Psychology and Child Development

BSc (Hons)

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

UCAS code

C891

Start dates available

  • September 2026
  • September 2027

Start dates available

  • September 2026
  • September 2027

Start dates available

  • September 2027
University of Staffordshire Courses

8th for Assessment and Feedback in Psychology

National Student Survey 2026

8th for Student Satisfaction in Psychology

The Guardian University Guide 2026

Children's lab research facility

for hands-on research

Want a career where you help to make a difference to children’s lives? Our Psychology and Child Development degree is an ideal springboard for working with young people in education, clinical psychology settings or the caring professions.

Course overview

Discover how psychology shapes who we are and what influences the way children behave and mature on our Psychology and Child Development degree. From how pupils learn to read most effectively through to how neurodivergent children experience the world, you’ll explore the answers to key questions.

With a focus on applying your knowledge to real life scenarios, and using an evidence-informed approach, you’ll become an expert in understanding children and their wellbeing.

You can also choose to undertake a placement year, where you will gain invaluable experience for future employment.

The breadth of the course means you keep your options open at the same time as developing a specialist area of interest. This will help guide your final year project, where you will delve into a research question. Module options also include completing a research assistantship, where you could work on live research with our academic experts.

You’ll have access to our fantastic Science Centre facilities, including cognitive research cubicles, psychophysiology equipment and simulation machines.

And in our children’s lab, discover the work we do with volunteer families on research projects. These resources are also taken out into the community. Topics have included exploring the impact of TV screen time on children’s behaviour, assessing creativity, and the role of psychology in preventing young children from suffering dog bites.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

Work placements

As well as shorter placements, students have the option of undertaking a placement (sandwich) year. This typically involves working for three days a week for a nine-month period.

The placement year is becoming an increasingly popular choice, with feedback showing students are overwhelmingly positive about the experience. Many students have gone on to gain employment with their placement providers.

Choose your dream placement with support from our staff. We have links with schools, where you could be working in pastoral care and wellbeing under the guidance of a psychologist.

Examples of other placements include working with charities, doing a mentoring role in a college, working in alternative education settings, as a psychology support worker or as an assistant children’s advocate.

Throughout your placement, you’ll have a workplace supervisor and regular contact with the University. The fee for a placement year will vary - please get in touch if you would like more information about this.

Students on our psychology courses are also supported to find voluntary positions in which they make an important contribution to not-for-profit organisations. This includes supporting people experiencing homelessness, mental health difficulties, and drug and alcohol challenges.

Want a career where you help to make a difference to children’s lives? Our Psychology and Child Development degree is an ideal springboard for working with young people in education, clinical psychology settings or the caring professions.

Course overview

Discover how psychology shapes who we are and what influences the way children behave and mature on our Psychology and Child Development degree. From how pupils learn to read most effectively through to how neurodivergent children experience the world, you’ll explore the answers to key questions.

With a focus on applying your knowledge to real life scenarios, and using an evidence-informed approach, you’ll become an expert in understanding children and their wellbeing.

You can also choose to undertake a placement year, where you will gain invaluable experience for future employment.

The breadth of the course means you keep your options open at the same time as developing a specialist area of interest. This will help guide your final year project, where you will delve into a research question. Module options also include completing a research assistantship, where you could work on live research with our academic experts.

You’ll have access to our fantastic Science Centre facilities, including cognitive research cubicles, psychophysiology equipment and simulation machines.

And in our children’s lab, discover the work we do with volunteer families on research projects. These resources are also taken out into the community. Topics have included exploring the impact of TV screen time on children’s behaviour, assessing creativity, and the role of psychology in preventing young children from suffering dog bites.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

Want a career where you help to make a difference to children’s lives? Our Psychology and Child Development degree is an ideal springboard for working with young people in education, clinical psychology settings or the caring professions.

Course overview

Discover how psychology shapes who we are and what influences the way children behave and mature on our Psychology and Child Development degree. From how pupils learn to read most effectively through to how neurodivergent children experience the world, you’ll explore the answers to key questions.

With a focus on applying your knowledge to real life scenarios, and using an evidence-informed approach, you’ll become an expert in understanding children and their wellbeing.

You can also choose to undertake a placement year, where you will gain invaluable experience for future employment.

