Psychology of Education - MSc

The Psychology of Education MSc will introduce students to key theoretical issues in the psychology of education, critically analysing psychological theory and research, and exploring its contribution to educational issues and practice. It is intended for people who wish to gain Graduate Basis of Certified Status so that they can proceed to professional training as an educational or other psychologist.

Degree information

This programme aims to equip students to develop understanding of the current issues in the psychology of education and provide them with an opportunity to engage in research. On successful completion of the programme students should be able to produce and communicate reasoned and informed argument, both in writing and orally. Students will also be able to critically evaluate theory and evidence in psychology.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules
-Core Topics in the Psychology of Education
-Methodology and Statistics

Optional modules
-Cognitive Development and Learning or Personality and Social Psychology

Students choose one module from the following:
-Atypical Development
-Developmental Psychology and Psychobiology
-Issues in Educational Neuroscience
-Language Development
-Literacy Development
-Psychological Aspects of Counselling
-Reading and Spelling Difficulties
-Social Development

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, including guest speakers, student preparation of tasks and longer presentations, group work, discussion, and computer workshops giving hands-on practice. Assessment is through coursework and one unseen examination. Coursework can involve small exercices, critiques of set research articles and extended pieces of writing on set topics.

Careers

Graduates of this Master's degree are currently working as:
-PhD students
-Researchers in the public and private sectors
-Clinical and educational doctorate students.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Secondary School Head of Year, Unspecified London Borough
-Secondary School Teacher (A level Pyschology, Health and Society, Unspecified Secondary School
-Secondary School Teacher, Unspecified Catholic School and Sixth Form
-Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant, Unspecified Academy
-University Liaison Officer, Overseas Students Service Centre (OSSC)

Employability
This programme offers a comprehensive research training in developmental and educational psychology. It provides a good grounding for doctoral study and valuable preparation for a research career in the academic community, the public sector or in industry.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is one of the world's leading centres for education and related areas of social science - students learn from cutting-edge researchers in the field. For the third year in succession the UCL Institute of Education (IOE) has been ranked as the world's leading university for Education (QS World University Rankings 2016). Our alumni include government ministers; heads of schools, other educational institutions and NGOs; and Olympians and prize-winning authors.