MSc Behavioural Economics

The MSc Behavioural Economics is the only one of its kind in Ireland and one of the few worldwide with a strong policy and regulatory focus.  You will join Ireland’s leading economics department and a vibrant team of behavioural researchers and practitioners. We will provide you with in-depth training in the core concepts and theories of behavioural economics, as well as a range of empirical methods used to test ideas in laboratory and field experiments. You will obtain training in running experimental studies and will have access to the BSP lab, the only experimental economics laboratory in Ireland. Your training covers not only the fundamentals of behavioural economics but also the ethical, legal, and regulatory context for the ideas of behavioural economics. Thus, you will be equipped to apply these ideas in a wide range of academic, business, and policy settings.

Students will also become members of the UCD Behavioural Science and Policy Group based in the Geary Institute for Public Policy. The Group holds regular interdisciplinary seminars and an annual conference where students have the opportunity to interact with leading researchers and policymakers in this field.

Students will take a range of rigorous economic modules, studying cutting-edge research on human decision-making. Through assignments, students have the opportunity to design and run their own behavioural experiments. 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 or internship.

Many graduates of our MSc Behavioural Economic graduates have gone on to complete PhDs in economics and pursue successful careers as academic or research economists. Many others have moved directly to employment in central banks, think-tanks, financial sector institutions and consultancy firms. Behavioural economics skills are also now being widely applied across government agencies, regulatory bodies and a wide range of private-sector businesses.

In the summer semester, students have the option of either undertaking thesis research or completing an internship in an approved public or private sector organization.In order to undertake the internship module it should be noted that:

1. Students are responsible for sourcing their own internships


2. All internships must be first cleared for use by the module coordinator to ensure they meet the objectives of the programme


3. All necessary documentation must be completed before the internship commences. This includes a Host Agreement (which must be signed by the host institution and countersigned by both the student and the module coordinator) and a Student Agreement form (to be completed and signed by the student)


4. Part time students may do an internship, but not in the institution in which they are employed while registered for the MSc

The internship module provides a unique opportunity to put theory into practice, acquire new personal and work-related skills, and enhance employment potential on graduation. The internship is intended to be a new experience for students, allowing them to work on a full time basis in a host institution where they can develop existing and acquire new skills, while applying their economic training to new work related tasks.

Students, in consultation with the module coordinator, will arrange internship positions (paid or voluntary) in fields related to Economics either in Ireland or abroad. The goal is to relate the student's educational and academic experience to the professional needs of the host with whom they are associated.

Past internship opportunities our MSc students have secured include: Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), ESRI,  European Central Bank,  Central Bank of Ireland, Revenue Commissioners, KPMG, Deloitte, 2K Games Dublin, SIRO, OECD, ComReg, Dataminr Ireland, Davy, Irish Fiscal Authority Council, National Treasury Management Agency, Central Statistics Office, Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Environmental Protection Agency.

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

We offer a number of scholarships/fee waivers, including one full fee waiver to the student with the highest GPA  admitted to our MSc in Behavioural Economics. UCD and EU students are eligible for this scholarship.  For more information, please check here. 

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

• A primary degree with at least an upper second class honours or international equivalent in Economics or in a degree in which Economics is a major component.
• An upper second class honours in a Higher Diploma in Economics or in the MSc Qualifier.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
• Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes. 

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No

We specifically want to see that incoming students have taken macro, introductory and intermediate microeconomics, statistics and econometrics with good grades, and some field modules in economics.