The breadth of the course means you keep your options open at the same time as developing a specialist area of interest. This will help guide your final year project, where you will delve into a research question. Module options also include completing a research assistantship, where you could work on live research with our academic experts.

You’ll have access to our fantastic Science Centre facilities, including cognitive research cubicles, psychophysiology equipment and simulation machines.

And in our children’s lab, discover the work we do with volunteer families on research projects. These resources are also taken out into the community. Topics have included exploring the impact of TV screen time on children’s behaviour, assessing creativity, and the role of psychology in preventing young children from suffering dog bites.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

Course content

The course emphasises the application of psychological knowledge to everyday life and experience. We will teach you about the relevance of general psychology and child psychology to a wide range of contemporary issues and you will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, debates and practicals.

As well as subject skills and knowledge, you will develop highly transferrable skills that are valued by employers in communication, problem solving, interpersonal skills, numeracy, teamwork, critical thinking, computing and independent learning.

A crucial part of becoming a psychologist is learning to understand, conduct, and analyse scientific research. As with all high-quality undergraduate psychology degrees, this means our courses feature modules that focus on teaching these skills. Practical experience with industry-standard SPSS statistics software teaches students to answer a wide variety of research questions by interrogating complex datasets. We take great care in closely guiding students through this learning process (via small group teaching, group work with peers, support clinics and step-by-step guides) supporting our students in preparation for the increasingly data-driven world.

The course emphasises the application of psychological knowledge to everyday life and experience. We will teach you about the relevance of general psychology and child psychology to a wide range of contemporary issues and you will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, debates and practicals.

As well as subject skills and knowledge, you will develop highly transferrable skills that are valued by employers in communication, problem solving, interpersonal skills, numeracy, teamwork, critical thinking, computing and independent learning.

A crucial part of becoming a psychologist is learning to understand, conduct, and analyse scientific research. As with all high-quality undergraduate psychology degrees, this means our courses feature modules that focus on teaching these skills. Practical experience with industry-standard SPSS statistics software teaches students to answer a wide variety of research questions by interrogating complex datasets. We take great care in closely guiding students through this learning process (via small group teaching, group work with peers, support clinics and step-by-step guides) supporting our students in preparation for the increasingly data-driven world.

The course emphasises the application of psychological knowledge to everyday life and experience. We will teach you about the relevance of general psychology and child psychology to a wide range of contemporary issues and you will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, debates and practicals.

As well as subject skills and knowledge, you will develop highly transferrable skills that are valued by employers in communication, problem solving, interpersonal skills, numeracy, teamwork, critical thinking, computing and independent learning.

A crucial part of becoming a psychologist is learning to understand, conduct, and analyse scientific research. As with all high-quality undergraduate psychology degrees, this means our courses feature modules that focus on teaching these skills. Practical experience with industry-standard SPSS statistics software teaches students to answer a wide variety of research questions by interrogating complex datasets. We take great care in closely guiding students through this learning process (via small group teaching, group work with peers, support clinics and step-by-step guides) supporting our students in preparation for the increasingly data-driven world.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The British Psychological Society logo

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The British Psychological Society logo

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology 30 credits
Becoming A Researcher 1 30 credits
Foundations In Psychology 30 credits
Growing And Changing 30 credits
Steps To Success 1 N/A
Year 3 compulsory modules
Child Psychology: Theory To Practice 30 credits
Psychology Option Choice 2 30 credits
Psychology Project 30 credits
Society And The Mind 30 credits
Steps To Success 3 N/A

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology 30 credits
Becoming A Researcher 1 30 credits
Foundations In Psychology 30 credits
Growing And Changing 30 credits
Steps To Success 1 N/A
Year 3 compulsory modules
Psychology Placement Year 120 credits
Year 4 compulsory modules
Child Psychology: Theory To Practice 30 credits
Psychology Option Choice 2 30 credits
Psychology Project 30 credits
Society And The Mind 30 credits
Steps To Success 3 N/A

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology 30 credits
Foundations In Psychology 30 credits
Steps To Success 1 N/A
Year 2 compulsory modules
Becoming A Researcher 1 30 credits
Growing And Changing 30 credits
Year 4 compulsory modules
Becoming A Researcher 2 30 credits
Psychology Option Choice 1 30 credits
Year 5 compulsory modules
Child Psychology: Theory To Practice 30 credits
Society And The Mind 30 credits
Year 6 compulsory modules
Psychology Option Choice 2 30 credits
Psychology Project 30 credits
Steps To Success 3 N/A

Entry requirements

What do I need?

