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MSc Public Health – Health Economics stream

Overview
Overview - Public Health (Health Economics stream)
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By the end of this stream students will be able to demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of the core disciplines of public health, consisting of statistics; epidemiology; health economics; and social research, to real health problems. In addition, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles and methods of economic evaluation
  • demonstrate advanced knowledge of health economic methods applied to health policy or decision analysis
  • identify, assess and critically synthesise relevant evidence from health economic research literature
  • select and apply appropriate, ethical and feasible study designs to answer questions in health care and health economic research
  • show competence, both written and verbal, in communicating research evidence

The stream is aimed at anyone - with or without any previous training in economics - who is interested in working as a health economist in an academic or professional capacity across high-, middle- and low-income countries. Find out more about our graduate careers and destinations.

Duration: one year full-time; part-time or split-study over two years. Ways to study explained.

Public Health

Description

Watch Programme Directors Shakoor Hajat and Dalya Marks talk about the programme.

Structure
Structure - Public Health (Health Economics stream)
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The below structure outlines the proposed modules for this programme. Programme and module specifications provide full details about the aims and objectives of each module, what you will study and how the module is assessed.

Structure of the year

Term 1 (September - December) consists of ten teaching weeks for AB1 slot modules, plus one Reading Week* in the middle of the term. Followed by the Winter break.

Term 2 (January - March) consists of a further ten weeks of teaching for C and D slot modules, plus a Reading Week in the middle of the term. C modules are taught in five half-week blocks before Reading Week. D modules are taught in five half-week blocks after Reading Week. Followed by the Spring break.

Term 3 (April - September) consists of five weeks of teaching for E slot modules, taught in half-week blocks, and the project report.

*Reading Week is a week during term where no formal teaching takes place. It is a time for private study, preparing for assessments or attending study/computer skills workshops. There are two Reading Weeks at LSHTM: one in November and the other in February.

Term 1

Students complete the Public Health common core, consisting of four compulsory AB1 modules:

  • Basic Epidemiology
  • Basic Statistics for Public Health & Policy
  • Issues in Public Health
  • Principles of Social Research

In addition, students intending to follow this stream must take Introduction to Health Economics. The remaining module can be selected from:

  • Environment, Health & Sustainable Development
  • Foundations for Health Promotion
  • Health Policy, Process & Power
  • Health Services
Terms 2 and 3

Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (C1, C2, D1, D2, E). The list below shows recommended or compulsory modules. There are other optional modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Programme Directors.

C1 slot

  • Economic Evaluation (compulsory)

C2 slot

  • Conflict & Health
  • Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies
  • Family Planning Programmes
  • Health Systems
  • History & Health
  • Qualitative Methodologies
  • Population, Poverty & Environment
  • Statistical Methods in Epidemiology

D1 slot

  • Economic Analysis for Health Policy (compulsory)

D2 slot

  • Environmental Epidemiology
  • Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
  • Ethics, Public Health & Human Rights
  • Globalisation & Health
  • Global Disability & Mental Health
  • Health Decision Science 
  • Reviewing the Literature
  • Sexual Health

E slot

  • Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
  • Applying Public Health Principles
  • Principles & Practice of Public Health
  • Proposal Development

By arrangement, students may be able to substitute specified distance learning modules for up to two modules in certain timetable slots. Any such substitutions will need to be discussed with the Programme Directors.

Project report

Students prepare a project report during the summer months (July - August), for submission by early September.

Please note: Should it be the case that you are unable to travel overseas or access laboratories in order to complete your project, you will be able to complete an alternative desk-based project allowing you to obtain your qualification within the original time frame. Alternatively, you will be able to defer your project to the following year.

Changes to the course
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Changes to the programme

LSHTM will seek to deliver this programme in accordance with the description set out on this programme page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for LSHTM to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Entry requirements
Entry requirements - Public Health
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In order to be admitted to the MSc Public Health, an applicant must:

  • hold either a first degree at Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) standard in a relevant discipline, or a degree in medicine recognised by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of practising medicine in the UK, or another degree of equivalent standard awarded by an overseas institution recognised by UK ENIC or the GMC.

or

  • hold a professional qualification appropriate to the programme of study to be followed obtained by written examinations and judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) degree or above.

or

  • applicants with a 2:2 degree will also be considered if they have sufficient relevant professional experience or training in the field (sufficient, relevant work experience would typically mean at least two years working in a field allied to public health) - we would encourage such applicants to contact the Programme Directors to discuss their suitability before applying.

