Msc Behaviour Change

The MSc Behaviour Change at Aberystwyth University takes a novel multi-disciplinary approach to equip you with the skills necessary to forge a successful career in this evolving and stimulating field. As you confront the complex issues faced at national and global level in areas such politics, crime, the environment, food security, health and education, you will explore creative solutions to a series of collective action problems and learn how to apply behaviour change principles to real-world challenges in key sectors. This degree will imbue you with the knowledge and expertise required to inform organisations, influence policy-makers and implement strategic change in behaviours to have a positive effect which will benefit businesses, governments, communities and societies at large. As part of your training you will design innovative, evidence-based solutions to the tangible behaviour change challenges faced by our external collaborators and professional partners, enabling you to see first-hand the impact of your recommendations in practical contexts. On completion of the course you will emerge with essential employability skills as highlighted in the World Economic Forum’s top 15 desirable skills and develop crucial proficiencies in problem-solving, communication and teamwork which are in high demand amongst employers. Course Overview Behavioural insight is employed by experts and practitioners in numerous, diverse subject areas and professional applications; indeed, psychological understanding is at the core of the work of many healthcare professionals, geographers, international relations and business leadership experts as they seek to optimise human behaviour in niche domains. This innovative degree draws on multi- and transdisciplinary scholarship from the Department of Psychology, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth Business School and the Department of International Politics, enabling you to specialise in your preferred discipline: geography, psychology, business or international relations. You will be introduced to the psychology of human behaviour and mechanisms of behaviour change from numerous psychological perspectives (including evolutionary, cognitive, social, biological and developmental branches of psychology). You will also learn about the structural, institutional and systemic bases of behaviour, as well as the principles and practice of transdisciplinary dialogue and collaborative working. Careers According to the QS 2019 Global Skills Gap Report, the current most important employability skills are problem-solving, communication, and teamwork; the top three skills gaps are in problem-solving, resilience, and communication; and employers are the least satisfied with their employees’ negotiating skills, leadership, and commercial awareness. Similarly, The Future of Jobs Report 2020 (World Economic Forum) lists analytical thinking and innovation, active learning and learning strategies, complex problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis, and creativity, originality and initiative in its Top 15 skills for 2025. Finally, a Pearson report, 'The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030', lists judgement and decision-making, fluency of ideas, active learning, systems evaluation, complex problem solving, management of personnel resources, and active learning amongst its top-ranking skills of the future. With its rigorous transdisciplinary approach, focus on skill development as well as knowledge advancement, and engagement with external collaborators in its design and delivery, our MSc Behaviour Change clearly places an emphasis on all of these employability skills.