| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Economics |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online Programme Director: Dr Edwin Ip |
| Typical offer | 2:1 degree with honours in a quantitative discipline |
|---|---|
Overview
- Human behaviours underpin every big and small decision we make. Understanding our behaviours and biases is therefore vital if you want to make an impact on the world around us.
- Our unique MSc Economics: Behavioural Insights equips you with knowledge and skills to holistically tackle real world problems using behavioural economics and empirical methods.
- Combining both rational economic thinking and behavioural insights, you will learn how to optimally design policies, products, solutions, and interventions for a world prone to human biases.
- Our very large and diverse team of researchers have previously worked with government, industry, major international organisations, as well as behavioural insight teams around the world.
- You will have the unique opportunity to develop and propose behavioural economic solutions for real world organisations and receive guidance from expert researchers and practitioners.
Business School of the Year
Times Higher Education Awards 2022
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Receive personal guidance and support from an expert behavioural economist
You will be assigned a behavioural economist as your personal academic tutor
Home to one of the largest groups of behavioural economics researchers and practitioners
Business School of the Year
Times Higher Education Awards 2022
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Receive personal guidance and support from an expert behavioural economist
You will be assigned a behavioural economist as your personal academic tutor
Home to one of the largest groups of behavioural economics researchers and practitioners
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 degree with honours in a quantitative discipline (e.g. economics, mathematics, statistics, physical sciences, engineering, computer science, finance). We also consider strong students from disciplines that have quantitative components (e.g. a quantitative social science, psychology, geography, life sciences, accounting, management) as well as medicine intercalators. Evidence of quantitative ability is required.
We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study, significant relevant work experience or professional qualifications.
Prerequisites
In order to apply for the MSc Economics, you must be at least familiar with basic algebra, calculus, probability and statistics. Quantitative skills are especially important for those without prior Economics studies.
Note: A Level mathematics (or equivalent) may be acceptable as a minimum requirement, but if admitted, you will be encouraged to undertake some additional self-guided study prior to the start of the programme.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
This programme is available for study 12 months full-time over three terms and is University-based throughout this time. The taught components of the programme are delivered in the first two terms, leaving the third term and most of the summer to research, write and submit your dissertation. The programme in its entirety runs from September to September.
- During the programme you will study modules (including the dissertation) totalling 180 credits.
- Please note that programme structures may be subject to change.
Compulsory modules
Choose 150 credits of compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BEEM101 | Microeconomics | 15 |
| BEEM011 | Applied Econometrics 1 | 15 |
| BEEM157 | Behavioural Finance | 15 |
| BEEM103 | Optimisation Techniques for Economists | 15 |
| BEEM125 | Experimental and Behavioural Economics | 15 |
| BEEM163 | Research in Practice: Study Design | 15 |
| BEEM115 | Research Design and Dissertation | 60 |
Optional modules
Choose 30 credits of options
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Economics: Behavioural Insights optional modules 24-25 | ||
| BEEM012 | Applied Econometrics 2 | 15 |
| BEEM015 | Industrial Economics and Strategy | 15 |
| BEEM100 | Macroeconomics | 15 |
| BEEM155 | Development Economics | 15 |
| BEEM117 | Economics of Corporate Finance | 15 |
| BEEM152 | Behavioural Development Economics | 15 |
| BEAM052 | Corporate Governance and Finance | 15 |
| BEEM154 | Economics of Public Finance | 15 |
| BEMM069 | Marketing and New Product Innovation | 15 |
| BEEM157 | Behavioural Finance | 15 |
| BEE3076 | Environmental Economics and Sustainability | 15 |
| BEE3077 | Health Economics | 15 |
| BEE3072 | Econometrics: Cause and Effect | 15 |
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£14,900 full-time
International fees per year:
£26,700 full-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
In addition to lectures, seminars and tutorials that help you build technical and practical skills, our learning activities are designed to help consolidate your knowledge and skills as well as to help you apply them to real world problems.
You will also be assigned one of our expert behavioural economists as your personal academic tutor who will offer you support and advice over the course of your study.
Other activities include special events where prominent economists and behavioural insights practitioners are invited to inspire you with cutting-edge topics and developments in economics and behavioural insights.
