International Health Policy (Health Economics)

Overview

Using health economic principles you examine important health policy issues through application of the current literature and learned skills in statistical methods and econometrics as applied to the health field.

The programme offers an international perspective on health economics, and although concentrating primarily on high income countries, there are some courses that cover the economics of low-income countries. The majority of your professors on the programme are specialists in health economics, although the programme also draws on a department with wider interests in health policy.

Students should have prior knowledge of economics as many of the individual courses are designed for economists wanting to specialise in health care, but those with quantitative skills should not be deterred.

The programme prepares you for a career in a range of areas where health economists are essential, and previous students have been employed in government departments or agencies, international organisations, health insurance organisations, health care administration, health care management, management consultancy, pharmaceutical and medical device companies and the wider commercial health sector, as well as academia with other programme graduates undertaking PhD programmes at prestigious European and US universities.

The International Health Policy (Health Economics) programme from London School of Economics and Political Science is designed around topics in advanced health economics, statistical methods in health care economic evaluation, health care economic evaluation, applied health econometrics, and financing models in health care. A compulsory dissertation allows you to focus on a particular topic and you have the option to undertake an internship with a major international or governmental organisation, NGO, private company or academic institution.

Careers

Professional destinations after completing the degree include consultancies, pharmaceutical companies, health services, international organisations, government departments and agencies and NGOs as well as employment in research or further study for a PhD.