Positive Behaviour Support MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning
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.
- Online distance learning
- Academic contact: mvls-pbs@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- Online
- MSc: 36 months part‑time
- PgDip: 24 months part‑time
- PgCert: 12 months part‑time
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.
Video: Watch a webinar with the PBS programme lead, Dr Anne MacDonald
Accreditation
The Positive Behaviour Support PgCert has been recognised by the UK Society for Behaviour Analysis (UK-SBA) as an approved qualification in the pathway to become a UK Intermediate Behaviour Analyst (UKiBA). UKiBA is an intermediate-level certification in behaviour analysis and is the second-highest level of certification offered by the UK-SBA.
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)
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
Where will this MSc take you?
Whether you want to work in the NHS, social care, education, or specialist roles, this qualification opens doors. Graduates have gone on to roles such as:
- Working for the NHS within community teams or inpatient settings or with health-based specialist PBS teams
- Working for social care providers providing community-based support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Working within schools, particularly additional support schools
- Working as independent PBS consultants
Typical job titles for graduates from this programme include:
- Senior PBS Practitioner/PBS Lead Practitioner
- PBS Specialist
- PBS Manager/PBS Coach
- CAMHS-LD PBS Lead Nurse
- Specialist Nurse in PBS
- Psychological Therapist in PBS
Hear from Kate, a Canadian PBS graduate on how this flexible programme helped her enhance her skills and made a difference in her career.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2027-28
MSc
UK / EU / International:
- £15,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits
PgDip
UK / EU / International:
- £10,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits
PgCert
UK / EU / International:
- £5,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.
Fees for students funded by the NHS or UK social care organisations or UK health and social care partnership (HSCP)
- £12,063 (total cost for MSc)
- £8,042 (total cost for PgDip)
- £4,021 (total cost for PgCert)
- £1,341 per 20 credits
Fee status
Entry requirements
2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, ASN Teaching, or Social Sciences.
We also accept applicants with significant relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications in lieu of academic qualifications.
Applicants 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.
All applicants must provide a CV detailing their work experience and a professional reference.
English language requirements
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
For applicants from non-majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
Accepted English Language Tests
We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.
IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic for UKVI/ IELTS Academic online
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- We do not accept General Training
TOEFL iBT (including MyBest and Home Edition)
Test taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 overall with no subtest less than 4.5
PTE Academic (test centre only)
- 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
- We do not accept the online PTE Academic
Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
Oxford ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
LanguageCert Academic/Academic SELT/ Academic Online
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- 96 overall with no subtest less than 90
Kaplan Test of English
- Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
PSI Skills for English
- B2 Pass with Merit
Duolingo English Test
- 120 overall with writing at 120 and no subtest less than 110
Oxford Test of English Advanced
- 140 Overall with any two subtests at 126 or higher, and any two subtests at 136 or higher
Alternatives to English Language test
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 their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
TNE degree from UK university taught at a campus outside of the UK
- students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.
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 would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study and remain valid for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/mlc/eas/pre-sessionalcourses/
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
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 (optional for UK applicants)
- 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
For entry in September 2027
- Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.
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