Online course
Applying Behavioural Science in Your Work: From Theory to Practice
- Qualification: CPD
- Workload: Approx. 8 - 12 hours (per learning block)
- Next enrolment: October 2026
Introduction
Behavioural 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.
Key features
Led by experts in Behavioural Science
Learn from leading academics at the forefront of the behavioural science field. Our programme is delivered by academics who are both researchers and experienced practitioners.
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.
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.
Key information
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Delivery
Online | Blended | Part-time
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Course type
CPD
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Duration
Approx. 8 - 12 hours per learning block. You will have access to learning material for 4 months from the start date of your course.
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Course Academics
Fees and funding
Total course fees for Learning Block 1 are £200.
Total course fees for Learning Block 2 are £500.
The cost for Learning Block 3 is available upon request and will be tailored to organisational requirements.
A discount of 10% is available for organisations enrolling on both Block 1 and Block 2.
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic or professional entry requirements for this course. It has been designed to be accessible to a broad range of professionals, practitioners and organisations who are interested in developing their understanding of behavioural science and applying it within their own working environments.
Request information
Course overview
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.
What you will learn
Through this course, you will develop a structured understanding of behavioural science and how it can be applied to influence meaningful change in professional settings.
This includes the ability to:
- develop the ability to understand, specify and analyse behaviour using the COM-B framework
- identify the capability, opportunity and motivation factors that influence behaviour in different professional contexts
- recognise behavioural influences and apply evidence-based Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) to design effective interventions
- apply established behavioural science frameworks, including the Behaviour Change Wheel, to analyse and address real-world challenges
- build the confidence to translate behavioural science theory into practical action through problem-solving, collaboration and workplace application
By the end of the course, you'll have the skills to understand, analyse and influence behaviour in professional settings. You'll be able to identify behavioural drivers, diagnose complex challenges and apply evidence-based approaches to design effective interventions that support meaningful and sustainable change.
Where and when 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.
Learning Block 1 | Online (Individual Learners)
Self-paced, flexible online learning introducing behavioural science and its practical application.
Learning Blocks 2 and 3 | Online or in-person (Teams and Organisations)
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.
How it will benefit your career
Through this course, you'll develop the capability to analyse behaviour within your professional environment, identify the factors that influence it and design targeted interventions that support meaningful change. You'll gain a structured, evidence-based approach that moves beyond awareness or communication-based training, equipping you with the skills to diagnose behavioural challenges and develop effective solutions.
Drawing on the psychological foundations of behaviour, the programme explores established behavioural science frameworks, including the COM-B model and the Behaviour Change Wheel, giving you practical tools to apply behavioural science with confidence in your own professional context.
Student testimonial
The academic team behind this programme develops training grounded in proven behaviour change theories and practices, ensuring that participants not only acquire knowledge, but also develop the skills and motivation needed to apply behavioural science effectively. Their approach translates behavioural science into practice across a wide range of professional settings.
Professor Samantha Weston
Director of Pharmacy
School of Health and Life Sciences
Teesside University
Course units
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Learning Block 1
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
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Learning Block 2
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 1 through team‑based learning, incorporating individual and team assessments alongside collaborative group exercises.
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Learning Block 3
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.
Course structure
Designed and delivered by leading experts in behavioural science and applied research, this course combines academic theory with practical application to help you understand, analyse and influence behaviour in professional settings. The flexible structure allows you to progress at a pace that fits around your professional commitments, combining self-paced online learning with team-based learning and optional workplace action learning. You’ll develop your understanding through interactive activities, evidence-based approaches and opportunities to apply behavioural science to real-world challenges.
Course learning aims
Our CPD in Behavioural Science aims to provide a self-paced online learning experience about human behaviour, understanding behavioural challenges, applying behavioural science ethically and professionally and integrating behavioural thinking into the learner’s professional practice.
Teaching and learning
Block 1 is online learning based. There is a mixture of didactic teaching of theories and interactive elements including multiple choice questions and points of reflection.
Block 2 is a teams based learning approach, including application of the learning in block one to novel examples and multiple choice testing individually and as a team.
Block 3 is workplace based learning. In this block learners will be asked to apply their learning to their workplace and will return to a group to discuss their experiences of this. This is a problem solving approach and involves self-directed
Coursework and assessment
The programme combines flexible online learning with collaborative team-based activities and workplace application, enabling participants to build knowledge and apply behavioural science in real-world contexts. Learning is supported through interactive activities, formative knowledge checks and summative assessment, with certificates awarded on successful completion of Learning Blocks 1 and 2, and a certificate of attendance for Learning Block 3.
Admissions information
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
There are no formal academic or professional entry requirements for this course. It has been designed to be accessible to a broad range of professionals, practitioners and organisations who are interested in developing their understanding of behavioural science and applying it within their own working environments.
The programme is particularly valuable for individuals involved in the design, delivery or implementation of services, policies, programmes or interventions where influencing human behaviour plays a central role in achieving successful outcomes.
Application and selection
How to apply
1.Head to our online store
and choose your course start date
2.Add the course to your basket and complete the registration and payment process
3.Once your payment is confirmed, you’ll receive your enrolment information two weeks before the course begins.
You can pay for your course using credit or debit card.
Reserve your place today.
If you have any questions or need support, please contact: learningsupport@manchester.ac.uk
Fees and funding
Course fees
Total course fees for Learning Block 1 are £200.
Total course fees for Learning Block 2 are £500.
The cost for Learning Block 3 is available upon request and will be tailored to organisational requirements.
Discounts
A discount of 10% is available for organisations enrolling on both Block 1 and Block 2.
To discuss team enrolments, please contact learningsupport@manchester.ac.uk
Corporate customers
If you are a corporate customer eligible for a discount and would like to arrange payment via invoice or make a group booking, please contact us at learningsupport@manchester.ac.uk
Additional cost information
Additional expenses
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application.
Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
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The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.