Health Economics (MSc)

Program Overview

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The MSc in Health Economics at University of Galway equips students with the knowledge and skills to analyze and inform health policy and healthcare decisions within the global context. The program's curriculum covers economic evaluation, health preference elicitation, and health econometrics, and students engage with critical global health policy questions. Graduates pursue careers in the pharmaceutical industry, research consultancy, and the voluntary and public sectors, or continue their education at the PhD level.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The MSc in Health Economics is a taught Masters program that introduces students to the theoretical principles and practical techniques of economic analysis applied to inform health policy and healthcare decision-making within the evolving global context of technological development, population aging, rising healthcare costs, and changing patient preferences and expectations.

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Objectives:

• Understand and appraise the fundamental theoretical and practical concepts and tools of health economics.
• Analyze and inform global health policy and/or healthcare industry questions using the applied practical techniques of health economic evaluation, health preference elicitation, and health econometrics.
• Critically engage with the key global health policy questions of care system finance and delivery, and access to interventions and/or technologies.

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Outline:

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Full-time Program:

• Semester 1:
• Core Modules:
• Economics of Health and Health Care
• Economic Evaluation in Health Care
• Econometrics
• Research Methods for Health Economics and Policy
• Semester 2:
• Core Modules:
• Health Systems and Policy Analysis
• Applied Health Technology Assessment and Decision Modelling
• Optional Modules:
• Market Access and Health Technology Assessment
• Public Sector Economics
• Cost Benefit Analysis and Evaluation
• Applied Econometrics
• Observational & Analytical Research Methods
• Introduction to Systematic Reviews
• Summer:
• Dissertation or Applied Placement Project:
Students must complete either a dissertation or an applied placement project. The program director and the host organization will determine which is the most appropriate assessment for each student on a case-by-case basis.

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Part-time Program:

• Year 1:
• Semester 1:
• Core Modules:
• Economic Evaluation of Health Care
• Research Methods for Health Economics and Policy
• Semester 2:
• Core Modules:
• Applied Health Technology Assessment and Decision Modelling
• Optional Modules:
• Market Access and Health technology Assessment
• Public Sector Economics
• Cost Benefit Analysis and Evaluation
• Applied Econometrics
• Observational & Analytical Research Methods
• Introduction to Systematic Reviews
• Year 2:
• Semester 1:
• Core Modules:
• Economics of Health and Health Care
• Econometrics
• Semester 2:
• Core Modules:
• Health Systems and Policy Analysis
• Optional Modules:
• Public Sector Economics
• Cost Benefit Analysis and Evaluation
• Applied Econometrics
• Observational & Analytical Research Methods
• Introduction to Systematic Reviews
• Summer:
• Dissertation or Applied Placement Project:
Work placements are competitive and subject to the availability of suitable positions. Students may also self-source their own work placement subject to the approval of the Placement Office.

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Assessment:

• The program is assessed in a variety of ways, including coursework, examinations, and a dissertation or an applied placement project completed over the summer months.
• Modules are assessed through a combination of written examinations, continuous assessment, assignments, and applied projects.
Semester One examinations take place in December and Semester Two examinations take place in April/May.
• In line with employer needs, communication and presentation skills are implemented in the assessment structure.

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Teaching:

• Modules are delivered through a series of lectures, practical workshops, tutorials, and seminars from academic and industry experts.
• The program is taught by a team of experienced academics and practitioners in the field of health economics.

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Careers:

• Graduates with a MSc in Health Economics qualification are in high demand nationally and internationally.
• Recent graduates from the University of Galway have embarked on careers in areas such as the pharmaceutical and medical device industry sector, research consultancy, and the voluntary and public sectors.

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Other:

• The course is suited to individuals from multiple backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a new career in Health Economics or in incorporating the tools of Health Economics into their current career pathway.
• The course will suit recent graduates in Economics, Business, and the Social Sciences who have studied Economics.
• The course is also open to recent graduates in Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, and the Health Sciences who have completed a bridging course in Economics.
• The course will also suit individuals working in the Pharmaceutical or Medical Device industry sectors or in the Health Policy or Health Care sectors who wish to advance their careers by gaining a thorough understanding of the theories and methods of Health Economics.
• The Health Economics and Policy Analysis Centre (HEPAC) is located in the Institute for the Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) at University of Galway.
• HEPAC have extensive links with clinical and social science researchers at University of Galway, as well as being engaged in active collaborations with colleagues in national and international organizations.
• Each student completes an 8-12-week placement with a company, a government agency, or a health research agency.
• Placements have previously been organized in major pharmaceutical and medical device companies, in agencies such as the Health Service Executive, the Health Information and Quality Authority, and the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, and with leading research centers at University of Galway and beyond.
• The University of Galway Career Development Centre provides high-quality career guidance and information services focused on facilitating and empowering students to manage their own career development and make effective career transitions.
• Services include: Jobs Fairs, Seminars and panel discussions, Employer Presentations / Activities, Workshops and support with applications and work-related skills.

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Fees: EU

€8,390 full-time; €4,355 part-time p.a. 2024/25

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Fees: Tuition

€8,250 full-time; €4,250 part-time p.a. 2024/25

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Fees: Student levy

€140 full-time; €105 part-time p.a. 2024/25

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Fees: Non EU

€19,000 p.a. (€19,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25