Course summary
Aimed at health care professionals and managers, as well as new graduates, this programme provides an introduction to the central issues in health economics and health policy involved in the management of primary health care. This programme is suitable for people currently working in the health care sector (in both the public and private sectors, including the pharmaceutical industry) who wish to improve their understanding of and skills in health economics. It may also be of interest to new graduates who wish to pursue a career in health economics and/or health services research. The course does not require a first degree in economics. Students who do have a first degree in economics may be interested in our MSc in Health Economics and Econometrics.
Modules
The programme consists of taught modules (120 credits), plus a dissertation (10,000 words) on an agreed topic in an area of health economics or health policy (60 credits). Students must select either Core 1 or Core 2, as follows: Core 1 There are six core modules totalling 100 credits: Introduction to Health Economics (20 credits) Statistics for Health Economics 1 (10 credits) Statistics for Health Economics 2 (10 credits) Economic Evaluation in Health Care (20 credits) Modelling for Health Economics (20 credits) Policy and Economics of Healthcare Delivery (20 credits) Core 2 There are five core modules totalling 110 credits: Introduction to Health Economics (20 credits) Econometrics (30 credits) Economic Evaluation in Health Care (20 credits) Modelling for Health Economics (20 credits) Policy and Economics of Healthcare Delivery (20 credits) Students taking Core 2 also attend Statistics for Health Economics II as a non-assessed pre-requisite for Modelling for Health Economics. Students then have the freedom to select the modules for the remaining 10 or 20 credits from the range offered by the School of Health and Population Sciences or, with departmental agreement, by other departments within the University. Optional Modules - please select 20 credits (Core 1) or 10 credits (Core 2) Advanced Statistical Methods (10 credits) Clinical Trials (20 credits) Health Care Evaluation and Commissioning (10 credits) Health Information and Health Informatics (10 credits) Health Promotion (10 Credits) Health Protection 1 (10 credits) Health Protection 2 (10 credits) Principles of Health Technology Assessment (10 credits) Public Health in Low and Middle Income Countries (10 credits) Sociology and Social Policy (10 credits) Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis(20 credits) Qualitative Research Methods (20 credits)
Assessment method
Each module is assessed independently. The compulsory modules are all assessed by either assignment, examination or a combination of both.
How to apply
International applicants
Academic requirements We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country. English language requirements You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways: by holding an English language qualification to the right level by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students English to IELTS 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component). If you need help with your English language skills then support is available. The English for Academic Purposes Presessional course is for international students who have a conditional offer to study at the University, but who do not currently meet the English language requirements. The course is tailored to your level of English and allows you to meet the English language requirements for your programme without retaking IELTS. The EAP programme runs throughout the year and offers different programme lengths ranging from 42 weeks to 6 weeks. The length of course you need depends on your future course, your existing IELTS score and the English level you need for your university degree.
Entry requirements
The normal entrance requirement for our Masters programmes is a good Honours degree (upper second-class or above), or an equivalent professional qualification and professional experience. Appropriate career experience may also be taken into account. It is hard to give general rules on these matters, since each case is considered on individual merit. However, the factors which tend to count in your favour are suitable health services managerial experience, favourable reports from academic referees, or proven ability in research or publication. You should give as much evidence as possible of your capabilities in these areas.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For more detailed information on available funding and fees for postgraduate courses please visit: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/fees-funding
Sponsorship information
Scholarships may be available to home and international students.
Provider information
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT