Overview
Providing you with an advanced understanding of this specialist discipline, this programme ensures you are ideally placed to excel in your career. Whether you pursue research, practice professional psychology or something else, you will be in a strong position to advance into senior roles.
A developmental disorder is any process that affects typical development from conception to adulthood. It can arise as a consequence of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, perinatal complications or environmental influences. In most cases, however, their aetiologies are unknown or poorly understood. In some cases, a disorder results in variations around a common outcome while in other cases the developmental trajectory is more heterogeneous. These consequences and outcomes will serve as a basis for illustrating the inherent difficulties in carrying out research on developmental disorders.
Lancaster is home to one of the world’s largest centres for developmental psychology research. Specialising in infancy and childhood development, our department is one of the UK’s leading research groups in the discipline. This programme will provide you with advanced insight into psychology and offer you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience that will be hugely beneficial in any career. You will benefit from the world-leading research being conducted by our staff, and our Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised PhD-level research training.
Throughout the course, you will study five taught modules and one substantial research project. This will ensure you receive the breadth of skills and depth of knowledge to engage with a wide range of careers, or to progress into further research and study.
You will complete two compulsory modules to develop your skills and expertise. You will extend and enhance your ability to collect, analyse and interpret psychological data. A solid foundation in these skills will be invaluable as you progress into research or into specialist psychology roles, such as clinical or forensic psychology.
In three subject specialist modules, you will focus on enhancing your discipline-specific knowledge, providing you with a deeper understanding of developmental psychology, and of the disorders of development. As a result, you will graduate with a state-of-the-art understanding of developmental psychology.
Within the degree programme, you will be taught vocational skills that you will need to obtain and sustain a career in psychology and other fields, such as CV writing, interview skills, team work and presentation skills.
At the core of your experience, you will undertake an independent research project, supervised by a member of our research-active staff. This dissertation will allow you to apply all that you have learnt to a dissertation topic of your choice. As well as developing your conceptual understanding, research design, data analysis, and communication skills, this project will be an exciting learning experience that will give you the opportunity to prove your skills, interests, and enthusiasm. What you achieve in your project will be important evidence of your skills and knowledge for prospective employers or postgraduate research student selection committees.
Assessment
We teach using a mix of lectures, seminars and practical lab sessions, encouraging increasingly independent study as your degree progresses. You will carry out regular web assessments to make sure your learning is on track, as well as practical work, essays, written examinations, practical lab reports, and presentations.
As a university, we commit to providing you with timely feedback on all aspects of your work.
Our community
Our students are key members of a thriving academic community. We offer an excellent staff-to-student ratio and an open-door policy to enable you to really get to know your lecturers. We believe this fosters a productive learning environment, helping you to achieve your potential.
In your time at Lancaster, your programme director will serve as your academic tutor. They will be here to make sure that you reach your personal goals. You will also be able to call on help, with any aspect of your studies, from the Director of Studies, from teaching coordinators, and from student learning advisors. We strive to inspire and encourage our future psychologists.
Careers
Our Developmental Disorders Master's will equip you with transferable skills valued by all employers in: communication; critical thinking; numeracy; and self-management. From research analysts to retail managers, a good grasp of human behavioural patterns and the science of the mind makes psychology graduates attractive to a wide range of employers.
Helping you to prepare for your future career is important to us. We will help you decide on your career path and give you the chance to develop the right skills. There are three Academic Employability Champions within the Psychology Department whose role is to ensure that our students become highly sought after, employable, graduates. This includes providing students with information about pathways to various careers inside and outside of psychology, and advice about further study. We offer one-to-one careers sessions, regular drop-in Psychology Careers cafés, and careers fairs.
Some psychology graduates go on to become chartered psychologists, specialising in clinical, educational, occupational, forensic, health or sports psychology. You will be equipped, also, to engage in opportunities in new and emerging areas such as environmental psychology, consumer psychology, and business intelligence. The workplace is a fiercely competitive field. In graduating with a Master's from Lancaster, you will be given a wider range of opportunities, and gain an edge when applying for new roles. This advanced qualification will also support your career progression as you move into more senior positions.
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Psychology or related degree subject is normally required.
We will also consider applications on an individual basis where you have a degree in an unrelated subject or a 2:2 or equivalent result. In these cases, you should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills have prepared you for postgraduate study in studying children's development.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
English Language Requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Pre-master’s programmes
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
Course structure
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
Core
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This module will enable you to learn about the skills psychologists need to study human behaviour. The module will enable you to understand the main ideas behind some key scientific methods used in advanced psychological research, combining critical concepts with an introduction to the skills required to use these methods in practice.
You will study research methods from different topic areas in psychology: social, developmental, neuroscience, cognitive.
The module will: (1) ensure that you are furnished with introductions to a range of methods across topic areas; (2) provide you with flexibility over which topic area you will focus on; (3) enable the development of a range of research skills in depth; and (4) promote open science best practices.
This module focuses on developing the statistical understanding and practical skills required to analyse quantitative data using the modern and powerful R statistical programming language and environment. During this module, our students will learn how to apply a range of analytic techniques that are standard in professional practice in psychological research, how to apply statistical tests across a variety of settings, as well as how to analyse both qualitative and quantitative data types.
A developmental disorder affects development from conception to adulthood. It can arise as a consequence of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, perinatal complications, or environmental influences (or a combination of these). In most cases, however, their aetiologies are unknown or poorly understood.
This course aims to examine a range of neurodevelopmental conditions and, through description and analysis, consider the clinical continuum of early detection, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention. The course will also foster the ability to synthesise and integrate concepts across specific conditions, and to consider the appropriate level of explanation and methodological approaches for understanding neurodivergent cognitive development. By means of reviewing key, up-to-date publications, you will be introduced to the most recent theories and methodologies that bear upon this continuum. The main thrust of these reviews will be to foster a critical, but constructive, attitude to the ways in which we as psychologists can advance understanding of developmental disorders.
