Health Economics is a relatively new but rapidly growing field. As the global population grows, so does our need for more advanced and cost-effective health care. This means that specialists who understand how best to use limited resources are very sought after. By taking a programme in Health Economics you are entering a profession which offers good employment prospects across a range of different sectors (Academia, Pharmaceutical industry, Private consultancy, Government or public sector organisations, and the voluntary sector).
This programme aims to give graduate economists and health professionals an understanding of how economic ideas and principles may be applied to health, public health, and health care. Students develop an understanding of how to apply economic theory and appraise economic evidence to inform health policy and health care decision making through the use of a mixture of lectures, computer practical’s, workshops, individual study and assessed work. Module choice is flexible to reflect student’s prior learning with an opportunity to study relevant modules provided by the Schools of Economics and International Development, The importance of broader research skills is recognised and students develop the skills necessary to progress to PhD research should they wish to.
This programme provides the analytical tools and practical skills on which to start building a career in health economics. To succeed you need to be numerical, methodical and have a good understanding of economic and health care issues.
Prof Marc Suhrcke
The Health Economics Group (HEG) at University of East Anglia (UEA) has existed since 1995 and is one of a small number of such units in the UK. We consist of 20 members of academic, research and support staff and support 9 PhD students. We are at the forefront of research in health economics (the UEA share of live grants held by members of HEG is close to £14m. The total value of grants awarded to HEG members, including the share going to collaborating partners outside UEA, is considerably larger), and contribute to the development and application of health economics nationally and internationally. This makes us very well placed to train future health economists and to support them to develop successful careers.
Being based within the Norwich Medical School you will study in an environment where you can get a real understanding of the decisions that health economists can help with. If your background is in economics, you can learn from fellow students and other staff about the clinical applications of the techniques you will be studying. If your background is as a health professional or manager, you will benefit from learning alongside economists but in an environment where many staff and students share your background.
Our postgraduate level programmes are suitable for students with an economics background and for those coming from other backgrounds. We offer health economics qualifications at Masters, diploma and certificate levels. Some modules can also be taken as stand alone. We also offer the opportunity to study modules delivered by the School of Economics and the School of International Development at UEA. We encourage all postgraduate students to attend seminars organised by the Health Economics Group where you will hear about the research undertaken by the group.
The pre-requisites for this 20-credit module are MED-M07D Health Economics and MED-M31D Introduction to Research Methods, or experience and knowledge of health service research methods and health service experience or a relevant qualification. The objectives are to enable students: to understand and critically appraise economic studies of health care interventions; to understand the range of evaluation techniques and appropriate circumstances for application; to appreciate links between economic evaluation and economic theory, health service research and decision making and to have confidence to conduct further economic evaluation studies.
This module aims to equip non-economists with a basic understanding of health economics, its value and limitations. The module will cover fundamental economic principles and their application to health care. These will include concepts of opportunity cost, supply and demand, and efficiency, as well as the economic evaluation of health care interventions using techniques such as cost effectiveness analysis, cost utility analysis and cost benefit analysis. The unit will also examine how economic principles can be applied to system level health policy issues such as health care priority setting, alternative models of health care financing and organisation, and equity and inequalities in health.
The purpose of this module is to provide students with a broad introduction to the methods used in Health Science Research. . The skills to be developed include being able to 1: recognise basic quantitative and qualitative research designs 2: recognise different data collection techniques 3: acquire a basic understanding of both statistical analysis and qualitative analysis; 4: critically appraise of the research literature.
The purpose of this module is to illustrate the depth of skills and knowledge that have been developed through the MSc programme. The skills to be developed further include being able to 1: gain practical experience in conducting research in an area of self-chosen content or subject material 2: gain practical experience of presenting their research in a written format 3: apply their knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies to their own area of self-chosen content or subject material. All students will be encouraged to consider their dissertation work for publication either within the University or in refereed academic journals.
Option A Study (20 credits)
Students will select 20 credits from the following modules:
This is a unit of two halves. The first half introduces some basic econometric techniques, and the problems which arise in their use. The second half applies the skills acquired in the first half, to particular problems in economics such as exchange rate models and the estimation of dynamic economic models. An emphasis is placed on the practical side of the subject. With the aid of the computer package SPSS, theoretical models are estimated and tested using real data.
This is a graduate-level unit in econometric theory, aimed at students with some prior knowledge of econometrics. Using matrix algebra, the general linear model is analysed, and the theory of estimation and hypothesis testing is developed in this context. Violations of the basic assumptions of the general linear model, such as heteroscedasticity and serial correlation, are analysed from a theoretical perspective. Dynamic models and models of expectations are then covered. The specialist econometric computer package STATA plays a role, but with a much greater emphasis on techniques than on results.
The purpose of this module is to build on the coverage of quantitative methods and critical appraisal skills that were introduced and described in the Introduction to Research Methods module. The skills to be developed further include being able to 1: add depth to the basic knowledge already acquired in that module on measurement, survey instruments, trial design and statistics, 2: begin to acquire a basic understand of the concept of systematic reviews and meta analysis.
