find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
University of Glasgow: Positive Behaviour Support
| Institution | University of Glasgow View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Health and Wellbeing |
| Web | glasgow.ac.uk |
| mvls-pbs@glasgow.ac.uk | |
| Study type | Taught |
MSc
Summary
Our pioneering MSc in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) will give you the skills to improve the quality of life for people with complex support needs. Learn to design, implement and evaluate PBS strategies in real-world settings. Advance your career in health, social care or education. All while studying online.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME - Gain a qualification that sets you apart. This programme is unique within the UK. There is no other university-based PBS qualification with a specific focus on applying skills in practice.
-
Achieve real-world impact for people with intellectual disabilities. Learn to design, implement and evaluate interventions that demonstrably improve quality of life.
-
Learn practical skills that you can apply immediately in your workplace. Our approach is practical and practice-based. Supporting you to apply your learning in your workplace, while still gaining a university qualification.
-
Supportive learning community. Interactive live group sessions offer the opportunity to meet with PBS peers from a range of settings. And to share learning experiences with students from different backgrounds.
-
Ensure your expertise is current and in demand. You will gain hands-on experience in designing and delivering effective PBS interventions. This programme is well-placed to meet UK Government guidance and best practice for supporting people with intellectual disabilities and complex support needs.
-
Designed for busy professionals working in health, social care or education. Study part-time online, and balance your learning with work. You will gain essential, career-boosting skills.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE All teaching on this programme is delivered online through our dynamic virtual learning environment. Content is delivered by the University of Glasgow team with guest lectures from experts in PBS research and practice.
You'll benefit from:
-
Pre-recorded lectures, webinars and short videos from PBS experts
-
Interactive live group sessions facilitated by our Programme Lead
-
Carefully curated readings and resources
-
Practical tasks directly relevant to your workplace
-
Regular feedback and guidance from the course team
-
Peer discussion and knowledge sharing, via group exercises, practice-based discussions, and case study work in small groups
Workplace mentorship is recommended to help you apply your learning effectively. For PgCert and PgDip students, this is encouraged; for MSc students, workplace supervision is required in third year to support the Practice Portfolio. For further information about this, please contact the Programme Lead anne.macdonald.2@glasgow.ac.uk
Year 1 (PgCert) Understanding & Assessing Challenging Behaviour Developing & Implementing Positive Behaviour Support Plans Implementing Positive Behaviour Support Using Practice Leadership Year 2 (PgDip) Complex Care Needs & Positive Behaviour Support Advanced Positive Behaviour Support Strategies Implementing Positive Behaviour Support in Systems Year 3 (MSc) Positive Behaviour Support Practice
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, ASN Teaching, or Social Sciences. OR We also accept applicants with significant relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications in lieu of academic qualifications. Applicant must have at least three years relevant experience working with people with intellectual disabilities. All applicants must have a current role in supporting people with intellectual disabilities. |
| Location | University of Glasgow University of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert
Summary
Our pioneering MSc in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) will give you the skills to improve the quality of life for people with complex support needs. Learn to design, implement and evaluate PBS strategies in real-world settings. Advance your career in health, social care or education. All while studying online.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME - Gain a qualification that sets you apart. This programme is unique within the UK. There is no other university-based PBS qualification with a specific focus on applying skills in practice.
-
Achieve real-world impact for people with intellectual disabilities. Learn to design, implement and evaluate interventions that demonstrably improve quality of life.
-
Learn practical skills that you can apply immediately in your workplace. Our approach is practical and practice-based. Supporting you to apply your learning in your workplace, while still gaining a university qualification.
-
Supportive learning community. Interactive live group sessions offer the opportunity to meet with PBS peers from a range of settings. And to share learning experiences with students from different backgrounds.
-
Ensure your expertise is current and in demand. You will gain hands-on experience in designing and delivering effective PBS interventions. This programme is well-placed to meet UK Government guidance and best practice for supporting people with intellectual disabilities and complex support needs.
-
Designed for busy professionals working in health, social care or education. Study part-time online, and balance your learning with work. You will gain essential, career-boosting skills.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE All teaching on this programme is delivered online through our dynamic virtual learning environment. Content is delivered by the University of Glasgow team with guest lectures from experts in PBS research and practice.
You'll benefit from:
-
Pre-recorded lectures, webinars and short videos from PBS experts
-
Interactive live group sessions facilitated by our Programme Lead
-
Carefully curated readings and resources
-
Practical tasks directly relevant to your workplace
-
Regular feedback and guidance from the course team
-
Peer discussion and knowledge sharing, via group exercises, practice-based discussions, and case study work in small groups
Workplace mentorship is recommended to help you apply your learning effectively. For PgCert and PgDip students, this is encouraged; for MSc students, workplace supervision is required in third year to support the Practice Portfolio. For further information about this, please contact the Programme Lead anne.macdonald.2@glasgow.ac.uk
Year 1 (PgCert) Understanding & Assessing Challenging Behaviour Developing & Implementing Positive Behaviour Support Plans Implementing Positive Behaviour Support Using Practice Leadership Year 2 (PgDip) Complex Care Needs & Positive Behaviour Support Advanced Positive Behaviour Support Strategies Implementing Positive Behaviour Support in Systems Year 3 (MSc) Positive Behaviour Support Practice
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, ASN Teaching, or Social Sciences. OR We also accept applicants with significant relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications in lieu of academic qualifications. Applicant must have at least three years relevant experience working with people with intellectual disabilities. All applicants must have a current role in supporting people with intellectual disabilities. |
Summary
A unique programme to develop your knowledge of positive behaviour support and its use for supporting people with intellectual disabilities, particularly those with additional complex needs. It will develop your understanding of functional behavioural assessment and you'll learn practical skills by carrying out behavioural assessment. There is also the opportunity to design, implement and evaluate positive behaviour support interventions to improve quality of life and promote well-being in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME Top 10 in the UK for Psychology
One-of-a-kind programme in Scotland. Closes a gap in skills within health and social care services that offer support to people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours.
