We tackle some of the world’s greatest health challenges to improve the health and care of people across the globe.
Course description
On this course you’ll study a growing area with a worldwide demand for qualified specialists.
The importance and use of health technology assessment and health economic modelling is rapidly increasing. This course helps you to become highly employable by developing the analytical skills required to evaluate the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of health technologies such as new drugs, public health initiatives, screening programmes and diagnostic tools.
Sheffield has nine professors of health economics and decision sciences, including the world-renowned Prof John Brazier and in Professors Alan Brennan, Jim Chilcott and Matt Stevenson who are some of the most experienced health economic modelling experts in the country. You’ll develop the transferable skills and knowledge to work anywhere in the world as a professional decision-analytic modeller or health economist.
Modules
A selection of modules are available each year – some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. Continuing Professional Development
All modules on this course can be studied as standalone CPD modules. It is possible to complete standalone modules and then apply to transfer to an MSc/PGDip/PGCert qualification. Any time spent on the CPD route counts toward the time-limit a student has to complete their chosen qualification.
- Introduction to Health Economics
- Economic Evaluation
- Cost-effectiveness Modelling for Health Technology Assessment
- Medical Statistics and Evidence Synthesis
- Study Design and Systematic Review Methods
- Valuing the Benefits of Health Care
- Further Statistical Methods for Health Economic Analysis
- Advanced Simulation Methods
- Dissertation
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it’s up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we’ll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Your career
You will find career opportunities exist around the world (including the UK, Europe, USA, Australia, Africa, and Canada) in:
- health-economics related consultancies that conduct health technology assessment projects for governments, reimbursement agencies or other clients outside of academia
- health economics and decision science groups within academia – as a modeller or health-economic analyst working on projects for a range of clients – HEDS itself often employs graduates from the course
- academia studying for a PhD in modelling, health economics or related disciplines such as informing trial design
- the pharmaceutical industry in a health economics or reimbursement team
- government or other health policy organisations such as NICE
- health insurance companies
- healthcare purchase or provider organisations
Outside of the field of health economics and health technology assessment, graduates will be well equipped with quantitative and modelling skills sought for jobs within government agencies such as the Government Operational Research Service (GORS) and quantitative or modelling roles within the commercial sector.
Entry requirements
2:1 honours degree in a numerate subject such as economics, operational research, mathematics, statistics, pharmacy, industrial engineering, management science, physics, pharmacy or systems control.
Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.