Health Economics Group

Decision analysis in healthcare

Health economics is about how to allocate finite (“scarce”) resources amongst alternative uses to promote health.  Our aims as a group are to inform decisions about the use of health care resources at local, national and international level and to build capacity and promote the uptake of health economics in healthcare decision making. 

We develop and apply high quality methods in our research as well as training the next generation of health economists through our successful Master of Science and PhD programmes in Health Economics.  Our activities help ensure our health services are sustainable and contribute to improving the health and well-being of patients and the general public.

Our Research

Our research revolves around a central theme of decision-making in health care and key areas include:

•    Health economic evaluation
•    Patient preferences and outcome valuation
•    Social care policy
•    Applied econometrics in health and healthcare research 

Click the research tab above for more details about our work to advance methods and inform policy, or email Charlie Handy for more information.

Health Economics Working Papers

Our newsletter contains further information on what we’re currently working on. The current and most recent edition is the Autumn 2022 newsletter.

Download Newsletter

Research With Us

We regularly advertise PhD opportunities for those interested in pursuing research in health economics to a greater depth.  Alternatively, if you have an idea you wish to develop, speak to one of our staff whose research interests overlap with your topic.

For those with a strong economics background, we are very pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to apply for funding through the South East Network for the Social Sciences, covering fees and living expenses for either a three year PhD, or a ‘1+3’ covering our MSc and the PhD.

Our Teaching

Want to learn more about our subject?  Interested in a career as a health economist in industry, government or academia?  We run an MSc in Health Economics, with both full time (one year) or part time (2-3 years) options, as well as a shorter PG Diploma alternative.  For students with a particularly strong economics background we have an ESRC-accredited and funded route through the MSc under the economics pathway of the South East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS) Doctoral Training Partnership, covering not only a fulltime MSc but also a three-year PhD studentship. 

For more information about any of our courses, including how to apply, SeNSS scholarships and funding options for international students, click on teaching above or email email Charlie Handy.