Option B Study (40 credits)
Students will select 40 credits from the following modules:
This is a graduate-level unit in applied econometrics, aimed at students with some prior knowledge of econometrics. The unit is divided into four modules: panel data, simultaneous equation models, time series analysis and microeconomics. There is an emphasis on the practical side, with the specialist econometric package STATA being used extensively. Assessment is by take-home assignments and computer test.
This module is designed to introduce students to micro and macro economics analysis, and to familiarise students with a wide range of economic tools which can be applied to issues relating to their Applied Training Programme.
This is an advanced unit in microeconomic theory, designed for postgraduate students with a strong background in economics. The topics covered in this unit include the duality approach to demand theory, general equilibrium theory, game theory, choice under uncertainty, and the economics of information and signalling. The rational-choice foundations of microeconomics are critically examined, particularly in the light of experimental evidence and of alternative theories of economic decision-making.
The purpose of this module is to build on the coverage of qualitative methods and critical appraisal skills that were introduced and described in the Introduction to Research Methods module. The skills to be developed further include being able to 1: gain further knowledge of the conduct of qualitative studies 2: negotiate and acquire the practical skills needed in the planning and design, the data collection, the data analysis, and the data interpretation of a qualitative study.
This module provides a broad introduction to health issues in a context of development. It reviews different cultural understandings of health, and relationships between health, socio-economic change, livelihoods and poverty. The module also examines health policies of particular relevance to developing countries. While the module looks at health issues in general, it pays particular attention to links between HIV/AIDS and development.
The module will offer a coherent approach to a range of behaviour change models, psychological and sociological approaches and evidence, with an emphasis on application to patient care and practice. There will be six study days, offered as full days of study once per fortnight. Key themes: 1. Introduction to psychology and health psychology including humanistic approaches and current evidence. 2. Sociological perspectives and current evidence. 3. Theory of planned behaviour; common sense self-regulation model (CSSRM). 4. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and psychological approaches to interventions. 5. Motivational Interviewing. 6. Effective assessment and formulation (incorporated into themes 4 and 6) 7. Stress management and links to depression management. 8. Application of interventions to case load/patient care (integrated into other themes). 9. Adherence/concordance - including how people with depression make treatment choices. 10. Pain perception.
The purpose of this module is to build upon ideas introduced in the Introduction to Research Methods module and the Further Quantitative Research Methods module, the completion of which is necessary for entry to this course. The skills to be developed further include being able to 1: increase students' depth and breadth of classical statistical techniques used in health research 2: introduce some newer ideas and outline some of the philosophies underlying certain statistical methodologies 3: apply basic statistical theory and the understanding of statistics in practice
Findings from systematic reviews have been increasingly used by health policy makers, clinicians and patients for making decisions. A systematic review of available evidence is also often required for developing new research, and for interpreting findings from a primary study. The module will include the following contents; 1. Introduction, framing questions, inclusion/exclusion criteria 2. Sources of evidence and literature search strategy 3. Data extraction, and validity assessment 4. Synthesizing evidence from qualitative studies 5. Synthesizing evidence from quantitative studies 6. Quality of systematic reviews, and overview of reviews 7. Recent development in research synthesis methods 8. Systematic review protocol. Learning outcome: Provides students with the skills and understanding to appraise and interpret published systematic reviews, to develop a protocol and undertake a systematic review. By the end of the module, students will be able to: • Frame questions appropriate for a systematic review • Design an appropriate literature search strategy • Assess the relevance and quality of primary studies • Qualitatively and quantitatively synthesize data from primary studies • Appropriately interpret findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis • Understand common pitfalls in systematic reviews and meta-analysis • Become familiar with recent method research relevant to systematic reviews.
Disclaimer
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.
Entry Requirements
Degree Subject:
A health care profession, economics or a related social science
Degree Classification:
2.2 or equivalent
Special Entry Requirements:
The University will also consider applications from applicants with current registration as a health professional with an appropriate professional statutory regulatory body
Entry Requirement
Applicants should normally have a good first degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
It is normal for undergraduate students to apply for entry to postgraduate programmes in their final year of study. Applicants who have not yet been awarded a degree may be offered a place conditional on their attaining a particular class of degree.
Students for whom English is a Foreign language
We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English or those whose degree was not taught in English. To ensure such students benefit fully from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. We also will require a certain standard to be achieved on the written element of the test. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)
TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 (minimum 18 listening, 19 in writing, 20 in reading and 21 in speaking)
PTE: 62 (minimum 55 in all components)
All scores must be less than two years old.
Fees and Funding
Fees for the academic year 2013/14 will be:
UK/EU Students: £5,000
International Students: £12,400
International applicants from outside the EU may need to pay a deposit.
For those applying under the SHA contract, contract prices will apply.
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
