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Psychology, Development and Development Disorders

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Psychology is an important subject because it relates to the whole range of human experience, from visual perception to complex social interations. It is the study of how people think, react and interact. Study psychology, development & developmental disorders at Royal Holloway and you’ll focus on issues related to the study of typical and atypical child development, including the development of perceptual, cognitive and social skills in infancy and early childhood, and developmental disorders such as autism, Down's syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

We are one of the top psychology departments in the UK with excellent ratings for both research and teaching. Our research and teaching enhance one another, bringing students in touch with the frontiers of psychological knowledge. You’ll contribute to our renowned research culture with a final year research project.

This three year course explores a broad range of key areas within psychology, specialising in the final year in the study of human developmental processes and how they may be disrupted. Post- and undergraduates may benefit from the department's advanced technology. This includes an on-site MRI scanner, systems for tracking precise body movements in very young children and adults, CCTV and video systems for discreet observation of behaviour and a dedicated baby lab for studying the development of infants.

You’ll join a close and supportive learning community, which has earned consistently high satisfaction scores from our students in the annual National Student Survey (NSS). As part of small tutorial groups, you'll study within a progressive environment for which, the Department of Psychology has been awarded the Athena SWAN Silver Award for efforts to promote equality and women in science.

Specialise in your final year in the study of human developmental processes and how they may be disrupted.

Contribute to cutting-edge research with a final year research project.

Learn with internationally recognised experts in their fields.

Dedicated baby lab for studying the development of infants.

Modules

Please refer to our website for information: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/psychology/psychology-development-and-developmental-disorders/

Assessment method

Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C805
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAA - AAB

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants. Preferred subjects: Psychology, Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Statistics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD

In Health & Social Care, Applied Science, Applied Law or Business. Other BTEC subject areas may be considered on an individual basis.

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Pass in a relevant subject with 30 level 3 credits at Distinction , including Distinction in all Maths units. Please note that the Access to Higher Education Diploma will only be acceptable if the applicant has had a considerable break from education.

Scottish Higher - AAAAA

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

In Health & Social Care, Applied Science, Applied Law or Business plus one A-level grade A from the preferred subject list. Other BTEC subject areas considered on an individual basis.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Distinction* plus two A-levels grades AA or Distinction* plus two A-levels grades AA, one of which must be from the preferred subject list.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - D*DD

In Health & Social Care, Applied Science, Applied Law or Business. Other BTEC subject areas may be considered on an individual basis.

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - D*D

In Health & Social Care, Applied Science, Applied Law or Business plus one A-level grade A from the preferred subject list. Other BTEC subject areas considered on an individual basis.

Scottish Advanced Higher - AAA - AAB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

6,6,6 at Higher Level with a minimum of 34 points overall.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H2

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on study@royalholloway.ac.uk to discuss your situation

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£27500Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
International£27500Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. The fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £9,535.

This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.

These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.

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