Psychology and Child Development at Staffordshire University

You’ll learn about how psychology shapes who we are and how children behave and mature.  You will gain an understanding of how children grow, behave and mature differently.

With a firm academic grounding in key elements of psychology, you will cover areas such as behavioural patterns, brain development, mental health diagnosis, and treatment.

Our multi-million-pound Science Centre is home to cutting edge facilities such as cognitive research cubicles, observation and counselling suites, IT labs and psychophysiology equipment.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology and Child Development

Students on all undergraduate Psychology courses at Staffordshire University can opt to undertake a placement (sandwich) year; a structured work experience opportunity which enables you to develop and implement psychology specific and transferable skills whilst getting experience in a professional working environment. 

Placements take place between levels 5 and 6 of our undergraduate degrees and last for a period of 9 months, from September to June. The Placement Year is an assessed, pass/fail year that would be added to your existing programme of study. The assessment is by written reflection and submission of a placement activity log. Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to secure their own work placement – we will of course support you through the selection, application and approval process.

Throughout your placement period you will be supervised by a Workplace Supervisor, (usually your line manager) and you and your supervisor will have regular contact with the University through an allocated University Placement Supervisor. Contact with both you and your workplace supervisor may at times be via phone or Skype, and you will also receive at least one planned visit by your University Placement Supervisor to the workplace towards the beginning of the Placement.

Our current placement year students are working in various charity organisations, and as research assistants within higher education institutions.

The fee for the placement year will vary depending on the year – please get in contact if you would like more information about this.

The Psychology Department works with local, regional and national employers alongside international university partners to provide students with placement and work experience opportunities both in the UK and abroad. We are currently planning this years’ student visit to Samsun, Turkey.