Postgraduate taught 

Behavioural Science MSc

2 students at a computer

The MSc in Behavioural Science is a unique new programme co-run by the Adam Smith Business School and the School of Psychology & Neuroscience. It aims to shape tomorrow’s behavioural scientists through an interdisciplinary programme that combines multiple areas of expertise including Economics, Business, Finance, Psychology and Neuroscience. Students will benefit from new methods, new laboratory facilities and industrial partnerships.

Why this programme

  • A competitive programme on the study of decision-making, blending methods and research from multiple domains (Economics, Management, Finance, Psychology and Neuroscience).
  • Two tracks will be offered (science and business) which will have a joint foundation path. This will allow consistency across the tracks as well as a tailored and diversified acquisition of skills according to the track chosen as a specialisation.
  • Theoretical knowledge will be paired with quantitative methods, empirical designs, qualitative applications and market-driven research questions.
  • Students will have access to our new behavioural laboratory. This facility will allow our graduates to conduct ecologically valid controlled behavioural experiments (including for their dissertation) with dedicated resources and staff.
  • Industry projects will allow first-hand application of acquired skills, as well as concrete training and a bridge with the industry world.

Adam Smith Business School is triple accredited

Programme structure

Students must complete 180 credits in total, comprising 120 credits of taught courses (70 core and 50 optional) and 60 credits for the independent piece of work. The default option for this is a research dissertation but there will be an opportunity for selected students to complete the industry project.

The programme features two tracks: a science track and a business track.

  • Students on the science track must complete at least 60 credits of courses offered by the School of Psychology & Neuroscience (course codes beginning with PSYCH).
  • Students on the business track must complete at least 60 credits of courses offered by the Adam Smith Business School (course codes beginning with ACCFIN, BUS, ECON, MGT).

The dissertation will be supervised by the School to which the topic is most closely aligned for students on either track.

Optional courses are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

The Adam Smith Business School and the School of Psychology & Neuroscience provides a heterogenous and interdisciplinary learning and teaching environment, informed by the variety of expertise and backgrounds of their academic staff.  The programme is grounded in student-centred and active learning paradigms, with an emphasis on experiential learning. Teaching approaches include interactive lectures, tutorials, discussion-based seminars, and workshops. Students will use a range of relevant software to support their learning.

To support experiential learning, the programme includes two distinctive features: the Business School’s behavioural laboratory workshops and industry projects.

In behavioural laboratory workshops, students will learn how to implement experiments and surveys, both online and in the laboratory and conduct behavioural research (including for their dissertation).

Industry projects give students an opportunity to implement the skills developed during the taught courses and to apply problem-solving skills to specific real-world tasks. Working with practitioners enables our students to implement their cutting-edge insights in behavioural science and to test their abilities in experimental design and data analysis in a specialised, real-world environment.

Pre-semester introductory courses

  • APPLIED MICROECONOMICS (INTRODUCTION) 
  • PREPARATORY COURSE - SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY

Core courses

Optional courses

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

The programme will shape a new generation of highly adaptable behavioural scientists with a range of knowledge and skills (tested on a broad interdisciplinary spectrum of problems and processes).  It will provide graduates with an exceptional learning experience and outstanding career prospects in multiple sectors.

The science track provides students with strong neuro-scientific skills, expertise and horizons, developed in the context of an interdisciplinary-driven research agenda in Behavioural Science. It is appropriate for students who would like to complement or expand scientific knowledge about human behaviour and strengthen their interests in decision-making from different research fields (i.e., Psychology, Economics, Finance, Management, and Business). This track would lay the foundations for a PhD, or a research position within the private or public sector.

