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Course overview
Health economists play a crucial role in driving evidence-based decision-making and shaping the future of care. Join our programme and gain specialised skills that are in high demand.
Whether you're aiming for a career as a health economist in industry, the health service, or academia, this programme is tailored to help you make a real impact.
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of health economics and advanced econometric techniques, learning how to apply them to solve economic and policy issues in healthcare.
Course Structure
This course will run over 12 months, full-time.
Course highlights
What makes this course different?
Follow a more econometrics-based pathway in health economics and learn how to turn data into impactful solutions!
Our programme is designed to equip you with the skills to effectively use, analyse, and interpret the large datasets now available in health systems. You’ll also gain insight into how this data relates to health and economic issues and policies.
- Gain advanced technical training in examining health issues from an economics perspective.
- Build your analytical ability to relate theories and research findings to employment experiences.
- Enhance your understanding of the role of health economics in healthcare decision-making.
The University of Birmingham is also ranked as the first choice for leading graduate employers in the UK.
- 68th
in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine (2024 QS World Rankings)
Learn from industry-leading experts who bring real-world experience to the classroom.
We are creating a new generation of innovative professionals ready to play their role in advancing modern cutting-edge healthcare.
Course delivery
This programme is available full-time and includes a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, peer group learning and self-study. You’ll learn from world-leading academics and researchers at a top 100 UK university. From the outset we’ll challenge and encourage you to become an independent and self-motivated learner.
This course consists of six taught modules and a dissertation.
- Taught modules – provide an in-depth understanding of health economics and advanced econometric techniques, and how to apply them to address economic and policy issues.
- Dissertation – this will be on either a health economics or econometrics topic. Working on your own, you’ll also have access to a personal tutor to support you.
- Assessment – these include written assignments, presentations and exams.
Module information
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught material and a 60 credit dissertation. You will study five compulsory taught modules and choose an additional module to suit your needs.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Evaluation in Health Care | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Introduction to Health Economics | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Dissertation | 60 | |
| Applied Econometrics and Policy Analysis | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Microeconomics | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Modelling for Health Economics | 20 | Semester 2 |
Students will take optional module(s) totalling 20 credits This can be EITHER Statistics for Health Economics II (02 24973) (10 credits) plus any 10-credit module from those offered within IAHR as part of the Masters in Public Health Programme OR students can take Applied Econometrics (07 34218) which is a 20 credit module provided by the Department of Economics. Students who take Applied Econometrics in this option will attend Statistics for Health Economics II non-assessed.
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Econometrics | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Research Methods for Health Economics | 10 | Semester 1 |
For students with no knowledge of the health service, a pre course session on an introduction to the NHS in the UK must be attended. For students who have limited mathematics exposure pre course sessions in mathematical techniques for economics are offered by and should be attended in the Department of Economics.
A list of optional modules available on the Master of Public Health programme can be found below:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Statistical Methods | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Clinical Trials | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Health Economics | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Introduction to Leadership and Management for Health | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Further Global Health | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Global Health | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Health Improvement | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Health Protection (MPH) | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Healthcare Public Health | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Principles of Health Technology Assessment | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Qualitative Research Methods | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Sociology and Social Policy | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis | 20 | Semester 1 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree
You should have a 2:1 Honours degree in Economics or related subject.
You should have, or expect to obtain, a 2:1 Honours degree in Economics or a closely related subject, or an equivalent professional qualification and experience, e.g. health services management experience.
International requirements
For international students there is an English language requirement to have an IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.
If you're made an offer of a place to study and you don't already meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course. If you successfully complete this, you'll be able to fulfil the language requirement without needing to take a further qualification.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 31 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
Our MSc Health Economics and Econometrics degree combines applied health economics and specialised economic modules to teach the in-demand skills that are currently in short supply. This degree is perfect if you're aiming for a career as a health economist in industry, the health service, or academia.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.