MSc Health Economics And Policy

Deepen your understanding of health economics theory, research and practice in this flexible, part-time master’s programme which is taught predominantly online.

Why Lancaster?

• Study part-time, primarily online and enhance your career prospects alongside existing work and other commitments.
• Learn from a team of renowned academics with a broad range of expertise across the fields of health economics and health care policy-making.
• Gain in-depth knowledge of the main theories and principles that underpin health economics globally.
• Integrate theory and practice, gaining research and evaluation skills that you can apply in your professional life.
• Apply your knowledge to critical issues for health care management and policy.
• Develop the specialist skills and credentials needed to progress into senior roles within health economics consultancies, the public sector, pharmaceutical companies or international organisations.

Why study Health Economics and Policy?

The field of health economics and policy is critical to addressing global healthcare challenges.

Using economic principles, experts can provide research, evidence, strategies and tools to support effective healthcare management – from finance to supply chain management, and from efficiency gains to combatting inequalities.

This programme enables you to extend your knowledge across the interrelated disciplines of health, economics and policy.

You will gain the insight, knowledge and skills that will allow you to make a real impact in a senior health economics or health policy role.

What will I study?

You will learn the principal theories and practices behind health economics and how these can be applied to current global challenges. You will also build skills in key areas such as qualitative and quantitative data analysis, research via literature review and evidence synthesis.

The final part of the programme is an opportunity for you to showcase your knowledge and skills in a dissertation, where you will investigate and report on a topic that is of particular interest to you. You will be supported throughout your dissertation by a member of our academic team who has expertise in the chosen field.

How will I study?

This flexible, part-time programme is delivered primarily online, with two academies held at our Lancaster campus. This makes it highly suitable to be taken alongside your current professional role.

The three-day Induction Academy in Year 1 and Autumn Academy in Year 2 are invaluable opportunities to get to know your course peers and begin to build your international network of contacts in the field of health economics and policy. We have many years of experience in providing high-quality online and blended learning programmes, using Lancaster University’s virtual learning platform.

• Year 1 starts with a three-day in-person Induction Academy taking place at Lancaster’s attractive modern campus. Here you will meet your tutors and fellow students. This is a core element of the programme.
• Year 1 continues with two specialist modules covering the theory and practice of health economics and policy, as well as a module on research methods used in health economics research (data analysis).
• Year 2 starts with an optional three-day Autumn Academy at our Lancaster Campus, again with the option to join online.
• Year 2 continues with an online module on methods of evidence synthesis and their uses in different contexts, and a dissertation.

While you are encouraged to join us on campus in Lancaster for both the Induction and Autumn Academies, it is possible to join online if travelling to Lancaster is not feasible for you.

Studying online

The MSc in Health Economics and Policy is mostly delivered online, allowing you flexibility in when and where you study.

You will use our virtual learning environment to learn alongside your existing commitments via discussion forums, collaborative digital spaces and video conferencing.

All students have access to a hub space that facilitates interaction with their cohort and with students on related programmes, creating a virtual information space that’s also sociable. An academic tutor will support you during the taught phase and a supervisor will support you in the research phase.

Who will I learn from?

You will be taught by a dedicated team of academics in Lancaster University’s Division of Health Research, whose expertise span health economics, health policy and economic evaluation. Joining the teaching team for this programme are experts from the Economics Department at Lancaster University Management School.

The breadth and depth of knowledge provided by this expert interdisciplinary team ensures that this programme has a sound academic underpinning and is informed by the latest developments and good practice in the field.

Health Economics at Lancaster (HEAL) is a research group based in the Faculty of Health and Medicine with strong collaborative links with our Department of Economics. Our research produces evidence to support health policy making to improve population health and wellbeing.

Is this course suitable for me?

This master’s degree in health economics and policy has been carefully designed to be accessible to professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.

We welcome applications from students including:

• Mid-career professionals in fields including pharmacy, healthcare, policy, and economics.
• Recent graduates from undergraduate courses

If you’re unsure whether the course is right for you, we welcome informal enquiries – please contact us to discuss your background and career goals.