MSc Health Economics

Our course will help you understand the ways in which economic ideas and principles are relevant to, and applied in, health and healthcare. It will also enable you to gain practical experience in the application of health economics techniques.

If you’re a graduate economist, or you have a degree from another relevant disciplinary background such as the health arena or one of the quantitative social sciences, and have a keen interest in health economics, this course is for you. Through it you will also gain an appreciation of the links between economic evaluation and economic theory, as well as those between health service research and decision making.

During your time with us you will develop your analytical skills in quantitative research methods and critical appraisal. You’ll hone your ability to apply research results to practice, and to health service decision-making. You’ll also acquire practical skills in the economic analysis of health problems; for example, putting a price on the impact of Type Two Diabetes on a given NHS Trust.

You’ll be taught within a research-active health economics group, which means you’ll have direct access to the most up-to-date statistics and thinking, and to people with real-world health economics research experience. You’ll also have the opportunity to expand upon an area of active research that interests you most, as you work on your dissertation within this stimulating academic environment.

About

How can we increase effectiveness and efficiency? What is the monetary impact of smoking on the healthcare system? What value should we place on this drug or procedure? In an era of diminished budgets and ageing populations, health economists are in more demand than ever.

Study Health Economics at UEA and you’ll learn to make decisions that really count. You will be based in the Norwich Medical School, where you’ll not only develop an understanding of economic concepts related to health, public health, and health services policy, you’ll be part of a school at the forefront of research. You’ll train with students, taught by leading academics, and you’ll be connected to a well-respected group of researchers who advise on international and national policies that affect people’s health, worldwide.

You’ll graduate ready to tackle some of the biggest questions in the provision of care for national government, the NHS, the private sector or research organisation.

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Course Reference Number: 663718

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

Most taught modules will feature a combination of assessment methods, including examinations, course tests and written assignments.

Structure

The MSc Health Economics can be completed full-time over one year or part-time over two or three years. You’ll complete three compulsory modules, and three chosen from defined selections, so you can tailor your learning to your interests to a certain degree.

The three compulsory core modules are Introduction to Research Methods, Health Economics, and Economic Evaluation in Health and Healthcare. In addition, you’ll be required to select one quantitative methods module from Econometric Methods and Further Quantitative Methods, or – if you have a bachelor's degree in economics of 2:1 or above – you can choose Econometric Theory.

You will then need to choose a further two modules from options that include Economic Concepts, Systematic Reviews and Synthesis, Economic Theory (if you have at least a 2:1 in economics), and Welfare and Evaluation in Development. (Options may vary and may depend on the numbers wishing to take them).

In addition to the taught modules you’ll research and write your sixty-credit Master’s dissertation on a health economics topic of your own choosing. You could decide to work on a systematic review and synthesis of previous research, to undertake your own original data analysis, or to work on a combination of the two. Whatever route you go down, you’ll be assigned a supervisor from the UEA Health Economics Group to guide you throughout.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching

You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures, student-led seminars and computer practicals. The exact arrangements will vary from module to module, but each will include around 30-35 contact hours either in person or via live video-linked sessions.

A high degree of student participation is required for this course, so you will be expected to fully prepare for all sessions and seminars.

Independent study

For each taught module you will spend around 200 hours in private study, preparing for lectures, seminars and assessment. This is your opportunity to read widely, broadening your knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Your research dissertation will occupy you for the equivalent of about three months full-time, during which you’ll work independently under the guidance of your supervisor. You’ll need to read widely and undertake analysis, exploiting the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired through our taught modules.

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FULL TIME: Students must gain 120 credits through Taught Modules, 60 credits of which will be gained through Core Modules,and 20 credits of which must be chosen from Options range A. A further 40 credits must be chosen from Options Range B, and 60 credits will be gained through the successful completion of a Research Dissertation.

Assessment for Year 1

Most taught modules will feature a combination of assessment methods, including examinations, course tests and written assignments.

Compulsory Modules

HEALTH ECONOMICS

Code MED-7006D

Credits 20

This module aims to equip you with an understanding of health economics, its value and limitations. It is suitable for students with and without an economics background as the course covers fundamental economic principles and their application to health care. These will include concepts of opportunity cost, supply and demand, efficiency and equity. The module uses these principles to explore relevant topics in health and healthcare. The following topics are covered: * The application of economic principles to system level health policy issues such as health care priority setting. * Alternative models of health care financing and organisation. * Inequity and inequalities in health and healthcare. * The use of economic evaluation of health care interventions using techniques such as cost effectiveness analysis and cost benefit analysis. * the determinants and consequences of health, and the economics of health behaviour.

ECONOMIC EVALUATION IN HEALTH CARE

Code MED-7008E

Credits 20

On this module you will understand and critically appraise the economic studies of health care interventions; understand the range of evaluation techniques and appropriate circumstances for application; and appreciate the links between economic evaluation and economic theory, health service research and decision making and to have confidence to conduct further economic evaluation studies.

RESEARCH DISSERTATION

Code MED-7007X

Credits 60

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. Students will be encouraged to consider their dissertation work for publication either within the University or in refereed academic journals.

