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.
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:
There are a number of modules in year one that cover foundational learning organised around these topics:
In Year 1, there are two supervised placements in Local Authority Psychological Services.
In years two and three modules we cover:
In each year, you will undertake supervised placements in Local Authority Educational Psychological Services.
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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. Your PhD will have a real world impact, setting you up for a career in either industry or academia. 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.
We’re consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers
High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report
Our School of Education dates back to 1896
62nd in the World and 11th in the UK for Education (2023 QS World Rankings)
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
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 |
Compulsory modules
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 |
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.
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 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 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 for this course are paid for by the Department for Education
You will need to apply through the Association of Educational Psychologists.
Please also view this website for application deadlines.
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.
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:
We are one of the most consistently targeted UK universities by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2026). Read more about the achievements of our alumni and the way their university experience shaped their journey.
