Applied Health Economics MSc
Validated by University of South Wales
Our 2 year MSc Health Economics is designed for healthcare professionals and policy specialists who aspire to lead and innovate in the field of health economics.
As a leading provider of health economics education in the UK, we are proud to offer a comprehensive online master’s in health economics, which focuses on equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to address real-world healthcare challenges. Take the opportunity to develop critical and highly sought-after research skills as you embark on your own professional project into health economics research of your choosing in year 2 of your studies.
Our health economics master’s emphasises the strategic utilisation of resources in healthcare settings, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively for diverse populations, a crucial aspect of achieving universal health coverage and promoting health and wellbeing for all.
Next intake: March 2025Key Facts
You will develop a deep understanding of how to evaluate and interpret health economic data, a vital skill for Health Technology Assessment (HTA), which is essential for informed decision making in healthcare. This focus on economic evaluation will prepare you to manage complex tasks in healthcare delivery with a strong emphasis on promoting health equity and access.
Our MSc health economics distance learning model offers you the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world and log in daily at a time that suits you. This enables you to balance your studies with full-time work and other commitments, making it easier to advance your career without sacrificing your current responsibilities.
Another benefit of studying this master’s in health economics online is the global impact of learning amongst a multidisciplinary peer network around the world. From this network, you will gain a global perspective which will enhance your ability to make a tangible societal impact in healthcare, both within local communities and on an international scale. You will become an ethical and resilient professional, capable of making informed decisions that promote wellbeing for all.
On completion of this health economics MSc online, you will be able to:
- Articulate professional decisions, incorporating an evidence based rationale, in a variety of diverse and complex situations.
- Demonstrate the ability to work in multi-agency, multicultural and/or international contexts.
- Apply leadership and evaluation skills in the subject area of health economics.
- Critically analyse data and data interpretation, applying a critical understanding of the economic burden of chronic diseases, various types of analyses, setting pay thresholds and the budget impact.
- Evaluate sub-national health economic decision making processes and gain working knowledge of health economics used in health technology appraisals.
- Extend the knowledge of research methods and application to practise at MSc level.
- Extend the scope of practice by exploring a professional subject area critically needed for MSc level by utilising knowledge gained in the previous modules.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Rui Dang
I’m currently a senior lecturer in economics at Westminster International University in Tashkent. In addition, I’ve joined Learna as a Programme Leader for Applied Health Economics programs. I...
Tutor
Leela Barham
After qualifying with an Economics BSc from the University of Nottingham and a Health Economics MSc from the University of York, Leela has been working as a Health...
Validating partner
University of South Wales
The University of South Wales (USW) is a modern, industry focused University located in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd in South Wales, UK. It was rated best in the UK for the Health Professions in the Guardian University Guide 2020 and, in the latest Complete University Guide 2022, is in the top 10 in the UK for Health Studies. USW is one of Britain’s largest and most exciting new universities attracting a cosmopolitan mix of students from across the globe.
Accreditors and Endorsers
UEMS - European Union of Medical Specialists
This postgraduate course has also been accredited by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS)
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.
As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.
Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.
Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.
When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.
You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.
You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.
The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.
We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.
Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.
Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.
Postgraduate Diploma courses
In order to be eligible for our Postgraduate Diploma courses you need to hold a medical degree or undergraduate degree in a health related science and be working within the field that you wish to study, as the course is designed to further your knowledge within your chosen subject and is not designed to introduce these as new topic areas.
We have two intakes a year in March and September. Click the following link for the up to date application deadlines and module dates: Module Dates.
The Action Taker Discount offers savings based on your programme: £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount. The Action Taker Discount will be applied to your final payment. To take advantage, act quickly after acceptance to secure your savings.
Next intake: March 2025 Key Facts
Programme Leader
Rui Dang
I’m currently a senior lecturer in economics at Westminster International University in Tashkent. In addition, I’ve joined Learna as a Programme Leader for Applied Health Economics programs. I contribute to the International Journal of Technical Assessment of Health Care(Cambridge University Press) as an associate editor and an editorial board member of the Journal of Migration and Health(Elsevier).
I am also a member of the EHMA-European Health Management Association's scientific advisory committee, a member of the CUGH-Consortium of Universities for Global Health's education committee and global health competency subcommittee, a co-convener of the iHEA-International Health Economics Association and a Global Labor Organization fellow.
I was formerly an assistant professor of economics and management at the University of Information Science and Technology, "St. Paul Apostle," as well as an assistant professor of economics at Istanbul University of Technology. As a guest lecturer, I've lectured at Gdansk University of Technology and Rio Grande do Sul's Pontifical Catholic University.
My research interests include health economics, health policy, population economics, applied micro econometrics, and quantitative approaches in public health and clinical research. I find teaching health economics is both challenging and rewarding for me since it requires the application of a wide variety of concepts and methodologies from several fields. Applied Health Economics provides students with a high level of comprehensive training, experience, and abilities required for research and health-care decision-making in a variety of healthcare contexts to improve the healthcare landscape and provision.
