Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Economics
Validated by University of South Wales
Our online, one year Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics aims to develop skilled leaders in health economics, and is particularly suited to those engaged in health technology assessment (HTA), healthcare policy and healthcare decision making. The diploma health economics programme aims to help students understand the principles and key fundamental concepts of health economics, such as efficiency, equity, resources, demand and supply. It aims to develop skills and critical knowledge in students that directly relates to current health economics practices across the globe.
As a leading health economics diploma provider in the UK, we are proud to offer a comprehensive programme that places significant emphasis on the critical evaluation and interpretation of health economic data. This approach is vital for HTA, which is essential for informed decision making in healthcare, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to improve health outcomes for diverse populations.
We aim to address real world healthcare challenges with a sustainable goal of ensuring wealth and wellbeing for all, offering you the opportunity to contribute significantly to the achievement of ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all, at all ages.
The global impact of our diploma in health economics is undeniable; you will learn with a multidisciplinary peer network of healthcare professionals all over the world, resulting in numerous benefits for your career. This structure supports you to become an ethical and resilient professional, capable of making a tangible difference and societal impact in healthcare, both within local communities and on an international scale.
On successful completion of this diploma health economics programme, you will be able to:
- Articulate professional decisions, incorporating an evidence based rationale, in a variety of diverse and complex situations.
- Demonstrate the ability to work in multi-agency, multicultural and/or international contexts.
- Apply leadership and evaluation skills in the subject area of health economics.
- Critically analyse data and data interpretation, applying a critical understanding of the economic burden of chronic diseases, various types of analyses, setting pay thresholds and the budget impact.
- Evaluate sub-national health economic decision making processes and gain working knowledge of health economics used in health technology appraisals.
Next Intake
1st September 2025
Apply By
29th August 2025
Commitment
Part time
Format
100% online
Duration
12 months
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Curriculum
Our online post graduate diploma in health economics allows you to study for just one calendar year and is a part-time, distance-learning course. The course is worth 120 credits and comprises six modules of 20 credits, each running over a period of six weeks.Year 1
Module Aims
- Critically evaluate the purpose, principles and processes of health economics in healthcare decision making & HTA.
- Critically analyse the strengths and limitations of health economics in healthcare decision making & HTA in regard to meeting their aims/achieving their purpose.
- Appraise the relevance of Health Economic decision making to clinical practice.
Module Content
- Principles of Health Economics
- The role and function of health technology assessment (HTA)
- Common misconceptions of Health Economics & HTA
- Health Economics & HTA as part of Evidence Based Medicine/ Practice (from National, to Sub-National, to Personal Practice)
- The relevance of Health Economics to healthcare professionals
- The effect of budget on decision making
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate processes used in health economic decision making.
- Exhibit a working knowledge of health economics used in health technology appraisals.
Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of the way in which benefits or clinical value are calculated and judged within health economic decision making.
Module Content
- Identifying clinical benefit: Critical Appraisal and Systematic Literature Review
- Length vs. Quality of life (QoL): the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY)
- Challenges with length of life estimations: time horizons, extrapolation, bias towards the younger patient, the need for future discounting
- Avoidance of negative events
- Critical appraisal of clinical data: Evidence Based Medicine and HTA/Health Economic Decision Making
- Critical appraisal of real world data
Learning Outcomes
- Critically appraise the strengths and limitations of the Quality Adjusted Life Year as a measure of clinical benefit.
- Apply principles of evidence-based medicine to assess the quality of clinical evidence used to support patient benefit within HTA/health economic decision-making.
Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of the economic burden of chronic diseases, types of economic analyses, establishing pay thresholds and budget impact.
Module Content
- Investigating and establishing the economic burden of disease
- Types of analysis: Cost-effectiveness, Cost-utility and Cost-minimisation
- Exploration and analysis of cost perspectives
- Willingness to pay thresholds
- Establishing budget impact
- Challenges: rare diseases, end of life considerations, unlicensed comparators, affordability and work flow change
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate the budgetary burden of chronic disease.
- Critically appraise the implementation of health economic analysis and budgetary impact in real-life/complex clinical situations.
Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of data interpretation including levels of evidence and statistical interpretation of data.
Module Content
- Additional Data Sources: Real World Data, Expert Opinion, The Patient’s Voice
- Statistics: Confidence intervals and p-values
- Statistics: Hazard ratios and NNT
- Statistics: Bayesian statistics and Cox model
- Statistics: Sensitivity Analysis and Marginal Analysis
- Statistics: Indirect Comparison and Meta-Analysis
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate the validity of published data.
