Economics (Economics of Health) MSc

Health is major economic issue. It is a primary determinant of labour market participation and the generation of wealth. Consequently its social and geographical distribution is a major policy concern in most countries. In this respect economics has proved to be a very powerful tool to inform policy making in the health sector.

This course aims to provide a rigorous training in modern theories and techniques in economics of health and health care at the postgraduate level.

It provides training for those aiming to be health economists in national and international public (NHS, WHO, etc) and private institutions including consultancies. The course also serves as a sound foundation from which to embark on a PhD Programme in Health Economics.

Students are introduced to key concepts, tools and techniques via core and optional course units, and have the opportunity to combine and develop their skills in writing a supervised dissertation.

Cutting-edge health related issues and policies will be critically examined and by the end of the course, students should be able to rigorously engage with the current theory and practice in health economics. In the end students should be able to develop theoretical or empirical models of their own from which to derive original results and offer a critique of existing theories and practice.

The bulk of the teaching and research supervision for students on this Programme is done by members of the Economics DA (School of Social Sciences) and Health Economics research group (School of Community Based Medicine).

If you would like to speak informally about the Programme then please contact the Pathway  Directors, Dr Eleonora Fichera eleonora.fichera@manchester.ac.uk or Dr William Whittaker, william.whittaker@manchester.ac.uk

The course includes a rigorous combination of economic analytical tools applied to health-related topics. Specifically students will learn fundamental quantitative (theoretical and empirical) approaches to economic analysis on semester 1 and more advanced/health-specific techniques in semester 2

There are 7 compulsory course units shared with the more general MSc Economics: Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory, either Mathematical Methods in Economic Analysis or Mathematical Economics, either Econometric Methods or Econometric Theory, Cross Section Econometrics, either Microeconomic Theory II or Public Economics. There is 1 compulsory course unit specific to this pathway: Economics of Health.

In addition, students take 1 approved optional course unit from within Economics.

Students sponsored by the ESRC are requested to take the unit Research Design for Economists as 1 of their 3 optional units.

Course content for year 1

The general course structure is below. Further details on the course units can be obtained by clicking: ECON

CORE COURSE UNITS

60 credits per semester, 15 per course unit

Semester 1

• ECON60101 Microeconomic Theory
• EITHER ECON60081 Mathematical Methods in Economic Analysis OR ECON60561 Mathematical Economics
• ECON60111 Macroeconomic Theory
• EITHER ECON61001 Econometric Methods OR ECON60501 Econometric Theory

Semester 2

• ECON60052 Cross Section Econometrics
• ECON60202 Public Economics
• ECON60XX2 Economics of Health
• One optional course unit

OPTIONAL COURSE UNITS

Semester 1

No optional units

Semester 2

Other ECON modules

Dissertation: June-September (60 credits)

Please also see the Programme Handbook

Academic entry qualification overview:

UK 2:1 Honours (or overseas equivalent) in economics/econometrics or a related subject

If you don't have this but have a good training in Economics, contact the Pathway Directors, eleonora.fichera@manchester.ac.uk or  william.whittaker@manchester.ac.uk

Applicants must also supply a brief description of any econometrics/macro/micro economics/mathematics and statistics courses taken on their undergraduate degree, detailing core texts used. This does not have to be an official document. A paragraph for each will be sufficient. Go to the Files to Download tab for an example of what is required .

YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED UNTIL WE RECEIVE ALL INFORMATION

English language:

IELTS - overall score of 7, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.0

TOEFL IBT - overall score of 100 with 25 in each section.

TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757

Scores are valid for 2 years.

For students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, your test score is valid for 2 years preceding the date that your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is issued.  CAS statements will be issued from June-September 2013.

For example;

Test taken on or after 1 June 2011 - CAS issued June 2013 = Score is VALID

Test taken before 1 June 2011 = Score is INVALID

Please note that CAS statements are issued only when all conditions of the offer have been satisfied, PDF copy of passport received and the offer accepted.

Applicants from certain countries MAY be exempt from having to provide an IELTS or TOEFL score.  Please email us for advice.

Other entry requirements:

MATHS & STATS PREPARATION

We require a certain level of knowledge of Mathematics (& Statistics) before embarking on the formal Masters training.

(1) Please visit our pre-session maths website where you will find information about the minimum level of knowledge of mathematics and statistics that you should possess from your current or previous training.

(2) On the same website, please look at the details and content of our Pre-Session course on mathematics and statistics which builds on the knowledge presumed in (1) and which is designed to equip you with further technical skills that you will require before starting the MSc. You are strongly advised to attend this course which is offered, free of charge. The course will run during induction week & we recommend that you spend time before September 2011 studying & familiarising yourself with the course material on the website, especially if you might not be able to attend the course.

Points Based System (PBS)  International applicants who will require a visa to study in the UK, please click here for up-to-date information on the PBS.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON PART-TIME STUDY

Part-time students complete the full-time programme over two years. There are NO evening or weekend course units available on the part-time programme.

You must first check the schedule of the compulsory modules and then select your optional modules to suit your requirements.

Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your module choices during induction week with your Course Director

School of Social Sciences

See: School Disciplines

Contact name: Janet Smith

Telephone: 0161 275 4471

Email: pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk

Website: www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/disciplines/economics/about/

• UG_Example_-_Course_module.pdf (PDF, 10 KB)