Applied Educational Psychology Doctorate (DAppEdPsy)

Overview

As part of the Applied Educational Psychology Doctorate, you will study and develop an understanding of:

• development
• relationships
• behaviour
• inter-relationship in organisational structures within educational and community settings

The Applied Educational Psychology course suits those with an understanding of educational systems and settings.

You'll explore applying psychology to make a difference in the lives of young people. We understand that development is taking place throughout education. This influences the psychology we draw upon.

Educational Psychologists (EP) work with:

• individual children
• young people
• parents
• carers/teachers/other agencies

You'll support individuals and work at an organisational level. This is to facilitate the learning and wellbeing of children and young people. Along with all BPS accredited EP training programmes we draw upon a wide range of psychology. 

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

During your training, you'll also undertake research projects. These include:

• a systematic review of published research in a relevant field
• an empirical study presented as a paper for an appropriate peer-reviewed journal

You'll maintain a practice portfolio that chronicles and evidences your professional development.

As part of the Applied Educational Psychology Doctorate, you'll also study four taught modules which cover:

• key issues of inclusion and diversity
• working in partnership
• learning and social environments
• frameworks for practice

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Applied Educational Psychology modules

Modules

Compulsory modules

Inclusion and Diversity (30 credits)
Working in Partnership (30 credits)
Learning and Social Environment (30 credits)
Frameworks for Practice (30 credits)
Professional Practice A (30 credits)
Professional Practice B (30 credits)

Year 1
Modules are shown above.

Year 2
You will undertake the following work, which is not modularised:

• a research proposal
• a portfolio of professional work
• a systematic review of the literature (5,000 words). This will examine an aspect of a broad topic of interest that will be the focus of the inquiry throughout the whole thesis (and be summarised in the title for the thesis)

Year 3
You will undertake the following work, which is not modularised:

• a brief chapter (no more than 3000 words) that will provide a methodological and ethical critique of possible and relevant research designs and methods to be employed in an empirical study.
• an empirical research study of 7,000 words presented in the required format for submission to a nominated Journal.
• a reflective synthesis (2000 words) of professional and academic learning acquired in achieving the above. This will show what the work means for the trainee as a practitioner and researcher. It will demonstrate what the implications are for education and educationalists. It will also provide a summary of the most appropriate next steps for the trainee as a fully qualified researcher-practitioner.
• a portfolio of professional work

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Our aims are to:

• promote the fullest possible inclusive education and social inclusion
• mitigate the effects of impairment, social and economic deprivation and disadvantage

During the first year of the Applied Educational Psychology Doctorate, there is an emphasis on the development of:

• professional criticality
• self-reflection
• the acquisition of process skills

This includes the use of:

• supervision
• consultation
• solution-oriented practices
• narrative practices
• dynamic assessment
• video feedback (including initial training in Video Interaction Guidance)

You'll undertake placements in educational and community settings. You'll use enquiry-based learning throughout. You'll work collaboratively and take responsibility for individual and group learning.

There will be time off across the year during Year 1. This is usually one week in Dec/Jan and March/Apr as well as four weeks in the summer. You’re expected to attend university sessions and placement throughout the half-term holidays. You’re also given a week of study leave in Dec/Jan and March/Apr and two weeks in the summer.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Essay
• Portfolio
• Thesis
• Viva

Additional assessment information

• an assessment of practice placements – four formal assessments across the three years
• a viva voce examination of a thesis

Postgraduate student support

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• wellbeing
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Our team

Our Applied Educational Psychology programme directors are:

• Dr Richard Parker
• Dr Wilma Barrow

Our staff (as of July 2023):

Ashlyn Wong (Programme Administrator); Dr Tim Cox; Dr Emma Miller; Dr Fi Boyd; Dr Katie Gibson; Dr Rachel Hayton; Dr Tracey Heckels; Dr Wilma Barrow; Dr Richard Parker.

Your development

You'll learn to support the development of young people aged 0-25 years. You will also learn how to work with other professionals, such as teachers.

Placements

Each year, you'll undertake supervised and assessed placements in educational psychology services. You will work with schools and settings of other children’s service agencies and professionals. You will work with children and young people and their families.

The following patterns are typical but are subject to change. There will be some exceptions to these patterns. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are only placement days for parts of the year.

Year one*:

• Monday – study day (at home or at university)
• Tuesday – university day/placement day
• Wednesday – university day/placement day
• Thursday – university day
• Friday – university day

*University days will be either in-person or will involve online or directed activities during year one.

Years two and three:

• Monday – placement day
• Tuesday – placement day
• Wednesday – placement day
• Thursday – university day/research day
• Friday – university day/research day

The programme workload will mean working additional hours on top of study days. The DAppEdPsy is a full-time professional training programme. This reflects in the working hours at both the university and the placement.

Locations

Placements A and B in year one will be at the six Local Authorities in the North East region. This is the base for our six Field Work Tutors. You may also have placements at other services in the North East region. This will be agreed between service managers.

The placements available for years two and three are different every year. Placements are offered by Local Authorities. You can make requests to those available in the region or further afield. These are decided through a matching process that takes place regionally.

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

You'll have access to facilities and a growing collection of online resources, including:

• a well-stocked Education Resource Centre
• an audio-video lab
• a recording studio

Find out more about the facilities in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences.

Fees and funding

If you’re awarded a place on the programme your fees will be paid throughout the three-year course.

You will be provided with a bursary in year one. In years two and three we will seek a bursary for you from a local authority or other commissioners of educational psychology services. 

The Department for Education directly manages the government-funded element. See the Educational Psychologist Funded Training (EPFT) scheme for more information.

How to apply

Applied Educational Psychology Doctorate - Open Event

We hold an Annual Open Event for potential Applied Educational Psychology Doctorate applicants. You will have the chance to speak with current and past students and the Programme team. There is also a brief formal presentation about the Programme.

The DAppEdPsy Open Event for 2025 entry will take place on 5 October 2024, 11:00-13:00 at the Boiler House, Newcastle University. Register your interest in the Open Event.

Please get in touch with any questions, if you miss the event but still would like to apply to start in September 2025. You can email the Programme Administrator: ecls.edpsych@ncl.ac.uk.