Health Economics PhD

About This Course

The PhDprogramme will provide students with research skills relevant to employment in the academic and university sector, Health Service and other healthcare organisations as well as the private sector, such as consultancy and the pharmaceutical industry. It also provides a dedicated route for high-calibre students who may have a specific research aim in mind and are ready to carry out independent research leading to PhD level study.

Course Content

What will you study on this course?

Course Structure

The PhD is available for full time (3 year) or part time (5 year) study on-campus or via distance learning from within the UK or internationally. The course requires the student to undertake a substantial piece of independent research at the cutting edge of health economics and medicines evaluation.

Research Thesis

Students will be able to choose a topic that suits their professional or organisational goals linked to the following broad categories supported by CHEME:

Pharmacoeconomics

Cost effectiveness analysis of medicines, pharmacogenetics, pharmaceutical services
Pharmaceutical policy
Methods of economic evaluation and health technology assessment

Public Health Economics

Valuing nature, public health and the circular economy
Behavioural economics, public health and health policy
Application of cost benefit analysis and social return on investment analysis in public health

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The assessment will focus on the completion of a thesis consisting of up to 100, 000 word that will require a viva voce. The thesis may be completed as either a substantive narrative or ‘four-paper’ format. The ‘narrative model’ presents a traditional format of chaptered thesis which reflects the selected approach broadly consisting of an introduction, literature review, methodology, study design, findings or results, synthesis and discussion chapters. The ‘four-paper’ format consists of a thesis organised around four distinct elements that represent prospective or submitted papers for journals with additional introductory and discussion chapters.

Successful completion of Bachelor degree class of 1st or 2:1 or equivalent, in a relevant subject: Social science e.g. economics, psychology; Quantitative science e.g. mathematics, operational research; Medical e.g. pharmacy, medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences.