Professional Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology DEdPsy

About this degree

The DEdPsy at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society provides BPS and HCPC approved professional training in applied educational psychology, and supports trainee educational psychologists (TEPs) to develop the skills and understandings necessary to operationalise the role of an educational psychologist (EP) in Local Authority settings. The programme effectively synthesises theory and practice through the integration of teaching sessions and professional placement opportunities. The programme is based on contemporary andragogy and models of effective professional learning, and uses contextualised psychological analysis, skills labs and training in video enhanced reflective practice to support the development of professional practice and our assessments are based on the connected curriculum and include professionally relevant skills and practices.

Educational Psychologists (EPs) work with children and young people, aged 0-25 years, their families and allied professionals in a range of different contexts, including schools, and community-based settings, where our trainees will experience supervised practice placements, supported by our outstanding team of experienced practicing EPs. The DEdPsy programme is based on an eco-systemic heuristic and provides comprehensive coverage of the most current theoretical models of applied educational psychology, including coverage of a wide range of special educational needs, mental health and therapeutic needs, and consideration of many other systemic and psycho-social factors that might influence the development of children and young people. The placement experiences in Local Authority EP services facilitates and supports the trainee to apply theory in practice and develop high quality, psychologically informed evidence-based interventions and strategies that will support the inclusion of children and young people within their community and learning contexts.

The programme also aims to develop high quality research skills and the location of the DEdPsy at the world leading IOE provides trainee EPs with the opportunity to engage in innovative research alongside world leaders in the fields of education and psychology, including staff from the Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) and the Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU).

The DEdPsy is a three-year professional training doctorate programme that is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Successful completion of the programme enables graduates to register as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC and as a Chartered Educational Psychologist with the BPS as well as enabling them to practice as an Educational Psychologist in the UK.

All applicants must have a BPS recognised degree qualification in Psychology equivalent to an upper second-class Bachelor's degree. Applicants with a lower second-class Bachelor's degree but a further academic qualification at Master's level will also be considered. Additionally, all applicants must have a minimum of two years voluntary or paid employment experience working with children and young people in the 0-25 age range in community, health, social care or educational contexts. Applicants must also have enhanced level DBS status. We actively encourage applications from those from diverse backgrounds as we aim to develop a profession that reflects the diversity of the populations we work with.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 5

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Trainee EPs successfully completing the programme meet the professional skills and competency requirements set out by the HCPC and BPS. As such they are entitled to register with the HCPC for the protected title of Practitioner Psychologist (Education) and to apply for chartered status with the BPS. Graduates are eligible to apply for posts as educational psychologists in local authority children’s services in the UK.