Moreover, our MSc students are invited to attend our departmental seminars, where leading economists from around the world disseminate latest research in different fields of economics.
By joining us, you will become part of Exeter's proud tradition in behavioural economics. University of Exeter hosts the prestigious Exeter Prize, the premier international award for new behavioural economics research. In addition, the Department of Economics boasts one of the largest groups of behavioural economists. Our diverse team of researchers have previously worked with government, industry, major international organisations, as well as behavioural insight teams around the world.
Research-led teaching
University of Exeter Business School research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
We believe every student benefits from being taught by experts active in research and practice. You will discuss the very latest ideas, research discoveries and new technologies in seminars and in the field. All our academic staff are active in internationally recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics.
Our programmes are designed to be flexible, whilst also giving you the opportunity to specialise if you wish. You will explore not only traditional economic models, but the latest application of economy theory including behavioural and experimental economics, giving you course content that is world relevant.
Each programme draws upon the internationally rated research undertaken within the department, and the experience of our academics in developing economic policy at organisations such as the Bank of England, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations.
Economics research
We are a research-intensive faculty, and our world-leading research is actively shaping the world around us, and we combine this with innovative teaching techniques, unique to our Business School. You can also participate in experiments contributing to this cutting-edge research through our state-of-the-art research laboratory FEELE (Finance and Economics Experimental Laboratory at Exeter).
You will be taught by internationally respected academics who are at the forefront of their research. We draw upon disciplines across the social sciences and give emphasis to the dynamic nature of enterprise, global connectivity and the management and leadership of the global challenges that lie ahead.
The Business School is home to the following research centres:
- Centre for Entrepreneurship
- Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
- Centre for Simulation, Analytics and Modelling (CSAM)
- Exeter Centre for Social Networks (ECSN)
- Exeter Centre for Leadership (ExCL)
- Exeter Sustainable Finance Centre (ESF)
- Initiative in the Digital Economy at Exeter (INDEX)
- Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute (LEEP)
- Research Methods Centre
- Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC)
- The Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE)
Careers
The unique combination of rigorous training in Economics and specialist skills in Behavioural Insights makes you an extremely attractive job candidate in a variety of roles across different industries.
Not only will you have the technical and analytical thinking skills of an economist, your deep understanding of human behaviours will also take your ability to influence others to the next level. What’s more, you will gain real experience and add to your portfolio of work through our innovative Applied Behavioural Project, which you can demonstrate to your future employers.
Behavioural insights teams are now common in governments worldwide, big banks and corporations, international organisations such as the United Nations, OECD and the World Bank, as well as numerous consultancies.
Behavioural insight specialists are also highly sought after in marketing, advertising, consumer analytics and product design. This brand-new, premier programme will be one of the first to train you specifically for such in-demand jobs and help you launch an exciting and fulfilling career, guided by experts and practitioners in the field.
As with our MSc Economics, your training will come with many transferrable skills desired by any employers, such as critical thinking, analytical thinking, statistical skills, project management, team-working and communication skills. This programme will make you a valuable asset for any organisations from the start of your career.
Our Careers & Employability team will help you identify your career path and support your route to a fulfilling global career.
Developing your skills and career prospects
The University of Exeter Business School provides a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. Visit our postgraduate Business School careers service web page for more information.
Enhance your degree with Study Abroad opportunities
QTEM Programme*
After your first year of studies at Exeter, you can progress onto the QTEM Programme. QTEM aims to prepare students with excellent quantitative and analytical skills to support their future careers as decision makers leading the global business environment.
If you are accepted onto the QTEM Programme, you will spend an additional semester studying at one of the prestigious academic partners. This will be followed by a quantitatively focussed internship and participation in the QTEM Data Challenge which includes online data science and leadership courses as well real data analysis.
Students will be selected and nominated to QTEM by the University of Exeter Business School following a competitive internal application process. Places are limited so we recommend you register your interest before applying for your Masters.
*Open to high achieving students enrolled in the following University of Exeter Business School programmes: MSc Finance, MSc Finance and Investment, MSc Economics, MSc Financial Economics, and MSc Business Analytics.
For more information on QTEM and Double Degrees and other postgraduate study abroad opportunities, visit the Business School’s Study Abroad webpages.
