educational, clinical and occupational psychology and, more generally, in education, social welfare, industry and commerce.
• Students come from a wide range of ethnic & cultural backgrounds with a significant proportion of international students. Around 50% are mature students.
• We have an Institute for Research in Child Development located within the School which enables us to maintain a close link between teaching and research in developmental psychology

The BSc (Hons) Developmental Psychology is a three-year full-time programme or a four and a half year part-time programme (though this can sometimes be reduced to four years, depending on previous qualifications and experience).

To be awarded an honours degree in Developmental Psychology, a student would have completed (or been given prior accreditation in up to two-thirds of) a total of 18 modules, with a value of 360 credits. This would comprise 120 credits at Level 1, 120 at level 2 and 120 at Level 3. The Level 3 research project module must be passed in order to achieve an Honours degree.

There are two semesters in each year of study, and in each semester a full-time student would usually study and be assessed in three modules. Each module carries a 20-credit value. Level 3 includes a double, 40-credit research project module, which runs for the entire year. A student studying part-time would progress at a slower pace. Up to two modules per semester may be followed and assessed in the part-time mode.

Opportunities to develop skills related to academic learning, research and employability are incorporated into core modules at each level of the programme.

Teaching methods vary from module to module but include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, workshops and individual supervision. Student learning is supported by lecture notes, module handbooks and suggested reading. Direct class contact is supplemented by on-line interactive programme materials, individual reading, completion of set exercises and preparation for assignments.

Learning resources include IT and general psychology laboratories, a qualitative laboratory and specialised equipment, access to electronic databases and specialist library facilities.

Assessment is by a combination of coursework and examination. Coursework includes essays, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a final year research project. The majority of assessment at Level 1 is by coursework, to provide maximum formative feedback to students. At Levels 2 and 3, the balance of coursework and examination will depend on option choice, but one-third of Level 3 is given to the empirical research coursework project.

At level 2 a work based learning module is available as an option. Further information on opportunities for work placements is available from the University Employability Unit. Students are also encouraged to undertake relevant voluntary work, and opportunities for this are displayed at the Psychology Help Desk. There will be opportunities to apply for research work experience with the Institute for Research in Child Development.

The final year project is a compulsory module for the Honours degree. Students conduct a literature review of an area of their choice within developmental psychology, and design, carry out, analyse and interpret an original empirical investigation in this same area. The student is supported on a one-to-one basis by regular meetings with an academic supervisor with research and/or theoretical expertise in the area. Postgraduate professional training staff are also available to act as supervisors to undergraduate students if appropriate.

The range of expertise available in the School enables students to choose from a variety of option modules that will help prepare them for a range of careers. Having the Institute for Research in Child Development within our School also provides opportunities for students to be involved in research. For those achieving a lower second class honours degree or above, the degree confers eligibility for further graduate professional training (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (formerly known as Graduate Basis for Registration) with the British Psychological Society), which is the first step towards being a Chartered Psychologist.

• The development of thinking and behaviour through infancy, childhood and adolescence and in adulthood and old-age
• Gaining in-depth understanding of the factors that influence developmental outcomes
• Developing knowledge of all the core areas of psychology
• Achieving a degree that provides a foundation for working with infants, children and adults in a range of settings
• Gaining good flexible employment related skills
• The development of thinking and behaviour through infancy, childhood and adolescence and in adulthood and old-age
• Gaining in-depth understanding of the factors that influence developmental outcomes
• Developing knowledge of all the core areas of psychology
• Achieving a degree that provides a foundation for working with infants, children and adults in a range of settings
• Gaining good flexible employment related skills

• Investigating the reasons behind the behaviour of babies, children, adolescents and adults
• Designing and carrying out studies that explore the factors influencing behaviour
• Learning how psychologists can use their knowledge to help people

• A professionally accredited degree in Psychology
• The opportunity to enter postgraduate training for a career
• Knowledge and skills that can be used in a large range of career settings
• To study in a friendly and informal School

A good degree in psychology is the first step towards becoming a professional psychologist, whether that is in the field of educational, clinical, counselling, occupational, forensic or health psychology. Those wishing to specialise in these areas undertake further postgraduate training at Masters or Doctorate level.

As well as providing a route into professional psychology, a degree in this field is also relevant to a wide range of other areas of work. Graduates of the Developmental Psychology programme would be well-suited to posts in areas such as education, social welfare, speech and language therapy, counselling, coaching and mentoring. Alternatively, since all graduates will have a BPS-recognised degree, they may pursue a career in other areas where knowledge of psychology is a positive asset, for example sport & leisure, human resource management, consumer research and advertising, media and community work.

In addition to covering the key areas of psychology, a degree in developmental psychology, as with any degree in psychology, provides training in data collection and analysis, communication skills and report writing, IT skills and interpersonal awareness. It therefore provides an excellent basis for employment in areas not directly related to psychology.

Students joining the programme are offered an induction programme in the week before classes begin. Returning students also receive induction to the next level or year of their programme.

All students are allocated a personal and academic tutor. Additional help is available from year group tutors, the programme leader and leaders of individual modules. The School of Psychology has a well-established mentoring scheme in which volunteers from the second and third years of the programme act as mentors to the first year students.

First year students are supported by a programme designed to help them develop study skills, covering IT skills, library use, report and essay writing, the ethics of study and research, and working in groups. Research Methodology teaching is supplemented by on-line interactive programme materials & discussion groups.

Final year project supervisors also provide personal support and help with career choice, job applications and preparation of CVs.

Students can take advantage of the flexibility of our provision (full-time/part-time), to adjust their mode of study to suit changes in their financial, occupational or family responsibilities.

Specialist support (for example, financial advice, careers advice, counselling and learning support) is also available from central University services. The University has a student special needs advisor.

Students have the chance to participate in and help with real-life research. For student projects there is an on-line journal within the School and in previous years, the best student projects have been accepted for publication in professional journals. The BSc Developmental Psychology programme is enriched by its close links with the Institute for Research in Child Development.

The Psychology Help Desk offers a valuable one-stop source of information and advice, as well as a centre for handing in and retrieving course work, booking equipment and rooms, and assistance with IT problems.