UCAS

96 UCAS points

A Levels

CCC

BTEC

MMM

Work out your estimated grades using the UCAS calculator

Other UK qualifications
  • Access to HE Diploma – Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – grade MMM

A foundation year is available for applicants who do not have the appropriate entry qualifications for direct entry to the degree level course. The foundation year for this course has a long track record of success in providing a smooth transition to our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree or any one of our other psychology based courses.

We welcome applications from students studying a range of international and UK qualifications, including Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales, Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers and the Irish Leaving Certificate. Offers will normally be made in line with our standard entry requirements and may include specific grade requirements in relevant subjects.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

What do I need?

UCAS

96 UCAS points

A Levels

CCC

BTEC

MMM

Work out your estimated grades using the UCAS calculator

Other UK qualifications
  • Access to HE Diploma – Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – grade MMM

A foundation year is available for applicants who do not have the appropriate entry qualifications for direct entry to the degree level course. The foundation year for this course has a long track record of success in providing a smooth transition to our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree or any one of our other psychology based courses.

We welcome applications from students studying a range of international and UK qualifications, including Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales, Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers and the Irish Leaving Certificate. Offers will normally be made in line with our standard entry requirements and may include specific grade requirements in relevant subjects.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

What do I need?

UCAS

96 UCAS points

A Levels

CCC

BTEC

MMM

Work out your estimated grades using the UCAS calculator

Other UK qualifications
  • Access to HE Diploma – Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – grade MMM

A foundation year is available for applicants who do not have the appropriate entry qualifications for direct entry to the degree level course. The foundation year for this course has a long track record of success in providing a smooth transition to our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree or any one of our other psychology based courses.

We welcome applications from students studying a range of international and UK qualifications, including Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales, Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers and the Irish Leaving Certificate. Offers will normally be made in line with our standard entry requirements and may include specific grade requirements in relevant subjects.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

Facilities

As a student on our psychology courses you will have access to a range of psychology technical laboratories which house equipment such as eye tracking, equipment to record physiological measures (e.g. heart rate), virtual reality, driving simulator, temperature-induced pain stimuli, plus an array of experimental software. This equipment allows us to take scientific measures to underpin theoretical content within psychology.

Throughout your course, you will be introduced to technical equipment as part of your taught sessions. Examples of this could include interactive demonstrations on eye tracking and the Observation Suite, and seminars where students make use of pain inducing stimuli and physiological measures to understand how we can scientifically induce and measure stress.

Additionally, when you conduct your own research project in Year 3 you’ll have the opportunity to use the psychology laboratories and equipment to facilitate and enhance your research. Examples of student projects using technical equipment have included:

  • Tracking children’s eye movements to understand how they pay attention whilst reading
  • Do different types of teacher feedback cause different physiological stress responses in students?

The psychology resources are supported by dedicated psychology technicians who will deliver technical sessions and will train and support you in your use of the resources.

Science Centre

Our £30m Science Centre contains specialist labs that delve into all areas of psychology.

Watch video

Children's Lab

The Staffordshire University Children's lab is a research facility where we invite young children and their parents to join us to take part in research projects. Read more

The Psychology Children’s Lab is a research facility which enables us to explore how babies and children develop. Read more about our Children’s Lab.

Psychology Simulation Facilities

Simulation equipment is available throughout the psychology laboratory areas and as stand-alone resources for facilitating research and teaching. Read more

Find out more about our simulation facilities.

Psychology Eye Tracking Cubicles

The Psychology Eye Tracking Cubicles house desktop and portable eye trackers that allow us to track participants’ visual attention during psychology experiments. Read more

Find out more about our eye tracking cubicles.

Psychology Observation Suite

The Observation Suite contains an Observation Laboratory setup with a one-way mirror, video cameras and microphones to allow activities to be observed and recorded from the Control Room. Read more

Find out more about our Psychology Observation Suite. 

Psychology Human Sciences Suite

The Psychology Human Sciences Suite has an impressive array of laboratory equipment which includes the Electroencephalography (EEG) Laboratory, the Pain Laboratory, and the Cardiovascular Laboratory. Read more

Find out more about our Human Sciences Suite. 

