Behaviour Change MSc

Building the next generation of behaviour change experts.

A key mission of the Centre for Behaviour Change is to build capacity in behavioural science through teaching and training. Our highly sought-after MSc in Behaviour Change was established in 2017 and has continued to thrive and evolve each year.

The MSc centres around the systematic application of behaviour change theory and methods to design, implement and evaluate interventions, primarily using the Behaviour Change Wheel framework. Students benefit from the expertise of the CBC, whose team developed influential models and frameworks including the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and COM-B model of behaviour. This gives students a unique opportunity to learn directly from the researchers shaping the field and applying these frameworks in real-world contexts.

We equip students to work in this emerging and fast-growing field, addressing some of today’s most pressing social, health and environmental challenges. Graduates leave the programme with both the theoretical grounding and the knowledge and skills to design, deliver and evaluate interventions to create lasting change.

The MSc programme is led by Professor Leslie Gutman and Associate Professor Dr Danielle D’Lima. Many members of the CBC team contribute to the MSc through teaching, supervising projects, marking, and networking with students at events - ensuring that learners are fully embedded within the Centre’s vibrant research and practice community.

My degree in Behaviour Change determined the trajectory of my career and equipped me with knowledge and skills at the absolute forefront of the field of Behavioural Science.

Gabriella Stuart, Behaviour Change MSc.

Read more about Gabriella’s experience.

Behaviour Change MSc students and alumni meet up (London, 2024)

MSc students undertake a research project supervised by CBC staff, applying behaviour change frameworks to examine a real-world problem.
Examples of recent topics include:
•   the delivery of mental health interventions for young people
•   user engagement in a diabetes app to improve diet
•   evidence-based teaching practices in higher education
•   organisational policies to enhance wellbeing

Discover more Behaviour Change MSc projects.

Through CBC supervision and collaboration, students have opportunities to work on projects with potential for real-world impact - from informing policy discussions to being shared at conferences or forming the basis of academic publications. Students may also apply for relevant projects through the Behavioural Insights Exchange (BIX), an initiative that allows them to collaborate with external organisations on dedicated research projects.

Students graduating from this programme are equipped with a broad and versatile skill set that can be applied across many sectors. Market research shows growing demand for behaviour change expertise across the public, private and voluntary sectors, particularly in roles related to policy, practice and research. The range of modules available creates a unique opportunity for students to tailor their degree to their speciﬁc interests and career aspirations.
Graduate careers beneﬁting from this degree include:

Behavioural science researchers and consultants
Policy oﬃcers
IT developers and user experience designers
Urban and transport planners
Health consultants
Human resource managers

Multiple students graduating from this programme have gone on to complete PhDs in behavioural science.

Dr Ayşe Lisa Allison, Behaviour Change MSc

"I was particularly inspired by some of my lecturers, not just because of the brilliant and impactful work they were doing, but because of how they engaged with me and made me feel like I belonged..."

Oli Holland, Behaviour Change MSc

"Studying and working concurrently was very complementary... I was also able to take away key elements of my learning and apply them in 'the day job."

Fajri Shadiq

Fajri Shadiq

"The MSc programme was so enjoyable that if given the opportunity to go back in time and redo the whole course again, I would do it in a heartbeat."

Rachel Perowne, Behaviour Change MSc

Rachel Perowne, Behaviour Change MSc

"Studying for an MSc at UCL is an incredible opportunity - not just to gain expertise in your discipline but also beyond"

Ananya, Behaviour Change MSc

"The programme’s emphasis on applying behavioural science to real-world problems gave me the confidence to pursue impactful research and policy-oriented work."

Isolt Reardon, Behaviour Change MSc