Students will develop an understanding of developmental psychology research, methods and theories that apply when working with children. A wide range of approaches used in contemporary research in psychology will be addressed, and there will be focus on different theoretical assumptions underlying individual research techniques.Expanding on elements previously introduced at undergraduate level, this module examines the various stages of developmental change and includes a balance of historic and contemporary methods such as ERP and Near-infrared spectroscopy. Students will gain a working knowledge of how to implement different types of research procedure and learn how to write within the conventions implemented by the American Psychological Association in how to publish a research article.
Students will learn about the ethics which are required for events involving children, and, after submitting their own ethics proposal, will conduct independent research on a matter of their choice in order to contribute with other students in the ‘Hot Topic Debate’.
This module will give students the opportunity to apply their research and professional skills in an independent investigation. Students will focus in depth on a particular psychological question, and develop theoretical understanding of research methods to investigate that question. They will then communicate their findings in a report equivalent in standard to a published article in a professional psychology journal.
While carrying out research on the dissertation topic, students will develop essential skills in the critical evaluation of research literature. During the dissertation itself, they will independently complete the development and testing of a hypothesis, the design and construction of study and test materials, and the collection or collation of data relevant to testing their hypotheses. Students shall also determine the appropriate use of analytic methods, interpret and successfully communicate their research findings.
By the end of the dissertation, the students will have used empirical methods to collect original data or to select, prepare, and analyse secondary data; conducted appropriate analyses of the data; shown an understanding of the research findings and presented that understanding effectively.
This module aims to develop skills in critical reading, review, thinking and communication, alongside an awareness of ethical concerns in psychology. Student will learn how to understand and accommodate for the moral and ethical implications of experimental and observational studies, complete literature reviews of scientific papers from across psychological domains, as well communicate experimental findings – in both written and oral mediums – in a format suitable for academic and non-academic settings.
Optional
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What are the current contemporary issues in developmental psychology, how do researchers address them, and how do we convert this research to make a real difference to children's lives? This module presents you with a series of the very latest topics in developmental psychology, with experts talking you through how research in that topic area is formed, how it is conducted, analysed, how then the research can apply in practical settings, and what the next stages will be in the research topic - what will be the next step in our understanding of development.
This module will provide you with an introduction to, and grounding in, both qualitative and quantitative approaches to the analysis of talk and text. It takes you through the process of conducting a research project using combined methods. By the end of the module, you will be able to generate and collect qualitative and quantitative data from both mediums suitable for analysis, apply a range of analytical methods to such data, as well as consider the ethical issues surrounding the collection and analysis of speech and text-based datasets.
Building on skills learnt in PSYC411, this module aims to equip students to conduct and present quantitative data analyses appropriately and effectively using advanced methods. Students will be introduced to popular, modern, data analysis techniques through a combination of lectures and practical workshops, learning especially how to utilise modelling techniques (such as linear and generalised linear mixed-effect models) across a wide range of psychological applications, as well as the importance of reproducibility within the psychological sciences.
This module involves a self-directed literature review, undertaken by the student on a psychological topic of their own choosing, under expert supervision. Students will be encouraged to develop an in-depth knowledge of a specific area of psychological research. This will include both classic theories and studies in the area, as well as up-to-date knowledge of current approaches and recent research findings.
Students will engage and develop skills in literature searching, in addition to the understanding they will gain in evaluating evidence, summarising findings from primary sources, and drawing conclusions on the basis of existing research. Students will obtain the practical knowledge and experience required to use electronic and other forms of library resources to identify published research in psychology, and will be aware of different traditions of theory and research in their chosen topic area.
Paired lectures and seminars will cover a wide range of indicative topics, including auditory and visual languages, psycholinguistic programmes and the subliminal power of advertising such as non-conscious effects, persuasion and emotional appeals.
Students will advance their skills in the critical examination of empirical evidence and theoretical arguments. They will examine the main cognitive psychological factors that impact on advertising success, ranging from lower-level perceptual, attentional and memory processes through to higher-level interpretational and inferential processes.
In addition, this module provides an understanding of the psychology of advertising from both a developmental and adult perspective, while also examining methodological issues associated with the study of child and adult cognition.
This module is designed to explore meta-level issues that are important for work on psychology and behavioural analytics. Here, students learn a theoretical toolkit - and understand the implications for how they might use these concepts to explore or refine a psychologically-relevant question using digital data. To this end, the module discusses the current state of psychological science and the key tensions that exist as psychologists begin to embrace new forms of digital data. It introduces key psychological theories and explores which theories are best supported ‘outside of the lab’ by new forms of digital data. Beyond positioning psychology across this new digital plane, this module deals with issues of research ethics, morality, and scientific practice.
Education during the school years directly impacts further study and employment opportunities, and has also been linked to long-term physical and mental health. Understanding how individuals learn and engage in educational settings is therefore crucial.
This module will explore these important issues through the lens of psychology. You will gain an understanding of the key role of psychology in education. You will be introduced to contemporary research which has investigated how psychological concepts operate in educational settings. You will also critically evaluate research studies and methodologies, identifying both strengths and weaknesses, and apply this knowledge in a range of practical activities.
You will develop a range of skills during the module, including your ability to communicate complex information to non-specialist audiences, communicate effectively in both writing and orally, and develop strong and coherent critique of research studies and methodologies.
Fees and funding
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2025/26 entry fees have not yet been set.
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There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and bursaries
Details of our scholarships and bursaries for 2025-entry study are not yet available, but you can use our opportunities for 2024-entry applicants as guidance.
Check our current list of scholarships and bursaries.
Important Information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.