MSc International Health Policy (Health Economics)

The MSc International Health Policy (Health Economics) is a stream of the MSc International Health Policy programme which allows you to study and specialise in advanced health economics. You'll learn advanced principles of health economics, statistical methods and econometrics and learn to apply them in examining important issues in health policy.

The programme offers an international perspective on health economics, and although concentrating primarily on high-income countries, there are some courses that cover the economics of low- and middle-income countries. The majority of your professors on the programme are specialists in health economics, and have conducted applied health economics and policy research in a range of settings.

Students should have prior knowledge of economics as many of the individual courses are designed for economists wanting to specialise in health care, but those with quantitative skills should not be deterred.

The programme prepares you for a career in a range of areas where health economists are essential. Graduates from this programme have been employed in government departments or agencies, international organisations, health insurance organisations, health care administration, health care management, management consultancy, pharmaceutical and medical device companies and the wider commercial health sector. Other programme graduates have pursued careers in academia, undertaking PhD programmes at prestigious European and US universities.

The programme is designed around topics in advanced health economics, health care economic evaluation, applied health econometrics, pharmaceutical economics and policy, and statistical methods in health care economic evaluation. A compulsory dissertation allows you to focus on a particular topic and you have the option to undertake an internship with a major international or governmental organisation, NGO, private company or academic institution.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our faculty have been highly engaged in advising governments and international organisations on coronavirus policy responses, research on the short-, medium-, and long-term impacts of the crisis, and in developing innovative ideas and solutions to tackle the pandemic and its negative effects. Find out more about the Department’s coronavirus-related research and impact.

The LSE Department of Health Policy offers a wide range of programmes in health policy and health economics. Find out which programme is best for you.

You'll take three compulsory half-unit taught courses and will complete a compulsory 6,000-word dissertation which may be written in conjunction with a summer placement within a government department, international agency, private organisation, or academic research institution. The purpose of the dissertation is to allow students to explore a particular topic or a relevant policy issue in some depth. It may take the form of an empirical research conducted on a topic or issue of relevance to health/social policy; or may be a literature-based providing an analysis of a specific research question of relevance to health/social policy. In addition, you will choose courses from a range of options across the Social Policy Department and other relevant Departments such as Economics.

Watch all course overview videos on Microsoft Stream or YouTube.

The department seeks to advance and challenge our collective understanding of health systems and the social, economic and political contexts in which they operate. Through our research, teaching and scholarship, we aim to influence and inform how health policy is designed, implemented and evaluated globally.

We apply rigorous social science research to emerging health and social care challenges, advising national and international agencies as well as government bodies. This world-leading research is conducted through two affiliated research centres: LSE Health and the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC).

Our academics have made significant contributions to developing policies on global health, health equality, older adults, care and welfare.

The department’s research feeds into our multidisciplinary teaching, with an emphasis on health and social care policy, health economics and management. We offer a range of postgraduate master’s programmes and our MPhil/PhD programme. Students learn about healthcare systems around the world and develop skills that can be applied in many different contexts.

Our goal is to prepare the healthcare leaders of tomorrow for challenging and rewarding careers.

Department of Health Policy

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two academic references
• CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Please note: The Department of Health Policy on intercalating onto their master’s programmes is as follows:

• Students on a US medical degree are always qualified to apply
• Students who will have completed no more than two years of a UK medical degree on beginning a prospective MSc at LSE are not typically qualified to apply
• Students who will have completed at least three years of a UK medical degree on beginning a prospective MSc at LSE are qualified to apply
• Students on non-UK/US medical degrees should contact Graduate Admissions in the first instance

Intercalating medical students should apply in the usual way, but:

• in the "Qualifications pending" section, when inputting information about your medical degree, choose the latest date of completion you can enter
• in the statement of academic purpose, explain that you'll be intercalating, or upload an additional document with this information
• ask your chosen referees to also confirm in their references that you'll be intercalating.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact: healthpolicy@lse.ac.uk.

Please note: The applications, intake and ratio values below include the MSc International Health Policy.

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Summative assessment may be conducted during the course or by final examination at the end of the course. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Professional destinations after completing the degree include consultancies, pharmaceutical companies, health services, international organisations, government departments and agencies and NGOs as well as employment in research or further study for a PhD.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Mentorship Programme

As a student in the LSE Department of Health Policy, you will be able to apply to take part in our Mentorship Programme. The programme connects current students with one of our alumni, active in a wide range of fields, to provide career mentoring as students graduate from the MSc courses. The programme gives students greater insight into career prospects after graduation and will help students build connections with current health policy leaders and experts to build their network.

Learn more about the programme and our mentors

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.