Program Overview

Program Overview

The DEdPsy Educational Psychology program is a flexible research degree designed to meet the needs of practicing Educational Psychologists (EPs) with at least one year's experience in the field. The course combines applied psychology with high-quality real-world research in a variety of vital and complex educational issues.

Research Opportunities

The program provides a framework for developing rich evidence-based practice and self-reflection. It takes a distinctive approach to a professional doctoral qualification through its focus on research rather than taught modules. Research opportunities are available in various areas, including:

• Teaching and learning
• Health and wellbeing
• Developmental trauma
• Behavioural analysis
• Video interaction guidance
• Motivation
• Dynamic assessment
• Research methods
• Language development
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Implementation science

Aims and Learning Outcomes

The aim of the Doctorate is to develop:

• Research skills in design, data collection, and analysis leading to the submission of an original thesis that makes an identifiable contribution to knowledge in an area of developmental/educational psychology
• A critical academic understanding of current advances in theory and research within a specialist area of professional expertise
• Effective, critical, and reflective independent professional practice using a range of assessment and intervention approaches that are underpinned by psychological paradigms and are evidence-based

Intended learning outcomes will focus on the development of the following key skills:

• Research and critical analysis skills
• Academic and professional knowledge of current advances in an area of developmental/educational psychology
• Critical and reflective practice that is evidence-based
• Ecological-systemic practice at levels of casework, consultancy, and research/policy development

Duration

The minimum period of study for Scottish EPs with an MSc in Educational Psychology is 24 months. Candidates without an MSc may have to complete an additional 9-month portfolio of 3 small-scale project work carried out in practice.

Fees and Funding

All fees quoted are for full-time unless otherwise stated. Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter. The annual revision of fees may occur, with a maximum increase of 10% per year.

• Scotland: £4,786 (2024/25), £5,006 (2025/26)
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £4,786 (2024/25), £5,006 (2025/26)
• Republic of Ireland: same as England, Wales & Northern Ireland
• International: £18,050 (2024/25), £19,850 (2025/26)

Supervisors

The program has several supervisors with expertise in various areas, including:

• Dr Clare Daly: teaching and learning, health and wellbeing, developmental trauma, behavioural analysis, video interaction guidance, motivation, dynamic assessment
• Prof Jim Boyle: research methods, language development, autism spectrum disorders, implementation science

Support and Development

The Graduate School provides a friendly and supportive study environment for research students. The Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD) program aims to ensure students get the most out of their current research activities and helps prepare them for their future career as a researcher.

Apply

Candidates will be required to submit a research proposal prior to study. Entry requirements include a Master's degree in Educational Psychology and at least one year's experience in the field. The application must be supported by the Principal Educational Psychologist of the service the candidate is working in. The application process involves submitting:

• Full contact details
• Transcripts and certificates of all degrees
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Two reference letters, one of which must be academic
• Support in principle from the line manager
• Research proposals of around 1,000 words in length, detailing the subject area and proposed research methods to be investigated

Start Dates

The program starts between October 2024 and September 2025, with subsequent start dates available.