Psychology with Child Development with Foundation Year

Psychology with child development combines the scientific study of the mind and behaviour with a focused understanding of how children grow, think and develop from infancy through adolescence. Psychology as a discipline uses rigorous research methods to investigate perception, memory, emotion, social behaviour and mental health, drawing on neuroscience, cognitive science and social psychology to build an evidence-based account of human experience. Child development adds depth to that picture by examining the particular processes of growth, learning, attachment and socialisation that characterise childhood and adolescence, connecting developmental science to educational and clinical practice.

At York St John, this four-year full-time programme opens with a foundation year, providing a structured introduction to degree-level study that builds the academic skills and subject knowledge needed to succeed. As you progress into the main degree, you will develop a strong grounding in psychology alongside specialist knowledge of child development, studying how children develop cognitively, emotionally and socially and how those processes can go well or be disrupted. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you substantial professional experience and international exposure alongside your academic development.

The research skills you develop are a core part of the degree's value, and you will graduate equipped to design and conduct investigations, work with data and interpret findings critically.

Graduates move into careers in education, child and adolescent mental health, social care, educational psychology, youth work and research. Many use the degree as a foundation for postgraduate professional training, including the Educational Psychology Doctorate, clinical psychology training, teaching qualifications or social work. The combination of psychological knowledge and child development expertise is particularly relevant for anyone planning to work directly with children, young people and families.