Psychology (Developmental and Educational) with Foundation Year

Developmental and educational psychology focuses on two of the most practically important areas of psychological science. Developmental psychology examines how human beings change across the lifespan, from the first hours of infancy through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood to old age, asking how cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development unfolds and what factors shape it. Educational psychology applies psychological understanding specifically to learning and schooling, examining how children and young people develop academically, how individual differences in learning and behaviour arise, and how educational environments can be designed to support all learners effectively.

At the University of Northampton, this four-year full-time programme includes an integrated foundation year, providing an accessible route into the degree for students who are ambitious and driven but who need an additional year to build the academic and psychological foundations before entering the main degree. You will study core psychological science alongside the specific perspectives of developmental and educational psychology, developing your understanding of child and adolescent development, learning theory, special educational needs, and the research methods used to investigate psychological questions in educational contexts. The combination develops both scientific rigour and the applied sensitivity needed to work with children, young people, and educational professionals.

Graduates of developmental and educational psychology programmes pursue careers in education, child health, social care, and applied psychological practice. Many work in schools as learning support practitioners, educational welfare officers, or in specialist roles supporting children with additional needs. The degree provides a strong foundation for postgraduate training in educational psychology, which leads to registration as a chartered educational psychologist and to roles supporting children with complex needs across schools and local authorities.

Other routes include clinical work with children and families, research in child development, and roles in policy and programme development for children's services. A BPS-accredited degree provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, the entry requirement for professional psychological training.