Masters Degrees (Behavioural Economics)

Behavioural economics applies psychological insights into human behaviour to explain how real people make economic decisions.

Who is it for?

The course is suitable for recent graduates in economics, psychology and related social science or quantitative disciplines who are looking to develop a career in the fast-paced world of behavioural economics, either in the public or private sector.

As the course is offered in full-time and part-time modes, it is also suited to professionals who want to enhance their theoretical knowledge and practical skills and would benefit from an academic environment.

Objectives

Behavioural economics applies psychological insights into human behaviour to investigate how people make economic decisions under various conditions of constraint (e.g. time and knowledge) and influence (e.g. social pressure). This is an important field in modern economics, and the social sciences more generally.

Commercial organisations have long known the limitations of individual decision making and they routinely use this knowledge in their commercial practices (e.g. anchoring effect of minimum payment on credit cards). The practical implications of behavioural economics are varied and significant, and acknowledged to provide a powerful and cost-effective approach to improving human welfare.

The Behavioural Economics MSc will develop your skills and knowledge to prepare you for a wide variety of roles in the private or public sector that require a solid understanding of human behaviour.

Teaching and learning

The modules are taught by lecturers from the economics and psychology department with research interests in behavioural economics.

In each module you will receive typically 30 hours of face-to-face contact, supported by online resources (e.g., videos and advanced readings provided on the learning platform Moodle) for your self-directed study. You will be required to take responsibility for your own learning and to take advantage of the learning opportunities offered (e.g., invited speakers programme and online resources). The learning and teaching strategies for each module will expose you to a range of methods, comprising: lectures, guest lectures, seminars, group work, workshops, small group discussions, tutorials, reflective reports and research project supervision.

Assessment

In order to assess your full range of learning, you will complete reflective reports, essays, examinations, interpretation of statistical analyses, formal research proposals and a research dissertation. Most individual modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examinations. In addition, you will be directed to independent study and receive detailed feedback on your coursework as an aid to your further learning. These different forms of assessment have the aim of assessing your knowledge, skills and appreciation in different areas of behavioural economics (e.g., theoretical knowledge and applied aspects of behavioural techniques).

Modules

Full-time students take four modules in each of the first two terms, followed by a written research dissertation in the third term.

Most of the modules are structured as a combination of two-hour lectures (to present information) and one-hour seminars or clinics (to understand and assimilate lecture material) or lab sessions. Teaching and learning is enhanced by technology-supported resources, and teaching staff are available for one-to-one interaction and feedback.

It is expected that full-time students will spend about three hours in lectures/seminars plus self-directed, independent study hours for each module per week. You should also expect to attend seminars given by invited speakers and seminars on dissertation writing (about one to two hours per week).

Your workload might vary from week to week.

Term 1
-Principles of Economics
-Cognitive and Economic Science of Rational Choice
-Psychological Processes: Individual and Social
-Behavioural Research Methods: Design and Analysis

Term 2
-Experimental Economics and Game Theory
-Fundamentals of Cognitive Science
-Applied Econometric and Psychological Research Methods
-Professional Aspects of Behavioural Economics

Term 3
-Research Dissertation
Students with a strong background in Economics may substitute 'Principles of Economics' with a microeconomics module from one of the MSc programmes offered by the Department of Economics. You may also substitute an appropriate elective from one of the MSc modules offered by the Department of Economics for 'Professional Aspects of Behavioural Economics' - this will allow a pathway through the programme that is focused on theoretical and research economic themes.

Career prospects

Whilst there is not yet a specific occupation of 'behavioural economist', the knowledge and skills acquired are highly valuable in a range of sectors:
-Economic consultants undertaking marketing activities
-Health economics consultants developing sales/markets for products (from branded medicines to health insurance schemes)
-Public policy specialist who advises on the choice architecture of decision making (e.g., transport decisions)
-Political campaigns and public relations more generally
-General marketing, sales and consumer psychology (preferences, sensitivity to incentives, and default behaviour)
-Brand awareness consultancies
-Financial trading and risk assessment
-Internet auction companies
-Design consultancies (e.g. websites)
-In large international institutions, e.g. World Bank, EBRD, Central Banks etc.

City’s Behavioural Economics postgraduate course would be especially valuable for professionals who already work in occupations which involve the need to understand the scientific dynamics of human decision making and behaviour (e.g., financial traders who require the right psychological attitude as much as appropriate strategy knowledge).

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Applying behavioural economics to real-world problems is becoming increasingly widespread. The main findings from behavioural economics are that individuals deviate from optimal behaviour in a consistent and regular manner. Furthermore, emotions play an important role in decision making in many scenarios. As a consequence, policy-makers are beginning to appreciate the relevance of applying tools and techniques from behavioural economics in understanding the behaviour of individuals.

Over the past decade, techniques in behavioural economics have been applied by a large number of both private and public sector organisations. These include the Bank of England, Coca-Cola, the Financial Conduct Authority, Google, HMRC, Hyundai, HSBC, Oxfam, VISA and the NHS, while concepts from behavioural economics are widely used in areas such as marketing, organ donor framing, incentives to save, incentives to spend etc. There does not seem to be an aspect of life in which applications from behavioural economics are not relevant.


