Course Overview

The MSc in Health Economics is a taught Masters programme which introduces the student to the theoretical principles and practical techniques of economic analysis which are applied to inform health policy and health care decision-making within the evolving global context of technological development, population ageing, rising healthcare costs and changing patient preferences and expectations.

In particular, the programme seeks to equip students with the tools to examine individual behaviours with respect to health and health care, to explore alternative systems of health care finance and delivery, and to apply economic evaluation, preference elicitation and econometric techniques to inform health care resource allocation.

The programme consists of a mix of modules, which are delivered through a series of lectures, practical workshops, tutorials, and seminars from academic and industry experts, in addition to a supervised minor dissertation or applied placement project, which are generally completed over the course of a summer placement at an appropriate host organisation.

A large number of our graduates have found employment in leading pharmaceutical companies and in health economics and market access consulting companies. Other graduates are pursuing careers in the public sector, working in the government, the health service, regulatory agencies or public health agencies. The programme is also a very useful springboard for a career in research. Several graduates have completed a PhD following the MSc and are working in academic and research organizations.

Programme learning outcomes:
  • Understand and appraise the fundamental theoretical and practical concepts and tools of health economics
  • Analyse and inform global health policy and/or healthcare industry questions using the applied practical techniques of health economic evaluation, health preference elicitation and health econometrics
  • Critically engage with the key global health policy questions of care system finance and delivery, and access to interventions and/or technologies

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Who Teaches this Course

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researcher
Professor Paddy Gillespie
BComm, MSc, PhD
Professor of Health Economics
Office 2018 ILAS Building
University of Galway
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researcher
Mr. Brendan Kennelly
B.Comm., M.Econ.Sc.,
Senior Lecturer
Dept. of Economics
1st Floor, St. Anthony's
NUI Galway
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researcher
Dr Sharon Walsh
BA, MBS, PhD
Lecturer Above The Bar
Economics
University of Galway
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researcher
Dr Edel Doherty
BA., MA, Ph.D
Senior Lecturer
Disipline of Economics
JE Cairnes
School of Business and Economics
NUI Galway
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researcher
Dr John Cullinan
BAFS, MA, MSc, PhD
Professor In (Research Scholarship)
Economics
School of Business & Economics
University of Galway
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researcher
Prof Kieran Walsh
B. Tech, Ph.D
Director
Irish Centre for Social Gerontology
Institute for Lifecourse and Society
University of Galway
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Requirements and Assessment

The programme is assessed in a variety of ways, including coursework, examinations, and a dissertation or an applied placement project completed over the summer months.

Modules are assessed through a combination of written examinations, continuous assessment, assignments, and applied projects. Semester One examinations take place in December and Semester Two examinations take place in April/May. In line with employer needs, communication and presentations skills are implemented in the assessment structure.

Students must complete either a dissertation or an applied placement project. The programme director and the host organization will determine which is the most appropriate assessment for each student on a case-by-case basis.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Normally a H2.1 degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) with Economics. However, candidates with a significantly high H2.2 honours degree and who have achieved a 2.1 average in relevant Economics modules in a business degree, will also be considered. Applications for the full-time and part-time programmes are particularly welcomed from people working in the pharmaceutical or medical device sectors and from people working in the health policy or health care system sectors. Suitable applicants without a background in Economics will be offered an opportunity to take an online preparatory course before being accepted on the programme. IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year, full-time; 2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

20 full-time, 10 part-time

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Offers will be made on a rolling basis.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

MSC-HEC

Course Outline

Course outline (full-time programme)

The MSc in Health Economics consists of 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). Students complete a combination of modules (worth 10 ECTS) and a dissertation or applied placement project (10 ECTS) to fulfil the 90 ECTs requirement.

Semester 1

Core

  • Economics of Health and Health Care
  • Economic Evaluation in Health Care
  • Econometrics
  • Research Methods for Health Economics and Policy

Semester 2

Core

  • Health Systems and Policy Analysis
  • Applied Health Technology Assessment and Decision Modelling

Optional

  • Market Access and Health technology Assessment
  • Public Sector Economics
  • Cost Benefit Analysis and Evaluation
  • Applied Econometrics
  • Observational & Analytical Research Methods
  • Introduction to Systematic Reviews

Summer

  • Dissertation or Applied Placement Project

Dissertation

Students must complete either a dissertation or an applied placement project. The programme director and the host organisation will determine which is the most appropriate assessment for each student on a case-by-case basis.


