Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) (MSc)
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 2025), 2nd in the UK for research excellenceLink opens in a new window (based on the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021, published in Times Higher Education rankings) and 36th in the world (The QS World University Subject Rankings 2025), 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 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 Psychology 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
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 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.
Academic References
We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses.
You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.
View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Core modules
To give you an opportunity to choose the most appropriate modules based on your professional needs and your individual career aspirations we offer two pathways:
Pathway A – for those interested in building a strong foundation in core areas of economics and applying their economics knowledge and skills in a wide variety of economics careers.
Pathway B – for those planning to pursue MRes-PhD study in the future or aiming for careers that require more advanced technical skills in economics and/or econometrics.
The main difference between the two variants is about the level of technicality you are interested in, your background and your future career plans. For example, if we consider the choice between Econometrics A and Econometrics B, if you have studied intermediate econometrics before and are considering to pursue a PhD after your MSc, we recommend choosing the B version. If your background in econometrics is more limited, or if you are more interested in applying the tools rather than understanding technical details, the A version seems more suitable.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
You will choose four optional modules to complete.
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.
On taught core modules you will typically have weekly classes with around 15-20 students. Optional modules are usually bi-weekly but this will vary on modules taken outside of the department.
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.
Feedback is provided in a variety of ways, including:
- Grades and comments on marked work
- Solutions to problem sets
- Verbal feedback from tutors and peers in classes
- Advice and Feedback hours with academic staff
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.
Your career in Economics
Our degrees equip you with the skills and experiences needed to excel in your career. With access to exceptional career services, industry connections, our alumni mentoring scheme and global opportunities, we’ll inspire and help you to aim high and achieve your goals. Our guidance ensures you graduate as a well-rounded professional ready for lifelong success.
The most recent MSc graduates from the Department of Economics (2023/24 cohort of students) have gone on to work for employers such as:
- Bank of England
- Grant Thornton UK LLP
- Indian Statistical Institute
- CRISIL Limited
- ITC Limited
- London Economics
- Frontier Economics
- NHS England
They have pursued occupations such as the following:
- Consultants, business and workforce analysts
- Research Assistants and Analysts
- Actuaries, economists and statisticians
- Corporate finance roles
- Economic and data analysts
- Information technology professionals
- Management consultants and business analysts
Derived from the annual data collection by the Department of Economics with the latest conducted in September 2024.
Each year, several graduates of MSc programmes from the Department of Economics pursue a PhD. The most recent destinations for studying a PhD for our students have been: the LSE, Warwick and various universities in China and India.
Helping you find the right career
Your career path is unique to you. Our university careers team offer personalised support to help you develop your skills, plan your career path, and get experience at any point during your time at Warwick, and after graduation.
Our Department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant. They offer impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- Alumni Career Journeys, In-person and hybrid sessions with speakers from our Economics Alumni community
- Careers in Economics, Finance and Consultancies Fair with key employers held annually in October
- Investment Banking Uncovered
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
- Mock Assessment Centre workshops
- Manage Your Digital Identity and Use LinkedIn Effectively
Discover more about postgraduate careers support at Warwick.
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 rank 2nd in the UK for research excellence, in Times Higher Education Rankings based on results of the most recent Research Excellence Framework, 2021. We are 36th in the QS Subject Rankings for Economics and Econometrics 2025 and 1st in the UK in the Good University Guide 2025. 95% of postgraduate taught students agreed that their course was intellectually stimulating in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024.
There are various ways of engaging with us if you are a prospective student. We hold regular live chats, webinars and online events for prospective students and offer holders. Please see the live chat schedule for Economics. We will be attending the QS Master’s Fair in London on 4 October 2025.
Visit the Economics website to find out more
Our Postgraduate courses
- Economics (MSc)
- Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics) (MSc)
- Economics and Data Science (MSc)
- Economics (Diploma plus MSc)
- Economics and International Financial Economics (MSc)
- MRes/PhD in Economics
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.
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.
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 2025/26 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
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and funding
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 2026, 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 20% 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.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
How to apply
Applications to our Economics Master’s programmes typically open in October and may close in July.
How to apply checklist
Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application.
I'm ready to apply
Learn more about the Applicant Portal.
Application deadlines
The application process for courses that start in September and October 2026 opens in Autumn 2025.
Applications close on 2 August 2026 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.
| Offers Made | |||
| Round 1 | 2 October 2025 | ||
| Round 2 | |||
| Round 3 | |||
| Round 4 | 8 April 2026 | Early-May 2026 | |
| Round 5 | 9 April 2026 | onwards | rolling |
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