Psychology and Behavioural Analytics MSc

Digital data now dominates the world of work, and the analysis of such data is an integral part of many sectors of employment. Designed for the digitally curious, our MSc in Psychology and Behavioural Analytics aims to equip you with the ability to critically analyse digital data, whilst also providing you with the opportunity to think psychologically about data. You will learn how to apply psychology to real-world data sets and challenges, using psychological frameworks to help you understand digital behavioural data.

With a unique blend of data science and psychology-orientated modules, you will learn how to examine digital visual data (like CCTV, body-camera, YouTube footage), natural language data (like blogposts, social media and forum data), and mobile phone data (like GPS, phone usage and proximity co-ordinates). You will learn how to use both qualitative and quantitative data analytical methods to analyse this data.

In addition to developing your analytical skills, you will also be introduced to a toolkit of core psychological concepts to enable you to inform your analytical conclusions. These will include theories relating to behaviour, such as identity, personality, and cognitive decision-making.

The course will also take a practical and applied approach to the integration of theory and skills. You will learn about – and have to grapple with – applied ethics in the acquisition of data. You will also think about the limitations and bias in existing data sets, and the principles of responsible research and innovation. This culminates with an extended placement-based dissertation project, allowing you to get hands-on experience working with digital data from a psychological perspective. This practical, relevant experience of working for an external organisation (and the networking opportunities this brings) is hugely beneficial when applying for jobs at the end of the course.

This course is designed for graduates who come from a range of psychological, social science or computing disciplines and who plan to pursue a career in behavioural analytics in a variety of sectors, from NGOs and charities, to health and social care. It is also suitable for those who wish to undertake further research into psychology and behavioural analytics, or related fields, at PhD level.

You need 2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Psychology, Data Science, Computer Science, Sociology, Criminology, Human Geography, Politics, Law, Management and Marketing, Linguistics. Your degree needs to have covered some Research Methods and Data Analysis modules.