Psychology of Child Development

Course Overview

Understand child development with our BSc (Hons) Psychology of Children Development. You'll look at the social, biological and cognitive issues that shape the way children think, feel and interact.

This course is designed to help you understand children’s thoughts, emotions and behaviour in scientific detail. You’ll study core modules in research methods, psychology and statistics, as well as specialist modules on child development.

You’ll have the chance to use our outstanding facilities. This includes an observation room to watch children playing and interacting with others, and a cognitive neuroscience lab for observing brain activity. There’s also the chance to go on a placement to assist with child-centred research.

You can choose to focus on educational psychology, thanks to our links with schools and children's services. You'll study language development, literacy, peer relations, online safeguarding, antisocial behaviour and bullying.

Your Psychology of Child Development degree will be taught in short, focused blocks. You will study one module at a time, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in that topic.

This degree can offer the tools and knowledge for a fascinating career, whether you see your future in clinical psychology, research, education or other child development roles.

Why study with us

• At our child observation suite you can watch, record and analyse children’s behaviour and interaction with toys, peers and adults.

• Your Psychology of Child Development degree will be taught one module at a time, allowing you to immerse yourself in that topic. There are no traditional exams.

• We offer the chance to get involved in research, with paid internships, placements and part-time roles.

• This course is taught through block learning, which means you can plan part-time work, caring responsibilities, or other interests around your learning. Find out more about block learning on our website.

What you'll do

• While our course has a strong focus on child development, you’ll also have the flexibility to choose from various optional modules.

• You can choose to spend a year on placement, building work experience and professional skills to boost your career prospects when you graduate.

• As this course shares a first year with Forensic Psychology, Neuropsychology and more, you may have the chance to switch specialisms as your interests develop.

Future Careers

Our Psychology of Child Development BSc (Hons) course offers specialist skills for a range of roles working with children. It provides the knowledge to open a broad range of other career paths too.

This degree offers a strong foundation to work with children in educational or clinical psychology. Many graduates complete a postgraduate degree to get their ideal role, including our own BPS-accredited masters degrees.

You could also pursue roles in allied health, working alongside occupational therapists and speech and language therapists.

Our graduates are valued in a wide range of sectors. You could get a role in organisations including:

• Police

• Prison Service

• NHS

• Social and community services

• Health authorities

• Pharmaceutical industry

• Education and training organisations

Please visit The University of Lancashire’s website for the latest information about our modules.

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Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• British Psychological Society