Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) (MSc) (2025 Entry)

Economics students at the University of Warwick

Course code

P-C8P8

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

1 year full-time

Qualification

MSc

Led by

Economics

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-C8P8

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

1 year full-time

Qualification

MSc

Led by

Economics

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

Download our prospectus Link opens in a new window

Apply now

Find out more about our Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) Master's degree at Warwick

Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics) MSc is designed for students with an Economics degree. Warwick's Department of Economics, ranked 1st in the UK (The Good University Guide 2024)), 2nd in the UK for research excellence (based on the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021, published in Times Higher Education rankings) and 23rd in the World (The QS World University Subject Rankings 2024), offers you a programme examining theoretical and real-world applications of decision science and behavioural economics.

Course overview

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 variantLink opens in a new window 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

View a full list of frequently asked questions from the Department of Economics.Link opens in a new window

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 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):

Microeconomics A or 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 or 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 four 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

Your lecture size will naturally vary, especially for the optional modules, but also for core lectures.

Some of the larger modules may have 50-200 students in them. You will then typically have weekly support and feedback classes with around 15-20 students.

Typical contact hours

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

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 Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) 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 a small learning group. Further information can be found on our Introductory Maths and Statistics web pageLink opens in a new window.

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

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue. 

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.

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 Fair 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 are committed to rigorous training of the next generation of economists in the tools and techniques of the discipline, producing cutting-edge research that has a wide and deep impact on society and the economy, and creating strong collaborations. Our work has established Warwick Economics as one of the leading centres of economic research internationally.

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

Visit the Economics website to find out more

Our Postgraduate courses

Academic Resources Portal

The Department of Economics have put together a portal of academic resources recommended by faculty members for anyone who may be considering studying economics at postgraduate level.

Economics Academic Resources Portal

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.

Find your taught 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 2024/25 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.

Economics Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships available for students looking to undertake study in a Taught Masters in Economics at the University of Warwick. Below are the scholarships relevant for students looking to study within the Department of Economics.

Economics Excellence Scholarship

The Department of Economics will award one Master’s scholarship (of 100% of tuition fees) to an outstanding applicant who has firmly accepted their offer by the 19 May 2025 on one of our one-year taught MSc courses.

Economics Regional Scholarship

The Department of Economics will award two Master’s scholarships (of 50% of tuition fees) to students who are nationals of, and domiciled in any country located in Africa or South America, who have firmly accepted their offer by the 19 May 2025, on one of our one-year taught MSc courses.

Alumni Discount Scheme

If you are a Graduate of the University of Warwick and are of home or overseas fee status, you will be able to access a 10% tuition fee discount on this course.

Warwick Taught Master's Scholarship

The University of Warwick offers a number of Warwick Taught Masters Scholarships, which are available to eligible Home/EU students from under-represented groups who wish to start a postgraduate taught master's course.

Apply now

How to apply

Applications to our Economics Master’s programmes typically open in October and close in June.

Find out more about our application deadlines including when we will make offers.Link opens in a new window

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course

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.

Meet us

Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
Live chats
Talk and Tours
Department events

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

See 2024 entry »

Why Warwick

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

Why Warwick

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

8th in the UK

in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

69th in the World

out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Page updates

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2025 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 Track) (MSc) (2025 Entry)

Find out more about our Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) Master's degree at Warwick

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

After you’ve applied

Applicant Portal

Admissions statement

Join a live chat

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

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

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