Programmes

Executive MSc Health Economics, Policy and Management

  • Executive
  • Department of Health Policy
  • Application code L4HM
  • Starting 2024
  • Home part-time: Open
  • Overseas part-time: Open
  • Location: Houghton Street, London

The Executive MSc Health Economics, Policy and Management offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary toolkit to elevate your career in the health sector. The two-year taught modular degree integrates rigorous health economics training with insights into the policy process, the design and analysis of health services research, and discusses current health management problems.

The degree programme brings together leading UK, US, and European academics and policy experts to train change-makers and leaders in the health care sector. You will study alongside established professionals from diverse backgrounds, including: clinicians, health services managers, and specialists from insurance funds, governmental and international agencies, and health care, pharmaceutical and consulting firms from across the globe.

The degree programme is delivered across two years, with four, two-week modules taking place in London. The first year introduces you to theories and concepts of health financing and health economics, in depth case studies of health system and health care management, and the necessary methods to optimise resource allocation and cost-effectiveness in the health care sector.  

In your second year, you customise your curriculum by choosing from a range of optional modules, allowing you to pursue areas that will support your professional background and career goals. Finally, you write a dissertation on a health-care focussed topic of your choice, teaching you the skills required to carry out and write a piece of independent research.

Programme details

Key facts

Executive MSc Health Economics, Policy and Management
Start date December 2024
Application deadline None – rolling admissions. Applications close when programme is at capacity.
Duration Two-year modular programme with two weeks full-time on-campus teaching blocks twice a year.
Applications 2022 91
Intake 2022 47
Financial support This programme is not eligible for LSE financial support
Minimum entry requirement 2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline, plus a minimum of three years' work experience in a related field.
GRE/GMAT requirement None
English language requirements Standard (see 'assessing your application')
Location  Houghton Street, London

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for Executive MSc Health Economics, Policy and Management

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent and three years’ relevant work experience.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our Information for International Students to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

  • academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
  • statement of academic purpose
  • two references (two professional references will be considered if you are unable to provide an academic reference)
  • CV

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, but we do encourage you to submit your application as soon possible. You can check whether the MSc is still open to new applications on the Graduate Admissions Website.

Will I need a visa to study on this programme?

Details about visa options and how to apply can be found on our International Student Immigration Service’s website. Please see the relevant pages below for further information:

Programme structure and courses

Over two years, you will take eight half-unit taught courses, and complete a dissertation. You will attend LSE for four two-week sessions over the two-year period. See ‘Teaching dates’ for more information. Visit our website to view all course overview videos on YouTube

HP4A1E Financing Health Care (0.5 units)
Focuses on the health financing functions of collecting revenue, pooling funds and purchasing services, as well as policy choices concerning coverage, resource allocation and market structure.
Watch course overview video.

HP4A4E Health Economics (0.5 units)
Examines the nature of health care as an economic commodity.
Watch course overview video.

HP4D1E Introduction to Management in Health Care (0.5 units)
Explore the main principles of management and strategy and related issues that impact on organisational change, group decision making, innovation and leadership.
Watch course overview video.

HP4A3E Resource Allocation and Cost-effectiveness Analysis  (0.5 units)
Provides an overview of the theory underlying economic evaluation as applied to the health care sector.
Watch course overview video.

HP4B9E Dissertation in Health Economics, Policy and Management (0.5 units)
An individual research project of 5,000 words on an approved topic of your choice.

Courses to the value of two units from a range of options. For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that 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 events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. 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.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods and assessment

Each course consists of approximately 20 hours minimum contact time. In addition you will be assigned an academic mentor who will offer support over the course of studies.  In your second year you will also be assigned a dissertation supervisor who will guide you through the 5,000 word dissertation project.

You can view indicative details of hours, teaching staff, and assessment in the Calendar within each course guide.

Academic support

You will also be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE. LSE LIFE is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

Careers

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Health Policy

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £38,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

  • Health and Social Care  
  • Education, Teaching and Research            
  • FMCG, Manufacturing and Retail              
  • Government, Public Sector and Policy   
  • Consultancy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

This Executive MSc will prepare you 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.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.

Fees and funding

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for Executive MSc Health Economics, Policy and Management

Home students, first year: £14,286 (2024 intake)
Overseas students, first year: £14,286 (2024 intake)
UK/EU students, second year: £14,286 (2025, continuing) - provisional
Overseas students, second year: £14,286 (2025, continuing) - provisional

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Fee status

For this programme, the tuition fee is the same for all students regardless of their fee status.

The UK Government has confirmed that students from the EU, other EEA and/or Switzerland starting a programme on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the home fee rate. Please note this does not apply to Irish students or students with Citizens Rights benefitting from Citizens’ Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. For further guidance and advice see the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website

Pre-registration fee

For this programme, there is a pre-registration fee of £500 to secure your place. It will enable you to gain access to online programme materials ahead of your arrival to campus. This sum will be deducted from the overall tuition fee.

Scholarships and other funding

This programme is not eligible for LSE financial support.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Student stories

Visit our website to meet our alumni

 

Lucy-Kanya-150x150px-HEPM

Dr Lucy Kanya
Assistant Professorial Research Fellow, Network of African Health Systems and Policies
LSE Department of Health Policy
Class of 2014

"The multi-faceted nature of the programme and its delivery exposes students to the core issues in health economics and financing in a very interactive learning environment. Deciding to enrol in this programme was the defining point in my career. I am now engaging with country partners in health systems to strengthen efforts under the African Health Systems and Policies Platform supported by the LSE while also teaching on this programme."

 

Pierre-Roca-150x150px-HEPM

Pierre Roca
External Relations Officer, World Health Organization
Class of 2015

"The excellent courses and the intensive work with the dissertation opened new perspectives and gave me new skills that helped me transition to a new phase of my career. After working in the pharmaceutical industry, I moved on to work in the United Nations system and also held a position in the European Commission. Furthermore, I expanded my network of relevant health economics and policy experts and I made many new friends with whom I am still in contact."

 

Pierre-Villeneuve-150x150px-HEPM

Pierre Villeneuve
Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa
Class of 2019

"The curriculum was well integrated and gave me the tools to critically assess the issues facing health care and to generate appropriate policy solutions. The programme offers the flexibility that I needed to pursue my training while having a full-time job."

Teaching dates

This two-year programme will be taught over 4 two-week teaching blocks on-campus at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The teaching blocks will be scheduled to be delivered in December and June over the two-year programme.

2024/25 teaching dates

Teaching block 1: 9-20 December 2024
Teaching block 2: 2-13 June 2025
Teaching block 3: December 2025 (dates TBC)
Teaching block 4: June 2026 (dates TBC)

Preliminary reading

E Mossialos Funding Health Care: Options for Europe (Open University Press, 2002)

T Rice and L Unruh The Economics of Health Reconsidered, 4th edition (Chicago, Health Administration Press, 2016)

Programme directors

 George Wharton

George A. Wharton
Senior Lecturer in Practice
Department of Health Policy

 

Contact us

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact: healthpolicy.exec@lse.ac.uk.

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