Ranking
11th
in UK for Education
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
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:
There 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.
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. 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.
- 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
Our School of Education dates back to 1896
3rd in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in the UK
62nd in the World and 11th in the UK for Education (2023 QS World Rankings)
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
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
- 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.
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.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.