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Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology MSc
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Scholarships available, see Fees & Funding section for more information. You will develop knowledge about the genetic and environmental causes of developmental psychopathology from pregnancy through to adulthood, the standard psychological therapies and treatments available, and research methods and statistics relevant to this field. The course will provide you with tools to understand both latest research findings and current treatments for mental health conditions across the lifespan. Benefit from comprehensive coverage of the field exploring how biological (genetic), behavioural and cognitive processes, along with family and wider social forces, can affect development across the life course. The course is ideal if you plan to work/are working in mental health of young people (for example, within academia, education, charities, the media and in policy development), plan to study for a PhD, or if you are looking to progress to a role in the psychological professions (such as assistant psychologist, clinical associate in psychology, mental health and well-being practitioner, clinical psychologist). Placements are available in diverse settings, including mental health charities, within research teams and clinical services, and within the government.
Key benefits
- Learn how to characterise psychopathology across the life span.
- Learn how to characterise the most common mental health problems that typically onset across three life stages: childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
- Learn from contributing international clinical and research collaborators, experts within third sector organisations (e.g. charities) and experts by experience.
- Become familiar with the latest scientific results and debates surrounding the “nature and nurture” of psychological and psychopathological conditions.
- Become skilled in using state-of-the-art research methods skills, including those in behavioural and statistical genetics, and access world-renowned longitudinal data sets.
- Learn how to identify and describe behavioural traits in common disorders such as Autism and ADHD, and become familiar with main approaches in supporting those with these conditions.
- Learn from world-leading researchers and clinicians at the IoPPN, with 22 of the world’s most highly cited scientists in this field eg Louise Arseneault, Helen Fisher, Francesca Happé, Robert Plomin.
- Identify your strengths and gaps in career development and prioritize development needs.
- King’s is ranked 2nd in the world for psychology and psychiatry (US News, Best Global Universities 2023)
- High levels of student experience - The MSc achieved 84% overall satisfaction in the 2023/4 postgraduate taught experience student survey.
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Employability
In addition to the core teaching, the optional module selection, the optional placement experience, and the dissertation project, the course provides opportunities to develop your knowledge towards different interests and career pathways. Included are careers within academia (PhD training), psychological roles (psychological well-being practitioner training (PWP)), roles within science media, and roles within mental health charities.
It will also help you to pursue employment in professional settings where subject knowledge is central to your work, e.g. in a science or academic career or in clinical settings. You will also develop a range of skills to take up employment in other settings, particularly in working with children and young people where knowledge of mental health problems and therapies are required.
These could be employment in social care settings e.g., welfare officers in youth organisations, schools and community centres; as family support workers; or employment in the public sector, e.g. police consultant, parliamentary officer of science and technology.
You may also enter employment where subject knowledge is important to succeed in the job, but not the primary activity, e.g. employment in science communication/media within organisations involved with communicating health problems in young people to increase understanding of public awareness. Or, you may also enter employment where learning from the degree is applied more broadly, e.g. governmental statistician, fundraiser for charity, genetic counsellor, science editor, industry professional.
Further learning
Graduates can undertake further study such as PhD or the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (more information about applying here). More resources on further study/careers in Clinical Psychology can be found here:
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Employability
In addition to the core teaching, the optional module selection, the optional placement experience, and the dissertation project, the course provides opportunities to develop your knowledge towards different interests and career pathways. Included are careers within academia (PhD training), psychological roles (psychological well-being practitioner training (PWP)), roles within science media, and roles within mental health charities.
It will also help you to pursue employment in professional settings where subject knowledge is central to your work, e.g. in a science or academic career or in clinical settings. You will also develop a range of skills to take up employment in other settings, particularly in working with children and young people where knowledge of mental health problems and therapies are required.
These could be employment in social care settings e.g., welfare officers in youth organisations, schools and community centres; as family support workers; or employment in the public sector, e.g. police consultant, parliamentary officer of science and technology.
You may also enter employment where subject knowledge is important to succeed in the job, but not the primary activity, e.g. employment in science communication/media within organisations involved with communicating health problems in young people to increase understanding of public awareness. Or, you may also enter employment where learning from the degree is applied more broadly, e.g. governmental statistician, fundraiser for charity, genetic counsellor, science editor, industry professional.
Further learning
Graduates can undertake further study such as PhD or the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (more information about applying here). More resources on further study/careers in Clinical Psychology can be found here:
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