MSc Developmental Science

A unique programme focusing on a developmental science approach in children and young people

Within the interdisciplinary field of Developmental Science, combining Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Computational Science, Neuroscience and Linguistics, this programme aims to enhance your understanding of key theoretical and practical issues about typical and atypical development in children and young people.

Using research techniques from different disciplines, you will gain the skills required to conduct independent scientific research that addresses key issues in developmental science.

Why study Developmental Science at Edinburgh?

  • Psychology is rated 3rd in the UK by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of the research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
  • We're ranked 6th in the UK and 26th in the world for psychology (QS World University Rankings by subject 2023).

Showcasing Psychology at Edinburgh

Programme structure

This programme contains two semesters of taught compulsory courses and optional courses followed by a dissertation. The taught courses and their assessments take place between September to December (Semester 1) and January to April (Semester 2). Planning for the dissertation will take place until April and carried out between April and August.

Dissertation

The dissertation is the capstone component of the programme and involves conducting an independent research project in a chosen area, and in close collaboration with a supervisor. Sometimes dissertations are subsequently published as journal articles.

There is a wide range of staff available for supervision within the department.

Course options

On this programme you will take the following core courses:

  • Psychological Research Skills
  • Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R
  • Multivariate Statistics and Methodology using R
  • Cognitive Developmental Science
  • Social/Affective Developmental Science

Optional courses available in addition to these are:

  • Cognitive Developmental Science
  • Seminar in Personality
  • Current Approaches in Social Psychology
  • Psychology of Language
  • Specialist Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Neuroscience of Language
  • Atypical Development
  • Applied Psychological Testing
  • Qualitative Research Methods
  • Or any other course open to MSc students

When to apply

We operate a gathered field approach to applications. You may submit your application at any time.

All complete applications that satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be placed on a shortlist and held until the next batch processing deadline. Applications will then be ranked and offers made to the top candidates.

Find out more about the degree programme and how to apply:

Connect with us

If you have any programme-specific enquiries please get in touch with the programme director:

Dr Nicolas Chevalier (Programme director)

Feel free to get in touch with our friendly Postgraduate Team with any questions you might have about academic or English language requirements, course information, enquiries about your application and information on arriving at the University.

Postgraduate Team enquiries:

Email: pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk

How to apply and fees & funding information:

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