Health Economics/Economic Evaluation Stream within the Master of Public Health

What we offer: specialisation in health economics within the Master of Public Health

The health economics/economic evaluation (HE/EE) stream hosted by Melbourne Health Economics offers two introductory courses in health economics and economic evaluation (i.e., Health Economics 1 in semester 1, and Economic Evaluation 1 in semester 2) for students who have no prior background knowledge in economics. These two subjects have three objectives:

  • Provide new learners of health economics with an understanding of how economics feeds into many aspects of health behaviours and healthcare. They will also engage students on how economics can help improve decision making at all levels of health policy.
  • Help students learn how to explore, examine, describe and analyse health related behaviours as well as issues, composition and functions of health care systems.
  • Pave a sound foundation for students pursuing further learning in the field of health economics/economic evaluation.

For the students who want to specialise in health economics/economic evaluation, the HE/EE stream also offers two advanced health economics and economic evaluation subjects (i.e., Health Economics 2 in semester 2, and Economic Evaluation 2 in semester 1) to meet the requirements of the specialisation. These two subjects will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field and enable students to learn how to apply these to analyse and evaluate health and public health technologies, issues, policies, health system development and reform. They also act as a prerequisite for students who wish to conduct a research project or participate in a professional practice unit in health economics/economic evaluation (a capstone course requirement for a degree of Master in Public Health, specialised in health economics and economic evaluation).

Other elective subjects offered by Melbourne Health Economics cover health services research and economic aspects around ageing. In Introduction to Health Services Research students are introduced to the research field that focuses on the most effective way to organise, manage, finance, and deliver high quality care and improve patient safety. The focus is on delivery and access to care rather than the development and evaluation of clinical treatments. Economics of Ageing considers the influence of private and public/government decision-making on the economic well-being of older people. These decisions include private decisions to prepare for living through old-age (e.g. funding retirement) as well as government decisions to provide adequate income support, and health and aged care in a setting where an ageing population exerts upward pressure on government expenditures.

In summary, the health economics/economic evaluation stream comprises of:

and can be extended with other electives:

**Please note: place restrictions and minimum grade requirements are in place.

A Health Economics/Economic Evaluation course sample plan is also available on the Master of Public Health  “What will I Study?” page (select the option Health Economics and Economic Evaluation from the dropdown menu “Showing Subjects For:” at the bottom of the page).

For any enquiries regarding a study plan to best suit your needs, please fill out the enquiry form by selecting “Enquire Now” on the Master of Public Health “Course Overview” page .

More information about Health Economics options:

For more information about the Master of Public Health, and other courses offered by the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, visit the study website.