Psychology Cognitive Cubicles

The Psychology Cognitive Cubicles are a set of small cubicles used to run Psychology based tests on individual participants using specialist software. Read more

Find out more about our Psychology Cognitive Suite.

Counselling Suite

The counselling suite contains four cubicles for practising counselling skills or conducting interviews with participants, and a base room for teaching and peer observation of counselling sessions. Read more

Find out more about our Counselling Suite. 

Careers

This degree can prepare you for a wide range of careers supporting children and young people, as well as opportunities across psychology, education, health and the caring professions.

Depending on your interests and career goals, you could go on to work in roles such as:

  • family support worker
  • psychology support worker
  • children's advocate
  • play worker
  • education or pastoral support
  • youth and community work
  • research assistant
  • wellbeing and mental health support

The course can also provide a foundation for further study and professional training. For example, you could continue your training towards careers in clinical or educational psychology, or pursue postgraduate study to qualify as a teacher or social worker. Some of these careers require specific postgraduate qualifications and professional training.

Experience for your future career

You can gain valuable experience alongside your studies through our placement opportunities. Previous students have completed placements in schools, charities, colleges and alternative education settings, including roles in pastoral care and wellbeing, mentoring, psychology support and children's advocacy.

You can also take part in research assistantships and volunteering opportunities, helping you build practical experience and develop your career plans while you study.

Your degree will also develop transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research, problem solving and teamwork, which can be valuable across a wide range of careers.

You don't have to look far for your next step. We offer a range of postgraduate psychology courses at the University of Staffordshire, giving you opportunities to continue developing your specialist knowledge after your degree.

Explore our postgraduate Psychology courses

You can find out further information about our graduates on our Graduate Stories page.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

This degree can prepare you for a wide range of careers supporting children and young people, as well as opportunities across psychology, education, health and the caring professions.

Depending on your interests and career goals, you could go on to work in roles such as:

  • family support worker
  • psychology support worker
  • children's advocate
  • play worker
  • education or pastoral support
  • youth and community work
  • research assistant
  • wellbeing and mental health support

The course can also provide a foundation for further study and professional training. For example, you could continue your training towards careers in clinical or educational psychology, or pursue postgraduate study to qualify as a teacher or social worker. Some of these careers require specific postgraduate qualifications and professional training.

Experience for your future career

You can gain valuable experience alongside your studies through our placement opportunities. Previous students have completed placements in schools, charities, colleges and alternative education settings, including roles in pastoral care and wellbeing, mentoring, psychology support and children's advocacy.

You can also take part in research assistantships and volunteering opportunities, helping you build practical experience and develop your career plans while you study.

Your degree will also develop transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research, problem solving and teamwork, which can be valuable across a wide range of careers.

You don't have to look far for your next step. We offer a range of postgraduate psychology courses at the University of Staffordshire, giving you opportunities to continue developing your specialist knowledge after your degree.

Explore our postgraduate Psychology courses

You can find out further information about our graduates on our Graduate Stories page.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

This degree can prepare you for a wide range of careers supporting children and young people, as well as opportunities across psychology, education, health and the caring professions.

Depending on your interests and career goals, you could go on to work in roles such as:

  • family support worker
  • psychology support worker
  • children's advocate
  • play worker
  • education or pastoral support
  • youth and community work
  • research assistant
  • wellbeing and mental health support

The course can also provide a foundation for further study and professional training. For example, you could continue your training towards careers in clinical or educational psychology, or pursue postgraduate study to qualify as a teacher or social worker. Some of these careers require specific postgraduate qualifications and professional training.

Experience for your future career

You can gain valuable experience alongside your studies through our placement opportunities. Previous students have completed placements in schools, charities, colleges and alternative education settings, including roles in pastoral care and wellbeing, mentoring, psychology support and children's advocacy.

You can also take part in research assistantships and volunteering opportunities, helping you build practical experience and develop your career plans while you study.

Your degree will also develop transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research, problem solving and teamwork, which can be valuable across a wide range of careers.

You don't have to look far for your next step. We offer a range of postgraduate psychology courses at the University of Staffordshire, giving you opportunities to continue developing your specialist knowledge after your degree.

