Behavioural Science

Course Summary The MSc in Behavioural Science offers innovative training in the principles of this growing field of psychology, equipping you with the knowledge and skills in behavioural science techniques to address everyday challenges created by human behaviours and make a positive difference in the private, public, and third sector. It will provide behavioural insights to help individuals build confidence, influence others, think and cooperate inter-culturally, set and achieve goals, negotiate mindfully, and teamwork effectively. This course will prove valuable for those intending to enter the public, private, or third sector, including business, charities and government, local authorities and international organisations, by providing you with the tools to apply behavioural principles to problem-solving and decision-making in these domains.

Why Durham University? You will benefit hugely from the energy and passion of the Department’s academic team. We are committed to creating a learning environment that has equality, diversity and inclusion at its core. 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.

Facilities The Department facilities 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. Postgraduate students have access to dedicated laboratory space equipped with opportunities for training in eye-movement recording, motion capture and psychophysics. Other specialist facilities include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and a number of laboratories.

Career Opportunities 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.