Course outline (part-time Programme)

The MSc in Health Economics consists of 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). Students complete a combination of modules (worth 10 ECTS) and a dissertation or applied placement project (10 ECTS) to fulfil the 90 ECTs requirement.

Year 1

Semester 1

Core

  • Economic Evaluation of Health Care
  • Research Methods for Health Economics and Policy

Semester 2

Core

  • Applied Health Technology Assessment and Decision Modelling

Optional

  • Market Access and Health technology Assessment
  • Public Sector Economics
  • Cost Benefit Analysis and Evaluation
  • Applied Econometrics
  • Observational & Analytical Research Methods
  • Introduction to Systematic Reviews

Year 2

Semester 1

Core

  • Economics of Health and Health Care
  • Econometrics

Semester 2

Core

  • Health Systems and Policy Analysis

Optional

  • Public Sector Economics
  • Cost Benefit Analysis and Evaluation
  • Applied Econometrics
  • Observational & Analytical Research Methods
  • Introduction to Systematic Reviews

Summer

  • Dissertation or Applied Placement Project

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject
Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject
A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Optional EC5141: Applied Health Economics Placement - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EC505: Dissertation - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC5143: Research Methods for Health Economics and Policy Analysis - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC5120: Economics of Health and Health Care - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC584: Economic Evaluation in Health Care - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC506: Econometrics - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EC515: Data Management & Survey Techniques - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EC5123: Dynamics of Ageing and Public Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional SBE5115: Global Studies - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional SBE5116: Global Studies - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EC517: Cost Benefit Analysis & Evaluation - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MD518: Observational Studies & Analytical Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC5121: Applied Econometrics - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MD515: Systematic Review Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Optional DEV6102: Data Analytics for Social Sciences I - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional DEV6103: Data Analytics for Social Sciences II - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC5125: Environmental Gerontology and Ageing in Place Policy - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC526: Public Sector Economics - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Required EC572: Health Systems & Policy Analysis - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Required EC579: App. Health Tech. Assessment & Decision Modelling - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC5130: Health Economic Analysis of Medical Devices - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC5106: Market Access in the Healthcare Industry - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC5114: Current Topics in Health Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a MSc in Health Economics qualification are in high demand nationally and internationally. Recently graduated students from the University of Galway have embarked on careers in areas such as the pharmaceutical and medical device industry sector, research consultancy, and the voluntary and public sectors. Other graduates have pursued further education at PhD level at University of Galway or other national and international institutions.

Who is suited to this course?

The course is suited to individuals from multiple backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a new career in Health Economics or in incorporating the tools of Health Economics into their current career pathway. The course will suit recent graduates in Economics, Business, and the Social Sciences who have studied Economics. The course is also open to recent graduates in Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy and the Health Sciences who have completed a bridging course in Economics. The course will also suit individuals working in the Pharmaceutical or Medical Device industry sectors or in the Health Policy or Health Care sectors who wish to advance their careers by gaining a thorough understanding of the theories and methods of Health Economics.

Health Economics and Policy Analysis Centre (HEPAC)

The aim of the Health Economics and Policy Analysis Centre (HEPAC) is to develop, apply and teach methods for the economic analysis of health and health care. The Health Economics and Policy Analysis Centre (HEPAC) is located in the Institute for the Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) at University of Galway. The Centre is part of the research network at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, which includes the Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change. HEPAC have extensive links with clinical and social science researchers at University of Galway, as well as being engaged in active collaborations with colleagues in national and international organisations. Researchers at HEPAC are currently applying health economic methods to explore a range of research questions in relation to ageing, dementia, disability, mental health, chronic disease, cancer, and obesity. While the research is mainly of an applied nature with an emphasis on peer-reviewed academic output, members of HEPAC also engage and contribute to policy formulation in a range of areas at national and international level. Current research projects include those funded by agencies such as the Health Research Board, Science Foundation Ireland, Atlantic Philanthropies, and industry partners. Click here for more information.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Each student completes a 8-12-week placement with a company, a government agency or a health research agency. Placements have previously been organized in major pharmaceutical and medical device companies, in agencies such as the Health Service Executive, the Health Information and Quality Authority, and the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics and with leading research centres at University of Galway and beyond.

