The University of Warwick
Behavioural and Data Science MSc
The University of Warwick

Key Course Facts

Course Description

Understand the underlying factors driving human behaviour on Behavioural and Data Science MSc. Warwick's Psychology department offers you training in basic psychology, behavioural economics and state of the art methods in data science and analytics.

This course offers training in the foundations of psychology, decision-making, behavioural economics and behaviour change. It will also develop your understanding of state-of-the-art methods in data science and data analytics, focusing on statistical methods, machine learning, and data visualisation.

You will gain an understanding of large-scale patterns in data, with an eye to comprehending the underlying factors driving human behaviour. This can be used to understand consumer behaviour, economics, politics, history, wellbeing, and many other large-scale patterns at national and international levels. Previous experience in behavioural science is not necessary, but you should have programming skills in at least one programming language (e.g., R, Python, Matlab, or others).

Skills from this degree

Graduates will be able to:

  • Use data to understand how and why people make the choices they do, and understanding the consequences of their choices in relation to public policy (e.g. -encouraging people to save for pensions or change to low-carbon behaviours), industry (e.g. understanding how to place a new product in the market), and individual behaviour (e.g. understanding why people drink and eat too much)
  • Access and analyse large-scale datasets
  • Utilise state-of-the-art techniques in data analysis and visualisation
  • Design and conduct studies using data analysis to understand behaviour

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply.

We typically assess modules through a mix of assessment types, which include worksheets, essays, research reports, modelling and data analysis, class tests, exams, and presentations.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 5.5
    • Foundation / Pathway Courses
    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees Arts
    • 7.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Business, Computer and Social Studies
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Faculty of Sciences excepting MORSE

We offer a variety of postgraduate funding options for study at the University of Warwick, from postgraduate loans, university scholarships, fee awards, to academic department bursaries. It's important that you apply for your postgraduate course first before you apply for a University of Warwick scholarship.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Behavioural and Data Science, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Minimum requirements

Applicants are required, at a minimum, to have a degree in a relevant subject, e.g. Psychology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics etc., equivalent to a UK 2:1 or greater in order to be considered. As we anticipate receiving a large number of applications, preference will be given to those with the strongest quantitative or social sciences backgrounds. Evidence of experience with programming in Python or R is also preferred—at a minimum, students should have online or university instruction in programming in at least one programming language. The MSc in Behavioural and Data Science is a quantitative degree and students should feel comfortable taking a mathematical approach to their thinking before they join the course. The course requires students to undertake programming assignments and long-form essay assignments and so requires students to be comfortable in programming and to have very good written communication skills in English.

On the MSc, we cover the use of statistics and computational approaches to make sense of behavioural data (e.g., regression, t-tests, machine learning). We cover R, Python, and Matlab programming languages for statistics and mathematical modelling. We also use maths in psychological and computer science models.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band B - IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Warwick in top UK and global rankings.

See all 37 university rankings of The University of Warwick

About The University of Warwick

The University of Warwick, often shortened to Warw, is a government funded research university situated on the outer limits of Coventry, England. With an eye on the future, Warw intends to establish itself by 2030 as one of the world’s exceptional universities, helping to transform the region, country and world for collective good by the application of research. The main campus is located between Coventry and Warwickshire on almost three square kilometres of leafy woodland.

List of 313 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Warwick - Course Catalogue

Student composition of The University of Warwick

Total number of students enrolled at The University of Warwick by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
18235
postgraduates:
7835
Total:
26070
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Applied Computing”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

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