Economics: Behavioral Economics
Address economic problems and questions involving people’s behavior and behavioral change. Become an economist trained to take both the economics and the psychology of behavior into account, as well as the ways it can be affected by policies and strategies. This is a track of MSc Economics.
National Alumni Survey, 2019 | n=22 (Master Economics in total)
US News Best Global Universities, 2021
Program and courses
Address economic questions revolving around behavior and behavioral change.
- Starting point: individuals are not rational, self-interested maximizers, but behave and make decisions based on a limited capacity to process information and preferences that include a regard for social norms, such as fairness and reciprocity.
- Address important behavioral questions, such as:
- How to encourage households to waste less food?
- How to prevent fraud in organizations?
- How to stimulate employees to cooperate efficiently?
- How to foster trust in online markets? - Combine insights from economists, psychologists and marketers cooperating in the Tilburg Institute for Behavioral Economics Research (TIBER).
- This is a track of MSc Economics. You can choose to follow the main program or one of the tracks.
Typical courses are:
- Economics and Psychology of Social Norms and Strategic Behavior
- Economics and Psychology of Risk and Time
- Experiments and Surveys

Career prospects
Upon graduating you will have obtained the following title (as stated on your diploma): Master of Science.
With a specialization in behavioral economics you will have a degree tailored for a career in consultancy, policy advice, and project management. Insights from behavioral economics are in high demand at financial institutions, insurance companies, multinational enterprises, as well as in regional and national government.
Alumni facts
- 92% are (very) satisfied with the Master's program
- 43% work abroad
- 82% would recommend the Master's program to friends, family or colleagues
Source: National Alumni Survey, 2019 | n=22

Application and admission
This Master’s program starts:
End of August and end of January
Best preparatory programs:
A Bachelor’s degree in Economics or a similar program (e.g., a degree in Econometrics).
Pre-Master’s program
Open to Research University students, not to students from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO).
Tuition fees and scholarships
International students find information about the tuition fees and the scholarships available here.
Interested in this Master’s program?
More information
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Meet us
Unfortunately, we cannot organize any on-campus events at the moment. To help you as much as possible with your study choice, we offer online alternatives.
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10:00 - 16:00
Tilburg University Today Live Webinars for Master's programs
The Tilburg University Today Live Webinar is your one-hour introduction to studying in the Netherlands, the city of Tilburg, Tilburg University and our offer of international Master's programs.
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09:00 - 17:00
Online Master's Open day
Which Master do you think is interesting? Do you want to know which Master suits you? Then sign up for the Online Master's Open day on Saturday, March 13.
Interested in the MSc Economics?
Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application