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Durham University: Research Methods (Behavioural Science)

Institution Durham University View institution profile
Department Psychology
Web durham.ac.uk
Telephone 0191 334 1000
Study type Taught

Summary

Course details The MA in Research Methods (Behavioural Science) is a Social Sciences & Health Faculty degree in which departments from across the University work together to deliver a tailored study programme that explores human behaviour through a research lens. It is primarily designed for students who plan to continue their graduate studies at PhD level in the broad area of behavioural science or work as a behavioural scientist or research psychologist. It is also relevant for students wishing to pursue careers in applied areas of behavioural science.

Students intending to have a career as a research psychologist need to acquire a high level of research skills at postgraduate level. Research methods training, co-ordinated through the Durham Research Methods Centre, therefore forms a central part of the MA course, including both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The taught course modules include both generic and subject level components, providing an introduction to broad issues and methodological approaches in behavioural science and the social sciences.

One third of the course is also devoted to the dissertation which is supervised by a behavioural science expert. Example projects in the past have included assessing the impact of Net Zero policies on behaviour change; the development and evaluation of workplace diversity initiatives; and devising tools to better measure behaviour change.

Why Durham University? The Department of Psychology provides a world-class teaching and research environment for postgraduates who are interested in understanding more about the thoughts, feelings and motivations that lie behind actions and human behaviours and the processes that trigger them. Our academic team are leading experts in their specialisms and provide outstanding supervision for postgraduate learning and research in key areas of psychology including Developmental Science, Cognitive Neuroscience and Quantitative Social Psychology. Our Department provides world class teaching and research into understanding the mind and human behaviours. We investigate the processes that bring about the thoughts, feelings and motivations that lie behind our actions. Our academic team are leading experts in their specialisms and provide outstanding supervision for postgraduate learning and research in key areas of psychology including Developmental Science, Cognitive Neuroscience and Quantitative Social Psychology.

Facilities Facilities in the Department are outstanding. They provide state-of-the-art support for postgraduate work in understanding mind and behaviour through high precision experimental methods and ecologically valid controlled environments. Postgraduate students have access to dedicated laboratory space equipped with opportunities for training in eye-movement recording, motion capture and psychophysics. Other specialist facilities include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and a number of laboratories.

Career Opportunities Our Masters qualifications provide the essential skills and understanding to progress to research at a higher academic level or to launch a professional career. Our students enter the workplace with knowledge relevant to careers in psychology but also with the transferable skills in analysis and problem-solving that are valued by employers. Such skills are highly sought after in a range of professions and our postgraduates have progressed to roles that include consultants, advisors, human resources professionals, talent managers, business analysts, market researchers, public relations professionals, marketeers, administrators, managers, civil servants, coaches, trainers and teachers. In addition, the broad nature of the Department means that some of our postgraduates also qualify for careers in clinical and healthcare settings.

MA

University of Durham

Durham University 

  • World top 100 University: Joint 89th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
  • UK top 10 University: 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
  • 7th in the Complete University Guide 2025
  • World top 30 University for sustainability: 19th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
  • 65th in the world in the category of Employer Reputation. QS World University Rankings 2025

University of DurhamUniversity of Durham

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