Why study MSc Behavioural Economics in Action at Middlesex?

As a result of this growth in demand, we are offering MSc Behavioural Economics in Action with a strong emphasis on real-world applications, that is, in action. It is the very first programme of its type to be offered in the London area.

The programme will provide a unique learning experience for its students. The course offers as much emphasis on behavioural theories as on the practical applications of behavioural economics, but what makes our masters programme unique is that - as part of their degree - our students will be required to undertake a three-month long behavioural project with real-world implications supported by a mentor.

The course is particularly aimed at individuals with extensive work experience in areas such as policy making and senior management in any type of organisation in the public or private sector. The tools and techniques we teach are also in great demand in organisations that seek to understand customer and consumer behaviour.

Recent graduates from related disciplines looking to enter into the fast growing area of behavioural economics are also encouraged to apply, including anthropology, business, economics, finance, political science, psychology, sociology, neuroscience, etc. Those holding degrees in maths or physics are also welcome.

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We’re one of Europe’s leading economics departments, ranked top 5 in the UK for research, with over 90% rated as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” (REF 2014). We’re also ranked among the top 150 departments on the planet QS World Rankings 2017.

Behavioural economics is one of the fastest growing areas in economics in recent years. Insights inform business and public policy alike – we investigate the human and social factors influencing decisions made by consumers, borrowers and investors.

In your first term, you design a lab experiment for one of your assignments. You can then test your idea by carrying out behavioural research from start to finish in ESSEXLab, our state-of-the-art social science laboratory. You’re also trained in experimental design by lab experts and your lecturers, and can receive funding to carry out your experiment in the lab, subject to availability.

You don’t need a background in economics to study this course. Our modules are flexible so you can choose to focus on specific topics that interest you. We’ll teach you a diverse set of tools and methods, preparing you well for PhD study or a career in a number of fields such as business environments or public policy and implementation.

You explore topics including:

◾How economic considerations, cognitive limitations and psychology jointly shape human decision making
◾Theoretical frameworks and empirical predictions for environments where traditional theory fails to provide guidance
◾Markets and strategic interactions.

Our expert staff

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists of our time.

Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs, with students coming from across the globe to study, research or work with us.

Many of our researchers also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today's society as well as informing our teaching for the future.

Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our wide range of learning resources to assist you in your studies:
-Work with researchers to learn how to conduct experiments from start to finish, as a lab assistant in ESSEXLab, our state-of-the-art social science experimental lab.
-Extensive software for quantitative analysis is available in all computer labs across the University
-Access a variety of economics databases and multiple copies of textbooks and e-books in the Albert Sloman Library

Your future

After completing your masters, you may wish to extend your knowledge with a research degree – many Essex graduates decide to stay here for further study.

Alternatively, our course also prepares you for employment; recent surveys have shown that higher degree graduates are more likely to obtain jobs at professional or managerial level.

With its distinctive focus on questions in behavioural economics, combining theoretical foundations and real-world applications, this course will equip you with transferable employability skills valued in industry (for example in the retail and financial sectors), government and academia.

Our graduates find employment in roles such as business and financial analysts, management consultants, government officials, and economists for banks and other financial organisations.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

Postgraduate study is the chance to take your education to the next level. The combination of compulsory and optional modules means our courses help you develop extensive knowledge in your chosen discipline, whilst providing plenty of freedom to pursue your own interests. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.

Behavioural Economics - MSc
-Microeconomics
-Behavioural Economics I: Individual Decision Making
-Behavioural Economics II: Games and Markets
-Advanced Microeconomics
-Dissertation
-Macroeconomics (optional)
- Economics of Financial Markets (optional)
- Mathematical Methods (optional)
- Estimation and Interference in Econometrics (optional)
- Economic Development Theory (optional)
- Time Series Econometrics (optional)
- Panel Data Methods (optional)

Be a lab assistant

We want you to succeed in your career after Essex. To help you do this, we offer two of our students on this course the chance to undertake work experience as a lab assistant in ESSEXLab, our state-of-the-art social science lab at our Colchester Campus. ESSEXLab works with researchers from across the social sciences, from Essex, elsewhere in the UK, and abroad.

As a lab assistant, you help researchers access lab resources to plan and execute their experiments, giving you a full view of the experimental research process at ESSEXLab from start to finish.

Lab assistants will have the opportunity to participate in supporting a variety of studies, including studies in the lab, online studies, and studies conducted in the field via ESSEXLab Mobile, our iPad-based mobile social science laboratory.

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Our MSc Economics programmes are intended to deepen your knowledge and understanding of economics as an academic discipline. 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.

A central objective of all of the programmes is to provide you with insight into the latest thinking in economics. You will attend a series of research seminars, during which you can discuss and present current research papers. You can also participate in the departmental seminars, which attract external academics and provide you with the opportunity to gain insight into current research in economics and econometrics.

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

This programme provides the quantitative training of standard microeconomics, with a thorough grounding in the research methodology behind experimental economics, whether applied to laboratory studies, or to field experiments. It also provides the statistical training required to analyse and interpret data from experiments.

