University receives £23.5 million to spearhead educational psychology training
The University of Manchester has secured a hefty £23.5m grant from the Department for Education (DfE) to spearhead a consortium of eight prestigious Russell Group universities. This collaboration aims to offer more than 400 doctoral training spots for practitioner educational psychologists over the next three years.
Educational psychologists play a crucial role in council services, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities. They also contribute to promoting mental health and dealing with critical incidents in schools.
This recent funding demonstrates the government’s confidence in the University of Manchester’s ability to deliver a top-notch program in line with the highest academic and professional standards. This award follows similar successes in 2019 and 2022, with a notable 13% increase in the number of places available for 2024.
The University of Manchester will have 72 trainee psychologists enrolled in their Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology program. The remaining positions will be allocated to the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol, East Anglia, Exeter, Newcastle, Nottingham, and Sheffield, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the nation.
Dr. Frances Parker from the North-West Association of Principal Educational Psychologists praised the University of Manchester’s program, highlighting its exceptional teaching standards, consistent approach, and innovative research supporting evidence-based practice within the field.
According to Professor Kevin Woods, director of the national training consortium and Manchester’s Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology, this funding award solidifies the university’s position as the leading institution in the realm of practitioner educational psychology training and scholarship.
Trainee educational psychologists have a significant impact on England’s workforce in this field, providing support to schools, families, and local authorities in identifying and addressing children’s diverse needs. Their doctoral research is instrumental in shaping professional practices and is widely disseminated to enhance the entire profession.
To learn more about the Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology and the Manchester Institute of Education, visit https://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/education/research/postgraduate-research.
