Behaviour Change MSc - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Behaviour Change
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Behaviour Change |
| PGCert | Behaviour Change |
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PLD61027 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PLD61028 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - Psychology
Programme Leader
GARDNER Benjamin (Psychology)
Date of production/revision of spec
06/05/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- To enable students to integrate and apply behavioural science theories and evidence to formulate real-world behaviour change problems, research questions, testable hypotheses, and solutions
- To instil ethical awareness and considerations when developing, implementing and evaluating real-world behaviour change applications
- To provide a comprehensive understanding of frameworks, theories and principles from multiple disciplinary perspectives within behavioural science and how they may be applied to real-world settings to understand and change behaviour
- To provide students with the skills and knowledge to develop, implement and evaluate real-world behaviour change interventions to meet local, national and global challenges
- To provide students with the theoretical and methodological expertise to undertake behaviour change research and practice in a variety of settings
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Integrate and apply behavioural science frameworks, theories, concepts and methods to critically analyse and formulate behaviour change problems in real-world settings | KCPT | PGDip, MSc | |
| Develop knowledge and understanding of Behaviour Change as an applied, theory-based scientific endeavour, situated within an interdisciplinary framework, in contemporary contexts | KCPT | PGDip, MSc | |
| Critically consider the contributions of, and limitations of applying, discipline-specific, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to behaviour change to address real-world problems | KCP | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Reflect on hypothetical and real-world examples to inform the development of behaviour change theory and practice | KCP | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address challenges related to human behaviour | KPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Communicate ideas, principles, theories and problem formulations in a professional manner via oral, written and visual means, for scientist, practitioner and non-specialist audiences | KPT | MSc | |
| Select, design, implement and evaluate a wide range of techniques pertinent to behaviour change research and practice in real-world contexts | KCP | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Apply a range of basic and advanced research design and analysis methods, principles and techniques, including qualitative and quantitative methods, to real-world problems | KCP | PGDip, MSc | |
| Collaborate effectively in groups for problem solving | PT | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Recognise ethical considerations, and an awareness of and sensitivity to diverse perspectives, when undertaking behaviour change research and practice | K | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Develop knowledge and understanding of Behaviour Change as a scientific endeavour | KCPT | PGCert | |
| Apply some basic research design and analysis methods, principles and techniques | T | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Develop knowledge and understanding of ethical considerations in behaviour change research and practice | K | PGCert |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Part-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over two academic years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Full time students are required to complete, in addition to the year-long Dissertation, four modules per semester: three compulsory modules and one optional module in Semester 1, and three compulsory modules and one optional module in Semester 2.
In Semester 1, students must select between one of two research design modules according to their level of prior research design training. They should select either PSYM130 Academic Research Training (recommended for those less familiar with psychology-oriented research design methods) or PSYM147 Advanced Research Methods and Design (recommended for those more familiar with psychology-oriented research design methods).
In semester 2, students are required to take a compulsory quantitative data analysis module that suits their level of prior statistics training. They should select either PSYM187 Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis (recommended for those with a strong grounding in statistics from their undergraduate/prior studies) or PSYM188 Fundamentals of Quantitative Data Analysis (recommended for those who have not studied statistics before or who do not have a good understanding of statistics).
Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Part-time students split the modules across two years, and are required to complete two modules (either compulsory or optional) per semester, in addition to the year-long Dissertation in the second year.
In Semester 1, students must select between one of two research design modules according to their level of prior research design training. They should select either PSYM130 Academic Research Training (recommended for those less familiar with psychology-oriented research design methods) or PSYM147 Advanced Research Methods and Design (recommended for those more familiar with psychology-oriented research design methods).
Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Part-time students split the modules across two years, and are required to complete two modules (either compulsory or optional) per semester, in addition to the year-long Dissertation in the second year.
In semester 2, students are required to take a compulsory quantitative data analysis module that suits their level of prior statistics training. They should select either PSYM187 Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis (recommended for those with a strong grounding in statistics from their undergraduate/prior studies) or PSYM188 Fundamentals of Quantitative Data Analysis (recommended for those who have not studied statistics before or who do not have a good understanding of statistics).
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
This programme allows students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
EMPLOYABILITY. Students develop the knowledge and ability to identify real-world behaviour change problems, the skills necessary to conduct research and practise behavioural science principles in real-world settings, and the ability to apply frameworks, concepts, and methods drawn from a range of behavioural sciences to tackle real-world challenges.
DIGITAL CAPABILITIES. Students are trained in critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis and communication skills in different contexts. A range of digital capabilities are developed through structured engagement with online learning environments, specialist digital resources, and emerging technologies, including the critical and responsible use of AI-supported tools to enhance information retrieval, analysis and professional or academic judgement.
GLOBAL AND CULTURAL CAPABILITIES. Students develop knowledge and sensitivity towards the needs of a variety of stakeholders from a range of backgrounds and perspectives. When formulating behaviour change problems and developing solutions, students are prompted to consider the cultural contexts in which such problems and solutions are implemented, interpreted and responded to.
SUSTAINABILITY: Students are supported to critically engage with behaviour change issues that map directly on to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability-related issues, examples and solutions tied to behaviour change are discussed throughout the programme.
RESOURCEFULNESS AND RESILIENCE: Students actively participate in programme activities and discussions, and learn from each other, and from real-world behaviour change stakeholders, in a friendly and safe environment. This builds confidence, communication, and professionalism. Guided support allows students to refine and apply knowledge, skills and experiences to new challenges encountered on each module."
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.