This MSc is aimed at students wishing to learn about cutting-edge behavioural science research, advanced training in quantitative methods, and the application of behavioural science principles to everyday problems faced within the public, private, and third sectors.
The MSc in Behavioural Science is aimed at students who are seeking access to cutting-edge behavioural science research, advanced training in quantitative methods, and instruction in the application of behavioural science principles to everyday problems faced within the public, private, and third sectors.
This course will provide students with the understanding of factors that impact behaviour, including the role of ‘nudging’ in behaviour change, and the research and analytical skills to enable an analysis of business problems from a behavioural perspective. It will provide students with a wide range of knowledge (both of a theoretical and a practical nature) and transferable skills including various professional ways of disseminating knowledge.
The course is designed for those intending to enter the public, private, or third sector, including business, charities and government, local authorities and international organisations, by providing them with the tools to apply behavioural principles to problem-solving and decision-making in these domains. It will provide the behavioural insights to help individuals build confidence, influence others, think and cooperate inter-culturally, set and achieve goals, negotiate mindfully, and teamwork effectively.
The taught course modules include both generic and subject level components, providing an introduction to broad issues and methodological approaches in behavioural science. Research methods and statistical training are core components of the course providing candidates with the necessary skills to pursue data-related careers.
One third of the course is also devoted to the dissertation which is supervised by a behavioural science expert. Example projects in the past have included assessing the impact of Net Zero policies on behaviour change; the development and evaluation of workplace diversity initiatives; and devising tools to encourage behaviour change.
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Critical Research Practice
is fundamental to learning and provides the knowledge and skills required to design, conduct and communicate research in psychology, ensuring it is conducted ethically. This module also teaches the analytical skills needed to evaluate research findings.
Statistics for Psychology and the Behavioural Sciences
teaches the core statistical methods that are commonly used across psychology and the behavioural sciences, as well as developing your confidence in identifying and applying appropriate statistical techniques. This module will also develop your ability for statistical programming.
Advanced Statistics for Psychology and the Behavioural Sciences
likewise provides an understanding of a set of advanced statistical methods that are used across psychology and the behavioural sciences and will enable you to identify and apply appropriate statistical techniques.
Advanced Topics in Behavioural Science
covers a range of topics in the field of behavioural science including its history, background and development of research. The module offers the opportunity for a critical examination of seminal theoretical models and empirical studies, along with methodologies and techniques used for the study of behavioural science phenomena.
Dissertation
The Dissertation enables you to design, implement, analyse and write-up an empirical project relevant to your field of study. It allows you to apply the theoretical knowledge you have acquired and gain experience in project management and collaboration with other researchers. The Department provides excellent support and opportunities for conducting a significant piece of independent research.
Teaching is delivered through a number of 20- and 10-week modules, each involving 2-3 hours per week of contact time in the form of lectures, workshops and practical classes.
Lectures provide key theoretical information on general topics such as self-regulation, behavioural biases and heuristics, social influence, as well as behavioural science research techniques. Workshops and practical classes provide a platform for student-led discussions which aim to develop critical thinking, communications and writing skills.
The knowledge produced in lectures is explored in greater depth in workshops and practical sessions. The MSc dissertation, on a subject of your choice, provides an opportunity to apply theoretical principles, research skills and statistical techniques through the completion of a novel research project.
Assessment
For the course as a whole, assessments include examinations, written assignments, practical exercises, oral presentations, and the dissertation.
Entry requirements
We typically require a 2:1 Bachelor (Honours) degree in Psychology, Economics, Business Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Education, Politics, Philosophy, Archaeology, Human Sciences, Geography or a related subject.
Candidates would usually demonstrate knowledge of statistics and/or research methods. This requirement can be met in different ways: (a) via statistics-related or research methods modules in your primary degree; OR (b) other evidence of relevant training or experience in statistics and research methods.
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.
Our Masters qualifications provide the essential skills and understanding to progress to research at a higher academic level or to launch a professional career.
Our students enter the workplace with knowledge relevant to careers in psychology but also with the transferable skills in analysis and problem-solving that are valued by employers.
Such skills are highly sought after in a range of professions and our postgraduates have progressed to roles that include consultants, advisors, human resources professionals, talent managers, business analysts, market researchers, public relations professionals, marketeers, administrators, managers, civil servants, coaches, trainers and teachers.
In addition, the broad nature of the Department means that some of our postgraduates also qualify for careers in clinical and healthcare settings.
Department information
Psychology
Our Department provides world class teaching and research into understanding the mind and human behaviours. We investigate the processes that bring about the thoughts, feelings and motivations that lie behind our actions.
The Department of Psychology provides a world-class teaching and research environment for postgraduates who are interested in understanding more about the thoughts, feelings and motivations that lie behind actions and human behaviours and the processes that trigger them.
Our academic team are leading experts in their specialisms and provide outstanding supervision for postgraduate learning and research in key areas of psychology including Developmental Science, Cognitive Neuroscience and Quantitative Social Psychology.
Our range of taught Masters qualifications offer the opportunity to focus on a specific aspect of psychology be it biological, cognitive, social, developmental or neuroscience-related and to learn key approaches to the discipline including statistical training. For those who are interested in pursuing their own research interests we offer the MA/MSc by Research which offers a direct route to the PhD.
All postgraduate taught courses include a postgraduate dissertation in a chosen subject, supported by a member of staff with expertise in that area. Students also have access to state-of-the art technical, clinical and experimental facilities to support learning and research.
In the Department, we are proud to have passionate and committed teachers, who love their subjects and want to share that passion. We encourage collaborative working on new ideas so that together we can make new discoveries about human behaviour.
Facilities
The Department of Psychology is located on the main Mountjoy site, close to many academic departments and University services, and is within walking distance of Durham’s historic centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Facilities in the Department are outstanding. They provide state-of-the-art support for postgraduate work in understanding mind and behaviour through high precision experimental methods and ecologically valid controlled environments.
Apply
Find out more:
Apply for a postgraduate course (including PGCE International) via our online portal.
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