Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics) (MSc) (2023 Entry)

Image of economics students in conversation around a desk.

Course code

P-C8P8

Start date

18 September 2023

Duration

1 year full-time

Qualification

MSc

Led by

EconomicsLink opens in a new window

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-C8P8

Start date

18 September 2023

Duration

1 year full-time

Qualification

MSc

Led by

EconomicsLink opens in a new window

Location

University of Warwick

Explore our Behavioural and Economics Science (Economics) taught Master's degree.

Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics) MSc is designed for students with an Economics degree. Warwick's Department of Economics, ranked 4th in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2023) and 25th the World (The QS World University Subject Rankings 2022), offers you a programme examining theoretical and real-world applications of decision science and behavioural economics.

Course overview

Important notice

We are no longer accepting applications for this course for 2023

This course emphasises both theoretical foundations and real-world application in core and advanced areas of behavioural economics, and the cognitive science of judgement and decision making. It is for you if you intend to work in a business environment (e.g. consumer-led industries and the financial sector), and if you are concerned with public policy and its implementation.

It also provides an excellent foundation if you are intending to undertake further postgraduate research. A 20,000-word written project report provides an opportunity to explore your own interests across these fields of study.

The Economics variant of the course is designed for students with a first degree in Economics. A Science track variant of the course is offered by the Department of PsychologyLink opens in a new window and is available if you have a first degree in Science.

You will be automatically enrolled on a pre-sessional Mathematics and Statistics programme to equip you with the relevant methodological skills you need to succeed on the course.

Skills from this degree

Gain a deeper understanding of how and why people make the choices they do.
Understand how influencing such choices is important across a variety of domains, from public policy (e.g. encouraging people to save for pensions), through to industry (e.g. how to place a new product in the market), and individual behaviour (e.g. why people drink and eat too much).
Develop a theoretical understanding of key models and results in behavioural economics and judgement and decision making.
Ability to design, conduct and analyse behavioural experiments.
Implement models of choice.
Access and analyse large-scale datasets.
Initiate economic enquiry and test economic models.
Numeracy and quantitative skills: use of mathematics and diagrams, understanding data, statistical analysis.
Use of IT including word processing and spreadsheet packages; specialist econometric, statistical, and other software; the internet.
Written and oral communication skills.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) specialising mainly in economics. This means you should have achieved a good standard in undergraduate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics/economic statistics at an intermediate level.

We also expect a good standard achieved in mathematics taken at undergraduate level.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

Band A
Overall score 6.5 and none below 6.0 is required.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Modules

Core modules

The following basic structure applies to MSc Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track):

A pre-sessional Mathematics and Statistics course.

Microeconomics A

Microeconomics B

These modules will develop your understanding of advanced microeconomic analysis, with a more applied version (A) or a more technical/theoretically orientated version (B). As a guide, we expect students opting for the B version to have obtained the equivalent of a First Class mark (70%) in their undergraduate studies, though we will consider a request to take a B variant even if that prerequisite is not met.

Quantitative Methods: Econometrics A

Quantitative Methods: Econometrics B

Both modules are taught in Term One. Econometrics A covers fundamental econometrics research skills and Econometrics B will supplement the development of these key and fundamental professional skills by looking at more advanced topics.

Issues in Psychological Science

This module covers core psychology and behavioural science content relevant to later modules in the degree, including memory, attention, perception, personality and individual differences, choice, and subjective well-being. It will provide you with the psychological background to enable you to understand and critically evaluate material on those later modules.

Methods and Analysis in Behavioural Science

The purpose of the module is to introduce you to experimental design and statistical programming. Behavioural scientists need statistical analysis of experimental data and of large data sets. This module covers these topics to allow you to understand how to test hypotheses, plan experimental design and perform statistical analysis using R.

Behavioural and Economic Science Project

You will have the opportunity to investigate and carry out novel research in the area of economic psychology and experimental economics.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

Experimental Economics
Behavioural Economics
Psychological Modules of Choice
Behavioural Change: Nudging and Persuasion
Neuroeconomics
Bayesian Approaches to Behavioural Science
Principles of Cognition
Behavioural Ethics
Behavioural Finance

You will choose five optional modules to complete.

Teaching and learning

Teaching

You will have a combination of lectures, small group support and feedback classes, and practical classes or workshops. You will also learn through independent study, which will include reading journals and books, completing problem sets and assessments, revising for exams and undertaking research. In the summer term and summer vacation your independent study time will increase as you complete your research project.

Class sizes

Core modules range from 50-175 students and classes have typically around 15-20 students.

Typical contact hours

An average of 8-10 hours of lectures and 3 hours of classes per week.

Assessment

Assessment is through formal examinations and coursework, including a mixture of worksheets, essays, research reports, modelling and data analysis, class tests, exams, presentations and a research project.

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web pageLink opens in a new window.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Pre-Sessional Mathematics and Statistics

The MSc Economics is a quantitative degree and students will need to be competent in several areas of mathematics. You are required to attend a pre-sessional course, Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, which will be taught in the two weeks before the University’s main term begins.

The course is designed to ensure that your maths and statistical knowledge and skills are at the standard required for you to succeed on the rest of the MSc course and it consists of both lectures and small group learning. Further information can be found on our Introductory Maths and Statistics web pageLink opens in a new window.

Careers

Your career in Economics

Graduates from our Master’s courses have gone on to work for employers including:

Bank of America
Bank of China
China Merchants Bank
Citibank
Deloitte
EY
European Central Bank
Frontier Economics
HM Treasury
HSBC
IMF
KPMG
World Trade Organisation

They have pursued roles such as:

Economists
Analysts
Consultants
Researchers
Business and financial project management professionals
Chartered and certified accountants
Actuaries
Statisticians
Quality assurance and regulatory professionals

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

Careers in Economics Webinar Series with speakers from our Economics Alumni community
Careers in Economics Event with key employers held annually in November
Investment Banking Uncovered
Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
Mock Assessment Centre workshops
Manage Your Digital Identity and Use LinkedIn Effectively

About the Department

Economics at Warwick

We're an inclusive, diverse community committed to the highest quality research which informs our teaching on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Many of our experts are leaders in their field.

We hold regular live chats for prospective students and offer holders. Please see the live chat schedule for Economics.

Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees Research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

How to apply

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Visit us

Postgraduate Open Day

Our Postgraduate Virtual Open Day will help you find out more about your course of interest, as well as general topics like applying to Warwick, accommodation, careers and funding.

Please register your interest to be the first to hear when booking opens.

Postgraduate fairs

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.

Find out more

Live chats

Every week, you can connect directly with representatives from Warwick, who will be answering your questions on applying to and studying postgraduate studies at Warwick.

Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

See our online departmental events

Connect with us

Want to hear more about postgraduate study at Warwick? Register your interest and find out more.

2022 entry

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

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Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK
(The Guardian University Guide 2023)Link opens in a new window

67th in the world
(QS World University Rankings 2024)Link opens in a new window

5th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employersLink opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers Research Ltd.Link opens in a new window)

Connect with us

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2023 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics) (MSc) (2023 Entry)

Explore our Behavioural and Economics Science (Economics) taught Master's degree.

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

Taught course applications

Research course applications

After you’ve applied

Applicant Portal

Admissions statement

Join a live chat

Postgraduate Open Day

Postgraduate fairs

Live chats

Departmental events

Connect with us

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Connect with us

Why Warwick

Connect with us

About the information on this page

Connect with us

Talk to us

Find us