Executive MSc Health Economics, Policy and Management

About the MSc programme  

This programme is based in the Department of Social Policy with staff based within LSE Health and aims to provide a set of high-quality, integrated courses to equip students in health economics, health policy and health care management. Specifically it provides:

• the opportunity to study in one of the most highly rated research centres (LSE Health) in the subject area in the world, both for its research and its institutional links
• a modular course structure allowing students to take the programme whilst engaged in employment through attendance at four two-week intensive LSE-based lecture courses
• this is a modular MSc with diploma or certificate exit points depending on the number of modules taken
• the opportunity for individuals in government, industry and the health care services sector to achieve a formal graduate qualification in health economics, policy and management even if they are unable to devote themselves to full-time study
• teaching by specialists who are at the forefront of research into British and European health economics and health policy
• a comparative, international and multidisciplinary environment with links to several specialist research groups based in the Department

With our wide variety of modules, you have the flexibility to customise your curriculum, pursue the areas that most interest you, fit your background, experience, and goals, and challenge you to reach your fullest potential. You'll leave LSE with a high level of knowledge and range of skills to master new challenges and will expand your choice of careers.

Participants will have an upper second class honours degree from within any subject background and at least three years’ work experience in a health-related field.

When applying you will be required to submit one academic and one professional reference. If you graduated from your most recent academic study before January 2010 (or before 2011 for applicants for 2016 intake) and no academic references are available, you may supply two professional references.

Students unable to complete the two-year MSc programme may be eligible for a certificate or diploma.

Programme details 

The MSc comprises eight half unit taught courses spaced over two years, as well as a dissertation. Students will attend LSE for four two-week sessions over the two-year period.

A key component of the MSc is a dissertation of up to 5,000 words on a topic individually selected, to be prepared in conjunction with a personal supervisor. For students continuing to a PhD this might form the basis for their eventual doctoral thesis.

Each course consists of a minimum of 20 hours of contact. Over the course of the MSc, students will have 160 face-to-face contact hours alongside additional meetings with their tutors and support while off-campus from faculty such as through online revision sessions.

Compulsory courses

 (* half unit)

Year one

• Health Economics* examines the nature of health care as an economic commodity.
• Financing Health Care* focuses on the health financing functions of collecting revenue, pooling funds and purchasing services, as well as on policy choices concerning coverage, resource allocation and market structure.
• Resource Allocation and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis* gives an overview of the theory underlying economic evaluation as applied to the health care sector.
• Health Administration and Management* provides students with an orientation and overview on managing organisations within health systems.

Year two

• Dissertation.

Students will be expected to choose courses to the value of two units from a range of options.

You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses for Executive MSc Health Economics, Policy and Management in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, some circumstances may cause the School to subsequently change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to circumstances outside of its control. You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee places on its courses. You should visit the School's Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the Updated graduate course and programme information page.

Graduate destinations

This MSc will prepare students to seek employment in many sectors including the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, consultancies, insurers and insurance funds, health care management, government, non-governmental organisations and academia. Upon graduation, many students will also expect to take on more responsibility or a different focus with their current employer.