HP401 Half Unit
Introduction to Health Policy and Politics
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Mrigesh Bhatia
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Global Health Policy and MSc in International Health Policy. This course is available on the MSc in Health Data Science, MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing and MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics). This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to Apply
Priority for enrolment in Health Policy (HP) courses will be given to students from the Department of Health Policy, especially where the course is listed in their Programme Regulations.
Any remaining places will be offered to students from other departments who have HP courses listed in their Programme Regulations, and then on a first-come, first-served basis.
By submitting an application, you confirm that you meet any specified prerequisites.
Written statements will not be considered and will not affect your chances of being accepted onto a course.
Application opens: 10am on Thursday 25 September 2025
Do not apply before this time. Please make your selection as soon as possible once course selection opens.
Offers will be made by: 12pm (noon) on Monday 29 September 2025
For queries:
- Course content: Contact the Course Leader listed on the course guide.
- Application process: Email the Programmes Team at healthpolicy@lse.ac.uk
Course content
A comparative approach to the development of health and healthcare policies in high, middle, and low income country settings, emphasising the goals of health policymaking, public health approaches, the political nature of health policy issues, and core concepts from policy studies that can be used to conceptualise policy change dynamcs in health.
The course will introduce concept of risk and risk reducing strategies, theories of planning, and priority setting techniques in health care. In addition, the course will examine the processes and forces shaping the development and implementation of health policy. The course will examine core concepts such as power, the role of the state and other policy stakeholders (e.g. NGOs, international organisations, etc.), institutions, and evidence, in shaping health policy agendas or choices.
Teaching
1.5 hours of lectures in the Spring Term.
15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Seminars will take place in small groups where students will work together in small groups on structured learning activities set by the course leads.
Formative assessment
Students will sit a mock exam in the last week of term.
Indicative reading
Green, A., An Introduction to Health Planning for Developing Health Systems, new edn, OUP, 2007.
Walt, Gill. 1994. Health policy: an introduction to process and power. London: Zed Books.
Hill, M. The Policy Process, a reader, second ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall 1997
Buse, Kent, Nick Mays, and Gill Walt. 2012. Making Health Policy. Maidenhead, Berkshire: Open University Press.
D Leon & G Walt (eds), Poverty, Inequality and Health: An international perspective, OUP (2001)
Parkhurst, J. The politics of evidence: from evidence based policy to the good governance of evidence. London Routledge 2016.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: Health Policy
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 85
Average class size 2024/25: 14
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills