Economist Channel

MSc Behavioural Economics 

UCD School of Economics is Ireland’s leading economics department. Our staff are experts with international reputations in a wide range of topics such as macroeconomics, econometrics, applied microeconomics, behavioural economics, health economics, international trade and economic history. School members play a significant role in debating economic policy issues and in contributing to the formulation of economic policy.  This is the only MSc in this area in Ireland and it is one of the few worldwide with a strong policy and regulatory focus. 

The MSc in Behavioural Economics  is an exciting new course devoted to providing an in-depth training in the area of behavioural economics. Students will take a range of rigorous economic modules but will specialise in understanding a range of new models that incorporate the latest evidence on human decision making. As well as being trained in the core concepts and theories of behavioural economics, students will also learn about the range of empirical methods used to test ideas in this area in lab and field settings. The MSc will also cover the ethical, legal, and regulatory context for the ideas of behavioural economics. Thus, the students will be equipped to apply these ideas in a wide range of academic, business, and policy settings. 

This programme features small group teaching from leading economists and a supportive environment.  Masters students are an integral part of our School community, attending research seminars and receiving a wide range of supports to help them prepare for their research thesis. 

Course content & structure
This programme comprises 90 Credits of which 70 are taught and 20 are taken by dissertation.
In your first term, you will undertake a two-week preliminary course in mathematics and statistics.  You will also take the following modules:
•    Microeconomics
•    Econometrics
•    Behavioural Economics
•    Topics in Psychological Science
•    Research Skills
In your second term, you will take the following two core modules.
•    Behavioural Economics: Policy Applications
•    Experiments in Economics 

You will also take two other modules. The following is an indicative list of modules that may be available:
•    Advanced Microeconomics
•    Advanced Econometrics
•    Health and Welfare Economics
•    Economics of Competition Policy
•    Energy Economics and Policy 

In summer term, you will do a supervised research thesis on a topic related to behavioural economics. 

“Behavioural Economics is now a key area of academic study and is having substantial influence on business, policy, and regulation. This MSc will equip students both with a core academic understanding of the key concepts and with a strong sense of how to apply these ideas to a wide range of settings.” - Prof Liam Delaney, Programme Director