Global Health Economics - ECO00060M

«Back to module search

  • Department: Economics and Related Studies
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2025-26

Module summary

This module focuses on the application of economics to key topics in health policy in low-, middle- and high-income countries. The course aims to equip students with the tools required to analyse and critically discuss these issues.

Related modules


Additional information

RPL of the pre-requisite modules may also be considered.

This is module 8 of the MSc Health Economics for Health Professionals and Policymakers programme

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2025-26

Module aims

This module aims to:

  • introduce students to current policy debates on health systems in low-, middle- and high-income countries
  • provide students with the economic techniques needed to analyse and discuss them
  • demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques in fields such as health system financing, equity and the effectiveness of health programmes
  • illuminate the pros and cons of alternative policy directions

Module learning outcomes

Having completed this module, students should be able to:

  • identify and discuss the main topics of debate regarding the functioning of health systems in low-, middle- and high-income countries
  • critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of techniques commonly used to analyse health systems and programmes in low-, middle- and high-income settings
  • understand how standard economic methods may need to be adapted in low-, middle- and high-income contexts.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Students will submit an essay of 3,500 words, excluding tables, figures and appendices based on one of the course topics.

Reassessment will be a revise and resubmit of the original coursework

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in line with University guidelines

Indicative reading

No one text fully covers the material required for the entire course. Key (and supplementary) readings will be provided for each topic. In addition, the following texts cover many of the topics discussed on the module:
Bhatia, M., and Mossialos, E., Health systems in developing countries, in: A. Hall and J. Midgley, Social Policy for Development, London, Sage, 2004. (basic)
Jack, W., Principles of Health Economics for Developing Countries, Washington, World Bank, 1999. (intermediate-advanced)
Witter, S., Ensor, T., Jowett, M., and Thompson, R., Health Economics in Developing Countries: A Practical Guide, Oxford, Macmillan, 2000. (basic)