Overview
Work towards a clinical career with children, or take the next step towards a doctorate by studying a Masters in Clinical Child Psychology at ARU. Gain an advanced academic understanding of developmental disorders and childhood mental health; and investigate causes, assessment, classification and treatment.
Find out more about teaching options and studying during COVID-19 in the Entry requirements section, below.
Careers
Our Clinical Child Psychology Masters course is ideal if you want to pursue a career working in a clinical setting with children. You’ll be highly employable in many research environments. You’re also in the perfect position to continue your academic career and move up to our Psychology PhD.
Modules & assessment
Core modules
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Issues in Scientific Research
This module is designed to help introduce you to the theoretical and practical complexities of the research process. The module will cover both qualitative and quantitative techniques, and it is aimed as a series of taster sessions. If you feel any of the techniques suit your research, your supervisor, and expert members of staff, will help you learn more about your chosen technique. Research training in the form of literature searching, constructing literature reviews, communicating and publicising your work will also be covered. Additional areas to be covered in this module include: the research process, research techniques, research ethics and scientific writing skills. -
Diagnosis and Treatment in Clinical Child Psychology
Learn about the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of different developmental disorders and mental health problems in childhood and adolescence. The module covers an assortment of methods used in diagnosis, including infant observation, psychological assessment and diagnostic interviewing. This will encompass both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Advances in child neuropsychology will be taught alongside demonstrations of different neuroimaging techniques including MEG and EEG. You'll also learn about an assortment of therapeutic interventions relating to both mental-ill health and developmental disorders including music and play therapy. The module will be delivered through lectures that involve both taught and interactive discussion. It provides an opportunity to understand difficulties and practicalities in diagnosis and assessment in clinical child psychology, which will be useful if you're considering further professional training and careers in clinical work with children, adolescents and their families. -
Topics in Clinical Child Psychology
Explore the predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors in developmental difficulties experienced in childhood and adolescence. This module introduces a contextual approach to the frameworks for clinical practice in addition to covering many of the problems experienced in infancy, childhood and adolescence. Conduct problems, attention and overactivity difficulties, fear and anxiety problems, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and eating disorders such as anorexia are all covered in the syllabus. Assessment in this module takes place through two coursework assignments. Content is delivered through a mixture of lectures and practical sessions. This module will be a useful introduction for those considering further professional training and careers in clinical work with children, adolescents and their families. -
Psychology Dissertation
This module requires you to undertake a significant research project in the chosen field of study and to present the results of that research in a thesis prepared to the highest scientific professional standards. The research will normally be based on preparatory work undertaken in modules: Issues in Psychological Research and either Quantitative Research Methods or Qualitative Research Methods. The topic may be drawn mainly from a selection of suggested topics related to School research groups (professional subject of interest will be considered provided that a strong case is made and suitable supervision is available). The project topics will be assessed for suitability to ensure that it has the potential for sufficient academic challenge. You will be assigned a supervisor, or, if appropriate, a supervisory team. You'll be expected to make regular reports on the state and progress of your work. These reports will normally be in a written format suitable for incorporation into the final thesis.