The specialised courses in individual choice, behavioural economics and experimental courses will take students from the standard models that underpin behavioural sciences to the current developments in the field, whether applied to labour economics, behavioural finance or behavioural public finance, as well as policy applications, including the analysis of tax compliance by the HM Treasury or savings decisions by workers in the United States.

Study abroad and gain a second Masters qualification

The double degree option enables you to gain a second Masters qualification by studying for a year with one of our prestigious partner universities. For more information on this and other postgraduate study abroad opportunities, visit the Business School’s Study Abroad webpages http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/postgraduate/studyabroad/

Programme structure

During the programme you will study modules (including the dissertation) totalling 180 credits. Please note that programme structures may be subject to change.
• Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Business School postgraduate module list http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/postgraduate/modules/.

Compulsory modules

Some examples of compulsory modules are as follows; Microeconomics; Game Theory and Industrial Organisation; Optimization Techniques for Economists; Quantitative Research Techniques; Experimental Economics Project and Dissertation;
Experimental and Behavioural Economics; Behavioural Choice and Financial Decision Making and Experimental Methods

Optional modules

Some examples of optional modules are as follows; Advanced Econometrics ; Banking and Financial Services ; Domestic and International Portfolio Management; Economics of Banking; Economics of Corporate Finance; Financial Econometrics; International Trade and Regional Integration; Macroeconomics; Quantitative Research Techniques and Topics in Financial Economics

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This is a high quality taught graduate course which has ESRC recognition under its "1+3" awards system, specifically designed to train students in the use of analytic and quantitative methods in examining economic issues, and provide research training of the level required to proceed to a PhD programme in Economics. It provides an opportunity to specialise in the rapidly developing field of behavioural economics and is the ideal route for high calibre graduates of economics intending to undertake PhD research in behavioural/experimental economics. Suitable for those seeking entry to a wide range of careers, particularly those with interests in finance.

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Overview

There is mounting evidence that people violate many of the "rationality" assumptions of mainstream economics. Behavioural Economics is a relatively new field that studies such violations and proposes theories to explain them. Behavioural Finance is a part of Behavioural Economics that studies important "irrationalities" on financial markets. Key topics include common mistakes people make when deciding how much to save and how to invest, excess volume of trade, equity premium puzzle, bubbles, and predictability of financial markets.

Why study Behavioural Finance

Behavioural Economics and Behavioural Finance have grown tremendously in popularity in recent years. The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Daniel Kahneman in 2002 for Behavioural Economics and to Robert Shiller in 2013 for Behavioural Finance. There has been increased interest by the public, as evidenced by a spate of popular books in these areas. There has also been increased interest by governments: for example, David Cameron appointed a "Behavioural Insights Team" in 2010 to help design government policies.

The backbone of the programme consists of a first-semester module in Behavioural Economics and a second-semester module in Advanced Behavioural Finance. Apart from these two modules, students can take modules covering more traditional topics in finance.

A thorough knowledge of Behavioural Economics and Behavioural Finance provides students with a deeper and more realistic understanding of financial markets than is offered by mainstream finance alone. Such knowledge also makes students less susceptible to common mistakes in their own lives and careers. A successful completion of the programme would provide students with valuable skills for a wide range of careers in areas such as investment, banking, public service, or academia.

Structure

The programme consists of five compulsory modules in semester A as well as two compulsory modules and three electives in semester B. During the summer period students will also have to complete a 30-credit 5000-word dissertation under the supervision of an academic member of staff.

Students will also be offered a two-week pre-sessional course whose aim is to introduce students without a strong quantitative background to the necessary mathematics and statistical concepts.
Click here for the full programme structure: http://econ.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/masters/msc-programmes/152610.html

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This intensive one-year programme provides a flexible and attractive set of units to those interested in applied research. Exit degrees, based on optional units taken, provide a distinct choice of academic route for those who are interested in a research career, as well as those who want further training at postgraduate level but do not intend to become academic researchers.

The School of Economics, Finance and Management has an international reputation for research excellence. Faculty members in the school regularly publish in top international journals and the school is expanding following substantial recent success in research funding applications.

Programme structure

Core units - The programme starts with four compulsory units in the first term:
-Microeconomics
-Macroeconomics
-Econometrics
-Applied Economics

Optional units - Four units are taken in the second term. This is where you shape your exit degree based on choices from the 11 available units. The four available exit degree titles are:
-MSc Economics
-MSc Economics (Macroeconomics)
-MSc Economics (Microeconomics)
-MSc Economics (Economic Policy)

Each exit degree has a unique structure as follows:
-MSc Economics
You can choose any of the option units from the listing.
-MSc Economics (Macroeconomics)
You must take Further Macroeconomics plus three units from: Further Econometrics, Banking, Derivatives, Behavioural Finance.
-MSc Economics (Microeconomics)
You can take four units from: Labour Economics, Health Economics, Education Economics, Development Economics, Further Econometrics, Banking.
-MSc Economics (Economic Policy)
You must take Programme Evaluation and Policy Experiments plus two units from: Labour Economics, Health Economics, Economics of Education, Development Economics.

The full list of units:
-Banking
-Behavioural Finance
-Derivatives
-Development Economics
-Economics of Education
-Further Econometrics
-Further Macroeconomics
-Health Economics
-Labour Economics
-Policy Experiments
-Programme Evaluation

Unit availability is subject to staffing and timetable constraints. Please note: the number of available places on some units may be capped.

