Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Educational Psychology (DEdPsy)

Course Aims

The aim of the programme is to offer knowledge and expertise for a career as an educational psychologist (EP), via doctorate-level study. Completion of the programme confers eligibility to apply for registration as a practitioner psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to the British Psychological Society (BPS) for Chartered EP status.

Applicants should note the following:

• Cardiff University has in place a Policy for Determining Applicants’ Fitness to Practise and Eligibility to Pursue Regulated Programmes of Study. This policy will be followed where information is disclosed or received about applicants, which suggests that a fitness to practise assessment is required.
• Eligibility to enrol on the programme, if offered a place, is dependent upon satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check, i.e., one that does not reveal any information that suggests a trainee would be unsuitable for work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• The HCPC carries out its own health and character checks to determine whether individuals are fit to practise and can be included on the Register. So passing all elements of this programme does not guarantee automatic inclusion on the HCPC’s Register.

Programme Description

The aim of the programme is to provide a sound theoretical basis, as well as the requisite skills in applying psychology, to equip trainees to perform the role of the educational psychologist.

The curriculum covers the following six themes:

• Research methods in educational psychology
• Processes and methods of assessment.
• The psychology of learning: managing change
• The psychology of behaviour: managing change
• Understanding and working with systems, organisations and groups: managing change
• The role of the educational psychologist: managing change

Each trainee has two personal tutors plus a fieldwork supervisor on each LA placement.

Assesment

In Year 1, there is continuous assessment of theoretical and practical work. In Year 2, as well as continuous assessment of practical work, a small scale research report and related documents are assessed. In Year 3, there is continuing assessment of practical work and trainees submit a 35,000 - 45,000 word research portfolio, including a thesis.

Skills Acquired

Successful graduates will meet all of the HCPC’s Standards of Proficiency and the BPS’s Required Competencies for Practitioner Psychologists.

Career Prospects

All DEdPsy graduates to date have found suitable employment, mostly working as educational psychologists in local authorities in England and Wales.

Special Features

• Successful graduates are eligible to apply for registration as practitioner psychologists with the HCPC and for Chartered status with the BPS
• The DEdPsy Programme was approved by the HCPC and accredited by the BPS in April 2012. During that process, both bodies provided extremely positive feedback about the programme and the quality of its trainees and graduates

Entry Requirements

Suitable for individuals with:

• a qualification in psychology which confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS), usually by the December preceding the start of the programme
• appropriate and sufficient experience of working with children (0-19) in educational, social services or community settings

For non-native speakers of English a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 will be required.

Note: International students pursuing part-time programmes of study are not eligible for Tier 4 (General Student) visas and must have alternative leave to remain in the UK if they intend to study at the University in person.

Please see the DEdPsy website for detailed information about all aspects of completing the application form.

Additional Information

The programme is a three-year, full-time course of study, with trainees spending some time on practical fieldwork placements in local authority (LA) Educational Psychology Services across all three years.

For the 2014-2017 cohort, it is anticipated that there will be nine or ten funded places, with fee elements and bursaries provided for all three years, but trainees will have to pay a fee supplement in all three years. In addition, one or two unfunded places will be offered to suitable candidates who meet all essential entry criteria. Further information will be provided on the DEdPsy website.

Applications must be submitted between 21st October and 13th December 2013 using the Cardiff University Online Application service (available via a link from the DEdPsy website, which also gives details of the application process).

Fees and Funding

There will be 9 or 10 places funded centrally by the Welsh Government and the Welsh Local Government Association.

Bursary and fees for trainees starting in 2014 have not yet been confirmed but are likely to be different from those starting in 2013. Bursaries for the 2013-2016 cohort are currently £12600 and fee supplements for that cohort are £4000 in Year 1 and £2000 in each of Years 2 and 3.

UK & EU Full Time Student Fees for 2012/2013:

• Year 1 Fee: £14,325 (£11.000 paid by central funding)
• Year 2 Fee: £ 6,320 (£5,000 paid by central funding)
• Year 3 Fee: £ 6,320 (£5,000 paid by central funding).

Next intake: September each year

More information

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