The business track will prepare students from different backgrounds for working in or conducting research in/about different sectors across the current market system. It will provide them with the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge and competencies in the realm of decision science for their independent front-loaded concrete applications (e.g., designing economic policy or developing/building business cases). The final goal is to equip students with both general and specialised knowledge to respond to industry/market research questions and requirements in the field of behavioural science. This track will allow after graduation direct careers in both public policy settings and private business.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2023-24

MSc

UK

  • Full-time fee: £11520

International & EU

  • Full-time fee: £25980

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

Behavioural Science Scholarship

It is our commitment to attract the very best academically talented students from around the world to study this postgraduate taught programme, providing them with an intellectually demanding, research and industry-informed education.   

There are 8 full tuition fee scholarships available for Home/RUK, EU and International applicants.

With this scholarship we wish to recognise outstanding students who will add to the diversity and vibrancy of the School, and who have shown determination in their career to date.  

This scholarship is awarded in the form of a full tuition fee waiver and is open to all full-time, self-funding students. 

The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship

The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship is accelerating exceptional Disabled Students through masters’ programmes into leadership positions to create change.

Do you have ambitions to change the world? Are you pioneering in your field? Are you creating change for Disabled People? Let us open some doors.

 The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship award will provide up to 30,000 for exceptional Disabled Students applying to study a master’s degree. We are investing in the influencers of the future. 

Please see Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship for details.

PGT Excellence Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has a total of 20 PGT Excellence Scholarships available to UK students entering any of the University’s Colleges.

Climate Leadership Scholarships

Cop26 was held in Glasgow from 31st October – 12th November 2021 and the University of Glasgow recognises the importance of universities in tackling the climate emergency. Glasgow is part of the newly formed  Cop26 Universities Network, a growing group of over 80 universities working together to promote a zero-carbon future. Alongside vital research being carried out by our academics, Glasgow recognises that urgent action is needed on our campuses, and we aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.  We believe that the climate emergency can only be addressed by implementing long-term sustainability policies and our Green Glasgow strategy details our action plan for the next decade.

In recognition of the vital need for action to combat the climate emergency the University of Glasgow is excited to launch our Climate Leadership Scholarships. We have 20 scholarships available to UK students entering any of our Colleges on a PGT programme which engages with the climate emergency.

As a world-changing research-led University we are committed to supporting the next generation of researchers working across disciplines to address the climate emergency.

Vice Chancellor EU Award

The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow. 

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the Vice Chancellor EU Award to highly qualified new incoming EU students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

Applicants that graduated from the University of Glasgow or completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow, are eligible for the Alumni discount and this can be combined with the Vice Chancellor EU Award.

EU Welcome Award

The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow. 

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the EU Welcome Award to new incoming EU students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme for Academic Session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 tuition fee discount. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

Applicants that graduated from the University of Glasgow or completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow, are eligible for the Alumni discount and this can be combined with the EU Welcome Award.

University of Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has several International Leadership Scholarships available to International and EU (non-UK) students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fees discount.

Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans

Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans are EU-guaranteed loans with favourable pay-back terms. They’re designed to help prospective students finance their Master’s courses in an Erasmus+ Programme country while leaving as little of a lasting economic footprint as possible.

The scheme is designed to provide postgraduate students with the means to pay their tuition and living expenses – thereby allowing individuals to focus on their degree instead of managing their bank balance. The programme aims to be as inclusive as possible, working under the following guidelines:

  • No need for collateral from students or parents - ensuring equality of access
  • Favourable, better-than-market interest rates
  • Pay-back terms that allow graduates up to two years to find work before beginning repayment.

Please visit the Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans website for more information.

University of Glasgow African Partners Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students, alumni or staff at one of the University partners in Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

Please see the University of Glasgow Africa Partners List 2023.

University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students from Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow Caribbean Partners Award

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 5 scholarships for students, alumni or staff from our partner The University of the West Indies in the Caribbean.  The scholarship is available to International students, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24. The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow is offering 5 scholarships for International students from the Caribbean, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award (Nigeria)

The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to Nigerian students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award

The University of Glasgow has 40 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to students from low and middle income countries, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline, in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)

Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £5,500 towards their course. Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.  

