Applied Behaviour Analysis - PCert, PDip, MSc

Entry requirements

A first or second class honours degree in a social science discipline; voluntary, professional or family experience of children or adults with a learning disability and/or autism.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications. 

International students

Please see our International website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, international fee-paying students cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages. 

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

Teaching and assessment

Modules are assessed by examination, essay, practical assignment, video. Dissertation of 10,000 words or, for work-based learning option, 7,000-word case report and video.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

• develop a critical understanding of the concepts and principles of applied behaviour analysis
• encourage values- and evidence-based, ethically stringent practice or research in applied behaviour analysis
• provide you with detailed knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities and experience of practice or conducting research in this field
• produce graduates equipped to play a leading role in public services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You will gain knowledge and understanding of:

• concepts and principles of applied behaviour analysis
• values and ethical principles underpinning professional practice
• methods of observing, recording and analysing behaviour
• methods of assessing and intervening to manage challenging behaviour and support adaptive behaviour
• cognitive, communicative and social characteristics of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• biological, social and environmental causes of intellectual and developmental disability
• challenging behaviour and other special needs
• ideology, policy and service development
• definition and measurement of service quality
• the relationships between service organisation and quality
• research methodology and basic statistical analysis.

Intellectual skills

You develop intellectual skills in: 

• the ability to review and critically discuss of literature at the forefront of the discipline
• the ability to interpret data in the light of theoretical and methodological considerations
• the ability to present critical, balanced and conceptually-informed arguments
• the ability to conceive, design, analyse and interpret primary or secondary research investigations (where following the research route)
• the ability to design interventions informed by assessment and theoretical understanding (where following the practice route).

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in:

• how to conduct primary or secondary research on an applied behaviour analytic topic relevant to intellectual/developmental disability (where following the research route)
• how to design interventions for people with intellectual/developmental disability (and their carers/families) that are applied, behavioural, analytic, technological, conceptually systematic, effective and generalisable (where following the practice route).

Transferable skills

You will gain the following transferable skills:

• communication: the ability to organise information clearly, respond to written sources, present information verbally
• numeracy: the ability to make sense of statistical materials, integrate quantitative and qualitative information
• information technology: the ability to produce written documents, undertake online research
• working with others: work co-operatively on group tasks, understand how groups function.
• improve your own learning: the ability to explore your strengths and weaknesses, time management, review your working environment
• problem-solving: the ability to identify and define complex problems, explore alternative solutions and discriminate between them.

Fees

The 2020/21 annual tuition fees for this programme are:

Applied Behaviour Analysis (Intellectual and Developmental Disability) - PDip at Canterbury

• Home/EU full-time £5133
• International full-time £10800
• Home/EU part-time £2567
• International part-time N/A

Applied Behaviour Analysis (Intellectual and Developmental Disability) - PCert at Canterbury

• Home/EU full-time £2567
• International full-time £5400
• Home/EU part-time N/A
• International part-time N/A

Applied Behaviour Analysis (Intellectual and Developmental Disability) - MSc at Canterbury

• Home/EU full-time £7900
• International full-time £16200
• Home/EU part-time £3950
• International part-time N/A

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk

Additional costs

General additional costs

Find out more about general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent. 

Funding

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

• University and external funds
• Scholarships specific to the academic school delivering this programme.

Research areas

Current research areas include: social inequalities and community care; intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Staff research interests

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.

Professor Julie Beadle-Brown : Professor in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Dr Jill Bradshaw : Lecturer in Learning Disability

Dr Nick Gore : Senior Lecturer in Learning Disability

Professor Peter Langdon : Professor of Clinical and Forensic Psychology

Dr Michelle McCarthy : Reader in Learning Disability

Professor Peter McGill : Professor of Clinical Psychology of Learning Disability

Professor Glynis Murphy : Professor of Clinical Psychology and Disability

Antony Osgood : Lecturer in Learning Disability

Dr Paraskevi Triantafyllopoulou : Lecturer in Learning Disability

Serena Tomlinson : Lecturer in ABA/PBS (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)

Dr Peter Baker : Senior Lecturer in Learning Disability

Dr Ciara Padden : Lecturer in Learning Disability

Dr Magali Barnoux : Lecturer in Forensic Psychology and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Careers

Our postgraduate courses improve employability prospects for both those with established careers and new entrants to the field. Many of our students already work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in professional, management or supporting capacities. Our programmes support their continuing professional development and enhance their opportunities for career advancement. Other students, who are at the beginning of their careers, move on to a range of professional roles in health and social care including working as psychologists in learning disability or behavioural specialists in community learning disability teams; service management of development roles; clinical psychology training or a PhD.

Our Applied Behaviour Analysis programme includes a course sequence approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.  Its completion, therefore, meets two of the requirements for certification as a Behaviour Analyst.  Successful students will need to obtain appropriate supervised experience and pass the BACB exam. Many of our ABA students hope to take this career path, applying their skills either in work with children or adults with autism (ie early intervention programmes or in schools using an ABA approach) or with children/adults with learning disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging.  Every week we are asked to notify our students of opportunities in these fields.  Our ABA programme is also suitable for parents of children/adults with autism or learning disability, who are looking to increase their own understanding of ABA.

Study support

All teaching takes place at the Tizard Centre. Postgraduate research students have a shared office space with a computer and telephone.

Acclaimed active department

The Tizard Centre runs an annual seminar series where staff or guest lecturers present the results of research or highlight recent developments in the field of social care. The Jim Mansell Memorial Lecture invites public figures or distinguished academics to discuss topics that could interest a wider audience. The Centre also publishes the Tizard Learning Disability Review (in conjunction with Emerald Publishing) to provide a source of up-to-date information for professionals and carers.

The Tizard Centre provides consultancy to organisations in the statutory and independent sectors, both nationally and internationally, in diversified areas such as service assessment, person-centred approaches, active support and adult protection. The Centre also teaches a range of short courses, often in conjunction with other organisations.

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.

Global Skills Award

All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.