Tutor
Leela Barham
After qualifying with an Economics BSc from the University of Nottingham and a Health Economics MSc from the University of York, Leela has been working as a Health Economist and Policy Expert for over 15 years.
She has provided advice to the Department of Health and Social Care on the pricing of branded medicines, and also worked with patient groups, the NHS, and pharmaceutical companies on the economics of healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Since 2008, Leela has been running her own consulting business, Leela Barham Economic Consulting Ltd.
She has participated in several national and international conferences and has been published in a range of journals, including The Patient, PharmacoEconomics and Nursing Standard. In addition, Leela has also written a number of academic articles and peer-reviewed journals for Pharmaceutical Executive, The European Journal of Health Economics, and Pharmaphorum.
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Why Study an Applied Health Economics Master's with Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
100% Flexible
Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.
Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Expert Led
All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.
Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.
Career Boosting
Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.
40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.
Who is this course for?
Our affordable online master's in health economics has been developed for:
- NHS Managers
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Allied Health Professionals
- CCG commissioning teams
- CCG Pharmacy teams
- Pharmaceutical Industry Professionals
- other suitably qualified and interested individuals.
How Will I Learn?
You'll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform, which allows you to engage with clinical cases, complete assignments, and collaborate with fellow students at times that suit your schedule. There's no fixed timetable—simply log in daily to participate in the week's activities.
Learn through engaging discussion
Our teaching approach is highly interactive, using small groups of 10-20 students to foster a collaborative environment where you can engage in thoughtful discussions and receive guidance from your tutor. You'll have access to learning resources and discussion forums that encourage ongoing interaction and deeper engagement with the material.
Throughout your studies, you'll receive support from a dedicated expert tutor and our Student Support Team, ensuring you have the resources needed to navigate the course successfully.
Curriculum
The Applied Health Economics MSc is a two year course, consisting of eight modules (180 credits) with the first 120 credits deriving from the Postgraduate Diploma. The second year of the Applied Health Economics MSc course starts with an initial 10 week online module that will develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. Students then complete the professional project module, which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project (dissertation).Year 1
Module Aims
- To understand and evaluate the purpose, principles and processes of health economics in healthcare decision making & HTA.
- To understand and critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of health economics in healthcare decision making & HTA in regard to meeting their aims/achieving their purpose.
- To understand the relevance of Health Economic decision making to clinical practice.
Module Content
- Principles of Health Economics
- The role and function of health technology assessment (HTA)
- Common misconceptions of Health Economics & HTA
- Health Economics & HTA as part of Evidence Based Medicine/ Practice (from National, to Sub-National, to Personal Practice)
- The relevance of Health Economics to healthcare professionals
- The effect of budget on decision making
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate processes used in health economic decision making.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of health economics used in health technology appraisals.
Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of the way in which benefits or clinical value are calculated and judged within health economic decision making.
Module Content
- Identifying clinical benefit: Critical Appraisal and Systematic Literature Review
- Length vs. Quality of life (QoL): the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY)
- Challenges with length of life estimations: time horizons, extrapolation, bias towards the younger patient, the need for future discounting
- Avoidance of negative events
- Critical appraisal of clinical data: Evidence Based Medicine and HTA/Health
- Economic Decision Making
- Critical appraisal of real world data
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to critically appraise the strengths and limitations of the Quality Adjusted Life Year as a measure of clinical benefit.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply principles of Evidence Based Medicine to assess the quality of clinical evidence used to support patient benefit within HTA/ health economic decision making.
Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the economic burden of chronic diseases, types of economic analyses, establishing pay thresholds and budget impact.
Module Content
- Investigating and establishing the economic burden of disease
- Types of analysis: Cost-effectiveness, Cost-utility and Cost-minimisation
- Exploration and analysis of cost perspectives
- Willingness to pay thresholds
- Establishing budget impact
- Challenges: rare diseases, end of life considerations, unlicensed comparators, affordability and work flow change
Learning Outcomes
- Critically appraise to budgetary burden of chronic disease.
- Critically appraise the implementation of health economic analysis and budgetary impact in real life/complex clinical situations.
Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of data interpretation including levels of evidence and statistical interpretation of data.
Module Content
- Additional Data Sources: Real World Data, Expert Opinion, The Patient’s Voice
- Statistics: Confidence intervals and p-values
- Statistics: Hazard ratios and NNT
- Statistics: Bayesian statistics and Cox model
- Statistics: Sensitivity Analysis and Marginal Analysis
- Statistics: Indirect Comparison and Meta-Analysis
Learning Outcomes
- Show an ability to critically evaluate the validity of published data.
- Critically appraise statistical interpretation of scientific data related to health economics.
Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the international health economic decision making processes within legal frameworks together with the procurement and tendering processes associated with treatments.
Module Content
- Examine the international Health Economic decision making process
- Legislations vs. Recommendations
- Stakeholders and Payers
- HTA vs. non HTA processes: Procurement, Tendering, and Commissioning
- Evolving Health System policy as it relates to Health Economic decision making
- Maximising patient benefit in healthcare decision making
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate, understand and contrast the current models of healthcare decision making.
