Developmental Psychology at Lancaster University at Main

Concerned with the study of how humans change over time, Lancaster's Developmental Psychology Masters program provides students with a rigorous and detailed understanding of the discipline. The expertise gained from this course will give graduates the advantage in any career.

Through this program students will develop advanced insight into psychology while gaining hands-on experience that will be hugely beneficial in any career. Home to one of the world’s largest centres for developmental psychology research, Lancaster specialises in infancy and childhood development and the department is one of the UK’s leading research groups in the discipline. In this setting students will benefit from the world-leading research being conducted by staff, and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised PhD-level research training.

Throughout the course, students will study five taught modules and one substantial research project. This will ensure they receive the breadth of skills and depth of knowledge to engage with a wide range of careers, or to progress into further research and study.

During the year, students will complete three compulsory modules to develop fundamental skills and expertise in the discipline, ensuring they graduate with a state-of-the-art understanding of developmental psychology. In addition, they will extend and enhance their abilities to analyse and interpret psychology data, and gain a high-level of advanced psychological research skills. A solid foundation in these skills will be invaluable as students progress into research or into specialist psychology roles, such as clinical or forensic psychology.

Within the degree program, students will also be taught valuable vocational skills that will support their career aspirations in psychology and other fields, such as CV writing, interview skills, team work and presentation skills.

Alongside studying, students will undertake an independent research project, supervised by a member of the department's research-active staff. This dissertation will allow them to apply all that they have learnt to a dissertation topic of their choice. As well as developing their conceptual understanding, research design, data-analysis, and communication skills, this project will be an exciting learning experience that will give students the opportunity to prove their skills, interests, and enthusiasm. What students achieve in the project will be important evidence of their skills and knowledge in support of any applications they make after graduating.