- Critically appraise statistical interpretation of scientific data related to health economics.
Module Aims
Critically analyse the international health economic decision making processes within legal frameworks together with the procurement and tendering processes associated with treatments.
Module Content
- Examine the international Health Economic decision making process
- Legislations vs. Recommendations
- Stakeholders and Payers
- HTA vs. non HTA processes: Procurement, Tendering, and Commissioning
- Evolving Health System policy as it relates to Health Economic decision making
- Maximising patient benefit in healthcare decision making
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate, understand and contrast the current models of healthcare decision-making.
- Critically appraise the legal basis of economic decision-making.
Module Aims
Evaluate the process of implementation of Health Technology Appraisals at the regional and local levels. Critically analyse the makeup and evaluation of the stakeholder group at regional/local level.
Module Content
- Applying national decisions/guidelines at a sub-national level
- Data required to make decisions at a sub-national level
- Stakeholders/decision makers at a sub-national level
- Challenges of implementation at national level to meet sub-national budget constraints
- Implementation of HE analysis at sub-national level with real world data
- Budgetary analyses at sub-national level with real world data
Learning Outcomes
- Critically appraise the implementation of HTA advice at the regional and local level, evaluating the challenges of local implementation of national decisions.
- Critically evaluate stakeholder contributions to decision making at regional/local level.
Course Fees & Payment Options
Course Fees
- Deposit for 1st September 2025: £365 †
- Total Course Fees (UK & International) for 1st September 2025: £4,600 ††
Payment Options
- Option 1: Upfront payment in full (discount available).
- Option 2: Interest-free monthly payments throughout the course.
Payment Plan Breakdown
Postgraduate Diploma
| Deposit | 10 Monthly Payments | Final Payment |
| £365 † | £385 | £385 |
Total payments: £4,600
Additional Financing
Spread the cost with Lendwise, who offer financing options for up to 8 years. ††††
† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
†††† Subject to eligibility criteria.
Entry requirements
Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree.
Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
Documents Required
- A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
- A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
- The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
- A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
- A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English Language Requirements Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of South Wales run a number of English Language Programmes at the Centre for International English to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.
Should you have already successfully completed the 1 year Postgraduate Diploma and wish to convert to the MSc and complete only the second year of the programme this is possible. Please contact our admissions department admissions@diploma-msc.com to find out more.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Leela Barham
Leela Barham is a health economist with over 20 years of experience including advising government bodies, the NHS, patient organisations, and global pharmaceutical and medical technology companies. She...
Tutor
Mr Syed Raza
Mr Syed Raza is a Health Economist with tremendous experience in sales, marketing and market access, looking to further progress a career in national/international health economics, pricing...
Tutor
Mr Sohaib Ashraf
Mr Sohaib Ashraf has been working for NICE (England) as a health economist in the Guideline Update Team, creating world class clinical guideline for the previous 2...
Tutor
Buddug Nelson
Buddug Nelson brings over 20 years of clinical and public health experience to her role as Module Tutor on the MSc in Applied Health Economics. She holds a...
Tutor
Dr. Mohammed Basha
Current post: Visiting Lecturer in Leadership and Strategy. University of South Wales tutor since 2017.
PhD Public Health, MSc Strategic Management, Post-graduate certificate in Global Health, Certified...
Tutor
Ricardo Yajamin
Ricardo Yajamín Villamarín is a health economist with expertise in economic evaluation, pharmacoeconomics, and health technology assessment (HTA). He holds a Master’s in Economics and Health Economics from...
Accreditors, Endorsers & Partners
University of South Wales
UEMS - European Union of Medical Specialists
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.
As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.
Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.
Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.
When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.
You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.
You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.
The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.
We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.
Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.
Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.
All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:
We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.
We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.
We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.
We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.
Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales and The University of Wolverhampton accept an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).
Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:
Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.
Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every other month for the duration of your course.
These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.
We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount.
For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.
Who is this course for?
Our distance learning post graduate diploma in health economics has been developed for:
- NHS Managers
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Allied Health Professionals
- CCG commissioning teams
- CCG Pharmacy teams
- Pharmaceutical Industry Professionals
- Other suitably qualified and interested individuals.
Assessment Methods
This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.
Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.
Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.
How Foundational Knowledge is Developed
The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.
This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!
- Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
- Tutors will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
- These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.
For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.
- Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
- Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets and essays.
- Students are provided with case-based problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination.
- The exam consists of 30 'Single Best Answer' questions.
- Students are required to complete the exam online within the set time.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.