find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
Lancaster University: Psychology and Behavioural Analytics
| Institution | Lancaster University View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | Psychology |
| Web | www.lancaster.ac.uk |
| pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | +44 (0)1524 592032 |
| Study type | Taught |
MSc
Summary
Digital data now dominates every aspect of our lives. Every action we take – from smartphone use to social media activity, public surveillance and even our online purchases – leaves a digital trace. Analysing digital data tells one story, but it isn’t enough to fully understand human behaviour. To do that, you need the insights that psychology provides.
The MSc Psychology and Behavioural Analytics integrates psychological insights with digital data. You will develop a specialised skill set highly sought after in today’s data-driven world and this will set you apart in the job market, opening new career opportunities.
Who is this programme for? Anyone who wants to understand digital data through human psychology. We welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds that could include computer science, business, sociology, criminology and many more. You don’t need a psychology degree to apply.
Looking ahead to employability Taught by world-leading academics, you will develop a rare combination of technical data analysis and psychological expertise, providing a broader perspective to tackle a wide range of professional challenges. We hone your practical skills to put your knowledge into action, allowing you to make meaningful contributions across rapidly evolving fields. You will also: - Develop key critical thinking and communication skills, allowing you to evaluate data and convey your findings to a range of audiences
-
Develop your skills with data analysis software such as R, Python, Nvivo and BORIS
-
Develop your skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods to analyse both individual experiences and large-scale trends
-
Undertake a placement-based dissertation, allowing you to apply and develop your skills to impactful, real-world projects
-
Learn how to ethically and responsibly handle digital data
What to expect Through a dynamic mix of data science and psychology-focused modules, you will gain hands-on experience with various types of digital data, for example:
-
Visual (CCTV footage, body-cam videos and social media)
-
Natural language (social media posts, blogs and online forums)
-
Mobile sensor (movement tracking, sound and usage logs)
You will build a strong foundation in key psychological concepts related to behaviour, including identity, personality and cognitive decision-making. Important topics are covered such as data limitations, bias and the principles of responsible research, ensuring that you’re equipped to navigate the complexities of real-world digital data.
The final term is where everything comes together with your dissertation. Gain valuable, practical experience working on a project with either a partner organisation or within the Department of Psychology. We have dedicated support to guide you through the process, ensuring you gain relevant experience that will make you stand out to employers.
Three things we would like you to know - Our students have investigated how CCTV recordings can provide insight into bystander behaviour
-
Our students have investigated behavioural biometrics from digital footprint data, such as mobile phone usage
-
Our staff are involved in the Policing Academic Centre of Excellence, providing links to digital data in policing practices
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2:2 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. If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application. English Language Requirements We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously. We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications. If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes. |
| Location | Main Site Admissions Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4YW |
Summary
Digital data now dominates our world. Almost every human activity leaves a digital trace. Our smartphones, our card purchases, our social media activity, the cameras that record us in public spaces, can all be used to analyse our behaviour. We already use this data in the business sector, the health service, the public sector, the leisure industry, politics, and government. But being able to analyse digital data is not the same as understanding why people are behaving in the way that they do. That requires knowledge of the psychology of behaviour. Our MSc will teach you how to integrate psychological insights with digital data – giving you a unique set of skills for any career that involves behavioural analysis or further research at PhD level.
You don’t need a psychology degree to study this programme. It is suitable for those with a range of backgrounds such as computer science, data science, business and management, sociology, criminology, social geography, digital humanities and more.
With a unique blend of data science and psychology-orientated modules, you will learn how to work with digital visual data (like CCTV, body-camera footage, social media videos), natural language data (like blogs, social media posts and forum data), and mobile sensor data (like movement, sound, and technology use logs). We will teach you how psychology can help you make sense of this kind of complex data; how psychology can help you ask better questions of your data, and how psychology can help you predict and evaluate behaviour change.
We teach both quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, so you will learn how to use digital data to understand the experiences of individuals as well as large scale groups. You will see how generating qualitative analysis of digital data can be just as useful as analysing large, collective datasets.
In addition to developing your analytical skills, we introduce you to a toolkit of core psychological concepts to help inform your analytical conclusions. These will include theories relating to behaviour, such as identity, personality, and cognitive decision-making. With 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.
In the final term, you will conduct an extended placement-based dissertation project. This might be working in an organisation with one of our placement partners, or pursuing your own research idea within the Department. Whichever you choose, you will get hands-on experience with digital data from a psychological perspective. Support is provided to those seeking an external placement opportunity as we guide you through the application and interview process. Upon graduation this practical experience will be hugely beneficial to employers and help you stand out when applying for jobs.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 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. If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application. English Language Requirements We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously. We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications. If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes. |
| Location | Main Site Admissions Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4YW |
Lancaster University is home to a dynamic postgraduate community and offers a wealth of both taught and research study options across a wide range of subject areas. Studying at Lancaster is all about broadening your horizons, finding new perspectives and discovering new experiences. By living and studying with students and staff from over 130 countries students join a global community and have the opportunity to make international connections.
We are proud to be highly ranked in three major UK league tables. We’ve also been awarded 5 Stars for overall performance in the globally renowned QS World Ratings. The …
View ProfileNot what you are looking for?
Browse other courses in Psychology or Behavioural psychology, or search our comprehensive database of postgrad programs.Postgraduate Bursary Opportunity with Postgrad.com
Are you studying as a PG student at the moment or have you recently been accepted on a postgraduate program? Apply now for one of our £2000 PGS bursaries.
Click here