- Critically appraise the legal basis of economic decision making.
Module Aims
To appreciate and evaluate the process of implementation of Health Technology Appraisals at the regional and local levels. Appreciate and understand the makeup and evaluation of the stakeholder group at regional/local level.
Module Content
- Applying national decisions/guidelines at a subnational level
- Data required to make decisions at a Sub-National level
- Stakeholders/decision makers at a Sub-National level
- Challenges of implementation at national level to meet Sub-National budget constraints
- Implementation of HE analysis at sub national level with real world data
- Budgetary analyses at subnational level with real world data
Learning Outcomes
- Critically appraise the implementation of HTA advice at the regional and local level, evaluating the challenges of local implementation of national decisions.
- Critically evaluate stakeholder contributions to decision making at regional/local level.
Year 2
This module runs over 12 weeks and is designed to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies used in applied health economics. The module consists of mandatory formative assessment activities to support your learning and development prior to the Professional Project module.
Module Aims
The module aims to develop your ability to critically appraise specific areas of research and/or organisational practice and develop skills in independent research, study and writing for publication.
Module Content
The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific project relevant to your practice. You will select a specific project and submit a project summary/proposal (1,200 words). Once your proposal has been approved, the professional project (10,800 words) is then completed through online guidance and supervision from your tutor.
The project may comprise:
- Literature review and appraisal of the evidence
- Audit of practice including organisational or clinical
- Review and implementation of evidence-based practice
- Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated)
- Case-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal
- Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment
- Learning Outcomes
- Design and undertake a research/development project related to acute medicine
- Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements for change
- Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately
Assessment Methods
This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.
Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.
Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.
How Foundational Knowledge is Developed
The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.
This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!
Year 1
- Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
- Tutors will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
- These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.
For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.
- Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
- Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets and essays.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.
- Students are provided with case-based problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination.
- The exam consists of 30 'Single Best Answer' questions.
- Students are required to complete the exam online within the set time.
Year 2
This module runs over an 8 week period and is designed to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. The module consists of mandatory formative assessment activities to support your learning and development prior to the Professional Project module.
Students will work with their supervisor to submit a professional project proposal for their chosen topic.
Students will deliver an abstract (1000 words) outlining their proposal and, if deemed necessary, develop and submit documentation for the University’s ethical committee approval.
- Students will create a dissertation, the theme of which has been developed in discussion with their tutor.
- Supervision will normally involve direct online support involving planned progress, supporting research activity and reading student work.
- Supervisors and students will agree on a communications plan, which may involve emails or online chats. Some students may employ the use of freely available chat or audio conferencing facilities for live discussion with supervisors.
- Students will have access to online forums where they can develop their research capabilities together.
- All communications with tutors will be logged on the Professional Project forum by the student, and consist of brief summaries of discussion.
Entry requirements
Since our MSc Health Economics is conducted entirely online, it's accessible to both UK and international students without international surcharges.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare, policy or economics field.
Applicants without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate requisite analytical skills.
Documents Required
- A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
- A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
- The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
- A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
- A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of South Wales run a number of English Language Programmes at the Centre for International English to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.
Should you have already successfully completed the 1 year Postgraduate Diploma and wish to convert to the MSc and complete only the second year of the programme this is possible. Please contact our admissions department admissions@diploma-msc.com to find out more.
Course Fees
Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.
| Date | Instalments | Up-Front Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | £750 | £8,400 |
| 1st May 2025 | £770 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £770 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £770 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £770 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £770 | |
| 1st March 2026 | £633 | |
| 1st May 2026 | £633 | |
| 1st July 2026 | £633 | |
| 1st September 2026 | £633 | |
| 1st November 2026 | £633 | |
| 1st January 2027 | £635 |
† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
Option 3: Lower your monthly payments by spreading the cost for between 2 and 8 years with a loan from our lending partner Lendwise*.
*Subject to eligibility criteria.
Learna | Diploma MSc has a partnership with Lendwise which is a leading private student loan provider, to help UK students fund their course fees should they require financing. Lendwise is a UK-based education finance platform through which candidates can fund their postgraduate and professional qualification studies at leading educational institutions.
A Lendwise loan comes with a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan (between 2 and 8 years) and no early repayment penalties. The interest rate offered will depend on the overall applicant profile and the application process is entirely online.*
*Other sources of funding are available.
Learna | Diploma MSc does not offer financial advice, recommend or endorse any financial product. You should always check the suitability of the product that is of interest to you. If you are in any doubt as to its suitability, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice.
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Why Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online diploma courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
Our courses are some of the most affordable of their kind, providing value for money without compromising on quality. We also don't apply an international surcharge. No fixed timetable means you can log in & learn on the go, at your convenience.
Being totally online means we can select the very best tutors and resource editors, no matter where they’re located.
Connect with multidisciplinary people around the world to expand your insights & broaden your career prospects.
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