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MSc Health Economics

Comprehensive training in the theory and practice of health economics

Year of entry: 2024 (September)

Length

1 year full-time

Start date

September 2024 (semester dates)

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Gain experience and skills you need for a career in research and health service decision-making. 

Health Economics informs how we make difficult decisions about prioritising resources, and help people to live longer and healthier lives.

As a graduate of this degree, you'll be ready to make a tangible impact in this developing field.

Pioneering department

The University of York was at the heart of the development of health economics study

Innovative research

The Department of Economics ranks jointly in the top 10 for impact and is joint 14th for research in the UK - according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

Course content

You'll study core components, supplemented by a choice of option modules, to gain a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of health economics.

Modules

Core modules

You will take core modules which will include: 

Option modules

You will also study one option module. Examples from previous years have included:

The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information please get in touch.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

Dissertation

Over the three months of summer, you'll complete a piece of independent research, guided by a supervisor. The 10,000 word dissertation offers you the chance to examine a topic in depth and to develop your academic research skills.

Most students on the MSc in Health Economics choose to do a summer placement under the supervision of an experienced health economist. These differ from the standard dissertation as the placement supervisor suggests the research topic. A list of topics is circulated in the middle of the Spring term and you are allocated to your preferred placement before the Easter vacation.

The summer placements involve many different institutions including academic research units, the NHS and pharmaceutical companies. Most students are based in UK but in recent years placements have taken students to Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Vietnam and the USA.

While you shouldn't try to organise your own placement, suggestions for topics and host institutions are always welcome. These should be given to your course director.

The York approach

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Critically apply core and advanced concepts in the areas of health economics and evaluation of health care
  • Understand and make use of specialised knowledge on theory and methods used by professional health economists and active researchers, including: the role of observation, abstraction and model construction; the nature and sources of socioeconomic data; the major current research methods; and, the key analytical arguments used in health economics
  • Formulate and solve analytical and decision problems by identifying the appropriate methodology and adapting it for context; in so doing, displaying general analytical skills in relation to identifying key objectives and assumptions, and avoiding logical inconsistencies
  • Demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach to interpreting empirical evidence by drawing on range of methodologies across health and economics
  • Model phenomena relevant to health economics by accessing and handling complex economic data sets, analysing these data using best-practice econometrics, and utilising econometric software for parameter estimation and hypothesis testing
  • Advise key stakeholders by evaluating and interpreting phenomena and events, evaluating policy developments across different countries, and appraising them through core concepts and related empirical evidence
  • Work independently to research and develop ideas within a formal framework and to communicate findings effectively.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25

Study modeUK (home)International and EU
Full-time (1 year) £10,590£23,900

Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.

Fees information

UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.

Additional costs

If you choose to do a summer placement as part of your dissertation you will be expected to meet any costs, for example travel and accommodation. These costs vary depending on the length and location of your placement.

Funding information

Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.

If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.

Funding opportunities

Departmental funding

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

This Masters combines a variety of different teaching methods, including:

  • Formal lectures
  • Seminars
  • Problem-solving classes
  • Practical computer-based sessions.

A member of the teaching staff will act as your supervisor throughout the degree, to help guide your studies and monitor progress. The department also has a vibrant research community. You’ll be able to attend the seminars and research workshops in which staff and invited speakers discuss their research.

Teaching location

You'll be based in the Department of Economics and Related Studies on Campus West. Most of your teaching will take place in Alcuin College and elsewhere on Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

Formal types of assessment in this course include:

  • Dissertation
  • Exams
  • Group project
  • Seminar presentation
  • Essays

As you study modules you’ll take part in assessments that do not contribute to your final mark, instead giving useful feedback on your progress and understanding.

National and international employers recognise York as one of the best institutions for Health Economics. Some of the best economics books are written by staff at York and it is fascinating to be taught by these experts in their field.
Claire, MSc Health Economics

Careers and skills

This course is ideal for people who want to work in research and health service decision-making. Potential employers will value the experience you'll gain on your summer placement. The MSc is also an ideal basis for progression to a PhD.

Career opportunities

  • Health economist
  • Consultancy
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Research associate
  • Health policy analyst
  • International organisations
  • Analyst in government and non-governmental bodies
  • PhD

Transferable skills

You'll develop a range of transferable skills during the course, including:

  • Independent working
  • Time management and people skills
  • Analytical and technical research skills
  • Communicating research.

Entry requirements

Typical offer
Undergraduate degree 2:1 or equivalent in Economics or a related discipline. You may also be considered if your degree is in related to Medicine, Pharmacy, or Nursing.
Other qualifications and experience If you have been out of study for a while, or do not have a strong background in economics or mathematics and statistics but have other relevant qualifications or experience, you may be required to take the Summer Session in Economics and Quantitative Methods as a condition of your offer. Alternatively, the Session can also be taken as a stand-alone course.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Additional requirements

If you have been out of study for a while, or do not have a strong background in economics or mathematics and statistics but have other relevant qualifications or experience, you may be required to take the Summer Session in Economics and Quantitative Methods as a condition of your offer. Alternatively, the Session can also be taken as a stand-alone course.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, minimum of 6 in each component
Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in all other components
LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component
KITE 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, minimum 55 in each component
TOEFL 87, minimum 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all requirements

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.

Apply for this course

Next steps

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Department of Economics and Related Studies

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