If you have not previously studied in the UK, you can check our guide to international equivalent qualifications for our master's degrees.

Applicants with relevant work experience will be given preference. This includes both paid and voluntary work, internships etc.

Applicants will need to provide some evidence of ability in mathematics, post-16 year education. This could include:

  • "A" level or a higher school certificate
  • a module within an undergraduate degree (such as quantitative methods, epidemiology or statistics)
  • statistics studied as part of a general research methods course
  • an online biostatistics short course

Any undergraduate degree subject at Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) standard can be acceptable with a demonstrable commitment to public health.

The personal statement should address at least the following: why do you wish to study MSc Public Health at LSHTM? How does it fit into your career objectives? What will you contribute as a student on the MSc Public Health programme?

English requirements - Band B
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English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B

It is possible to apply without English language test results however the results of a test may be listed as a condition of an offer of admission. Please see our English language requirements for more information.

Intercalating students
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Intercalating students

You will need the equivalent of a bachelor's degree to undertake an MSc. This will usually require you to have a BSc degree or have completed the first three years of your medical degree. More information on intercalating an MSc at LSHTM.

Access and widening participation
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Access and widening participation

At LSHTM we are committed to ensuring that excellent students feel encouraged to apply for a course of study with us. We have introduced an innovative contextual admissions system that is designed to support those students who have faced the greatest barriers to their learning. More information on widening participation at LSHTM.

Fees & funding
Fees - Master's Programmes
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Fees 2024/25  
HomeFull-time£12,940
 Part-time£6,470
EU/OverseasFull-time£29,960
 Part-time£14,980

*Mobile users, scroll right to view fees

Early application fee reduction for UK MSc Students 2024-25

Apply early and lock-in lower fees. If you are a student from the UK (and have a home fee status), you will be eligible to receive a 5% reduction in your tuition fee if you submit your application by Friday 5 April 2024 and subsequently register onto one of our in-person MSc programmes (some exclusions apply, see detailed terms and conditions).

You must be applying for full-time study on a programme starting in September 2024; be funding your fees yourself; and be a new applicant.

If you meet the above criteria and submit your application by the deadline, you will automatically receive the tuition fee discount.

Public Health (Health Economics and Health Services Research) funding
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Funding available for this programme:

How to apply
How to apply - PH applications
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Applications should be made to the MSc Public Health in the first instance.

Applications should be made online and will only be considered once you have provided all required information and supporting documentation.

Please also read LSHTM's Admissions policies prior to submitting your application.

You can apply for up to two master's. Make sure to list them by order of preference as consideration will be given to your top choice first.

How to apply - deadlines and fees
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Application deadlines

All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure availability of a place and a timely decision on their application. This is particularly important for applicants with sponsorship deadlines.

We strongly advise that you apply early as popular programmes will close earlier than the stated deadline if they become full.

The final closing dates for all taught Master’s applications for entry in the 2024/25 academic year is:

  • Sunday 21 July 2024 at 23:59 UK time for all students requiring a Student visa
  • Sunday 1 September 2024 at 23:59 UK time for all UK, Irish and non-Student visa students

Applicants will be required to meet the conditions of their offer and provide all necessary documents by the date of their Offer of Admission.

Application fee

A standard non-refundable application fee of £50 applies to all taught Master’s degree programmes and is payable upon application submission. Income generated from the application fee is shared between scholarships and student hardship fund.

Tuition fee deposit

Applicants are required to respond to their Offer of Admission and pay the £500 deposit within 28 days of receipt, or their place will be released and the offer automatically declined. The deposit is deductible from tuition fees upon full registration with LSHTM.

How to apply - visa
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Do you need a visa?

Please visit our Visa & Immigration pages for advice and guidance.