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. 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, including macroeconomic trends, growth, and unemployment. The course has a particular strength in behavioural economics, exploring why individuals do not always behave in their own best interests, which can inform policy-making. You will learn from innovative researchers and apply psychological and economic theories to real-world problems. The third year is dedicated to a paid placement, allowing you to gain invaluable professional experience applying your skills in a real-world setting. You may also have 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 Placement Year) 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 practical work 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 placement year provides a significant advantage, demonstrating real-world experience, enhancing employability, and building professional networks, often leading directly to graduate employment.

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 placement year is a key advantage, boosting graduate employability.