We have a dedicated Placement Officer to support the sourcing of internship opportunities, and guide students through the work placement process. Students are encouraged to arrive at University of Galway for the start of their Masters programme with a current graduate CV.  During workshops and one-to-one meetings, our Placement Officer guides students in improving their CV and in preparing for interviews.

The placement Officer conducts interactive CV and Interview Skills workshops with students, alternating an explanation of theory and examples of best practise with practical exercises. For more information about the internships, please contact our Placement Officer Ms. Valeria Lopez at valeria.lopez@universityofgalway.ie

We also have a close relationship with the University of Galway Career Development Centre who provide high quality career guidance and information services focused on facilitating and empowering our students to manage their own career development and make effective career transitions.

Services include: Jobs Fairs, Seminars and panel discussions, Employer Presentations / Activities, Workshops and support with applications and work-related skills. Visit our Career Development Centre for more information.

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,390 full-time; €4,355 part-time p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€8,250 full-time; €4,250 part-time p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 full-time; €105 part-time p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€19,000 p.a. (€19,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2023/24).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here


What Our Graduates Say

Urshita

Urshita Pandit |   Associate Health Economist

The MSc in Health Economics at University of Galway is intense and rigorous. The programme has modules, such as applied health technology assessment, that equip you with relevant skills that companies are looking for thus making graduates highly employable after completing the course. The highlight of the programme is the internship placement that gives you practical experience in health economics. With a range of placement opportunities in pharmaceutical companies, consultancies and research organisations, students can choose the area in which they would like to specialize. As part of the placement I was able to complete my thesis with a renowned pharmaceutical company that has opened doors for me. Apart from modules the faculty are easy to approach and make adjusting to university life effortless. As an international student I would highly recommend the course to anyone looking to build a career in health economics, making the move from India to Ireland was definitely worth it!
Ashlie

Ashlie Elnoursi |   Market Access Manager, Abbvie

The campus is a beautiful friendly environment with excellent facilities. Coming from a BA in public and social policy the Masters programme in Health Economics was quite intensive, however the lecturers were extremely helpful and approachable. Our class was very cooperative and friendly. What drew me to University of Galway was the potential placement opportunity the course offers. I conducted my placement with the Irish Haemophilia Society which opened up many doors for me. Not only did I gain real work experience relative to my field I was brought along to conferences and this enabled me to network. This is where I met my current employer. I now work for health economics consultancy firm in the UK. Health economics is an extremely useful course to have completed which can be applicable to a work force internationally. This was a huge factor in my decision in picking this particular course. I had a great year doing my MSc and would definitely recommend University of Galway if you are considering this course!
Dr Aine

Dr Aine Varley |   Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine

I chose University of Galway because of the strong links to research, particularly with local clinicians and health services. The students on the programme come from a range of academic and professional backgrounds. The highlight of the programme was the 12-week internship which forms the basis of your dissertation. The support and teaching provided was second-to-none. The MSc in Health Economics has opened up opportunities that would never have been possible.
Edward

Edward Henry |   PhD Researcher at National University of Ireland, Galway

I would definitely recommend the MSc Health Economics programme. It has afforded me the opportunity, not only to participate in some of the most engaging modules I have studied to date but also the chance to participate in purposeful research and take my career in a new direction within an extremely vibrant and progressive discipline. The course provides a skillset which is in increasing demand and a diverse range of employment opportunities.
 

What Employers Say

Gilles Ducorroy

Gilles Ducorroy Patient Access Services Head |   Novartis Global Service Center

I am delighted with our on-going partnership with the Cairnes School of Business and Economics at University og Galway. Currently, 50% of our team of health economists studied in University of Galway as part of their MSc or PhD. Health economics and outcomes research is a growing field for Novartis globally that provides important information for making healthcare coverage and access decisions. We support this work from Dublin through the services provided via our Novartis Global Shared Services Center.”
in Connect with Gilles Ducorroy

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