MSc Behavioural Economics and Finance

Our MSc Economics programmes are intended to deepen your knowledge and understanding of economics as an academic discipline. Our programmes are designed to be flexible so that you will get the most intellectual return, whether you studied economics as the principal focus of your undergraduate degree, or if economics were a minor part of a quantitatively-focussed degree.

This programme combines the intellectual rigour of a standard MSc in Economics with insights stemming from the intersection of economics, social psychology and cognition.

Providing the quantitative training of standard microeconomics, this programme offers a thorough grounding in the research methodology behind experimental economics. It also provides the statistical training required to analyse and interpret data from experiments.

This specialised course delves into individual choice, behavioural economics and experimental economics which will take you from the standard models that underpin behavioural sciences, to the current developments in the field, be it applied to labour economics, behavioural finance or behavioural public finance.

Enhance your degree with Study Abroad opportunities

Double Degree

Spend your first year at Exeter and a second year at another world-class international institution, resulting in two Masters degrees and the opportunity to expand your knowledge even further. We offer three fantastic Double Degree options with:

• Grenoble Ecole de Management in France
• EBS University of Business and Law in Germany
• Fudan University School of Economics in China

The opportunity to study with Fudan is specific to MSc Economics, MSc Economics & Econometrics, MSc Money, Banking and Finance and MSc Financial Economics programmes.

Programme structure

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.

The programme is divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

Learning and teaching

Our postgraduate taught programmes utilise a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Lectures

The aim of lectures is to give you information on ideas that are central to the module and to help you in developing your understanding of complex ideas. Many of the teaching materials for lectures are made available to you electronically to accompany the notes you take during the lecture. Lectures are given by a range of staff members, including leading professors, who integrate their latest research findings into the teaching that you receive. Guest lecturers, including members of industry, also contribute to some modules.

Seminars and tutorials

Seminars and tutorials involve an in-depth exploration of the issues covered in lectures as well as giving you the opportunity to discuss various concepts and theories and receive feedback on your written assignments. As a postgraduate student in the Department of Economics, you will be able to participate in the established Economics Seminar Series.

Assessment

Modules are assessed through a mixture of group work, coursework, project work and examinations; the weighting of each of these components will vary according to the academic requirements of the module. Examinations are normally held at the end of the module, in January and May/June.

Entry requirements 2020

• A 2:1 with honours in an Economics, Finance or Psychology-related discipline from a recognised university, including degrees where Economics is a "minor" subject. Evidence of mathematical/quantitative ability is required.
• IELTS (Academic) Overall score 6.5. No less than 6.0 in any section.
• TOEFL IBT* Overall score 90 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking.

International students

If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.

Careers

Our Master’s programmes are designed to prepare you for a successful career, wherever in the world you plan to work. Employers expect advanced communication and technical skills, team-working and independent research, project-management and the very latest specialist knowledge from their postgraduate recruits.

Our MSc in Behavioural Economics and Finance will enable you to develop the professional and behavioural economic and financial skills and subject expertise that will make you a valuable asset from the start of your career.

Careers in Behavioural Economics and Finance

You may choose to apply an MSc in Behavioural Economics and Finance in a variety of roles including:

• Economist
• Financial risk analyst
• Investment analyst
• Tax adviser/analyst
• Statistician

According to your location and career goals, you can choose to work in public or private sector roles, from large multi­-national companies such as the ‘The Big Four’ Accounting and Professional Services firms to government departments such as the Government Economic Service (GES). International organisations like the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the EU Commission or UN, together with banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, consultancies and not-for-profit organisations all seek economists with the latest technical expertise and knowledge. This programme’s emphasis on social psychology and experimental approaches within economics could enhance your competitiveness with policy-makers such as the analysis of tax compliance by HM Treasury or savings decisions by workers of interest to governments around the world.

By carefully selecting your optional modules such as Banking & Financial Services, Domestic & International Portfolio Management, Economics of Banking, Economics of Corporate Finance, International Trade & Regional Integration, or Macroeconomics, you can start to develop a specialisation to enhance your employability in your chosen field. Your dissertation research will provide further evidence of subject specialism of interest to future employers.

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.