Optional modules (subject to availability)
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Quantitative Research Methods
Develop an understanding of the most commonly used statistical techniques used in psychological research. This module develops a critical understanding of the principles of data collection and analysis for psychology of various quantitative methods. Practical issues surrounding statistical procedures are delivered in computer practical sessions. These will involve real-world research questions being presented to students. Example data sets will be provided and analysed. You will be required to analyse additional data sets independently and submit these for assessment. The statistical methods taught have been directed by the Economic and Social Research Council's Postgraduate Training Guidelines (4th and 5th editions). These will be written up in APA format, required by psychologists. The course will be delivered through lab-based practical sessions. The module will equip you with a wide range of highly useful transferable, research and analysis skills (such as numerical skills, use of SPSS, IT skills, experimental design, and presentations) which are highly relevant in the employment environment. -
Advanced Research Methods
The module provides a theoretical framework of research methods for postgraduate students. It will encourage you to develop an increasingly autonomous and critical approach to research. You will be challenged to develop your research philosophy, consider the impact research can have on society and effectively analyse data using a range of advanced techniques relevant in sport and exercise sciences and psychology research. The module content will develop your critical understanding of the principles of data collection and analysis using various higher-level methods. You'll become critical researchers, be able to draw conclusions using multiple sets of data, effectively compare and contrast data and use literature to support ideas and/or theories. The module will be driven using real-world research questions, with example datasets provided to facilitate understanding of statistics and qualitative analysis. The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, practical sessions and online tasks. It will equip you with a wide range of highly useful and transferable research and analytical skills (eg, numerical skills, use of research software, experimental design, presentations), which are highly relevant in the research and employment environment.
Assessment
We’ll assess your theoretical and applied understanding through essays, presentations, data analysis and your dissertation.
Where you'll study
Your faculty
The Faculty of Science & Engineering is one of the largest of the four faculties at Anglia Ruskin University. Whether you choose to study with us full-time or part-time, on campus or at a distance, there’s an option whatever your level – from a foundation degree, BSc, MSc, PhD or professional doctorate.
Whichever course you pick, you’ll gain the theory and practical skills needed to progress with confidence. Join us and you could find yourself learning in the very latest laboratories or on field trips or work placements with well-known and respected companies. You may even have the opportunity to study abroad.
Everything we do in the faculty has a singular purpose: to provide a world-class environment to create, share and advance knowledge in science, technology and engineering fields. This is key to all of our futures.
Where can I study?
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Specialist facilities
You can use several dedicated, sound attenuated research laboratories, equipped with networked computers, as well as: an observation laboratory, including a two-way mirror; an electroencephalography (EEG) laboratory; an eye-tracking laboratory; a psycholinguistics laboratory; a psychometrics laboratory and a psychoneuroimmunology laboratory.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK students starting 2021/22 (per year)
£8,100
UK students starting 2021/22 (part-time, per year)
£4,050
International students starting 2021/22 (per year)
£14,500
International students starting 2021/22 (part-time, per year)
£7,250
Important fee notes
The part-time course fee assumes that you're studying at half the rate of a full-time student (50% intensity). Course fees will be different if you study over a longer period. All fees are for guidance purposes only.
How do I pay my fees?
UK students
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us.
How to pay your fees directlyInternational students
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will also ask you for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter. Details will be in your offer letter.
Paying your feesFunding for postgraduate students
It’s important to decide how to fund your course before applying. Use our finance guide for postgraduate students to learn more about postgraduate loans and other funding options.
We offer a fantastic range of ARU scholarships and bursaries, which provide extra financial support while you're at university.
International students
As well as a number of scholarships, we offer an early payment discount. Explore your options:
Entry requirements
Important additional notes
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of face-to-face and online learning in September 2021, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning. Our website also has general information for new students about starting university in 2021-22.
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please email answers@aru.ac.uk for further information.
Teaching options
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our students can choose to study face to face on campus or online only. They're also able to change their mode of delivery on given dates in each trimester.
For on-campus teaching, we offer at least four hours face-to-face teaching related contact time per week for our undergraduate full-time courses, supported by online learning using our established online learning systems. The number of contact hours varies course by course, and you can contact us for further information. The provision offered is subject to change due to the possibility of further Government restrictions, however we remain committed to delivering face-to-face teaching and ensuring a COVID-19 secure environment.
In the event that there are further changes to the current restrictions that are in place due to the pandemic, we may need to move some courses online only at short notice to remain in line with Government guidelines and ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for postgraduate courses.
Check the standard entry requirements for IELTS requirements for this course.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of face-to-face and online learning from September 2020, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning.
Improving your English language skills
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country, contact our country managers.
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