Behavioural Science for Management (MSc)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. Other routes of entry If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. English language requirements If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills: IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill. Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band. See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements. Pre-sessional English language courses If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses .

Course details

Learn from the experts You’ll benefit from the Stirling Behavioural Science Centre’s vibrant research community. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with academics who have published in leading peer-reviewed outlets on: behavioural public policy judgement and decision making behavioural economics economic psychology nudging sludge the ethics of influence biases in forecasting self-control consumer behaviour And have applied their research to an extensive set of areas including: health the environment finance food safety employment and HR insurance markets culture and entertainment industries The full-time MSc Behavioural Science consists of two 15-week semesters of taught modules and a three-month dissertation period. Develop your careers skills with our Flying Start Leadership Programme module We go beyond textbooks and lecture rooms to focus on your personal and professional development. Our Flying Start module will help you develop practical career skills such as effective public or conflict management. Modules Teaching Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars, guest speakers, article discussion groups, and presentations. There’s a regular programme of visiting speakers, leading academics and policy and industry professionals at Stirling’s Behaviour Research Centre. Assessment You’ll be assessed by combination of exams and coursework, including written assignments and presentations. The final assessment on the course involves a dissertation. Course director Professor David Comerford , Course Director msc-behaviouralscience@stir.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees and costs University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship . Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship . If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students. If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. 1+3 pathway MSc for PhD research The UK's Social Science Research Council (SSRC) recognises MSc Behavioural Science as a 1+3 pathway MSc for PhD research. The 1+3 pathway allows students to complete a one-year Masters degree before progressing to a three-year PhD research degree. These pathways can be fully funded. Additional costs There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees . Scholarships and funding Funding If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances. Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships. Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. Cost of living If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income. International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling Payment options We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

Behavioural scientists in the UK have an average salary of £42,877 per year (source: Glassdoor 2025). Our graduates occupy senior roles in: Behavioural Insights Team national governments regulatory bodies large corporations charities consultancy firms Other graduates have gone on to PhDs and published assignments from our Masters in peer-reviewed journals. Our graduates have gone to roles such as: behavioural architect manager research manager behavioural and product designer behavioural economist insights professional lead behavioural scientist senior behavioural insights analyst Our MSc Behavioural Science degree equips you for work in many areas. Business values behavioural insight to solve challenges with evidence using experimental methods. Governments have behavioural insight teams drawing on research in behavioural science and psychology. Marketing applies behavioural science to understand product pricings, promotion, and consumer perceptions. Part of this involves understanding the characteristics of customers. Organisations need leaders with human resources skills in talent development and employee engagement. Governments, state agencies, and businesses always need high-quality survey data. Companies delivering public opinion research seek sophisticated survey operations skills. This includes survey design, survey completion behaviour, formatting, quality control, and distribution. Study and careers support You'll have a mentor who will guide you through your studies. The Careers Service provides support for CV design, interview skills and other career skills.