Master in Behavioural and Applied Economics

Behavioural and Applied Economics studies how individuals and organisations actually make economic decisions, often incorporating insights from psychology to explain patterns that depart from traditional economic assumptions of purely rational behaviour. Typical coursework includes microeconomics, behavioural economics, applied econometrics, and experimental methods, giving students both theoretical grounding and practical tools for analysing real economic decision-making. Students in this field learn to design and interpret experiments, apply statistical methods to economic data, and use behavioural insights to understand decisions in areas such as consumer choice, public policy, and organisational behaviour. This master's programme is offered by Università degli Studi di Trento in Trento, Italy, and is taught in English over two years, with admission determined through an entrance examination following a bachelor's degree. Graduates from this discipline typically pursue careers in policy analysis, market research, consulting, and applied research roles within government agencies, corporations, or academic institutions, applying behavioural and quantitative methods to practical economic questions. Because the field bridges theoretical economics and applied analysis, coursework usually combines classroom study of economic and behavioural theory with hands-on training in data analysis and experimental design. As policymakers and businesses increasingly use behavioural insights to design interventions, from public health campaigns to consumer products, professionals trained in this area are well positioned to apply economic reasoning to a wide range of practical problems. Trento, where the university offering this programme is located, sits in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of northern Italy and has developed research strength in economics, providing an academic environment connected to ongoing work in the field.