Explore our postgraduate Psychology courses

You can find out further information about our graduates on our Graduate Stories page.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach students through a blend  of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Teaching

Students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach students through a blend  of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Teaching

Students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach students through a blend  of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Please note, teaching team staff members may change during your studies.

Profile Image

Dr Sarah Rose

Associate Professor

I love inspiring students at all levels about child development and how we can share our psychological expertise to make a difference to children and their families. My research focuses on education, children’s wellbeing and children’s use of tech.

Sarah's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,790 per year of study £17,085 per year of study

For the course starting on 20 September 2027 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £10,050 per year of study £17,285 per year of study

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,790 per year of study £17,085 per year of study

For the course starting on 20 September 2027 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £10,050 per year of study £17,285 per year of study

For the course starting on 20 September 2027 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £5,025 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Included in the fees:
  • DBS checks where required for compulsory modules 
  • Loan of subject related requirement where required for
  • Compulsory field trips
  • DBS checks where required for compulsory modules 
  • Loan of subject related requirement where required for
  • Compulsory field trips
  • DBS checks where required for compulsory modules 
  • Loan of subject related requirement where required for
  • Compulsory field trips
Not included in the fees:
  • Text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies
  • Printing
  • Travel costs to and from placements. We will have available placements within travel distance from the campus, or within proximity of your address
  • Clothing suitable for placements and facilities
  • Optional field trips
  • DBS check where not required for a compulsory module
  • Text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies
  • Printing
  • Travel costs to and from placements. We will have available placements within travel distance from the campus, or within proximity of your address
  • Clothing suitable for placements and facilities
  • Optional field trips
  • DBS check where not required for a compulsory module
  • Text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies
  • Printing
  • Travel costs to and from placements. We will have available placements within travel distance from the campus, or within proximity of your address
  • Clothing suitable for placements and facilities
  • Optional field trips
  • DBS check where not required for a compulsory module
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

University Of Staffordshire Quote

During my placement with Midlands Psychology CIC I had the opportunity to gain experiences that an undergraduate student could only dream of. I shadowed and worked closely with some incredible clinicians, who have taught me more than I ever thought possible. Furthermore, I gained experience within the Looked After Children Service and Supported Living Service. Working with these services has given me many fond memories and broadened my interests beyond the fields that I already knew.

Meredith Danks

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development

University Of Staffordshire Quote

I chose this course because I wanted to continue my studies in Psychology further than A Level, with the added Child Development knowledge to allow me to go into related work such as teaching.

Being a part of the Psychology department at Staffs has been a great experience due to the varied subject experts that make up the lecturing staff as they bring elements of their own research to the lecture content covered.

Being a student ambassador has been an important part of my Staffs experience as it has allowed me to meet people that I otherwise would not have met and make good friends outside of my course, as well as gain work experience that I would not have been able to gain otherwise.

Gina Halliwell

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development

University Of Staffordshire Quote

Before coming to Staffs I worked in children’s centres across Stafford helping families support their child’s development. I chose to study my subject as I had plenty of experience in my career but struggled to progress further without the qualifications behind me. I also think it is the perfect balance of science and child development as both areas interest me.

Everyone is so friendly and the tutors are so supportive, nothing is too much trouble as they support you with not only your learning but if you have any issues that affect your time at the University they are more than happy to help. Student support is also fantastic at the Hub with specialised support for those with disabilities and career help that extends after you leave.

Kim Buckless

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development

University Of Staffordshire Quote

The staff in the Psychology Department were very approachable which made my time at University of Staffordshire more enjoyable. I gained training in all the latest equipment and software related to psychology research and the Science Centre, where the Psychology department is based, has state-of-the-art equipment that is available to all students.

Sian Calvert

Graduate, BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development

Research spotlight: Vegan Mothers

Feature

A study by Eliza Jones and Dr Amy Burton exploring vegan mothers’ experiences of making food choices for infants and young children.

Apply now to Psychology and Child Development

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time 21 September 2026 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time 20 September 2027 Apply now

Apply now to Psychology and Child Development

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, with a placement year 21 September 2026 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, with a placement year 20 September 2027 Apply now

Apply now to Psychology and Child Development

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Part-time 20 September 2027 Apply now

Not ready to apply yet?

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Have you considered?

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025

TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021