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Behavioural and Data Science at University of Warwick - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 2025
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Course summary

Understand the underlying factors driving human behaviour on Behavioural and Data Science MSc. Warwick's Psychology department offers you training in basic psychology, behavioural economics and state of the art methods in data science and analytics. This course offers training in the foundations of psychology, decision-making, behavioural economics and behaviour change. 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 consumer behaviour, 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 programming skills in at least one programming language (e.g., R, Python, Matlab, or others). 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
This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply.

Modules

Core modules

  • Integrated Behavioural and Data Science
  • Issues in Psychological Science
  • Methods and Analysis in Behavioural Science
  • Foundations of Computing
  • Psychological Models of Choice
  • Data Mining
Optional modules You will also choose two psychology-/behavioural science-focused optional modules, and two computer/data science-focused optional modules. Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include: Psychology-/behavioural science-focused optional modules:
  • Behavioural Change: Nudging and Persuasion
  • Neuroeconomics
  • Bayesian Approaches in Behavioural Science
  • Principles of Cognition
  • Behavioural Ethics
Computer/data science-focused optional modules:
  • Foundations of Data Analytics
  • Social Informatics
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Urban Data – Theory and Methodology
  • Interdisciplinary Approaches to Machine Learning
  • Data science across disciplines
  • Visualisation Foundations
The availability of option modules depends on several factors and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Therefore, the list above provides a sample of previously available options for illustrative purposes only.

Assessment method

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.

Entry requirements

**Minimum requirements** Applicants are required, at a minimum, to have a degree in a relevant subject, e.g. Psychology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics etc., equivalent to a UK 2:1 or greater in order to be considered. As we anticipate receiving a large number of applications, preference will be given to those with the strongest quantitative or social sciences backgrounds. Evidence of experience with programming in Python or R is also preferred—at a minimum, students should have online or university instruction in programming in at least one programming language. The MSc in Behavioural and Data Science is a quantitative degree and students should feel comfortable taking a mathematical approach to their thinking before they join the course. The course requires students to undertake programming assignments and long-form essay assignments and so requires students to be comfortable in programming and to have very good written communication skills in English. On the MSc, we cover the use of statistics and computational approaches to make sense of behavioural data (e.g., regression, t-tests, machine learning). We cover R, Python, and Matlab programming languages for statistics and mathematical modelling. We also use maths in psychological and computer science models. **English language requirements** You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. 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. **Additional requirements** There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Please visit the University of Warwick website for the tuition fees for postgraduate courses: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding/fees

Sponsorship information

We offer a variety of postgraduate funding options for study at the University of Warwick, from postgraduate loans, university scholarships, fee awards, to academic department bursaries. It's important that you apply for your postgraduate course first before you apply for a University of Warwick scholarship.

Behavioural and Data Science at University of Warwick - UCAS