Dissertation
There will be a dissertation element for all of the above programmes. You will apply appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed over the programme to a piece of applied research devised in consultation with a supervisor.

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Introduction

Behavioural science is a rapidly growing area for policy and business with fascinating insights into human behaviour and wide-ranging practical implications.
This exciting, course teaches the core theory and methods of behavioural science and behavioural economics, and how these can be applied to important business and policy-relevant issues.
This MSc is aimed at students with a very strong intrinsic motivation to study the link between economics, psychology, business and policy. The MSc is taught by dedicated staff from the Behavioural Science Centre who have extensive experience in integrating insights from economics and psychology to address key societal challenges.
The MSc offers students the opportunity to gain advanced training in behavioural theory, to learn a comprehensive suite of behavioural methods, and to understand how this ‘toolkit’ can be applied to understand and inform the decisions made by stakeholders, workers and consumers.

Key information

- Degree type: MSc, Postgraduate Diploma
- Study methods: Full-time
- Duration: MSc: one year; Diploma: nine months
- Start date: September
- Course Director: Dr Michael Daly

Course objectives

The course aims to enable students to:
- Develop an in-depth understanding of the core concepts and theory in behavioural economics.
- Understand the relevance of subfields of psychology (e.g. personality, IO) to business.
- Critically appreciate the psychological foundations of key concepts in behavioural science.
- Develop an understanding of how behavioural science has been and can be applied to business and policy contexts.
- Develop the capacity to understand the role of individual difference factors in shaping responses to and behaviours in different economic circumstances and business settings.
- Become proficient in carrying out statistical analyses (e.g. OLS, probit regression) using standard software.
- Understand the role of experiments in identifying decision processes and enabling behaviour change
- Design behavioural experiments and understand key issues involved in conducting and drawing conclusions from behavioural experiments.
- Understand methods of measurement and how the are employed across key domains in behavioural science (e.g. personality, preferences, well-being, health).
- Become aware of the data sources available to researchers in behavioural science and how best to utilise these resources to study business and policy-relevant issues
- Critically appreciate the complex conceptual, design, and statistical issues involved in testing causality in behavioural science.
- Develop, present and communicate arguments clearly and logically both in writing and orally.
- Develop an appreciation of unfolding trends in the behavioural science and behavioural economics literatures and to gain key insights from leading experts in the field.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS: 7.0 with minimum 6.0 in each skill
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade B
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade A
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 67 with a minimum of 55 in each component
- IBT TOEFL: 100 with no sub test lower than 20

For more information go to English language requirements https://www.stir.ac.uk/study-in-the-uk/entry-requirements/english/

If you don’t meet the required score you may be able to register for one of our pre-sessional English courses. To register you must hold a conditional offer for your course and have an IELTS score 0.5 or 1.0 below the required standard. View the range of pre-sessional courses http://www.intohigher.com/uk/en-gb/our-centres/into-university-of-stirling/studying/our-courses/course-list/pre-sessional-english.aspx .

Delivery and assessment

You have an active role in your learning experience. Delivery includes lectures, seminars, guest speakers, article discussion groups, and presentations, followed by a three-month dissertation period. Assessment is by a mixture of examination and coursework, including written assignments and presentations. Successful completion of the taught element of the programme leads to the award of the Diploma or allows you to continue for the award of the MSc by completing a 15,000-word dissertation based on an original research question agreed by yourself and your supervisor. The project should reflect your own understanding and knowledge of selected topics learnt during taught modules.

Career opportunities

On completion of this course students will be ready and able to contribute innovative solutions to many businesses, governments and society.
The specialist knowledge they acquire in behavioural science will be invaluable in building long-term careers in business (e.g. human resource management, advertising, regulation, consumer marketing, social marketing and survey research) and those who wish to inform the design and implementation of public policy.
The course also provides an excellent entry for those thinking of progressing to doctoral research in this area.

Industry demand for skills

- Policy: The Cabinet Office has a Behavioural Insights team, which draws on insights from the growing body of academic research in the fields of behavioural science and psychology. The concepts and methods employed by the Behavioural Insights team are now being adopted in other countries and amongst those involved in policy implementation more generally.

- Marketing and Market Research: Key skills desired in marketing and market research include the ability to apply behavioural theory and methods to understand product pricings, promotion, and consumer perceptions. Part of this involves the understanding of the characteristics of customers, so that they can be grouped and targeted in customised ways.

- Human Resources: There is a demand for skills within organisation development, organisation design, resourcing and talent development as well as employee engagement within the HR environment.

- Survey Research: Government, state agencies, and businesses have demonstrated a strong demand for high quality survey data. Companies delivering this service seek sophisticated survey operations skills including knowledge of data collection modes, survey design, survey completion behaviour, formatting, quality control, and distribution.

- Business: Business and management careers now place increasing value on the capacity to apply behavioural insights to business challenges and to gather evidence using experimental methods.

