Faculty: Faculty of Science and Health, Department of Psychology (this degree is taught jointly by the Department of Psychology and the Department of Economics). This 4-year full-time Bachelor of Science (BSc) with Honours program provides a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour and decision-making by blending the scientific study of the mind with economic principles, enriched by an international academic experience. You will cover all core areas of psychology, including cognitive, social, developmental, biological, and individual differences, alongside foundational research methods and statistics. In economics, you will gain insights into how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions and how these affect economic systems. The course has a particular strength in behavioural economics. The third year is spent studying abroad at a partner university, allowing you to immerse yourself in a different academic and cultural environment, broaden your perspectives, and enhance your global skills. You will learn from innovative researchers and apply psychological and economic theories to real-world problems. The program also offers opportunities to work one-on-one with researchers as their assistant through the Research Experience Scheme (RES). This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

A BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Economics (Including Year Abroad) from the University of Essex equips graduates with a unique and highly valued interdisciplinary skillset in understanding human behavior, decision-making, and economic systems, significantly enhanced by international academic and cultural experience. The BPS accreditation enables progression to professional psychology training. Career options are diverse and include: Behavioural Insights (e.g., in government, policy units, private companies); Market Research and Consumer Insights; Data Analysis; Financial Services (e.g., banking, investment, trading, economic analysis); Human Resources; Management Consultancy; Marketing and Advertising; Public Policy and Government (e.g., in economic departments, social research); Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations; and Further postgraduate study (e.g., MSc in Behavioural Economics, Data Science, Psychology, or PhD). The integrated year abroad provides a significant advantage, demonstrating adaptability, cross-cultural understanding, and enhanced independence, which are highly valued by global employers.

The University of Essex fosters a forward-thinking environment and boasts a diverse international community, creating a rich and global learning experience. It is recognized as a centre of world-leading research excellence for the social sciences, meaning students learn from academics at the forefront of their fields, particularly in areas like behavioural economics. The Department of Psychology has state-of-the-art facilities including the Centre for Brain Science (with EEG, TMS, fNIRS, eye-tracking) and the Minecraft Psychology Lab, providing exceptional practical research training. The Department of Economics also boasts strong research in areas such as Behavioural, Experimental, and Development Economics, and houses the ESSEXLab for experimental social science research. The university's location offers the benefit of beautiful countryside nearby and is only an hour away from London by train, providing a balance of serene study environments and easy access to a major global city. The inclusion of a year abroad is a key advantage, broadening global perspectives and enhancing employability.