Health Policy MSc
Overview
The UK and global healthcare landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Significant shifts such as advances in health technologies, rising consumer expectations, increasing longevity and prevalence of chronic illness present growing challenges for healthcare systems, and have helped push healthcare and health policy to the top
of political agendas across the world.
In such an environment, decision makers at all levels within the health sector are increasingly required to have an awareness of health policy issues and processes. Innovative, strategic and sustainable approaches are needed to address a wide variety of important issues, such as cost containment, the social determinants of health, health inequalities, the appropriate level of resources to devote to healthcare, how health systems should be organised and financed, and their performance measured. All of these issues fall within the scope of health policy.
Who is the course for?
We welcome applications from graduates with an interest in health policy-related issues from any academic discipline. The course is also suitable for professionals from a wide range of backgrounds including:
- medical, nursing and allied health professions
- health management and administration
- public health
- national and local government
- national NGOs
- international agencies
- research institutions and consultancies
- pharmaceutical and healthcare industries
- health insurance
The course is suitable for those who wish to expand their knowledge of health policy to support their current or future employment. Applications are welcome from the UK and overseas.
Why study Health Policy at City University London?
- Develop key work-relevant skills in health policy to enhance your career aspirations and put 'policy into practice'
- Gain the knowledge needed to be a leader in the world of health policy, planning and management
- Learn from national and international experts in health policy
- Study alongside professionals from a wide range of backgrounds
- Learn in a flexible way, choosing from a range of relevant modules.
Closing dates for applications
The closing date for January 2013 applications is 30 November 2012.
Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £7,500
- Part-time EU: £3,750 first year fee, year 2 fee will be half of 2014/15 FT fees
- Full-time Non EU: £15,000
- Part-time Non EU: £7,500 first year fee, year 2 fee will be half of 2014/15 FT fees
Start Date:
January 2013
September 2013
Entry Requirements
- A good honours degree, second-class or equivalent
- Experience of working in the health sector may be considered as equivalent to a good honours degree for suitable applicants
- In addition we consider applications from capable individuals who may not have prior experience of working within the health sector but have clear plans for a future career path in health policy.
Postgraduate Preparatory Courses for International Students
If you do not qualify for direct entry, our partner INTO City University London offers an academic preparation programme - the Graduate Diploma. The course offers a route to City University London through an excellent teaching and learning experience, located in purpose built study facilities. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma at INTO City University London to the standard required provides guaranteed progression to this Masters degree.
English Requirements
For students whose first language is not English, one of the following qualifications is also required:
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL (internet-based): 100
Visa Requirements
City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
When and Where
- Start Date:
- January 2013
September 2013 - Duration:
- Full-time: one year, Part-time: two years
Course Content
The MSc Health Policy aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand, analyse and attempt to influence the health policy process in the 21st century; the social, political and economic factors that affect it at local, national and international level; and its impact on health systems and services, and wider society. It combines an international focus and academic rigour with the development of practical policy analysis and related skills which can be applied in real-world health policy, planning and management settings.
You will take seven or eight taught modules, including four core modules, plus a dissertation. A wide range of optional modules gives you the opportunity to pursue interests in health policy, health management and leadership, health economics and food policy.
Course Structure
Core taught modules
- HPM001 Politics, Power and the Health Policy Process
- HPM002 Health and Society
- HPM004 Health Systems Organisation, Financing and Performance
- HRM020 Foundations in Research Methods and Data Analysis
Optional taught modules
• HPM003 Health Policy in Britain
• HMM002 Strategic Planning
• HMM006 Quality Management & Action Evaluation of Health Programmes & Change
• HMM008 Leading and Managing Change
• HMM019 Healthcare Management Systems Thinking
• HMM021 Effective Commissioning
• ECM215 Economics of health care * (20 credits)
• ECM211 Economic evaluation in health care * (20 credits)
• ECM210 Advanced economic evaluation in health care * (20 credits)
• FPM001 Food and Public Policy (30 credits)
View the provisional course timetable for 2012-13
* If you are taking any of the health economics modules (ECM215, ECM211 or ECM210) in 2012-13 and do not have prior experience of economics, you must attend a 2-day (weekend) pre-sessional course on Microeconomic Principles on 22 & 23 September. If you are taking ECM211 or ECM210 you must also attend pre-sessional courses on Mathematics (8 & 9 September) and Statistics (15 & 16 September). All pre-sessional courses run from 10am to 5pm.
Read the full 2014 programme specification.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching and learning is undertaken via a mix of lectures, class discussions and seminars, student presentations, case study analysis, interactive computer based exercises, a virtual learning environment and self-directed reading.
Lecturers are drawn from City's Schools of Health Sciences and Social Sciences, and there is a range of distinguished external honorary and guest speakers.
City has an international reputation for academic excellence in the areas of health and food policy, health services research, health management and executive leadership across a broad range of professional disciplines. Students will be able to learn from and alongside colleagues who aim to influence and lead health-related initiatives.
Modules are assessed through a combination of written coursework, group work and examination. The assessments reflect the learning objectives of the modules.
Read the full 2014 programme specification.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £7,500
- Part-time EU: £3,750 first year fee, year 2 fee will be half of 2014/15 FT fees
- Full-time Non EU: £15,000
- Part-time Non EU: £7,500 first year fee, year 2 fee will be half of 2014/15 FT fees
If you are a self financing student you will be asked to pay a £1000 deposit on acceptance of your unconditional offer.
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Career Prospects
The cost of maintaining cost-effective health care is a global problem raising questions such as, how will healthcare become sustainable in a globally weak economy? Such problems will be the focus of health policy experts. Because healthcare reform is such a high priority both for the public and politicians, it is highly likely that demand for health policy experts will remain high. Therefore, if you are working or wish to work within any health-related organisation such as government, NGO, third sector, public or private sector - this course will help you develop a range of key transferable health policy skills.
If you would like more information on the Careers support available at City, please visit our website.