MSc Behavioural Economics and Data Science
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
In the coming years, we’ll see major changes in the world of work. One of these changes will be a huge increase in demand for data scientists. This Behavioural Economics MSc will prepare you for a career as a data scientist so that you can help meet this change in demand.
The focus of the MSc is on the methodology for testing predictions of behavioural economics using big data sources. For example: you’ll learn how to create data sets using data scraping techniques, and you’ll be made aware of the relevant ethical issues; you’ll learn how to process and manipulate data; you’ll learn how to make economic forecasts using web search data; you’ll learn how to work with multiple data sources ; you’ll learn how to test economic theories using online data sources.
The School of Economics will be proactive in providing support to you in shaping and supporting your career aspirations. Alumni and employers regularly visit the School of Economics and provide employability talks, training sessions as well as individual meetings with students, providing you with the chance to enhance your skills and to further improve your employment prospects.
We offer specialised structural support to help you negotiate your Master’s course. This includes compulsory, intensive pre-sessional training before the start of teaching on your course modules. This training incorporates the techniques of calculus and statistical methods in the economic context, and also introduces you to the specialist econometric software STATA that you'll use throughout your MSc Programme. Over the course of the year, we’ll also give you training in the use of various online data sources that are likely to be useful in your dissertation research.
In addition to receiving first-class academic training at a school with a world-class reputation, you’ll be able to enjoy the wealth of opportunities that UEA offers to cultivate non-academic and sporting interests. You’ll also enjoy the beautiful and historic city of Norwich, where the campus is located.
With this MSc, your employability prospects will be strong. Policy-makers in government are increasingly turning to behavioural economics for insights into decision-making behaviour, insights that inform our understanding of how individuals, groups and markets operate. Private Sector organisations specialising in Behavioural Economics research are also a growing phenomenon. You could also take your skills into banking and finance, healthcare, regulation, human resources or executive management. You could also progress to PhD study.
Study and Modules
Structure
The MSc Behavioural Economics and Data Science is a 12-month course, commencing with the Pre-Sessional Course in September. In each semester, you'll take taught modules and then you’ll work on your dissertation during the summer.
In the Autumn Semester, you’ll receive rigorous training in the core areas of economics which includes microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. In the spring semester you’ll select specialist modules from a range of optional modules.
Although you'll write your dissertation in summer, you’ll begin your dissertation module with a sequence of dissertation training lectures and workshops in spring. Here you'll discover how to choose a topic, how to access data and search literature, how to reference, and how to analyse quantitative data.
You’ll be able to take advantage of further dissertation training workshops in early summer.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
UEA’s School of Economics is lively, friendly, research-orientated and committed to excellence in teaching. We have an international reputation in many key areas, covering both theoretical and applied economics. Our principal research includes behavioural economics, competition economics, environmental policy, contests and corporate behaviour, finance and financial markets, and data science.
You’ll take taught modules over two semesters. In a typical module, you'll have two hours of lectures and one hour of workshops (or lab sessions) per week. Your workshops are more interactive than lectures and provide you with an opportunity to raise questions arising from lectures.
In your programming and econometrics modules, your workshops will take place in computer labs, where you'll learn how to program in Python, and how to conduct econometric analysis using the specialist econometric software package, STATA.
You’ll also become practiced in independent study, spending time working on coursework assignments, preparing for seminars, and doing your own wider reading. These skills become particularly valuable when you come to work on your dissertation.
Assessment
Your Assessment will be in a variety of forms – including take-home assignments, seminar presentations, written tests, computer tests and your dissertation (which you'll submit in late summer).
You’ll regularly be given “formative assessment” tasks, which enable you to prepare for assessments in a way that does not impact on your module marks.
You'll be given constructive written feedback on all assessments to help you improve. If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, you can obtain help from our Student Support Service.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject acceptable.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject acceptable.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £11,800
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International Students: £22,700
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Upon completing this Behavioural Economics MSc, you’ll be ready to pursue a career in a government or private-sector organisation that specialises in Behavioural Economics. You’ll also be well-qualified to pursue a career as a data scientist.
You could alternatively take your skills into banking and finance, healthcare, regulation, human resources or executive management. And of course, you could progress to PhD study.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Government agencies
- Private Sector Consultancies
- Healthcare consultancies
Discover more on our Careers webpages.