No other university-based positive behaviour support qualifications available in Scotland.
Unique qualification within the wider UK.
More practice-based, supporting you to apply your learning in practice, while still gaining a university qualification. Well-placed to meet government guidance in relation to best practice.
Learn skills in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating positive behaviour support interventions.
Based in the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the Gilmorehill campus in the West End of Glasgow.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE Consisting of blended learning, the course will primarily be delivered online, but with an introductory 2-days based on campus in September. Content is delivered by both UoG staff and guest lectures in a variety of formats.
Specific tasks will be allocated to you in preparation for each session, and the sessions will be followed by discussions with the programme lead and the teaching staff.
You will have an opportunity to develop your skills based on your current professional role – the details will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with the teaching staff so that individual requirements can be met and the specificity of a particular professional role can be addressed.
There will also be attendance on campus for the final assignment in the summer (both of these COVID regulations permitting).
The programme consists of three core modules:
Module 1: UNDERSTANDING & ASSESSING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR
Module 2: DEVELOPING & IMPLEMENTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PLANS
Module 3: MONITORING & EVALUATING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PLANS
It is advised that each student undertaking this programme is able to access support from a work-based mentor with skills and experience of using PBS in practice. This is not a university requirement, but is advised in order to support the student to apply their learning in practice.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Applicants must fulfil all of the following entry requirements: Minimum 2:2 honours degree, typically in nursing, psychology, social work, or other relevant social sciences, OR comparable professional qualifications. For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form |
Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip
Summary
Our pioneering MSc in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) will give you the skills to improve the quality of life for people with complex support needs. Learn to design, implement and evaluate PBS strategies in real-world settings. Advance your career in health, social care or education. All while studying online.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME - Gain a qualification that sets you apart. This programme is unique within the UK. There is no other university-based PBS qualification with a specific focus on applying skills in practice.
-
Achieve real-world impact for people with intellectual disabilities. Learn to design, implement and evaluate interventions that demonstrably improve quality of life.
-
Learn practical skills that you can apply immediately in your workplace. Our approach is practical and practice-based. Supporting you to apply your learning in your workplace, while still gaining a university qualification.
-
Supportive learning community. Interactive live group sessions offer the opportunity to meet with PBS peers from a range of settings. And to share learning experiences with students from different backgrounds.
-
Ensure your expertise is current and in demand. You will gain hands-on experience in designing and delivering effective PBS interventions. This programme is well-placed to meet UK Government guidance and best practice for supporting people with intellectual disabilities and complex support needs.
-
Designed for busy professionals working in health, social care or education. Study part-time online, and balance your learning with work. You will gain essential, career-boosting skills.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE All teaching on this programme is delivered online through our dynamic virtual learning environment. Content is delivered by the University of Glasgow team with guest lectures from experts in PBS research and practice.
You'll benefit from:
-
Pre-recorded lectures, webinars and short videos from PBS experts
-
Interactive live group sessions facilitated by our Programme Lead
-
Carefully curated readings and resources
-
Practical tasks directly relevant to your workplace
-
Regular feedback and guidance from the course team
-
Peer discussion and knowledge sharing, via group exercises, practice-based discussions, and case study work in small groups
Workplace mentorship is recommended to help you apply your learning effectively. For PgCert and PgDip students, this is encouraged; for MSc students, workplace supervision is required in third year to support the Practice Portfolio. For further information about this, please contact the Programme Lead anne.macdonald.2@glasgow.ac.uk
Year 1 (PgCert) Understanding & Assessing Challenging Behaviour Developing & Implementing Positive Behaviour Support Plans Implementing Positive Behaviour Support Using Practice Leadership Year 2 (PgDip) Complex Care Needs & Positive Behaviour Support Advanced Positive Behaviour Support Strategies Implementing Positive Behaviour Support in Systems Year 3 (MSc) Positive Behaviour Support Practice
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, ASN Teaching, or Social Sciences. OR We also accept applicants with significant relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications in lieu of academic qualifications. Applicant must have at least three years relevant experience working with people with intellectual disabilities. All applicants must have a current role in supporting people with intellectual disabilities. |
| Location | University of Glasgow University of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most prestigious seats of learning, and the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Established in 1451 and recognised for its world-changing research and teaching, our people have always been at the forefront of innovation, including eight Nobel Laureates, two UK Prime Ministers, three First Ministers of Scotland, 10 Fellows of the Royal Society and 11 Fellows of the British Academy. Our past achievements inspire our current world changers.
Rankings
The University:
- is ranked 79th in the world: QS World University Rankings 2025
- is …
Not what you are looking for?
Browse other courses in 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