Overview
Studying a BSc in Psychology with a focus on Child Development will give you a deep understanding of children and young people.
Analyse children from psychological, cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural perspectives.
Explore the reasons behind their behaviour through research studies.
Be equipped to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people.
Learn more about studying psychology
- Find out why people study psychology
- Read about Tania's journey as a psychology student
This course is in Clearing
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Course modules
In the psychology foundation year, you will study three core modules and choose one option module. The options available are Topics in Counselling and Topics in Psychology. Topics in Counselling equips you with basic counselling skills and offers eligibility for an interview to join the BSc Counselling degree accredited by the BACP. Topics in Psychology covers key issues in psychology, serving as a starting point for level 4 in our undergraduate psychology programmes. Upon successful completion of the Psychology Foundation Year, students with 120 credits can progress to BSc (Hons) Psychology or one of our specialist pathways.
In the first year of the psychology with child development programme, you'll gain a strong psychology foundation. You'll study child development and research skills, and learn how to apply psychological principles in real-world settings. This year also introduces to you possible psychology graduate careers.
Year two of the Psychology with Child Development BSc programme expands your psychology knowledge. You'll look at core topics like individual differences and advanced research, plus specialised options such as forensic psychology and child development challenges. You'll also gain practical experience through work-based learning.
Your final year of the Psychology with Child Development BSc programme includes a specialised child development research project and advanced studies. You'll build professional communication skills and study career-focused modules like addiction or forensic psychology. These will prepare you for your future child psychology career.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Entry requirements
Degree:
112 UCAS pointsThis is the standard advertised entry requirement for most students applying to this course.
Degree with contextual offer:
96 UCAS pointsYou may be eligible for a reduced offer based on your personal, educational or socioeconomic background.
Degree with foundation year:
64 UCAS pointsIf you do not meet the standard entry requirements, you can apply for a foundation year. This additional year prepares you with the academic skills needed to progress to the full undergraduate degree.
Pre-entry programmes
If you lack formal or current qualifications, there are routes available to help you achieve your goal.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Your previous qualifications, uncompleted study or industry experience may mean you can start your studies at a later point in the course and influence your eligibility for entry
What makes this course different

Highly rated by our students
96 per cent of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on “The Teaching on my Course” in the 2025 National Student Survey. (National Student Survey 2025, Results published 9 July 2025)

3rd in London
Our Psychology courses rank 3rd in London in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Nurturing child development
Gain hands-on experience and making a significant impact in child development at Baby Dev Lab
Accreditation

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
This accreditation is a mark of quality that students and employers understand and value. Studying a BPS-accredited course will allow you to gain graduate or chartered membership of the Society, to boost your career in child development.
BPS accreditationYour future career
Psychology is a versatile degree that leads to many careers. Our courses give you valuable skills that employers want, such as data management, analysis, report writing, and critical thinking. You'll learn about human behaviour, making you a good candidate for management roles. You can further train in areas like clinical, counselling, occupational, and community psychology. Our postgraduate courses allow you to become a professional psychologist without leaving our institution, leading to a rewarding and well-compensated career.
Industry links
We have links with NHS Trusts across the North Thames region, MIND, Terrence Higgins Trust, Centrepoint, Women's Aid, National Autistic Society, Young Gamblers and Gamers Education Trust (YGAM).
Graduate employers
Organisations our child development graduates have gone on to work for are the NHS, the voluntary sector, schools, social services or local authorities, or private clinics.
Job roles
Roles you could go into include child psychotherapist; educational psychologist, counsellor, and research assistant. Our alumnus, Mildred-Bristena Mihalca has since set up her own NGO to support children. Read this blog about her experience.
Further study
To become a child psychotherapist you will need further training. At UEL you can study for a Prof Doc in Educational and Child Psychology or Clinical Psychology.

Our degrees in psychology will equip you with the tools and skills you need to investigate human behaviour and to adopt a critical analysis of what you discover. I very much hope you will join us in our search for behavioural insights and for solutions to the problems that face humanity, whether at the individual, group, national, international or global level."Dr Richard Ralley
Head of Department of Psychological Sciences
How you'll learn
Our cutting-edge Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) approach revolutionises face-to-face learning, providing students with scheduled on-campus hours and additional learning opportunities. Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) grants students access to course materials and resources beyond their regular study hours. We provide state-of-the-art technology and specialised spaces, equipping students with the skills needed for their future careers. With dedicated time for activities and personal development, our holistic approach to learning nurtures academic, personal, and professional growth. Students receive comprehensive career support through our on-campus and virtual Career Zones, personalised support services, and an exclusive online portal called Track My Future (TMF).
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as game labs, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
We invest in key areas beyond your studies, providing career services, a modern library, and well-being support. These resources are available both on campus and online, some accessible 24/7. Our libraries offer a range of print and digital resources, study spaces, and dedicated librarians to assist you. Academic advisors, module leaders, and fellow students are available to support your academic queries.
Dedicated personal tutor
Academic tutors offer help with skills like writing and maths. IT Service Desks provide support for university IT systems. Our Student Support hubs cater to all your needs, including disability support.
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars, and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate hours for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
- Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Class sizes
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 200-300 students a year. Lecture sizes are normally 200 plus students. In the classroom, you will be taught in smaller groups. However, this can vary by academic year.
How you'll be assessed
To manage the workload, assessment tasks are distributed throughout the year and encompass various methods such as group work, exams, essays, presentations, case studies, professional development, and practical activities. All grades contribute to your module mark, and comprehensive details can be found in the student handbook and module guides. As part of the course, you'll engage in a work-based learning module at level 5 (Work-based Learning in Psychology), which includes a minimum of 30 hours of work experience. The assessment emphasises reflection, connection to psychology research and theory, as well as personal and professional development. Timely feedback is provided within 15 working days in adherence to UEL's policy.
Campus and facilities
Stratford Campus, London, E15 4LZ
Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town centre, the 2012 Olympic Park, just 15 minutes from London's West End and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf.
Stratford’s facilities include a state-of-the-art library and learning centre, the majestic Great Hall and specialist laboratories and computing services. The School of Childhood and Social Care and Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science are housed in new buildings. There is also a campus restaurant and bookshop, and a Students' Union café-bar.
Westfield Stratford City - Europe's largest indoor shopping mall - is just one of Stratford's attractions, alongside many other shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and cinemas. Stratford is fast becoming London's new cultural quarter, with Sadler's Wells East and V&A East moving in.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Childhood and Social Care
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What our students and staff say

One of the fantastic things about being at the University of East London is the amazing concentration of different cultures and different backgrounds it's really important for my research. You can look at the different cultural attitudes which is really stimulating for teaching. I tell my students the most important characteristic is curiosity, asking that question that no one has asked before and for me, it's about keeping your brain childlike, never losing that wonder, that marvel, that innocence."
Sam Wass
Professor of Early Years Neuroscience, UEL Baby Development Lab

Choosing to study Psychology with Child Development felt like a natural step after my teaching background. It was amazing to explore how kids develop, how they see the world, and how early years in their life impact their futures"
Mildred-Bristena Mihalca
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Child Development
















