Program Overview

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MSc Developmental Psychology

Course summary

Gain a greater understanding of human development across all stages of life – mentally, socially and behaviourally – on this conversion course accredited by the British Psychology Society (BPS).

How you learn

The course is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to balance your studies with existing commitments. You can choose to study full-time, attending two days a week for one year. Or you can study part-time, attending one day a week, which is ideal for professionals looking to advance their career.

You’ll be taught by lecturers who are experts in developmental psychology and allied areas. They’ll guide you through a flexible, blended learning experience that combines on-campus teaching with online learning.

You learn through:

• lectures and seminars
• workshops
• online learning and Virtual Learning Environments (VLE)
• presentations
• independent study
• discussion boards and research forums
• online support

Modules

Compulsory modules

• Applied Developmental Psychology
• Developmental Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychobiology
• Fundamentals In Design And Statistics
• Lifespan Attachment Theory: Research And Application
• Psychology Of Differential Development
• Psychology Of Social Development
• Qualitative Research Design And Analysis
• Research Issues In Developmental Psychology
• Research Project In Developmental Psychology
• Theory And Practice In Counselling And Psychotherapy

Future careers

This MSc is an ideal career progression route and conversion course, equipping you with the core academic and subject-specific skills you’ll need to access postgraduate training courses for a career in psychology.

This course provides Continuing Professional Development for individuals employed in areas working with specific age groups, and prepares you for a career in:

• education settings, such as teaching and SEN
• academia, such as a PhD in psychology and related disciplines
• doctorate roles in clinical or educational psychology
• research work within academic settings

Equipment and facilities

The new City Campus offers a flexible and contemporary teaching and learning environment to encourage both staff-student contact and peer-to-peer engagement.

We also have a dedicated Technical Operations, Resources and Services (TORS) team who provide numerous resources to our students as well as access to laboratories for experimental research.

You’ll also use learning environments and digital and online resources to support your learning.

You’ll have access to our specialist research facilities, such as:

• an observation suite
• an eye-tracking laboratory
• a BioPac psychophysics laboratory
• a low-level vision laboratory
• a food laboratory
• electroencephalography (EEG) equipment
• transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS)

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

Entry requirements

• A 2:2 degree or above or equivalent in any subject.
• We may consider graduates with relevant work experience.
• If you do not have these qualifications, or you are unsure whether you have the equivalent, please contact us.
• You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more

International students

• Typically you need qualifications equivalent to the above, and if English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in all other skills. For equivalencies see our English language entry requirements web page.
• If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
• If you do not have these qualifications, or you are unsure whether you have the equivalent, please contact us.

Fees and funding

Home students

• Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £10,940 for the course.
• If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

• Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,600 for the course.

Postgraduate student loans

• Up to £12,858 is available in 2025/26 for home students on most masters courses.

Additional course costs

• The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
• General course additional costs
• Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences (PDF, 614.1KB)

Legal information

• Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.