MSc Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support
Canterbury, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 19,300 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* for EU and International| UK: GBP 10,000
Key Summary
With comprehensive training in assessment techniques, intervention planning, and data analysis, you will learn how to design high-quality, person-centred support, for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autistic individuals.
You will also conduct original research in this field, working alongside world-class academics and researchers with special expertise.
This course can be studied in person, full-time or studied through distance learning either full-time or part-time. This means you can study in the way that suits your circumstances, and helps you produce your best work.
Apply for certification
The MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support is carefully structured to prepare students for professional certification, subject to meeting any additional criteria set by the relevant credentialling bodies. Specifically, the course aligns with the requirements of:
- The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
- The UK Society for Behaviour Analysis (UK-SBA)
- The International Behavior Analysis Organization® (IBAO)
Study Mode: One year full-time, two years part-time (part-time is for distance learning only) Distance learning
Scholarship value
The award covers tuition fees, return airfares and living costs for a one-year taught Master's programme.
Deadline
Deadline for Commonwealth application: - 12 December 2024.
Hold an unconditional offer (with the only outstanding condition, international fee deposit) of a programme of study from the University of Kent - 31 January 2025
Criteria
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, candidates must:
- Hold an undergraduate degree at UK first-class level equivalent.
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by one of the eligible Commonwealth countries listed or be a British Protected Person.
- Be a permanent resident in one of the eligible Commonwealth countries listed above.
- To be committed to the University of Kent, you can apply for more than one course and/or to more than one University, but you may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship.
- Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Return to their home country as soon as their period of study is complete. In some circumstances, a student may be permitted to remain in the UK if seeing doctoral study and satisfy certain strict conditions.
- Hold an offer by the deadline for a full-time postgraduate taught degree on one of the eligible courses at the University of Kent:
- MSc Artificial Intelligence
- MSc Infectious Diseases
- MSc Cyber Security
- MA International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- MSc Applied Actuarial Science
- MSc Conservation Science
- MA English and American Literature
Further details
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, set up by DFID in 1986, represent a unique partnership between the United Kingdom government and UK Universities.
Funded by the UK Department of International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Shared Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development. They are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
These scholarships are offered under six themes:
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Promoting global prosperity
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises - Access, inclusion and opportunity.
How to apply
To be considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship you must:
- Make a formal application for a postgraduate degree at the University of Kent commencing September 2025/26. This can be done online here.
- Complete the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) online application process. For information on how to do that and full details of the application process please go directly to the Commonwealth Scholarships webpages.
- Applications will be considered based on Academic Excellence and a completed application.
- The Commonwealth will accept applications until 12th December 2024 (closing at 16:00 GMT).
Stage 1
Compulsory modules currently include the following
- Advanced Issues in Values, Ethics and Professional Practice
- Concepts and Principles in Behaviour Analysis
- Behavioural Assessment
- Research Methods in Behaviour Analysis
- Theory and Philosophy of Behaviour Analysis
- Developing and Implementing Behavioural Interventions
- Organisational Behavioural Management and Systems-Wide Approaches
- Dissertation in Applied Behaviour Analysis/Positive Behaviour Support
Gain certification to advance your career and develop new skills and expertise to improve the lives of people living with complex needs.
Professionals with expertise in ABA and PBS are in high demand across various settings.
You might already be working in the field and wish to gain certification, leading to more senior roles and increased responsibilities.
People who study this course typically go on to roles such as:
- Clinical Supervisor
- Behaviour Consultant
- Behaviour Specialist
- ABA Supervisor
- Practice Leader
- Associate Director
- Head of Positive Behaviour Support
You might choose to support individuals in schools, community support agencies, NHS, residential services, and private practice.
Professionally recognised
The MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support is carefully structured to enable students to pursue certification through either the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) or the UK Society for Behaviour Analysis (UK-SBA).
Graduates will be eligible to pursue certification as either a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or a Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) with the BACB, under pathway 2, or UKBA(Cert) certification with the UK-SBA, subject to additional criteria specified by each certifying body.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning style
Campus-based students
- You will primarily learn through lectures that promote interaction and participation including role-playing, and peer discussions.
- Group activities encourage dialogue and discussion to enhance understanding and develop ideas.
- Synthesis sessions provide opportunities to delve deeper into taught material and reinforce understanding.
Part-time distance learning students
- You will access recorded lectures, allowing you to learn at your own pace, and benefit from in-person interactions and discussions on campus.
- Interaction will take place through online forums, TEAMS channels and live synthesis sessions, giving you the opportunity to interrogate and discuss learning materials individually and as a group.
Assessment methods
- Each module includes a combination of assessment methods, giving you more than one opportunity to demonstrate your learning. This could include hypothetical case studies, data-based assignments and portfolios.
- Essays, reports, posters, and presentations will assess academic writing and communication skills, and examinations assess your learning on specific modules.
- Deadlines are spread throughout the term to ensure that you are not overburdened with coursework at any one time.
Study support
All teaching takes place at the Tizard Centre or online. You will be supported by the University’s Skills for Academic Success (SAS) team who are here to ensure you can study in the best way to suit you.
Engage in the renowned Tizard Behavioural Talks, a monthly series featuring leading experts in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support. Here, you'll explore cutting-edge research and emerging practices in the field, gaining insights from top professionals and thought leaders.
Dynamic publishing culture
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Journal of Mental Health; Journal of Applied Research and Intellectual Disabilities; American Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; and Journal of Intellectual Disability Research; Behavioral Education; Behavior Analysis in Practice and the International Journal of Positive Behaviour Support.