Program Overview

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Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology MSc

Key information

Delivery mode: In person, Classroom & Online Study mode: Full time Duration: 12 months full-time, September to September Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180/ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course essentials

The course will provide training to graduates relevant to careers related to mental health. Topics covered include the characterisation of developmental psychopathology, the biological (genetic) and environmental causes and development of mental health problems across the lifespan (including neurodevelopmental disorders) and an understanding of the most standard psychological therapies used in clinical practice and available support service systems. In addition, the course will provide you with a solid understanding of the most recent research methods applied in this area. Also, embedded within the curriculum is the development of a range of skills and attributes linked to future careers and employability - such as cultural competency, development of psychological attributes such as resilience, self-management and team-working skills.

The course comprises three components:

• Developmental psychopathology: Covers parental mental health difficulties during pregnancy and in the postpartum period and the impact on infant development, followed by a description/classification of the most common mental health problems that typically onset across three life stages: childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
• Advanced Methods in Developmental Psychopathology: Covers general statistics (mandatory) as well as optional modules covering more specialised approaches, including family-based designs, using genomic data to test causality, and qualitative research methods.
• Dissertation Project: This can be a quantitative or qualitative research project, with the possibility to link the project to your placement (where indicated by the programme).

Base campus

Denmark Hill Campus, Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students.

Entry requirements

UK applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above.
• Programme-Specific Requirements: A high Upper second class degree (65% average) in either Psychology or related disciplines (behavioral or biological sciences) and medicine or professions allied to medicine.

International applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

English language band: B

To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Selection process

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Personal Statement: A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages).
• Previous Academic Study: A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained.
• References: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: You may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application.

Teaching methods - what to expect

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars, and tutorials.

Assessment

• Written Examinations
• Coursework
• Individual or Group Projects

Structure

Required modules

• Introduction to Statistics (15 credits)
• Developmental Psychopathology I: Perinatal period and Infancy (30 credits)
• Developmental Psychopathology II: Childhood, adolescence, and adulthood (30 credits)
• Dissertation Project (60 credits)

Optional modules

• Placements (15 credits)
• Psychological Approaches to Treatment (15 credits)
• Nature & Nurture I: Approaches to Addressing Key Questions in Psychopathology (15 credits)
• Nature & Nurture II: Genomic Approaches in Psychopathology (15 credits)
• Qualitative Research: Methods & Practice (15 credits)

Employability

In addition to the core teaching, the optional module selection, the optional placement experience, and the dissertation project, the course provides opportunities to develop your knowledge towards different interests and career pathways. Included are careers within academia (PhD training), psychological roles (psychological well-being practitioner training (PWP)), roles within science media, and roles within mental health charities.

Tuition Fees

UK

• Full time: £16,950 per year (2025/26)

International

• Full time: £40,000 per year (2025/26)

Deposit

If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.

• The Home deposit is £500.
• The International deposit is £2000.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
• DBS checks although you can apply to the course to have the cost reimbursed once enrolled.
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
• Library fees and fines.
• Personal photocopies.
• Printing course handouts.
• Society membership fees.
• Stationery.
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
• Graduation costs.

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

IOPPN Postgraduate Taught Scholarships

Scholarships of £5000 are available for this programme for 2025/26 entry, to support students with the financial commitments of postgraduate study. The scholarships are available for all full-time Home and International fee status students, with a deadline to apply of Friday 21 February 2025.