Accessibility statement

Health Economics - HEA00156M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

An introduction to health economics. Taught assuming no prior knowledge of economics the course introduces the basic economic theory needed to understand how the basic economic problems mean that economic evaluation of health care programmes is vital to ensure an equitable and efficient health care system.

The course looks at different types of economic evaluation, decision modelling and how health economics can be applied to aid decision making. International health economic and the challenges faced in allocating resources in lower- and middle-income countries are also analysed.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Apply economic concepts to the understanding of decision-making in the provision of healthcare

  2. Discuss how economic evaluation can assist decision-makers in allocating health care budgets

  3. Apply the principles of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), cost-utility analysis (CUA) and cost benefit analysis (CBA)

  4. Articulate how costs and outcomes can be measured and valued in health economics

  5. Debate the role of decision modelling in health economics

  6. Articulate how economic evidence is used to inform decision making

Module content

  • Introduction to Health Economics
  • Market Failure in Health Care
  • Economic Evaluation
  • Measuring Costs
  • Measuring Outcomes
  • Sources of Health Economic Data
  • Decision modelling for Economic Evaluation

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Written cohort feedback for the assessment is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Economics. Begg, David K. H.Vernasca, Gianluigi; Fischer, Stanley; Dornbusch, RudigerTwelfth edition /London :McGraw-Hill [2020]

Decision modelling for health economic evaluation. Briggs, AndrewClaxton, Karl; Sculpher, Mark J.Oxford :Oxford University Press 2006.

The Economics of Health and Health Care. Folland, Sherman ; Goodman, Allen C ; Stano, Miron Routledge 2017

Economics [electronic resource] Parkin, Michael, Powell, Melanie; Matthews, Kent 9th European ed. Harlow : Pearson 2014.

Economics. Sloman, John,Guest, Jon,; Garratt, Dean,Tenth edition /Upper Saddle River :Pearson2018. [online resource]


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.