Triangle

Research overview

Prepare yourself for a professional career in educational psychology. Our doctorate focuses on the link between theory and practice.

The programme is delivered by the School of Psychology which provides you with the opportunity to meet leading practitioners and researchers. We have over 50 years of expertise in this area. We also work closely with professional educational psychologists employed by the regional local authorities and other settings.

The course uses inclusive principles and practices. It will support you to become an effective consultant, systems analyst and problem-solver. You'll graduate with a scientist-practitioner mindset.

You'll learn through academic taught modules, professional fieldwork placements and a research project.

Key facts

  • Accredited by the British Psychological Society
  • Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council
  • Funded places available for UK residents 

Open morning - Saturday 5 October 2024

This years event has already taken place, however, you can find out more by viewing the presentation slides.

You can also watch a recording from last year's event.

Got questions? Please email our team ep-administrator@nottingham.ac.uk 

Course content

Alongside the modules listed in each year, you will do placements.

In year one, you'll be on supervised placements throughout the year in educational psychology services, with some supplementary placement weeks.

In years two and three, you will undertake placements of 130 days per year. These are usually supported by a local authority bursary in educational psychology services.

Placements are usually in the East Midlands but can be elsewhere if there is availability.

Assessment

Taught modules are assessed by written assignments, focused case studies or presentations. Placements are supported and evaluated through three-way meetings involving you, your university tutor and your placement supervisor. Assessment is through a portfolio, including a Professional Development Log of competencies.

  • Professional Practice Skills in Educational Psychology 
  • Supporting Learning 1: Assessment and Intervention for Learning
  • Supporting Behaviour 1: Assessment and Support for SEMH Needs in School & Other Settings
  • Psychology of Development in Context
  • Professional Practice Development 1: Placement A: Data Collection and Analysis Skills
  • Applied Research Methods in Educational Psychology 1: Developing EPs as Research Practitioners
  • Supporting Learning 2: Assessment and Intervention for Complex and Diverse Learning Needs
  • Supporting Behaviour 2: Assessing and Supporting complex and diverse SEMH needs in community and other settings
  • Professional Practice Development 2: Placement B: Problem Analysis and Intervention
  • Applied Research Methods 2: Research Development
  • Strategic and Organisational Application of Psychology
  • Professional Practice Development 3: Placement C: Integrational of Professional Practice Skills
  • Applied Research Methods 3: Thesis Development

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

QualificationDAppEdPsy
Degree

2:1 in psychology, providing Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.

2:2 may be accepted with a masters degree or above in a relevant subject.

Work experience

You will also need at least one year's experience working with children or young people with sustained levels of responsibility. Please refer to Clearing House guidance for information on the experience required.

QualificationDAppEdPsy
Degree

2:1 in psychology, providing Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.

2:2 may be accepted with a masters degree or above in a relevant subject.

International and EU equivalents

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.

Work experience

You will also need at least one year's experience working with children or young people with sustained levels of responsibility.

IELTS7.0 (7.0 in each element)
English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications.

This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.

Applying

We have inclusive principles and strongly welcome applicants who reflect the diversity of the population, including those who are currently underrepresented in the educational psychology profession.

How to apply

Application for those eligible for UK funding is through the Clearing House. The deadline to apply for funded places through the Clearing House will be in November/December 2024. See their website for the latest deadline information. International or self-funded applicants should apply using the University's application system. The deadline for applying is Tuesday 6 May 2025.

Interviews

Applications are initially assessed. Successful applicants will then be invited to a selection day.

Selection days typically include interviews with a tutor and field practitioner, a brief presentation, and a written and small-group task.

Interview dates for the AEP Educational Psychology Funded Training applications as follows:

  • 20 January 2025
  • 27 January 2025
  • 10 February 2025
  • 24 February 2025
  • 3 March 2025

Fees

QualificationDAppEdPsy
Home / UKTBC
International£32,400

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

Funded students

In year one you will have to cover the travel costs to and from placements. Students usually use their stipend to help fund travel costs. In years two and three, you are given up to £1,000 expenses to cover travel, books and equipment.

Self-funded students

If you are a self-funded student, you will have to cover the cost of travel to and from placements in all years of the course. The purchase of books and equipment is optional. 

Funding

UK applicants

Applicants who are residents in the UK are able to apply for funding through the Clearing House for Postgraduate Educational Psychology courses. This is administered by the Association of Educational Psychologists. Please email: ep-administrator@nottingham.ac.uk for more information.

Funding covers tuition fees throughout all three years of the programme and a stipend in year one to cover living costs. In years two and three of the programme, you'll typically secure funded placements, usually through bursary schemes.

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Support

You will have a university tutor as well as a placement supervisor. Both supervisors will be a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist.

You will receive regular individual support. This will help you integrate the theoretical, professional and research components of the course.

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services, including:

  • academic and disability support
  • childcare services
  • counselling service
  • faith support
  • financial support
  • mental health and wellbeing support
  • visa and immigration advice
  • welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

  • international students
  • black and minority ethnic students
  • students who identify as women
  • students with disabilities
  • LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Course facilities

You will have access to school facilities such as computer rooms and the postgraduate common room. 

You will have placements in an Educational Psychology Service within a local authority or other appropriate settings. You will have access to all the facilities available within these services.

Careers

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Our graduates are eligible to register as Practitioner Psychologists (Educational) with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They'll then work as educational psychologists in local authorities and other educational psychology service providers.

There are opportunities for progression to management or to specialist roles.

British Psychological Society

Being accredited by the British Psychological Society means we've met the Society's quality standards in education and training.

Health and Care Professions Council

This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.

You will attend placements across the three years of the course. The graduates of the programme are expected to have completed a minimum of 300 placement days within a local authority or other appropriate educational psychology service.

The course works in close partnership with regional local authorities and other educational psychology services who support work placements and make occasional contributions to the programme.

Related courses

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

  • The School of Psychology is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for research power according to the Research Excellence Framework 2021
  • 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
  • 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
  • 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 13 December 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.