Economics and Psychology

Economics and psychology is a combination that addresses one of the most important intellectual debates in the social sciences: how much of human behaviour can be explained by the rational choice models of economics, and how much is better understood through the psychological literature on cognition, emotion, social influence, and judgement? Behavioural economics, which sits directly at the intersection of these two disciplines, has transformed how organisations, governments, and researchers think about decision-making, and this combination puts you at the heart of those debates.

At the University of St Andrews, you will study economics and psychology across four years, which in the Scottish tradition provides time for genuine breadth in the early years and depth in the later ones. The economics strand develops your understanding of microeconomics and macroeconomics, quantitative methods, and economic theory. The psychology strand introduces you to a broad range of areas studied by psychologists, including perception, cognition, motivation, and behaviour, grounding you in the theoretical foundations and modern developments of contemporary psychology.

Practical classes and research techniques are introduced early, ensuring you develop empirical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. The programme includes a year abroad, adding an international dimension to your study of both disciplines. No fixed typical tariff is listed, and admissions are considered on the basis of qualifications and suitability.

You will develop quantitative and analytical skills in economics alongside the research methods, experimental design, and statistical knowledge that psychology demands, making you genuinely versatile in both domains.

Graduates from economics and psychology combinations go on to careers in behavioural research, marketing, public policy, human resources, financial services, the civil service, consultancy, and academia. Many continue to postgraduate study in economics, behavioural economics, psychology, or research methods.