MSc Applied Developmental Psychology
Queen's University Belfast
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 23,150 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* international fee
Introduction
Applied developmental psychology is the application of basic developmental science in applied contexts. The School of Psychology has expertise in development in adverse contexts and atypical development in an educational context and the teaching on the course, as well as the topics offered for dissertations, will reflect this expertise. The school also has expertise in basic developmental science which will be an important element of the course. The topics covered in the MSc include quantitative and qualitative research methods, atypical development in the classroom, childhood adversity: from basic science to improving outcomes, and theoretical perspectives on child and adolescent development.
This MSc aims to provide graduate students with an opportunity for advanced study in specialist topics in the field of applied developmental psychology and to prepare graduate students for more advanced research in applied developmental psychology, professional training in psychology or other discipline-related professional training.
It also aims to provide graduate students with an opportunity for advanced study in specialist topics in the field of applied developmental psychology.
Please note: Applications for this course received after 30th June 2022 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.
Applied Developmental Psychology Highlights
Internationally Renowned Experts
- The School has a longstanding reputation for research and practice in developmental psychology.
Student Experience
- The programme’s focus on development in the context of adversity and atypicality distinguishes it from other programmes in the UK.
Career Opportunities
The programme's subject matter is relevant to careers in Educational and Clinical Psychology. It is also relevant to those students, who may decide to pursue a PhD in Psychology.
The programme is designed to prepare graduate students for more advanced research in developmental psychology, for professional training in psychology or related disciplines, and/or for employment in children's voluntary or statutory services. It will also provide graduates with the research skills and knowledge to carry out a PhD in developmental psychology and/or in childhood studies, and to pursue an academic career.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised by a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Curriculum
Course Structure
This MSc is one-third research methods and analysis, one-third applied developmental psychology content and one-third dissertation.
- Atypical Development in an Educational Context - core (20 CATS)
- Childhood Adversity: From basic science to improving outcomes - core (20 CATS)
- Dissertation - core (60 CATS)
- Introduction to Therapeutic Skills - optional (10 CATS)
- Placement: Childhood Adversity in Applied Contexts - optional (10 CATS)
- Principles of Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analyses 1 - core (10 CATS)
- Principles of Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis 2 - optional (10 CATS)
- Psychological Methods in Developmental Research - core (10 CATS)
- Quantitative Data Analyses 1 - core (10 CATS)
- Quantitative Data Analysis 2 - optional (10 CATS)
- Research Skills - core (10 CATS)
- Theoretical Perspectives in Child and Adolescent Development - core (10 CATS)
Learning and Teaching
Lecturers on the course are experts in development in adverse contexts or in atypical development and have active research programs in the area of developmental psychology. Thus, teaching on the program is research-led.
We operate a proactive system of student support. The Postgraduate Advisor of Studies will guide and support you through your time with us, supported by the School’s knowledgeable and friendly administrative staff. Good communication between staff and students is central and we operate a Student-Staff Consultative Committee specifically for taught MSc programmes. Membership of this committee includes elected representatives from each of the taught postgraduate programs, the Director of Postgraduate Taught Education, program directors and the School Manager. This Committee allows students to quickly raise matters of concern to them and enables the School to keep students apprised of matters affecting the School and wider University.
The School of Psychology at Queen’s has a distinguished history in educating undergraduate and postgraduate students. The School operates a single honors undergraduate degree on which around 500 students are enrolled, three taught MSc degrees, professional doctorates in Clinical Psychology and Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and a highly active research Ph.D. program. Many of the members of staff teaching on our programs have international reputations in their fields. All are committed teachers and researchers.
Our aim as a School is to recruit the best students locally and internationally. We aim to build a supportive learning environment that stimulates students to do their best work.
We provide students with a range of opportunities to learn and have included some further information on these below.
Excellent supervision
Students are assigned a dissertation supervisor early in the course, with whom they develop a project, obtain ethical approval, analyze and interpret data and write the final report. We encourage students to be ambitious for their project and it is not unusual for MSc dissertation data to be of publishable quality.
Interaction in Roles Plays
Students will have the option (through a selection of the optional module Introduction to Therapeutic Skills) to engage in interaction in role plays, and skills practice sessions, alongside lectures outlining the theory guiding therapeutic practice, in order to gain skills such as: creating a basic case conceptualization, selecting therapy methods to change behavior, applying foundational therapy skills and self-reflection.
Lectures
Lectures serve a number of purposes: they provide information about a topic and the basis for further self-directed study. They also provide an opportunity for class discussion, questions, and feedback. In many cases, lectures are followed by student-led seminars.
Self-guided study
The self-guided study is an essential part of any taught MSc course when private reading and research, preparation for assignments, and reflection on feedback is carried out.
Assessment
We will assess your performance in a variety of different ways
- Coursework essays
- Literature reviews
- Posters
- Proposals
- Portfolios
- Presentations
- Dissertation
- Policy briefings
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Master's courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment, and application information are available on the UK government website.
International Scholarships
English Language Requirements
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