This support extends to online Masters or Postgraduate Diplomas, and not to the online Postgraduate Certificate courses.

For more information visit the SAAS website.

Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)

If you’re an English student looking to study a taught Masters programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan. Students from England are able to apply for a non-means tested Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. You have to repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.

If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.

Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

Postgraduate Master's Finance

If you’re starting a full-time or part-time Postgraduate Master’s course (taught or research based) from 1 August 2019, you can apply for Postgraduate Master's Finance and receive up to £17,000 as a combination of grant and loan:

  • a maximum grant of £6,885 and loan of £10,115 if your household income is £18,370 and below
  • a grant of £1,000 and loan of £16,000 if your household income is not taken into account or is above £59,200.

For more information visit Student Finance Wales

Postgraduate Doctoral Loan

If you’re starting a full-time or part-time postgraduate Doctoral course (such as a PhD) from 1 August 2019 you can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £25,700.

For more information visit Student Finance Wales

Alumni Discount

In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2023/24. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.

Postgraduate Access Scholarship

The University of Glasgow is pleased to be offering Postgraduate Access Scholarships to support Home students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University. Applications are particularly welcomed from applicants who met any of our widening participation criteria, or equivalent, at undergraduate level. The value of each scholarship is £4,000 and they are for students undertaking a one or two year Taught Masters programme. For two year Taught Masters programmes, the scholarship is available in year one only.

Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.

Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.

For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

University of Glasgow Scholarships for Turkey and Syria

Following the devastating earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria, the University of Glasgow is offering 6 exclusive full tuition fee waivers to students from this region, who are facing challenges in progressing on to Higher Education. The scholarship is available to students entering any of the University’s Colleges to undertake an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Taught (one-year Masters) programme in 2023-2024.

Sanctuary Scholarships

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 20 Sanctuary Scholarships for applicants to the University, who have been forced to travel to the UK for humanitarian reasons and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2023/24. Please note that you must have applied to the University before submitting an application for this scholarship.

The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for applicants who are unable to access mainstream funding through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance. The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs. In addition, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met, this will also be provided for the duration of your degree, if required. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the Accommodation Services section on the website.

Undergraduate students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs only, if successful.

Postgraduate Taught Masters students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs and a partial tuition fee waiver, to cover any shortfall not met by your Postgraduate Masters tuition fee loan.

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2023 entry.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

All applications will be assessed by academic staff in the Adam Smith Business School and the School of Psychology & Neuroscience, with reference to the University of Glasgow’s Equality and Diversity Policy. We will consider applications from students with a wide range of backgrounds who can demonstrate their potential to succeed in the programme.

Science track

A UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree or equivalent overseas qualification in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics or any subject with a scientific background.

Business track

A UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree or equivalent overseas qualification in Economics, Business, Finance, Management, Marketing, Engineering, Mathematics or Statistics. Applicants who do not have an Economics degree must have successfully completed at least one course on introductory probability and statistics OR Econometrics during their undergraduate studies.

Additional documents required for application

Personal statement

Please address the questions below in no more than 500 words:

  1. Why you have applied for this programme?
  2. How you think the programme will benefit you in the future?

The personal statement will evaluate the fluency of expression, the enthusiasm and the commitment of the applicants. An academic judgment will assess the suitability of the applicants for their chosen programme.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • 7.0 with no subtests under 6.5.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

  • 95 with minimum R 23, L 23, S 22, W 24.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

PTE (Academic or Academic Online)

  • 68 with minimum 62 in all subtests.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)

  • 65%.
  • Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

September 2023

  • International & EU applicants: 26 July 2023
  • UK applicants: 17 August 2023
Apply now

More information about this programme

Skills Award

Related programmes

Business

more related Business programmes

Psychology & Neuroscience

more related Psychology & Neuroscience programmes

Related links

Postgraduate events

Open Days, information sessions, campus tours, events near you

Download

Postgraduate prospectus