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Understanding modern financial economics, which includes asset pricing, risk management, monetary policy and financial regulations for pursuing careers at, for example, banks, capital funds and finance ministries.
The spectacular growth of international capital markets is creating great opportunities. But, as the latest financial crisis has shown, this also entails major challenges for financial decision-makers and regulators of financial markets. The academic Master’s specialisation in Financial Economics is ideal for students who want to understand the workings of global financial markets, from asset pricing and risk management to monetary policy and financial regulation. It provides you with the necessary knowledge and skills set for careers in not just banks, investment funds, and financial exchanges, but also finance ministries or other governmental or non-governmental bodies of financial market oversight.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/fe

Why study Financial Economics at Radboud University?

- You will be part of a new generation of finance professionals, who not only understand traditional approaches in financial economics but who can also integrate modern behavioural and institutional aspects. This gives you a good understanding of the highly volatile behaviour of financial markets, including bubbles, crashes and crises.

- Besides offering a sound theoretical foundation, there is also plenty of attention for applying these concepts to real-world situations.

- You will be trained to think independently and critically about the way in which financial economics can be applied in your professional field and you will develop skills that will make a difference in the highly competitive global labour market.

- The specialisation pays special attention to global aspects of corporate finance, preparing students for an international career.

- Our lecturers are active in academic and applied research which allows them to incorporate the latest academic developments and applied issues. This will also enable you to actively participate in academic research in your Master’s programme.

- Professors and students interact in small groups, thus strengthening the academic atmosphere.

- Radboud University offers ‘Economics Plus’. Traditional economic models and business approaches are expanded with relevant knowledge from related disciplines such as psychology, teaching more in-depth knowledge that can be applied in today’s globalised world.

Ground breaking ideas

One of the most important aspects of this specialisation is to fully understand how financial markets work and what the possible implications are of measures taken to regulate them. How are asset prices of stocks, bonds, derivatives and other financial assets determined? How do markets deal with financial risk and how can we manage it? You are challenged to go further than simply understanding the concepts and to think creatively about ground breaking ideas of how to regulate constantly developing financial markets and new financial instruments. It’s about trying to get financial markets to work more efficiently, without exuberant bubbles and catastrophic crashes, and in support of a prospering world economy.

Career prospects

Employers are increasingly looking for a new generation of financial professionals, who understand more than the traditional concepts in financial economics and who can integrate this knowledge with institutional and behavioural insights to tackle a wide variety of problems. This Master’s specialisation will provide you with in-depth knowledge in asset pricing, risk management, monetary policy and financial regulations as well as behavioural finance. With this specialisation you will get the best possible understanding of how financial markets work and how to use your analytical skills to deal with today’s problems in financial markets.

Job positions

Our graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to work for commercial banks, investment banks, and various types of stand-alone investment funds, as well as financial exchanges. Furthermore, careers in finance ministries or other governmental or non-governmental bodies of financial market oversight, such as central banks, the IMF and the World Bank, are also well within your reach. Due to our international approach, and by choosing the relevant electives, this Master’s can also prepare you for financial careers in multinational enterprises or large national companies.

Our approach to this field

The Master’s specialisation in Financial Economics primarily looks at financial markets, their behaviour, their regulation, and monetary policies. In this specialization we take a bird’s eye view and investigate global financial markets as a whole, for example, stock markets, commodity markets or derivative markets. But we also analyse the different classes of market participants, for example, banks, insurances, pension funds, activist investors and hedge funds. There are many topics that will be studied including bubbles and crashes in financial markets, exchange rate policies between countries and how they affect economic growth. But also measures that a government can take to minimise the risks that banks take, or financial innovations and how they can help to improve economic growth.

- Much more than traditional financial economics
We want to educate a new generation of finance professionals; ones who not only understand traditional financial economics, but can also work with modern institutional and behavioural insights. Financial markets are internationally integrated and often truly global. That is why at Radboud University, we also teach students how to be aware of the different institutional, cultural and psychological aspects in various financial markets. At Radboud University, we also know that psychological biases and emotions play a role in financial decisions. Therefore, a good understanding of financial economics includes knowledge about behavioural finance. Behavioural finance is a modern field in finance that uses psychology-based theories to explain financial decisions of individuals and how these can influence financial markets and create anomalies.

- Other specialisations of Economics
This specialisation looks at Finance from a market perspective and how financial markets can be regulated takes a broad view on markets. If you are more interested in Finance from a firm’s perspective and at its positioning within financial markets, we suggest you take a look at our Master's in Corporate Finance and Control. And for those wanting to know more about the trade relations between countries should take a look at our specialisation in International Economics and Business.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/fe

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Economics and Finance at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

This new Economics and Finance course is being introduced at the School of Management from September 2017.

Key Features of MSc in Economics and Finance

- All modules on the Economics and Finance programme are taught by our world-class faculty who have a breadth of industrial and academic knowledge

- Swansea is joint 1st in Wales for international ranked research (REF 2014)

- 93% of Swansea students in employment or further study within six months of graduating

- High contact time – each module includes a 2 hour lecture (class sizes approximately 150 students) followed by a 1 hour seminar/tutorial (class sizes capped at 30) every single week

- Scholarships available for outstanding students

Our MSc Economics and Finance programme is a joint-honours scheme which aims to provide students with a thorough grounding in many of the key concepts, modelling approaches and research techniques deployed in key areas of economics (such as microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics), which also have important applications within finance. The relationship between economics and finance is a very close one, and finance may be viewed as a particular specialism within economics. Students undertaking the Economics and Finance programme will therefore have a holistic experience.

