BSc (Hons) Psychology with Developmental Disorders
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This BSc (Hons) Psychology with Developmental Disorders degree combines the study of key aspects of psychology with a range of developmental disorders, including dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism. This includes assessment, understanding, intervention, and safeguarding children and young people.
During the Psychology with Developmental Disorders course you will foster a clear understanding of evidence-based practice and you'll complete placements which may include educational settings such as local schools and pupil referral units
Graduates can consider careers in educational psychology after professional experience and postgraduate study, PGCE courses, or further study in special educational needs, occupational therapy, or speech and language therapy.
You will complete modules covering all core areas in psychology necessary to gain British Psychological Society accreditation. This includes research methods, cognitive, social, biological and developmental psychology as well as the study of individual differences and historical issues in psychology. You will also complete a final year dissertation, which will allow you to explore a topic of your choice in more depth by undertaking a research project. Additionally, you will learn about a range of developmental disorders; including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia (or Developmental Coordination Disorder), Speech and Language Impairment and ADHD. This will include issues relating to understanding, assessment, and intervention and will be complemented by placement and classroom related activities.
You can also undertake a sandwich year placement, which provides you with the opportunity to spend a year working in a professional setting between the second and third year of your degree. This provides you with a fantastic opportunity to develop your employability skills while engaging with the community and building on the knowledge and experience of your degree.
Year One: Psychology with Developmental Disorders Degree
- Introduction to Developmental Disorders (40 credits)
- Investigating Methods in Psychology (40 credits)
- Perspectives in Psychology (20 credits)
- Critical Readings in Psychology (20 credits)
Year Two: Psychology with Developmental Disorders Degree
- Screening and Assessment of Developmental Disorders (40 credits)
- From Cells to Consciousness (20 credits)
- Lifespan Development in the Social Context (20 credits)
- Professional Practice and Employability (20 credits)
- Advanced Methods and Evidence in Psychology (20 credits)
Year Three: Psychology with Developmental Disorders Degree
- Advanced Research Methods: Dissertation (40 credits)
- Management and support of individuals with developmental disorders (20 credits)
- Applying knowledge of developmental disorders to practice (20 credits)
Plus two options from the list below (all 20 credits):
- Health Psychology Across the Lifespan
- The Psychology of Education and Work
- Psychological Disorders and Therapeutic Interventions
- Applications of Social Psychology
- Cognitive Neuropsychology and Neuroscience
- Forensic Psychology
Teaching
The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Developmental Disorders is delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops, individual/small group supervision and independent study. You will also have the opportunity to attend guest lectures given by academic staff from other institutions and professional psychologists who work in different areas of practise.
Assessment
You will complete a range of different class activities including group discussions, debates, case studies and in-class projects.
One of the most exciting things about this specialised psychology degree is that you experience a great range of delivery and assessment methods. As part of your course, you will be completing essays, project reports, write ups of case study activities, oral and poster presentations, class tests and other forms of assessment.
In your final year you will complete an independent research project, which will give you an opportunity to study a topic of your choice in depth, and apply your skills in research acquired during years one and two. Finally you will complete placement activities which will enable you to see how individuals with developmental disorders are supported in practice.
Accreditations
Our psychology degrees are fully accredited by the British Psychological Society for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and will enhance your CV.
Placements
As part of this Psychology degree you will complete placements in a variety of settings e.g., special schools, charities that support individuals with developmental disorders. Applied experience is also available through Psychology Plus and through student opportunities with our on campus clinics
Our Behaviour Analysis Clinic specialises in treating the behavioural challenges associated with a wide range of disorders, including autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, and conduct disorder.
Every student is guaranteed, if they want it during their undergraduate studies, a six-week placement in our Behaviour Analysis Clinic based at the Treforest Campus. This clinic offers applied behaviour analytic intervention for children five and under typically with a diagnosis of autism. The clinic is largely run by student volunteers under the supervision of a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst.
There is also an opportunity to study abroad at a partner university in Europe on an Erasmus exchange, or at a university in the USA or Australia.
Facilities
Facilities include observation and interview rooms equipped with a two-way mirror, CCTV and audio, which allows research and interview practice sessions to be conducted and recorded. We also have a custom-built air conditioned PC laboratory which provides access to specialist software for running psychology experiments and conducting careers guidance interviews.
The Cognitive Neuropsychology Suite houses specialist psychology equipment such as eye tracking equipment, EEG (electroencephalogram) and ECG (electrocardiogram) facilities for recording electrical activity in the heart and scalp and a driving simulator.
The University offers a wide range of psychological services to the general public through our psychology clinics which include autism, behaviour analysis, health and sport psychology interventions.
Lecturers
- Sarah-Anne Evans - course leader
- Dr Hayley Gibbon,
- Dr Aimee Giles
- Dr Aoife McTiernan
- Professor Bev John
- Dr Biao Zeng
- Dr Dan Bowers
- Professor David Shearer
- Dr Deb Lancastle
- Dr Gareth Miles
- Professor Gareth Roderique-Davies
- Ioannis Angelakis, Associate Professor
- Dr James Greville
- Dr Janet Pitman
- Professor Jenn Austin
- Dr Klara Sabolova
- Dr Martin Graff
- Mary Clare O'Connell
- Dr Nicky Lewis
- Dr Phil Tyson
- Dr Rachel Taylor
- Dr Richard May
- Dr Shakiela Davies
- Dr Sue Faulkner
- Dr Sue Whitcombe
- Susan Williamson
We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
The entry criteria below reflect our standard entry requirements for the course for September 2023. However, all applications received by the University are reviewed holistically and individually. Entry criteria for September 2024 is changing and will be published on ucas.com from 8th May 2023. Entry criteria for September 2024 will be updated on our website from the end of October 2023.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions. USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Here is a link to our Contextual Admissions Policy.
Other qualifications and experience
We can also consider combinations of qualifications and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable. We can sometimes consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or advanced entry to year two or three of a course where this is possible.
To find out which qualifications have tariff points, please refer to the UCAS tariff calculator.
If you need more help or information or would like to speak to our friendly admissions team, please contact us here
A DBS may be required depending on your placement.
Typical A-Level Offer
BCC - CDD to exclude General Studies (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Welsh BACC Offer
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level to exclude General Studies (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical BTEC Offer
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Access to HE Offer
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points
Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
International Entry Requirements
We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.
English Requirements
In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Full-time UK: £9000
Full-time International: £14400
Part-time UK: £740 per 20 credits
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: £15260
Part-time UK: TBC
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
* Obligatory
| Item | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DBS | £55.42 | A DBS is not obligatory for the course. It will only be required if a specific placement of dissertation project working with children or vulnerable groups is required. This fee includes £40 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee. |
| DBS Updating Service | £13 | Whilst optional it is strongly recommended signing up for this service especially if you are likely to have placements each year and wish to pursue a career post University where a DBS check is a requirement. Please note the service has to be joined within 30 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate. |
| Other: Placement Costs (Travel etc) | All years of study. Cost is dependent on location |
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
UK students
Apply via UCAS if you are a UK/EU residing applicant, applying for year one of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.
International and EU students
Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK/EU.
You’ll be well equipped for careers in the third sector, social care settings and education sectors but could also consider careers in the healthcare or criminal justice sectors, working with those who have developmental disorders. With further study and training you could consider a career in Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Psychology or Educational Psychology. You could opt to undertake a PGCE qualification to continue your studies focusing on special educational needs. Whatever you decide, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to help enhance your future career prospects and to make an impression on a future employer.
Our Careers and Employability Service
As a USW psychology student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.
Student Stories
Highlight Stories
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere, as well as living and studying in the same place. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.