Health Economics

Health economics is the study of issues relating to efficiency, value, and behaviour in the production and consumption of health and healthcare. With drug shortages and resource constraints impacting healthcare systems around the world, health economics is an increasingly vital discipline.

On this online microcredential from the University of Aberdeen, you’ll build the skills and expertise you need to tackle the challenges of health economics. Learning from an award-winning team of practising health economists, you’ll be prepared for careers in public policy, healthcare, and health research.

Understand key concepts of supply and demand in healthcare

The course will start with an introduction to key concepts of supply and demand, and their applications in the health sector.

You’ll learn what differentiates healthcare from other industries, and investigate strategies for forecasting demand and managing the pharmaceutical supply chain. You’ll also examine challenges relating to drug and skill shortages in healthcare. 

Examine systems for organising and financing healthcare

Once you’ve understood how the supply chain functions in healthcare, you’ll explore the topic of health financing. You’ll survey the main systems for organising and financing healthcare around the world, and discuss issues around resource allocation and priority setting in healthcare.

The second half of the course will address fundamental concepts in economic evaluation, costing and benefit measurement, and the rationale behind economic evaluation techniques.

Analyse public policy relating to health economics 

One of the overarching aims of the course is on equipping you with the skills to evaluate and inform public policy on health economics. You’ll compare and contrast a range of policy interventions in health behaviours, and debate arguments for and against alternative systems for organising and financing healthcare. 

Your instructors on this programme are all actively involved in conducting policy-shaping health economics research. They’ll share their insights and encourage you to put forward your own ideas for improving the current system.

By the end of the course, you’ll have an understanding of the issues underpinning health economics and your own opinion on how health policy could evolve to address them.

How will this microcredential help to develop my career?

This microcredential has a strong focus on health and social care professions and the practical applications of health economics. It will equip you with concrete skills and expertise for a wide range of health and policy-related careers.

You’ll gain the training you need to:

• inform public policymaking

• inform management of resources

• inform clinical decision making

• work towards becoming a health economist.

With limited resources presenting challenges at every level, expertise in health economics are highly prized across the health sector. You’ll gain an in-demand certificate to boost your CV and demonstrate your skills to potential recruiters.

How will I be assessed?

You’ll complete two online assessments designed to test your understanding of health economics and your ability to use research to evaluate and inform public policy.

The first assessment requires you to write short answers (up to 400 words) to three questions on topics within health economics covered in the first part of the programme. The second assessment involves the submission of an 800-word critical appraisal of an economic evaluation, following a set of guidelines provided at the end of the programme. Each assessment is worth 50% of your final grade.

Will I receive university credits?

Yes, you’ll earn 15 Level 11 credits at postgraduate level from the University of Aberdeen. You can use these credits to build towards a Master’s degree in Applied Health Sciences (MSc), Clinical Nutrition (MSc), or Public Health (MPH) from the University of Aberdeen.