Modules

Modules on the MSc in Economics and Finance may include:

Corporate Finance

Financial Econometrics

Microeconomics

Macroeconomics

Empirical Finance

Dissertation - Economics

Derivatives and Risk Management

Equities & Fixed Income Securities

Corporate Governance & Ethics

Asset Management

International Financial Crises and Bank Regulation

Risk Management in Banking

Contemporary Issues in Finance

Financial Market Efficiency & Behavioural Finance

Economics of Banking

Development Economics

Industrial Organisation

International Economics

Game Theory

Monetary Economics

Careers and Employability

We have an excellent track record of placing our graduates with major multinational companies and our graduate employment rate is 92%.

From the moment you arrive at the School of Management as a student on the Economics and Finance programme we will work with you to help you build your skills and experience to enhance your career prospects. During your time with us you’ll have the chance to:

- Undertake a work placement or internship through the Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) or ‘Week of Work’ initiative

- Work and network with employers from a range of national and multi-national companies through our visiting speaker programme

- In conjunction with the International Development Office, undertake an Internship in India, with a company such as GE, Thomson Reuters, 3M, Private Equity or Kanvic Consulting

- Boost your skills and meet employers during our biannual Employability Week

- Complete the Swansea Employability Award

- Participate in one of our student challenges and competitions, such as the Branding Challenge, and CIM student competition ‘The Pitch’

Bay Campus

In September 2015 Swansea University became one university with two stunning campuses; located in acres of tranquil parkland and on the majestic sweep of Swansea Bay. All programmes including the Economics and Finance MSc, delivered by the School of Management are now taught at the Bay Campus both new and continuing students.

The Bay Campus is situated in an outstanding location on the eastern approach into Swansea, with direct access onto the beach and its own seafront promenade. The campus features modern and bright student accommodation, including standard, premium, twin and wheelchair accessible rooms.

By Campus facilities include:

- Central support services for students housed within the Tower Information Centre

- State of the art library and resource centre

- Students’ Union

- The Great Hall – incorporating the Stanley Clarke Auditorium, lecture theatres and a cafe offering magnificent views across Swansea Bay

-Extensive catering and grocery provision including cafeterias, bar, supermarket, launderette and cash points. All of this will be in addition to recreational sporting facilities and a beach for all to enjoy.

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The course is designed to give students a thorough background in the latest advances in theoretical, applied and empirical economics.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for anyone who wants to undertake rigorous training in modern economics either immediately after completion of an undergraduate degree or as a mid-career professional. Students have the option of studying full time over the course of one year or part time over the course of two.

Objectives

The aim of this course is to develop your critical and analytical abilities in economics and to prepare you academically for a career as a professional economist. The dissertation track also serves as a stepping stone to an Economics PhD.

By the time you graduate, you should be able to:
-Demonstrate knowledge of modern economic theory, at both a micro and a macro level.
-Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the relevant empirical and theoretical research methodology.
-Demonstrate knowledge of econometric theory and techniques.
-Critically interpret current research in a combination of fields offered, namely, behavioural and experimental economics, financial economics, health economics, macroeconomics, regulation and competition, and development.
-The dissertation track also serves as a stepping stone to an Economics PhD.

Academic facilities

You will benefit from City's London location and our proximity to, and connections with, the City of London. We are minutes away from the Square Mile - London's world-famous financial district - and the headquarters of financial and professional institutions.

Teaching and learning

The teaching takes place over 2 terms from September to June. Full-time students who pass all the taught modules during the main exam sessions finish the programme at the end of September when they submit their dissertation or literature review.

Full-time students who successfully complete the taught modules in the August resit exam session submit their dissertation or literature review in December.

Part-time students complete their modules over the course of four terms from September to June before undertaking their dissertation or literature review.

Course is taught by research active academic staff. Assessments are a combination of unseen written examinations (70% for each module) and coursework (30% for each module).

Modules

You will take 120 credits taught modules and have to accrue 60 extra credits through one of the following routes:
-Literature Survey: two extra elective taught module of 15 credits and a literature review (Economics Literature Survey) worth 30 credits;
-Dissertation: a 60 credit Economics Research Project.

In the dissertation route, you take four core modules and two elective modules. In the literature survey path, you take three core modules and five elective modules.

It is not possible to give exact hours per week because these can vary from one term to the other depending on which electives the students choose.

Dissertation route modules
Core modules
-International Macroeconomics (15 credits)
-Microeconomic Theory (30 credits)
-Econometrics (30 credits)
-Macroeconomics (15 credits)
Elective modules
-Macroeconomics (15 credits)
-Financial Derivatives (15 credits)
-Asset Pricing (15 credits)
-Corporate Investment under Uncertainty** (15 credits)

**cannot be chosen if ECM157 Development Economics is chosen.

Literature survey route modules
Core modules
-International Macroeconomics (15 credits)
-Microeconomic Analysis (30 credits)
-Quantitative Methods (30 credits)

Elective modules
-Macroeconomics (15 credits)
-Corporate Finance (15 credits)
-Welfare Economics* (15 credits)

*available subject to timetabling feasibility.