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS

Code MED-7022D

Credits 20

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. ONLY AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS TAKING THE HEALTH ECONOMICS PROGRAMME

Optional A Modules

(20 credits)

ECONOMETRIC METHODS

Code ECO-7000A

Credits 20

Are you interested in working with data? Would you like to be able to make economics forecasts or predictions, or test an economic theory? If so, this module will introduce you the empirical techniques you need to satisfy these interests. This module will introduce you to econometrics, which is a combination of economic theory, mathematical economics, economic statistics and mathematical statistics. You’ll learn some basic econometric techniques that will enable you to obtain numerical estimates of, for example, the relationship between expenditure on a good and income, or the relationship between years of education and pay. In addition, as your seminars will take place in the computer labs, you’ll gain skills in analysing data using the econometric computer package STATA. In the first part of the module, you’ll be shown how to estimate a simple regression model, interpret your findings and test the relationships between variables. As you progress, you’ll learn how to identify problems with your model and how to address these problems. In lectures you’ll learn about the techniques; in seminars you’ll apply these techniques to a variety of economic problems and estimate models with the help of STATA. In the later part of the module you’ll consider a more advanced style of modelling, which is appropriate for dealing with data on the choices made by individuals. For example, owning your own home rather than renting, or going to university instead of entering the labour market. By the end of the module you’ll be able to estimate appropriate regression models, identify problems which may arise and know how to address them. In addition, you’ll be able use STATA and understand some of the methods, models and techniques that may be useful in the workplace.

ECONOMETRIC THEORY

Code ECO-7002A

Credits 20

This module focuses on various theoretical aspects within the linear regression framework using matrix algebra, complemented by simulations and applications to provide more intuition. A specialist econometrics software is used throughout, allowing a better understanding of the theoretical material using real world data and simulations. After a review of fundamental concepts in Econometrics, the module progresses to a detailed discussion of the multiple linear regression model (MLR), focusing on the theory of estimation, inference, and other important issues, such as, model misspecification and models that involve nonlinearities. The properties of the OLS estimator are discussed in detail, and simulated examples show all the adverse consequences on these properties if certain assumptions in the data or the population do not hold. Real world applications are considered, discussing whether these assumption hold in reality. For example, the presence and consequences of having non-spherical errors is discussed, focusing on the problem of heteroscedasticity. Moreover, special attention is paid on the problem of endogeneity, while the instrumental variable approach is presented as the main strategy to deal with it.

FURTHER QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

Code MED-7013E

Credits 20

This course builds on the quantitative methods covered in Introduction to Research Methods. It will add depth to the basic knowledge already acquired in that module on measurement, survey instruments, study designs and statistics. Students will also take part in practical sessions where they will apply the statistical knowledge gained to describe and analyse datasets.

Optional B Modules

(40 credits)

WELFARE AND EVALUATION IN DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7038A

Credits 20

This module provides you with an introduction to the theory and practice of impact evaluation. The focus will be on issues around evidence-based policy making, approaches to wellbeing, and their practical application in terms of evaluating the effect of development interventions on the quality of people’s lives. The first part discusses the notion of evidence-based policy, introduces the students to the area of evaluation and reviews the role of programme theory in evaluation. The second part addresses the theory of welfare, with particular reference to poverty, inequality, and multi-dimensional ill-being as well as cost effectiveness. The third part considers policy and evaluation in practice looking at a range of sectors and contexts.

APPLIED ECONOMETRICS

Code ECO-7001B

Credits 20

This module builds on econometrics material covered in earlier modules and is divided into two parts: 1) Time series methods (including ARIMA modelling, stationarity testing, ARCH/GARCH models, Volatility Spillover, VARs , Cointegration and VECMs) 2) Microeconometrics (including panel data methods, and models for binary response variables) There is an emphasis on the practical application of common estimation techniques, with the specialist econometric software package Stata used extensively.

ECONOMIC THEORY I

Code ECO-7003A

Credits 20

This is an advanced module in microeconomic theory, designed for postgraduate students with a strong background in economics. The topics covered in this module include the duality approach to demand theory, firm theory, general equilibrium theory, game theory, choice under uncertainty, agency theory and the economics of asymmetric information. The rational-choice foundations of microeconomics are also critically examined.

ECONOMIC CONCEPTS

Code ECO-7011A

Credits 20

Introducing micro and macro economic analysis, this module will familiarise you with a wide range of economic tools which can be applied to issues relating to your Applied Training Programme. It covers, in particular, consumer and producer choice, market equilibrium, market structure, externalities and public goods, the macroeconomics of inflation, unemployment and growth and macroeconomic policy.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS AND RESEARCH SYNTHESIS

Code HSC-7057E

Credits 20

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 and 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. The learning outcome will provide you 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, you 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.

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Important Information

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. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.

Entry Requirements

Degree classification

Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent

Degree subject

Economics or related Social Science, Medicine, Pharmacy or other Health Care profession, with substantial quantitative (e.g. Maths / Statistics / Econometrics / Epidemiology) components

Additional entry requirements

Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.

The course is also open to medical undergraduates who have successfully completed 3 or 4 years of study and wish to obtain a Masters by intercalation.

You may be required to attend a pre-sessional course in mathematics and statistics run by the School of Economics prior to the start of your course. It runs for two weeks preceding the start of the Masters course in September. This course covers mathematical techniques for Economists, statistics and data analysis using statistical software. There is a separate fee for this course which, for entry in September 2020, is £215.

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)
PTE: 58 (minimum 50 in all components)

All scores must be less than two years old.

Intakes

This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

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Course Reference Number: 663718

MSc HEALTH ECONOMICS