Applied Educational and Child Psychology Doctorate AppEdChPsyD

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Ranking
Top 50
QS World Rankings 2026
Ranking details
Delivery format
In person
Start date
September 2026
Duration
3 years full-time
Award
Applied Educational and Child Psychology Doctorate
Entry requirements
A British Psychological Society accredited degree.
Full requirements
Fees (UK/Ireland)
Fees are paid for by the Department for Education
Fee details

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Course overview

Our Applied Educational and Child Psychology Doctorate is designed to set you apart as a skilled educational psychologist. This HCPC-approved, BPS-accredited course blends research-driven learning with professional learning on placement. The programmes emphasises diversity and anti-oppressive practice, and has strong ties to local educational psychology services. Upon graduation, you'll be fully ready and confident to make an immediate impact in your field.

Invest in your future with our doctorate course, developing the expertise and skills to thrive as an educational psychologist. Prepare to lead in education, influence positive change in diverse communities, and advance educational practice. With the programme’s strong track record of graduates securing roles in local authority services upon completion, along with its accreditations and high-quality curriculum, you’ll be highly sought after by employers.

Course Structure

The AppEdChPsyD is a three-year programme composed of 540 credits; 180 credits can be gained in each year. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study:

First Year

There are a number of modules in year one that cover foundational learning organised around these topics:

Assessment and Formulation
Psychology in Professional Practice
Development in Context
Problem Management and Consultation
Research Design, Practice and Ethics
Fundamentals in Qualitative Research Methods
Fundamentals in Quantitative Research Methods

In Year 1, there are two supervised placements in Local Authority Psychological Services.

Second and Third Years

In years two and three modules we cover:

Working with Organisational and Communities
Assessment for intervention
Strategic applications of psychology

In each year, you will undertake supervised placements in Local Authority Educational Psychological Services.

Course highlights

Studying in our School of Education, you’ll be part of a rich history of research dating back to 1896. As one of the UK’s largest education schools, all our tutors are active researchers. With every piece of research tied to professional practice, the AppEdChPsyD will give you the skills to be an impactful practitioner researcher educational psychologist. We collaborate nationally and globally with schools, colleges, local authorities and a range of professional bodies. You’ll also be encouraged to work with other researchers across different specialist areas.

Join a long-established school ranked highly for research excellence
Be part of a research community with an international reputation
Take part in seminars featuring world-renowned speakers
Gain the full range of educational psychology skills, under the guidance of active researchers

Top 50
in the world for Education and Teaching subjects
QS World Rankings 2026
Our School of Education dates back to 1896

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Course delivery

As an AppEdChPsyD student, we’ll support your development in all kinds of ways.

Supervision – you’ll enjoy support and guidance from a lead academic supervisor and a second supervisor for your placement learning. You might also have some group supervision.

Research support – with 24/7 access to a work space in our research suite, you can use the University’s libraries and computer facilities on campus. We also offer grants towards conferences, printing and photocopying.

Publishing your works – build your reputation and make your research public, by working with your supervisors to publish articles.

Memberships - as well as being part of our School of Education, you’ll be a member of our Graduate School and Graduate Social Centre. This is where you can meet other researchers from a wide range of fields. You can also join the College of Social Sciences Doctoral Training programme, which has ESRC recognition.

Doctoral Research Conference - once a year, we bring our entire research community together to explore key developments in educational research, theory, policy and practice. Our conference features expert panel debates, keynote presentations and many more exciting activities

Module information

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

Year 1

The following must be taken:

Module Title	Credits
Assessment for Learning	20
Developmental Psychology in Context	20
Professional Placement A: Foundations of Practice 1	20
Professional Placement B: Foundations of Practice 2	20
Psychology in Professional Practice Part 1: Foundations	20
Research Methods: Research Design in Educational Psychology	20
Skilled Helping in Educational Psychology	20
Fundamentals in Quantitative Research Methods	20
Foundations in Qualitative Research Methods	20

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module Title	Credits
Professional Placement C: Developing Practice	80
Promoting Learning and Wellbeing	20
Research Methods: Research Design and Literature	60
Working with Organisations and Communities	20

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Module Title
Psychology in Professional Practice Part I: Advanced and Strategic Issues
Research Methods: Empirical Study and Dissemination
Professional Placement D: Consolidating Practice

Research projects

Before applying we encourage you to browse the biographies of the Educational Psychology Group members, to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on their professional and research interests, current projects and recent publications.

Entry requirements

To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.

A British Psychological Society accredited degree.
A minimum 2:1 honours degree. If your degree classification is 2:2, you will need an additional post-graduate qualification, preferably at masters level.

Entry requirements are set by the Association of Educational Psychologists and full details may be found on their website. Please note that as we do not offer self-funded places, you must check the residency criteria to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for funding.

Fees and scholarships

Fees are paid for successful applicants by the Department for Education for all three years oof study. The Programme does not accept self-funders. Please view the AEP website for details of the funding

Fees information for:

N/A
Fees for this course are paid for by the Department for Education

Application process

You will need to apply through the Association of Educational Psychologists.

Please also view this website for application deadlines.

Ask us a question

If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please speak to our team.

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Career opportunities

By completing the Applied Educational and Child Psychology Doctorate, you'll graduate as eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council to register as an with more than just qualifications – you'll have the practical experience and professional network needed to secure meaningful employment as an educational psychologist. You will be a skilled practitioner, within a strong network of colleagues. The course's close partnership with local authorities and its comprehensive training ensure that you're fully prepared to excel in a variety of educational psychology roles.

Our graduates are highly successful in securing employment and are in high demand. 100% have secured employment as educational psychologists in recent years.

Your careers toolkit

Gain skills, confidence and experiences ready for the world of work with your dedicated careers toolkit. With Careers Network, your dedicated careers service, and the variety of opportunities available at Birmingham, you can build your own toolkit of skills and experiences to get you ready for an ever-changing world after graduation.

Your careers toolkit connects you with the opportunities, support and experiences across the university, including:

Careers support services and Careers Network
Work experience and placements
Enterprise and entrepreneurship
Alumni and employer connections
Global opportunities and life experience
Careers in the curriculum

Your careers toolkit

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