Psychology

Psychology with a developmental and educational specialism focuses the scientific study of mind and behaviour on the processes of human growth and learning across the life course, and on the ways in which educational contexts shape and are shaped by those processes. Developmental psychology examines how people change physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially from infancy through to old age, asking what the mechanisms of development are and how biological, social, and environmental factors interact to produce the people we become. Educational psychology applies psychological knowledge to questions of how people learn, how educational systems can be organised to support all learners, and how difficulties with learning and behaviour arise and can be addressed.

This part-time degree at the University of Northampton is accredited by the British Psychological Society.

You will follow a general psychology pathway alongside specialist developmental and educational content, building the scientific grounding in core psychological disciplines, including cognitive, biological, social, and personality psychology, that underpins professional psychological work. The developmental and educational modules will deepen your understanding of child development, learning theories, educational assessment, special educational needs, and the contexts in which psychologists work alongside teachers, families, and other professionals. BPS accreditation means the degree provides the graduate basis for chartered membership, an essential prerequisite for most postgraduate professional training routes.

The part-time format makes the degree accessible to students with other commitments. Graduates who intend to work as educational or developmental psychologists will pursue doctoral professional training after graduation. Others move directly into roles in schools and educational settings, child development services, family support, research, and a range of other contexts where understanding of human development and learning is professionally valuable.