Psychology, Lifespan and Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology focuses on how human beings change across the lifespan, from infancy through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood and old age. It asks how perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional capacities develop, what drives those processes, and what happens when development follows atypical pathways. This is a field that connects fundamental science to real-world applications in health, education, clinical practice, and policy.

At Royal Holloway, University of London, this three-year full-time programme combines a broad grounding in psychology with a focused specialism in lifespan and developmental psychology. You will study core areas of the discipline, including cognitive, social, and biological psychology, alongside a particular emphasis on child development, typical and atypical development, and developmental disorders. Topics such as autism, Down's syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are examined in depth, giving you both a scientific understanding of these conditions and the human context that surrounds them.

The programme includes a sandwich year and a year abroad, as well as work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience in settings where psychology is applied and the opportunity to develop an international perspective on the discipline.

You will develop strong research skills in both quantitative and qualitative methods, building the scientific literacy needed to design studies, interpret data, and evaluate evidence critically. These skills are valuable far beyond psychology itself.

Graduates pursue careers in clinical and educational psychology, child development services, research, social work, occupational therapy, teaching, and health services. Many go on to postgraduate training in clinical, educational, or developmental psychology, which is typically required for chartered status. Others take roles in health research, policy, or the voluntary sector where developmental expertise is directly applicable.