Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics) (MSc)

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 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.

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.

Undergraduate: Warwick IFP required. Alternatively IB, A-Levels, APs/SAT IIs will be considered.

First Class:84% (GPA of 3.65/4.0)
2.1: 73% (GPA 3.0 out of 4.0)
2.2: 62%(GPA of 2.5/4.0)

Your career in Economics

Graduates from our Masters 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