“Cardiff is a vibrant city with something for everyone”
16 July 2026
Graduating with an MSc in Children’s Psychological Conditions, Jodie King is staying in Cardiff to pursue a PhD at Cardiff University’s Centre of Human Developmental Science, to make a real impact in the lives of children.
Jodie King, from Gibraltar, came to Cardiff University to study an MSc in Children’s Psychological Conditions to deepen her understanding of children’s psychological development and related conditions.
On Thursday, 16 July, Jodie will graduate with an MSc in Children’s Psychological Conditions.
Aspiring to work in developmental psychology, Jodie decided to pursue a Master of Science degree within the Cardiff University School of Psychology, after hearing the course's reputation.
Jodie said: “I had heard a lot of positive things about Cardiff University before applying. This course aligned perfectly with my interests and long-term aspirations, offering the opportunity to deepen my understanding of children’s psychological development and related conditions.”
Knowing others had enjoyed their experiences gave me confidence that Cardiff would be a great place to study and live, and it certainly lived up to those expectations.
The MSc in Children's Psychological Conditions, based in the School of Psychology, allows students to progress into a career by equipping them with a thorough understanding of the psychological factors that cause and maintain emotional and behavioural problems in children.
During the course, students explore a range of professional training in emotional, cognitive and neurodevelopmental assessments for children, classification systems of childhood conditions and observational coding of child behaviour and parent-child interaction, taught by leading international experts in the field.
“The teaching stood out because of how interactive and engaging it was. The lecturers were extremely passionate about their subject, and they encouraged discussion and critical thinking. The workshop-based learning provided valuable practical experience that complemented the academic content.
“I really enjoyed being part of a smaller cohort. It meant we could have meaningful discussions in class and actively engage with our lecturers,” added Jodie.
Hands-on workshops brought the course content to life and allowed us to apply what we were learning in practice.
Originally from Gibraltar, Jodie moved to Cardiff in 2024, living and experiencing the city for the first time.
“Cardiff is a vibrant city with something for everyone. Cardiff offers a great balance between being lively and feeling manageable, which makes it a wonderful place to live and study.
“Outside of my studies, I made the most of everything Cardiff has to offer. I attended concerts, watched rugby matches, explored different neighbourhoods around the city, and enjoyed the vibrant nightlife.
“These experiences really helped make my time in Cardiff enjoyable,” said Jodie.
Since completing her MSc, Jodie is now completing a PhD within the Neurodevelopment Assessment Unit. Based in the School of Psychology, the unit aims to understand the emotional, behavioural and social difficulties that some young children may experience.
Jodie’s PhD research focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms that contribute to different developmental traits and difficulties in children, with the hope of informing earlier interventions and more targeted support for children and families.
“The MSc course helped me develop strong research and critical thinking skills, as well as a deeper understanding of children’s psychological development.”
These experiences have prepared me well for the next stage of my academic career and will continue to be valuable throughout my future career.
“After completing my MSc, I am continuing my academic journey by undertaking a PhD at Cardiff University within their Neurodevelopment Assessment Unit. I am excited to build on the knowledge and skills I developed during my Master’s degree and contribute further to research in developmental psychology,” said Jodie.
