University of Nottingham

What you'll study

The programme is a professional doctorate that integrates taught teaching, supervised practice placements and a substantive research thesis. You will study core areas of child and adolescent development, assessment and formulation, evidence-based intervention, consultation and multi-agency working, neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health and wellbeing, and systemic and family approaches.

Typical taught modules and learning activities include:

• Advanced developmental psychology — theories and evidence on typical and atypical developmental pathways from infancy to adolescence.
• Assessment and formulation — psychometric and observational methods, dynamic assessment, diagnostic frameworks and report writing for educational contexts.
• Intervention and evidence-based practice — individual, group and school-wide interventions, behaviour support, social–emotional learning and outcome evaluation.
• Consultation, systems and multi-agency practice — consultation models, working with families, teachers and other professionals, legal and statutory contexts.
• Research methods and statistics — advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, research design, evaluation methods and critical appraisal skills required for the doctoral thesis.
• Professional practice and ethics — professional standards, reflective practice, safeguarding, confidentiality and cultural competence.
• Placement-based learning — sustained supervised practice in educational settings and local services, developing competence across assessment, intervention and consultation domains.

The doctoral research component requires you to design and complete an original applied research project that addresses a practice-relevant question. Assessment is a mix of portfolio evidence from placements, coursework, written examinations or case work, and the doctoral thesis.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a good honours degree (typically upper second class or equivalent) in psychology that confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (or equivalent). Successful applicants usually have substantial relevant experience working with children, young people and families in educational, health or social care settings, demonstrating direct practice and/or assessment experience.

Other typical requirements and expectations include:

• Evidence of competence in research methods and statistics (for example through undergraduate or postgraduate research modules or workplace evaluation projects).
• Strong academic and professional references that comment on suitability for doctoral-level professional training.
• A personal statement outlining motivation for practitioner training, relevant experience, and areas of research interest.
• For applicants whose first language is not English, an appropriate English language qualification is usually required.
• Successful completion of any local pre-entry checks required for working with children (such as enhanced disclosure or background checks) prior to commencing placements.

Career prospects

Graduates of an applied educational psychology doctorate typically pursue practitioner roles in local authority educational psychology services, health and integrated children’s services, voluntary and third-sector organisations, or independent practice. Common career paths include working as an educational psychologist providing assessment, intervention and consultation in schools; roles in health trusts or specialist services supporting neurodevelopmental and mental health needs; and positions in multi-agency safeguarding and special educational needs services.

Beyond practitioner roles, the doctorate also opens routes into research, academic posts, policy and consultancy work, training and leadership roles within children’s services, and applied research or evaluation positions focused on education and child wellbeing.

Why study at University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham offers an established training environment with a research-active School of Psychology and strong regional partnerships with local authorities and children’s services, which support diverse, supervised placement opportunities. Trainees benefit from access to multidisciplinary expertise across child development, mental health and educational research, and from supervisors with experience in applied practice and academic research.

The university provides structured support for doctoral-level professional training, including taught modules, dedicated placement coordination, research supervision and professional development resources. Its location and service links enable exposure to a wide range of practice settings and client groups, helping trainees build the competence and portfolio required for applied practice in educational psychology.