HP423      Half Unit
Advanced Health Economics

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Alistair Mcguire COW 2.02

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics). This course is available on the MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing and MSc in International Health Policy. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Health Economics (HP420).

Alternative introductory economics courses are acceptable.

Course content

The course will cover: international comparisons of health care expenditure, individual health-seeking behaviour, health care insurance, contract theory applied to the health care sector (including principal-agent theory and incentive payment mechanisms), and equity in health care.

Students may find material from the half unit HP426 Applied Health Econometrics, to be beneficial to studying this course. See the HP426 course guide for further detail. 

Teaching

This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars totalling a minimum 25 hours during Lent Term.  Seminars will take place in small groups with students presenting assigned topics each week.

There will be a departmental reading week in week 6 of term.

Formative coursework

Students will give a presentation in seminars and receive feedback from seminar leads

Indicative reading

Culyer, A.J., and Newhouse, J.P., (eds.), 2001, Handbook of Health Economics Volumes 1A &1B, (North-Holland, Amsterdam); Zweifel, P. and Breyer, F., 1997, Health Economics, (OUP, Oxford).

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Student performance results

(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 5.4
Merit 91.4
Pass 3.2
Fail 0

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Health Policy

Total students 2020/21: 58

Average class size 2020/21: 15

Controlled access 2020/21: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills