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Psychology with Educational Psychology

BA (Hons)

Application options include:

Part-time
On campus

Course Overview

Are you interested in how children and young people learn? Do you want to know more about their development, mental health, emotional wellbeing, and how psychology is applied to learning and teaching?

Whether you already work with children and young people or would like to work with them, the BA Psychology with Educational Psychology at Birkbeck will prepare you for a wide range of jobs and career progression. This degree will give you significant skills and understanding in how psychological theory and research can support children more effectively.

Drawing on our expertise in psychological sciences, you will focus on issues of relevance to professionals working with children and young people, including:

  • intellectual, social and emotional development
  • mental health and wellbeing
  • learning and learning difficulties
  • communication and relationship building
  • special educational needs, inclusion and diversity
  • reflective practice.

You will study key issues in developmental and educational psychology, critically analyse theories and research, and explore how these can support your professional practice. Throughout the degree you will be able to select option modules to reflect your individual and professional interests. In your final year you will produce an extended essay on a topic of your choice, under the guidance and supervision of an academic member of staff.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Psychology with Educational Psychology (BA (Hons)).

Key information and modules

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Highlights

  • This BA Psychology with Educational Psychology will equip you with knowledge and a critical appreciation of contemporary psychological theory and research, and key issues in educational and developmental psychology.
  • The degree is unique in its highly applied focus, allowing you to explore how psychological theories (especially in educational psychology) can benefit both teachers and students. It will support you to develop your skills as a professional and to develop strategies and approaches that will be directly applicable in your work with children and young people.
  • You will have access to extensive support as part of your lectures and through additional study days and workshops.
  • Our graduates have successfully progressed to a wide range of careers, including specialist support workers, learning mentors, family support professionals, nursery managers, pastoral managers and Special Educational Needs coordinators. Others have continued their studies to master’s level or gained professional qualifications, for example, as teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, counsellors and psychotherapists specialising in therapeutic work with children and young people.
  • Birkbeck is strongly oriented towards research in psychological sciences and we are home to the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, the Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, the Birkbeck-UCL Centre for Neuroimaging and the Centre for Cognition, Computation and Modelling. We also recently became members of the Bloomsbury Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Statistics.
  • In the 2023 National Student Survey, Birkbeck's School of Psychological Sciences ranked 5th in the UK for teaching. We are consistently regarded as one of the top institutions teaching psychological sciences in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, and for the third time, we were ranked in the top ten universities in the UK.

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    We welcome all interested applicants with and without formal qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. 

    However, as a minimum, applicants must have:

    • a good standard of written and spoken English
    • a good standard of basic mathematics
    • basic computer skills
    • an active and ongoing engagement in the education sector working directly with children or young people (as a paid employee or as a volunteer) for a minimum of one day (six hours) a week, for the duration of the degree.
    • a workplace mentor (to support your reflective practice at work)

    Confirmation of your placement and mentor will only be required when you enrol.

    UCAS tariff points

    The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.

    Alternative entry routes

    The Certificate of Higher Education in Applied Psychology offers an entry route into the second year of this course.

    English language requirements

    There are no formal IELTS requirements for this course and students undertake a written test prior to interview to determine their level of English.

    International students must also have a placement working with children or young people in the UK before their application can be considered.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Psychology with Educational Psychology BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

    Academic year 2024–25, starting October 2024

    Part-time home students: £6,935 per year
    Part-time international students: £13,215 per year

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    To be confirmed

    Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their programme. Tuition fees for students continuing on their programme in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Tuition fee and maintenance loans

    Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don’t have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.

    Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to assist with covering living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.

    Funding for EU students is changing from August 2021: find out about details of these changes.

    Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time students at Birkbeck.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    The course includes a number of learning and teaching methods offering you a variety of learning opportunities including lectures, seminars, small group work and a supervised extended essay reviewing relevant literature.

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    Essays, including essay plans and an extended essay, case studies, research reports, critical analyses of published papers, class presentations, learning and reflective journals, and examinations.

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    Graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, education and research. This degree is suitable for those who want to support children and young people’s learning, development and wellbeing as:

    • mentors
    • family support workers
    • behaviour specialists
    • primary or early years teachers.

    Please note: this degree does not confer Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society or Qualified Teacher Status. You will need to undertake further training at postgraduate level.

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses.

    Full-time (UCAS entry)

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, go to the UCAS website and click on ‘Sign in’. You will have to register, giving UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

    Part-time

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (4 or 6 year), you apply directly to Birkbeck by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure that there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol. You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply.

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link. Please note that online application will open in September.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Psychology with Educational Psychology BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2024

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

  • Year 1: six compulsory modules, including an uncredited study skills module, and a Level 4 option module
  • Year 2: six compulsory modules
  • Year 3: two compulsory modules and four Level 5 option modules
  • Year 4: a core and a compulsory module and three Level 6 option modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 4 core and compulsory modules
Level 4 option modules
Level 5 option modules
Level 6 option modules

Course structure and modules for Psychology with Educational Psychology BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

  • Year 1: six compulsory modules, including an uncredited study skills module, and a Level 4 option module
  • Year 2: six compulsory modules
  • Year 3: two compulsory modules and four Level 5 option modules
  • Year 4: a core and a compulsory module and three Level 6 option modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 4 core and compulsory modules
Level 4 option modules
Level 5 option modules
Level 6 option modules