MSc in Behavioural Decision Science
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 9,860 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no application deadline for postgraduate courses
** home full-time: £9,860 | international full-time: £16,200
Introduction
Why choose this course?
Behavioural decision science applies psychological insights into human behaviour to explain how, when, and why people make decisions.
This course, based in the Psychology Department, explores theory and research in behavioural decision science and examines the application of psychology, behavioural science, and behavioural economics to policy, intervention, and behaviour change in areas such as health, finance, sustainability, and consumer behaviour.
This course examines the application of psychology, behavioural science and behavioural economics to policy, intervention and behaviour change in areas such as health, finance, sustainability, sports, economics, politics and consumer behaviour.
You will gain a firm basis in the theory and practice of cognitive science and decision-making, exploring research relevant to decision-making, well-being and policy-making.
A placement module will build on your workplace or research skills and develop new skills that employers seek. The Behavioural Decision Science MSc prepares you for a variety of private and public sector jobs that require a core understanding of human behaviour and decision-making.
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- Specialist facilities include eye-tracking equipment, a behavioural lab, online research tools and software, an observation suite, and neuropsychological test apparatus.
- Regular lectures are delivered by highly-regarded researchers in the fields of decision-making, thinking and risk.
- Opportunity to undertake a work or research placement project, enabling you to directly apply the knowledge you gain.
Admissions
Curriculum
What you will study
You will study recent developments in theories of behavioural science, cognitive psychology, decision-making, and behaviour change, as well as the impact of experience, expertise, social influence, biases, and heuristics, on judgements and choice. The course will introduce you to applications of judgement and decision-making research in areas such as consumer behaviour; politics; sports; finance; economics; marketing; and health. Your studies will give you a firm basis in both the theory and practice of cognitive psychology, decision-making, and behaviour change. You will also explore current research topics relevant to individual and group decision-making, applications of decision neuroscience, and the psychology of health, the environment, and policy-making.
Full-time - 1 year
You will study four core, 30-credit, modules plus a Psychology Dissertation, worth 60 credits.
Core modules
- Psychology Dissertation
- Methods and Statistics
- Applications of Psychological Research
- Applications of Behavioural Decision Science
- The Psychology of Thinking, Judgement and Decision-Making
Part-time - 2 years
Part-time students will take three core, 30-credit, modules in the first year. In the second year, you will take one 30-credit module plus a Psychology Dissertation, worth 60 credits.
Year 1
- The Psychology of Thinking, Judgement and Decision-Making
- Methods and Statistics
- Applications of Behavioural Decision Science
Year 2
- Psychology Dissertation
- Applications of Psychological Research
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Program Outcome
After you graduate
Graduates from the Behavioural Decision Science MSc will develop research and practical skills essential for careers in health and wellbeing sectors, not-for-profit organisations and public sector, commercial sector (such as banks, pension and insurance companies), in addition to professional/managerial jobs and entrepreneurship.