Career prospects

On completing the Masters in Economics course you will have a range of employment possibilities, to some extent determined by the electives you choose.

For example, if you choose two financial economics electives, one from health economics and the fourth from economic regulation and competition, you may work in the financial industry as a consultant, or in the health industry as a financial analyst, or in any industry that requires a financial or industry analyst.

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The MSc Behavioural and Experimental Economics is a specialist research-training course in a rapidly expanding field of enquiry in which there are many important areas of theoretical dispute between economists. You will receive intensive research-led training in advanced economic theory, econometrics and research methods.

You will benefit from the work undertaken at our Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Science (CBESS), whose computerised laboratory is dedicated to teaching and research in behavioural and experimental economics. UEA is one of a very small number of economics departments in the UK equipped to carry out such work.

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Would you like to undertake advanced study in quantitative analysis in an environment of research excellence? To question how we understand and assess empirical findings reported within applied economics?

Our popular course emphasises the foundations of econometrics and its application to a wide range of topics in economics. You explore topics including:
-The statistical foundations for a variety of estimating methods
-Ways of testing economic hypotheses
-The classical linear regression model
-The use of asymptotic methods in econometrics
-The analysis of stock markets and other financial data

We are top 5 in the UK for research, with over 90% of our research rated as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”. Much of this world-class research is related to policy, and we have particular strengths in the areas of:
-Game theory and strategic interactions
-Theoretical and applied econometrics
-Labour economics

The quality of our work is reflected in our stream of publications in high-profile academic journals, including American Economic Review, Econometrica, and Review of Economic Studies.

Professional accreditation

Our University is one of only 21 ESRC-accredited Doctoral Training Centres in the UK.

This means that our course can form part of a prestigious 1+3 funding opportunity worth up to £21,575.

Our expert staff

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists of our time.

Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs, with students coming from across the globe to study, research or work with us.

Many of our researchers also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today's society as well as informing our teaching for the future.

Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our wide range of learning resources to assist you in your studies:
-Extensive software for quantitative analysis is available in all computer labs across the university
-Access a variety of economics databases and multiple copies of textbooks and e-books in the Albert Sloman Library

Your future

After completing your masters, you may wish to extend your knowledge with a research degree – many Essex graduates decide to stay here for further study.

Alternatively, our course also prepares you for employment; recent surveys have shown that higher degree graduates are more likely to obtain jobs at professional or managerial level.

On our course you will develop key employability skills including statistical analysis, mathematical techniques, research, analytical reasoning and modelling.

Our graduates find employment in roles such as business and financial analysts, management consultants, government officials, and economists for banks and other financial organisations.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

-Dissertation
-Microeconomics
-Macroeconomics
-Time Series Econometrics
-Estimation and Inference in Econometrics
-Economic Development Theory (optional)
-Economics of Financial Markets (optional)
-Economics of Incentives, Contracts and the Firm (optional)
-Game Theory and Applications (optional)
-International Finance (optional)
-International Trade (optional)
-Mathematical Methods (optional)
-Microeconometrics (optional)
-Monetary Economics (optional)
-Panel Data Methods (optional)
-Political Economy (optional)
-Theory of Industrial Organisation (optional)
-Topics in Financial Economics (optional)
-Banking (optional)
-Behavioural Economics I: Individual Decision Making (optional)
-Computational Agent-Based Macro-Economics, Financial Markets and Policy Design (optional)
-Behavioural Economics II: Games and Markets (optional)
-Applications of Data Analysis (optional)

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Our specialised MSc Financial Economics and Econometrics includes in-depth theoretical and applied aspects of econometrics to complement subjects in financial markets and corporate finance.

Our course equips you with the right combination of skills for rigorous analysis to underpin high-level policy advice or decision making in the fast moving financial sector. You master mathematical techniques and statistical analysis, and acquire a deep knowledge of how financial markets work and how to analyse them.

You investigate topics including:
-The theoretical foundations of econometrics
-The analysis of financial market data
-The economics of financial markets

We are top 5 in the UK for research, with over 90% rated as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”. Much of this world-class research is related to policy, and we have particular strengths in the areas of:
-Game theory and strategic interactions
-Theoretical and applied econometrics
-Labour economics

The quality of our work is reflected in our stream of publications in high-profile academic journals, including American Economic Review, Econometrica, and Review of Economic Studies.

Professional accreditation

Our University is one of only 21 ESRC-accredited Doctoral Training Centres in the UK.

This means that our course can form part of a prestigious 1+3 funding opportunity worth up to £21,575.

Our expert staff

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists of our time.

Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs, with students coming from across the globe to study, research or work with us.

Many of our researchers also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today's society as well as informing our teaching for the future.

Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our wide range of learning resources to assist you in your studies:
-Extensive software for quantitative analysis is available in all computer labs across the university
-Access a variety of economics databases and multiple copies of textbooks and e-books in the Albert Sloman Library

Your future

After completing your masters, you may wish to extend your knowledge with a research degree – many Essex graduates decide to stay here for further study.

Alternatively, our course also prepares you for employment; recent surveys have shown that higher degree graduates are more likely to obtain jobs at professional or managerial level.

