Behavioural and Data Science (MSc) (2022 Entry)
About this taught graduate course
Course overview
This course offers training in the foundations of psychology, decision-making, and behavioural economics. It will also develop your understanding of state-of-the-art methods in data science and data analytics, focusing on statistical methods, machine learning, and data visualisation.
You will gain an understanding of large-scale patterns in data, with an eye to comprehending the underlying factors driving human behaviour. This can be used to understand economics, politics, history, wellbeing, and many other large-scale patterns at national and international levels. Previous experience in behavioural science is not necessary, but you should have basic programming skills in at least one programming language.
Skills from this degree
Graduates will be able to:
- Use data to understand how and why people make the choices they do, and understanding the consequences of their choices in relation to public policy (e.g. encouraging people to save for pensions or change to low-carbon behaviours), industry (e.g. understanding how to place a new product in the market), and individual behaviour (e.g. understanding why people drink and eat too much)
- Access and analyse large-scale datasets
- Utilise state-of-the-art techniques in data analysis and visualisation
- Design and conduct studies using data analysis to understand behaviour
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
This year we anticipate many applications.
As such, we are only able to accept students with a solid quantitative background (2.1 in quantitative field with demonstrated experience in maths or programming), students with an extremely strong social science background (1st or equivalent), or students who have solid evidence of programming experience and a solid generalist background (2.1 in chosen field).
The MSc in Behavioural and Data Science is a quantitative degree and students should feel comfortable taking a mathematical approach to their thinking.
On the MSc, we cover the use of statistics to make sense of behavioural data (e.g., regression and t-tests). We introduce the R and Matlab programming languages for statistics and mathematical modelling (though we do not assume you have previous experience of these languages). We use maths in psychological and computer science models.
Prior experience with Python, R, or Matlab is extremely valuable. Though students do not need to show evidence of this training in their application, but prior experience and/or self training in one of these programming languages is valuable.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following:
- Band B
- IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Core modules
Students will study six core modules across Psychology and Computer Science as well as a Behavioural and Data Science project. These modules include:
Issues in Psychological Science
This module covers core psychology and behavioural science content relevant to later modules, including memory, attention, perception, personality and individual differences, choice, and subjective well-being.
Methods and Analysis in Behavioural Science
The purpose of the module is to introduce experimental design and statistical programming. Behavioural scientists need statistical analysis of experimental data to identify whether the results are consistent enough to be confident that the effects are significant.
Foundations of Data Analytics
You will study techniques for how to go from raw data to a deeper understanding of the patterns and structures within the data, to support making predictions and decision making.
Foundations of Computing
The aim of the module is to equip you with a grounding in foundations of computing, to enable students from a wider background to confidently undertake a taught masters programme in advanced computing topics.
Psychological Models of Choice
The main aim of this module Psychological Models of Choice is to review theories of individual choice. Core empirical results in the decision-making literature will be reviewed and their theoretical implications explored.
Data Mining
This module will help you understand the value of data mining in solving real-world problems, as well as the foundational concepts underlying data mining. You will also understand the algorithms commonly used in data mining tools to gain the ability to apply data mining tools to real-world problems.
Optional modules
Students will be able to choose further optional modules from Psychology and Computer Science lists.
Teaching
You will have a combination of lectures, seminars and practical classes or workshops. Lectures introduce you to a particular topic, seminars build on that knowledge and workshops and practical classes allow you to put what you are learning into practice. Seminars, practical classes and workshops are smaller groups than lectures giving access to tutors to help you put into practice what you are learning.
Class sizes
Class sizes will naturally vary, however our Psychology courses comprise of around 25-30 students.
Typical contact hours
Teaching occurs throughout the week, with an average of 8-12 hours of lectures and 5-7 hours of practical classes or seminars per week. You will also have meeting with your personal tutor at intervals throughout your course.
Assessment
We typically assess modules through a mix of assessment types, which include worksheets, essays, research reports, modelling and data analysis, class tests, exams, and presentations.
Reading lists
Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.
Your career
Graduates from this new course have gone on to work on a PhD at the Alan Turing Institute. From other Psychology Masters courses, graduates have gone on to work in areas including: Decision Technology, the Commonwealth Bank, Bursara Center, and Behavioural Insights Team.
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year.
Psychology at Warwick
A playground for the mind
Our research-driven department can offer you the kind of physical and intellectual environment that’ll inspire you to succeed. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, inclusive academic community offering a stimulating, intellectual environment to students and staff. We’re large enough to provide excellent resources and education, but also small enough to know who you are and provide one-to-one support.
Find out more about us on our website.
Our Postgraduate courses
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Taught course fees Research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.
If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.
Additional course costs
Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
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Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.
Research course applications
Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.
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