Study with Martin Vestergaard from University of Cambridge
Psychology and Neuroeconomics /Biology

Professor Martin Vestergaard

Professor Introduction
University of Cambridge

Program Tarihi

Temmuz-Eylül 2026

Program Süresi

10 Hafta

Yaş Aralığı

Hazırlık, 9,10,11. Sınıflar

Son Başvuru Tarihi

15 Mayıs 2026

Program Ücreti

980 GBP

Kayıt Ol

Program Background

Neuroeconomics is a new and highly interdisciplinary field，born in the border zone of social science and natural science. Many people understand it as a branch of economics, but from another point of view, it is just one of the products of neuroscience "invading" the humanities and social sciences. In recent years, "Neurology" has spread all over the field, and almost every subject of Humanties and social sciences has been labeled "Neurology", such as neuroeconomics, neuromanagement, neurolaw, neurolinguistics, neurophilosophy, even neurotheology. This kind of "invasion" is understandable, because any humanities and social sciences research are based on the understanding of the neurobiological basis of human mind, also neuroscience is the science of exploring human mind through the mechanism of molecule, neuron, neural circuit and nervous system at all levels.

40

Advanced Research & Lectures
Hours

10

Neuroeconomics & Decision Science Topics Covered

95%

Previous Students Satisfaction Rate

100%

Supervision by Oxford/Cambridge professors and tutors

Program Description

The research of neuroeconomics can be divided into two categories

1) Determine the neural process in the decision-making, and the standard economic model can well predict the behavior;

2)Research on "anomalies", In this case, the standard model can not predict the behavior well.

However, it seems that this emerging discipline has not clearly defined its research content, and most of the research under its definition framework can be attributed to the research topic of neuroeconomics. In the survey we found, the contents involved are all inclusive, such as reward acquisition; certainty, fuzziness and delay of satisfaction; learning and strategy; cooperative preference; utility and reward system; fairness, altruism and trust; learning, memory and knowledge; economic decision-making.

Who can join the programme?

  • High school students
  • University students
  • Students interested in psychology, neuroeconomics, biology, or related fields

The programme can certainly provide excellent preparation for the IB Extended Essay (EE). It helps students understand the research process, develop research questions, and practice academic writing. If students follow our instructor-led programme and produce strong work, the outcome will be a high-quality paper that can be used as preparation for the IB Extended Essay.

Online Group Research Learning & Thesis Guidance

Programme Learning Report

Certificate of Completion

Recommendation Letter Signed by Professor

Published Research Paper Option

Syllabus

Economic decision-making

This lesson is an introduction to behavioural economics. We cover basic axioms of preference, utility maximization, decisions under risk, risk aversion, loss aversion, temporal discounting, trust and cooperation, prospect theory, opportunity costs, decoy effect, sunk costs, and anchoring.

Models of decision-making

This lesson is an overview of models of decision-making. We cover the basic distinction between model-based and model free reinforcement learning, Bayesian inference, evidence, prior, likelihood, optimization, generative model and cost function.

Neurobiology of decision-making & Essay Talk

This lesson introduces brain imaging techniques such as fMRI, EEG, MEG, TMS and single cell recordings and their application in investigations of the reward system. We look at general linear models used in fMRI research, the application of parametric modulators and the problem with correlated regressors.

Biases and errors in decision-making

In this lesson, we look at biases of human decision-making, confirmation bias, Dunning–Kruger effect, cognitive dissonance, framing effect and endowment effect. We also look at errors in statistics, type I vs type II error, survivor bias, selection bias and collider bias

Two-systems decision-making

In this lesson, we cover a large catalogue of dichotomies in decision theory and psychology, goal directed vs habitual decision-making, model-based vs model free control, analytical vs intuitive decision-making, declarative vs procedural learning, experienced utility vs decision utility.

Case-study: Irrational decision-making in humans

In this lesson, we go through an example of neuroimaging research. We start from the initial observation of a suboptimal human behaviour, then go though theory, psychology and modelling to the final identification of brain mechanism responsible for irrational decision-making in humans. This lesson can also serve as model for a Journal Club, i.e. a lab meeting in which research students present a journal article in detail to their colleagues, which prospective graduate students will need to learn

Evolutionary Perspectives

In this lesson, we examine how human decision-making has evolved, how behaviours that are seen as irrational may have an evolutionary basis and how human tendencies in decision-making are shared with other animals. We will look at comparative studies of economic decision-making and discuss the origin faith-based reasoning.

Paradoxes of choice

In this lesson we look at everyday instantiations of the theory covered in the course. We go over different strategies of decision-making and coping mechanisms that may be used to prevent failure in rational decision-making that is hardwired into the human brain.

Essay Lecture by tutor

Essay review with tutor

Programme Schedule

Date Time
Lesson 1 25 July 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 2 01 August 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 3 08 August 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 4 15 August 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 5 22 August 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 6 29 August 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 7 05 September 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 8 12 September 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 9 19 September 2026 10am - 12pm London time
Lesson 10 26 September 2026 10am - 12pm London time

Published Research Paper Option

Once students have completed the final draft of their papers, they may choose to submit their work to international academic journals indexed by CPCI or EI. We provide guidance and support throughout the submission process for these indexed publications.

The publication fee is £690 per research article, as determined by the journal. Once an article is accepted, it typically becomes searchable on Google and on the journal’s platform approximately seven months after the publication offer is made.