Game theory, or interactive decision theory, is the study of how and why decisions are made between multiple parties. Game theory has applications in various areas of study like political science, economics, philosophy, ethics, and biology. The discipline of game theory attempts to map out the decision-making process for scenarios with multiple variables. You can think of game theory as a study of negotiation. The decision-makers in game theory can be individuals or groups, such as governments.

Why learn game theory?

Game theory sounds like it applies to sports or board games, but it's really about strategic decision making. Whether you're looking to benefit your career with better negotiation skills or you want to make better decisions in your personal life, game theory can help you analyze and understand the variables that are involved in the scenarios you face. Learning the ins and outs of game theory allows you to simulate the possible outcomes of different decisions, which can help you figure out how to make the best decisions for yourself or your business interests.

How does game theory affect my career?

You can use game theory to approach different decision-making scenarios strategically. You can apply the principles of game theory to purchasing and other transactions, and you can use them in real estate negotiations and investment decisions. Game theory even works when you're negotiating a salary increase or benefits package for your own career. Applying game theory to any of your interactive decisions can help you gain an advantage in any scenario that involves negotiating.

How can online courses help me learn game theory?

If you're new to game theory or if you have some experience with it, you can benefit from online courses on Coursera. You'll receive instruction from some of the best professors in the academic world, and they allow you to grasp both the concepts and practical applications that game theory offers. Through online courses, you'll have the opportunity to gain confident knowledge of game theory that you'll be able to apply to your career and personal pursuits.

What are the benefits of taking an online Game Theory course?

Online Game Theory courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Game Theory skills. Choose from a wide range of Game Theory courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Game Theory courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Game Theory, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Game Theory Courses - Learn Game Theory Online

Explore the Game Theory Course Catalog

Stanford University
Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Strategic Decision-Making, Mathematical Modeling, Graph Theory, Bayesian Statistics, Behavioral Economics, Probability, Economics, Markov Model, Algorithms
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
The University of Tokyo
Welcome to Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Strategic Thinking, Socioeconomics, Social Sciences, Behavioral Economics, Economics, Strategic Decision-Making, Decision Making, Business Strategy, Probability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Stanford University
Game Theory II: Advanced Applications
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Bidding, Social Sciences, Resource Allocation, Political Sciences, Economics, Behavioral Economics, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Probability & Statistics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
642 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IIMA - IIM Ahmedabad
Strategy and Game Theory for Management
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Behavioral Economics, Business Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Complex Problem Solving, Business Leadership, Market Dynamics, Organizational Change, Economics, Digital Media Strategy, Market Opportunities, Mergers & Acquisitions, Advertising, Innovation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
103 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Yale University
Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator
Skills you'll gain: Negotiation, Contract Negotiation, Conflict Management, Mediation, Leadership, Communication, Persuasive Communication, Influencing, Relationship Building, Game Theory, Strategic Decision-Making
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Gamification
Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Solution Design, Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Drive Engagement, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Employee Engagement, Organizational Development, Behavioral Economics, Emerging Technologies, Risk Analysis, Customer Engagement, Psychology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Illinois Tech
Business Economics and Game Theory for Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Market Dynamics, Business Economics, Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Thinking, Price Negotiation, Supply And Demand, Economics, Market Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Consumer Behaviour, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Policy Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
35 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Stanford University
Social and Economic Networks: Models and Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Network Model, Social Sciences, Sociology, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Game Theory, Behavioral Economics, Graph Theory, Mathematical Modeling, Markov Model, Probability & Statistics, Probability Distribution, Bayesian Statistics, Simulations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
754 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Network Routing, Program Development, Debugging, Network Model, Bioinformatics, Operations Research, Data Storage, Development Testing, Test Engineering, Software Testing, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Network Analysis, Test Case, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Epidemiology
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
The University of Edinburgh
Fundamentals of Music Theory
Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Classical Music, Musical Composition
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Big Data
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, Data Integration, Exploratory Data Analysis, Big Data, Graph Theory, Data Pipelines, Database Design, Data Modeling, Regression Analysis, Applied Machine Learning, Data Presentation, Scalability, Data Mining, Data Processing, Statistical Analysis, Data Management, NoSQL, Database Management Systems, Network Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
14K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Berklee
Music Production
Skills you'll gain: Music, Musical Composition, Post-Production, Peer Review, Media Production, Active Listening, Music Performance, Constructive Feedback, Performing Arts, Editing, Instrumental Music, Music Theory, Timelines, Creativity, File Management, Self-Awareness
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months