Behaviour Change (incorporating PG Dip/PG Cert) MSc

This course is made up of three stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and MSc.

In year one, you’ll study three modules such as:

• Psychology for Behaviour Change - You will learn about psychology as a science and explore psychological approaches to learning, cognition, individual differences and social factors in order to critically reflect on how research in these areas is relevant to an understanding of behaviour
• Theories and Models of Behaviour - You will learn about psychology as a science and explore psychological approaches to learning, cognition, individual differences and social factors in order to critically reflect on how research in these areas is relevant to an understanding of behaviour
• Applied Behaviour Change Interventions - You’ll gain the knowledge and skills required to propose, design and evaluate an evidence-based workplace or community behaviour change intervention

In your second year, you’ll study a further three modules such as:

• Research and Evaluation - You’ll design, conduct, report and evaluate empirical research and behavioural change interventions in applied contexts
• Systems Context - Using the framework of applied systems thinking, you will explore the impact of specific interventions and ongoing programmes within the realities of organisational settings

The third module in year two is specific to your chosen pathway:

• Positive Psychology, Health and Wellbeing - You’ll explore the philosophy and theories of positive psychology and its application to health and wellbeing initiatives on a personal and group level
• Occupational Health and Safety and Behaviour Change - This module introduces theoretical and practical principles underlying human performance and behavioural approaches to health and safety in the workplace
• Environment and Behaviour - You’ll explore theories and evidence relating to human-nature interactions, promoting nature conservation and the benefits of nature, for example creativity, restoration, health and wellbeing
• Ergonomics and Human Factors - This module critically analyses system performance and the evidence-base for how it impacts on typical workplace performance, comfort and health problems

At this final stage, you only study one module which runs over three terms:

• Research Project in Behaviour Change - You’ll identify a research issue related to behaviour change in your chosen pathway, review existing literature, formulate novel research questions and test these questions

Under the supervision of a member of the programme team, you’ll identify a research issue related to behaviour change in your chosen pathway, review existing literature, formulate novel research questions and - applying all relevant ethical guidelines and principles - test these questions through the application of contemporary psychological methodologies and appropriate data analysis and scientific report writing.