With the skills and knowledge you acquire from studying within our Department of Economics, you will be in demand from a wide range of employers. We have excellent links with the research community, both in the UK and worldwide, and strong ties with the business/consultancy world, especially in London and other major financial centres.

Our graduates find employment in roles such as business and financial analysts, management consultants, government officials, and economists for banks and other financial organisations.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

-Dissertation
-Economics of Financial Markets
-Estimation and Inference in Econometrics
-Time Series Econometrics
-Topics in Financial Economics
-Economic Development Theory (optional)
-Economics of Incentives, Contracts and the Firm (optional)
-Game Theory and Applications (optional)
-International Finance (optional)
-International Trade (optional)
-Macroeconomics (optional)
-Mathematical Methods (optional)
-Microeconomics (optional)
-Microeconometrics (optional)
-Monetary Economics (optional)
-Panel Data Methods (optional)
-Political Economy (optional)
-Theory of Industrial Organisation (optional)
-Applications of Data Analysis (optional)
-Banking (optional)
-Behavioural Economics I: Individual Decision Making (optional)
-Behavioural Economics II: Games and Markets (optional)
-Computational Agent-Based Macro-Economics, Financial Markets and Policy Design (optional)

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Over the last three decades, political economy has been one of the fastest growing approaches in the social sciences. At Essex, we are primarily interested in the scientific study of political institutions and how they might determine economic variables.

If you are interested in how institutions shape the behaviour of political actors and how political decisions influence markets and vice versa, then you will profit from our course.

You will have a great deal of choice for your optional modules as they will be selected from both our Department of Government and Department of Economics. Our MSc Political Economy covers all aspects of modern political economy, including:
-Market failure
-Environmental policies
-The quality of governance
-Monetary policy choices

Our Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. We are rated top in the UK for research (REF 2014), and have consistently been the highest-rated politics department in the country since national assessments began.

Our Department of Economics is also consistently rated highly for student satisfaction, and is Top 5 in the UK for research with over 90% rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF 2014).

Our expert staff

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists and political scientists of our time.

Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs; they are advising the CIA on counter-terrorism, training politicians and civil servants in democratising countries, and commentating on political events in national and international media.

Many of our economic researchers also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today's society as well as informing our teaching for the future.

Our key academic staff for this course are Dr Alejandro Quiroz Flores, who works on why authoritarian leaders welcome natural disasters, and Simone Dietrich, who works on who gives, receives, and benefits from aid.

You join an active and prolific research team, with the opportunity to work alongside a member of staff on their research instead of completing a dissertation; some of these projects have even resulted in joint staff/student publications.

Specialist facilities

-Laboratories of networked computers featuring extensive software for political and quantitative analysis
-ESSEXLab provides opportunities for experimental lab research
-Student societies for politics, economics, debating, and Model UN
-We organise the Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis
-A programme of seminars and events run by the department

Your future

All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world’s leading politics departments.

This course is a good choice if you wish to maintain the flexibility of pursuing a career at an international organisation, a government organisation, a private enterprise or as a political consultant. You will develop key employability skills including analytical reasoning, research, problem solving, and essay-writing.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:
-The Civil Service
-Local government
-The World Bank
-The United Nations
-NATO
-YouGov and YouGov America

We also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil in the following fields: government; ideology and discourse analysis; international relations; political behaviour; and politics.

Our academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of our graduates now teach or research at universities, colleges of higher education and schools. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at: Mannheim, Germany; ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Duke University, USA; NATO/SHAPE, Belgium; and University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

-MA Dissertation
-Advanced Research Methods
-Political Economy
-Applications of Data Analysis (optional)
-Banking
-Behavioural Economics I: Individual Decision Making (optional)
-Behavioural Economics II: Games and Markets (optional)
-Comparative European Politics (optional)
-Computational Agent-Based Macro-Economics, Financial Markets and Policy Design
-Conflict Resolution (optional)
-Contemporary Theories of Justice (optional)
-Econometric Methods (optional)
-Economic Development Theory (optional)
-Economics of Financial Markets (optional)
-Economics of Incentives, Contracts and the Firm (optional)
-Economics of the European Union (optional)
-Economics of Transition (optional)
-Environmental Economics (optional)
-Estimation and Inference in Econometrics (optional)
-Game Theory and Applications (optional)
-Ideology and Political Discourse (optional)
-Environmental Politics (optional)
-International Finance (optional)
-International Security Studies (optional)
-International Trade (optional)
-Macroeconomics (optional)
-Market Structure and Strategic Behaviour (optional)
-Mathematical Methods (optional)
-Microeconometrics (optional)
-Microeconomics (optional)
-Monetary Economics
-Panel Data Methods (optional)
-Political Economy (optional)
-Political Explanation (optional)
-Political Parties in Britain and Europe (optional)
-Political Theory (optional)
-Public Opinion and Political Behaviour (optional)
-Research Design (optional)
-Research Seminar in Political Theory and Methods (optional)
-Survey Measurement and Question Design
-Theories of International Relations (optional)
-Theory and Explanation in Political Science (optional)
-Theory of Industrial Organisation (optional)
-Time Series Econometrics (optional)
-Topics in Financial Economics (optional)

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