Psychological Studies (BA): 4-year, part-time
Psychological studies with a focus on child development and education is a degree designed for those who work with or want to work with children and young people, and who want to develop the psychological knowledge and research skills to do so more effectively. Child development is the scientific study of how children grow, learn, and develop from infancy through adolescence, examining cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development and the factors that support or hinder it. Education psychology asks how learning works, how schools and families can best support children with diverse needs, and how psychological theory and research can be applied to educational practice.
At Birkbeck College, this four-year part-time BA Psychological Studies is specifically designed for people who are already in work or who need to study alongside other commitments, making it accessible to those who cannot study full time. Birkbeck's evening teaching model means you can pursue a degree-level qualification while maintaining professional and personal responsibilities. You will develop skills and understanding in how psychological theory and research can be applied to supporting children's and young people's learning and development more effectively, engaging with child psychology, educational psychology, developmental research, and the practical and ethical dimensions of working with children.
Graduates are prepared for a wide range of jobs working with children and young people, and the degree helps enhance career progression for those already employed in educational, social care, health, and community settings. Roles including teaching assistant, early years practitioner, learning mentor, family support worker, and community education worker are all well-suited to this degree. For those wishing to become a registered educational or child psychologist, further postgraduate study and supervised practice are required.
Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in educational psychology, child development, or counselling.