Applying Behavioural Science in Your Work: From Theory to Practice
CPD | Online | Blended | Part-time
Register your interestBehavioural Science in Practice
Designing Interventions That Work
Changing behaviour is complex. Knowing what should happen is not the same as making it happen. This research-led CPD programme, delivered by leading academics from The University of Manchester, introduces a structured behavioural science approach to understanding behaviour and designing, implementing and evaluating interventions for change in professional settings.
Grounded in established frameworks and designed by experts in behavioural science and applied research, the course equips professionals to move beyond intuition and apply evidence-based methods to real-world challenges.
Through a distinctive staged learning model that combines online study, team-based learning and optional workplace action learning, participants develop the skills to apply behavioural science in professional contexts.
Course Information
About the course
Through this course you’ll develop the capability to analyse behaviours within your professional environment, identify the factors that influence them and design targeted behaviour change interventions. What you will learn moves beyond awareness or communication-based training, equipping you with a clear methodology for diagnosing behavioural challenges and developing evidence-based solutions.
The programme explores the psychological foundations of behaviour, with a focus on the COM-B framework and intervention development frameworks including the Behaviour Change Wheel.
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Who this course is for
The Applying Behavioural Science in Your Work: From Theory to Practice course is designed for both individual professionals and organisations looking to apply behavioural science in practice.
The programme supports those responsible not only for shaping change, but for ensuring it is successfully implemented, adopted and sustained in real-world settings.
Individual Learners
Designed for professionals looking to build their understanding of behavioural science and apply it within their role. This course supports individuals across sectors to design interventions and policies that are socially equitable, effective and evidence-based, using a structured behavioural science approach.
Teams and Organisations
Suitable for organisations seeking to build behavioural capability across teams. The programme supports collaborative learning and the application of behavioural science to real organisational challenges.
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Learning Information
How you will study
Structured across three flexible learning blocks, the course enables learners to engage at a pace that fits around professional commitments. The programme combines online study with team-based and applied learning experiences.
Self-paced, flexible online learning introducing behavioural science and its practical application.
Designed exclusively for organisations and their teams, these stages focus on collaborative learning and applying behavioural approaches to real organisational challenges. Delivery can be tailored to align with organisational priorities and objectives.
What you will learn
Develop the skills to understand, analyse and influence behaviour in professional settings. You'll learn how to identify behavioural drivers, diagnose challenges and apply evidence-based approaches to design effective interventions for change.
Individual Learning
Online and asynchronous | 8 hours | Self-paced
In Block 1, learners are introduced to the cutting-edge understandings of human behaviour, including defining the concepts, presenting and explaining the theories, methods and evidence of behavioural science.
- What is a behaviour and how to specify behaviours
- What influences behaviours?
- How can we change behaviours?
- Selecting active content for our interventions
- Using behavioural science to understand project reports
- Using behavioural science to plan a project
Assessment: A series of short formative quizzes throughout the course, followed by a final assessment. Learners who successfully complete the final assessment will receive a certificate of completion.
Team Based Learning
In-person or online | 8 hours | Tutor-led delivery
In Block 2, learners will build expertise by applying the learning from Block One through team‑based learning, incorporating individual and team assessments alongside collaborative group exercises.
Assessment : Formative testing of pre-learning from Block 1, completed both individually and as a team, followed by a final assessment. Teams who successfully complete the programme will receive a certificate of completion.
Action Learning Sets
In-person or online | 8-12 hours | Academic-led delivery
Block 3 focuses on workplace‑based learning. Learners will apply their learning directly within their own workplace and return to the group to share and discuss their experiences. This block takes a problem‑solving, self‑directed approach, with learners identifying their own development needs and exploring these between sessions.
Behavioural science tells us that knowing something is often not enough to change behaviour, but that we need both opportunity and motivation, in addition to capability. In this course, we intend to change learners’ capabilities and their motivation to apply methods and theories in practice.
Professor Lucie Byrne-Davis
Professor of Health Psychology
Fees and Funding
Fees and Funding
- Block 1 online asynchronous, fee per learner £200
- Block 2 Team Based Learning, fee per learner £500
- The cost for Block Three is available on request and will be tailored to organisational requirements.
A discount of (10%) is available for organisations enrolling on both Block 1 and Block 2.
To discuss team enrolments, please contact studyonline@manchester.ac.uk
Why choose The University of Manchester?
Times Education 8th Best University in the UK
Manchester is ranked 8th in the UK by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.
Find out more about this ranking here.
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World-Class, Research-Led Training
Our teaching is grounded in world-class behavioural science research, ensuring that everything you learn is academically robust and evidence-based. We translate cutting-edge research into practical tools and approaches that can be applied in real-world professional contexts.
Led by experts in Behavioural Science
Our programme is delivered by academics who are both researchers and experienced practitioners. With a strong track record of supporting professionals across Europe, Africa and Asia, the team brings practical insight and real-world examples to help participants apply behavioural science in their own work.
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