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 .

Best Game Theory Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Game Theory Course Catalog

Status: Free
Stanford University
Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Business Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Mathematical Modeling, Graph Theory, Bayesian Statistics, Decision Making, Behavioral Economics, Probability, Economics, Competitive Analysis, Algorithms, Theoretical Computer Science, Human Learning, Probability Distribution
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
The University of Tokyo
Welcome to Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, 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
Status: Free
Stanford University
Game Theory II: Advanced Applications
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Bidding, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Behavioral Economics, Socioeconomics, Advanced Mathematics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
638 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 Economics, Decision Making, Market Dynamics, Economics, Digital Transformation, Negotiation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Innovation, Change Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
81 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Yale University
Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator
Skills you'll gain: Negotiation, Conflict Management, Leadership, Communication, Persuasive Communication, Influencing, Relationship Building, Decision Making, Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Illinois Tech
Business Economics and Game Theory for Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Market Dynamics, Business Economics, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Strategy, Price Negotiation, Supply And Demand, Economics, Market Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Consumer Behaviour, Market Intelligence, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Policy Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Georgia Institute of Technology
Games without Chance: Combinatorial Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Combinatorics, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Computational Thinking, Mathematical Modeling
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
210 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Amsterdam
Classical Sociological Theory
Skills you'll gain: Sociology, Social Sciences, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Socioeconomics, Culture, Political Sciences, Qualitative Research, Trend Analysis, Scientific Methods
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Gamification
Skills you'll gain: Solution Design, Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Design Strategies, Human Learning, Game Theory, Employee Engagement, Interactive Learning, Behavior Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Emerging Technologies, Risk Analysis, Customer Engagement, Psychology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Game-Theoretic Solution Concept with Spreadsheets
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Strategic Decision-Making, Decision Making, Operations Research, Complex Problem Solving, Spreadsheet Software, Economics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
60 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
Stanford University
Social and Economic Networks: Models and Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Social Sciences, Sociology, Socioeconomics, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Behavioral Economics, Bayesian Network, Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Markov Model, Probability Distribution, Probability, Simulations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
751 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Yale University
Narrative Economics
Skills you'll gain: Behavioral Economics, Storytelling, Data Storytelling, Economics, Economic Development, Financial Forecasting, Socioeconomics, Forecasting, Social Studies, Consumer Behaviour, Analysis, Complex Problem Solving
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
673 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks