Psychological and Behavioural Science

Psychological and Behavioural Science is a degree that takes psychology's empirical tradition and extends it into a wider study of how behaviour emerges from the interaction of minds, bodies, social environments, and cultural contexts. Where some psychology degrees focus primarily on the cognitive and biological bases of mental life, Psychological and Behavioural Science gives sustained attention to the ways in which behaviour is shaped by social situations, group dynamics, institutional structures, and the choices people make under conditions of uncertainty. This broader lens draws on economics, neuroscience, sociology, and philosophy alongside core psychological science, giving you a more complete picture of why people do what they do.

At the University of Durham, this three-year full-time programme offers both intellectual depth and structural flexibility. It includes a sandwich year and a year abroad, allowing you to spend time in a professional setting and to study in a different national and academic context before completing your final year. Work placements are embedded in the programme, connecting your studies to real-world applications.

You will cover the foundational areas of psychological science, including cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and research methods, while also engaging with behavioural economics, decision-making science, and the study of how incentives and environments shape human action. You will develop strong skills in designing and conducting empirical research, analysing quantitative and qualitative data, and communicating your findings clearly.

Durham's research-active department and the programme's strong quantitative training make it a particularly effective preparation for postgraduate study or for careers in research-intensive environments.

Graduates pursue careers in behavioural research, data analysis, marketing and consumer insights, public health, policy, human resources, and mental health support roles. Many go on to postgraduate study in psychology, behavioural science, economics, or clinical training. The programme's combination of rigorous science and broad behavioural perspective is well matched to the way the field is developing.