Across the world, healthcare systems face the challenge of meeting vast patient needs with limited resources. Enter health economics—a vital and rapidly growing field that drives intelligent decision-making and shapes impactful policies.
This course is your gateway to mastering the most crucial aspects of health economics and health policy, specifically tailored to the dynamic world of primary health care management.
Whether you're an experienced healthcare professional, a manager looking to make a bigger impact, or a recent graduate eager to jumpstart your career, this course will immerse you in the vital issues shaping the future of healthcare.
This course will run over 12 months, full-time. It can also be undertaken on a part-time basis. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study each term. This is based on a full time Masters course.
Dive into Health Economics and Policy, a cutting-edge programme for healthcare leaders.
You'll learn how to examine health issues from an economic perspective and develop the skills to conduct impactful analyses that help healthcare decision-makers maximise the efficiency of limited resources. Additionally, you'll gain a deep understanding of the economic and policy frameworks that shape primary healthcare management.
The University of Birmingham is also ranked as the first choice for leading graduate employers in the UK.
This course doesn’t require a first degree in economics.
in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine (2024 QS World Rankings)
This course offers flexible modules to fit your needs.
In addition to providing specialist skills and knowledge highly sought after in the healthcare sector, our course is taught by industry-leading experts who bring real-world experience and cutting-edge research to the classroom.
This programme is available both full-time and part-time, and includes a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, peer group learning and self-study. You’ll learn from world-leading academics and researchers at a top 100 UK university. From the outset we’ll challenge and encourage you to become an independent and self-motivated learner.
This course consists of seven taught modules and a dissertation.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught material and a 60 credit dissertation. You’ll have the flexibility to choose between two sets of core modules and can also select an additional module that aligns with your interests.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Evaluation in Health Care | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Introduction to Health Economics | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Dissertation | 60 | |
| Modelling for Health Economics | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Policy + Economics of Healthcare Delivery | 20 | Semester 1 |
Students must choose either Option Set 1 or Option Set 2
Students must choose the following and a total of 20 credits from M-level modules available in the Institute of Applied Health Research. Other optional modules may be available elsewhere in the College of Medicine and Health or in the wider University, but only with prior departmental agreement.
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Research Methods for Health Economics | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Statistics for Health Economics I | 10 | Semester 1 |
Students must take the following and a total of 10 credits from M-level modules available in the Institute of Applied Health Research. Other optional modules may be available elsewhere in the College of Medicine and Health or in the wider University, but only with prior departmental agreement.
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Econometrics | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Research Methods for Health Economics | 10 | Semester 1 |
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
You should have a 2:1 Honours degree, or an equivalent professional qualification and profession experience. This course doesn't require a first degree in economics.
Full-time
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
This programme can be taken as an intercalated option for those studying MBChB Medicine and Surgery, at another institution. To apply for the Intercalated MSc Health Economics and Health Policy please fill in this registration form (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/medical-school/intercalation-register-your-interest) and we'll be in touch with details about how to apply. For more information, please contact us on mdsintercalationenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Our MSc Health Economics and Health Policy prepares you for a range of careers in areas such as economic consultancies, the pharmaceutical industry and governmental and non-governmental bodies in the UK and Internationally. You can also progress to explore teaching and research positions at academic institutions.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
