The M.Sc. in Health Economics is a one year intensive programme which focuseson making optimum use of resources to achieve defined health and social goals, It accepts students with varied backgrounds in health sciences, social sciences, administration and other fields. The course progresses from basic economics to very practical applications in the health arena.

The programme commences in June each year and finishes the following May. The curriculum comprises eight coursework modules and a research thesis. Each module occupies four weeks and encompasses both theory and applications to health sector problem-solving, with individual and group exercises and assignments.

Field visits are arranged at appropriate times during the year to provide direct knowledge and experience of special disease or health care problems, and of ongoing initiatives to improve health care delivery. Students are encouraged to participate periodically in a Health Economics Forum in which major issues around the world are discussed.

The programme also collaborates with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Economics in the Faculty and the Asia Pacific Health Economics Network (APHEN).

Aims of the M.Sc. Programme

• To strengthen capacity to apply economics principles and analysis to issues in the health sector, health policy and medical interventions

• To clarify the nature and implications of health policy options

• To improve the decision making process in the health sector

Coursework Modules Offered

First Trimester ( Compulsory )

Microeconomic Analysis and Applications [June]

This course is designed to prepare a non-economist to apply microeconomic theories and tools to health systems, to health care consumer behaviour and to health care provider perspective.

Macroeconomic Analysis and Applications [July]

This course is designed for a non-economist to understand national and global economic systems of which health is a major part. It covers the major macroeconomic tools and indices which have impact on health or are affected by health.

Statistics for Health Economics [August]

This course introduces the statistical tools necessary for analyzing health care systems using quantitative data, with emphasis on empirical applications using microcomputers. The course covers methods from simple regression to time series analysis.

Health Care Systems, Financing and Socio-economic Development ( Health Care Financing ) [ September]

This course aims to enable participants to analyze recent efforts in developing countries to finance and organize health care and to apply methods of economic and policy analysis to health care financing in the context of socio-economic development.

Second Trimester ( Compulsory )

Economic Evaluation of Health Care Services [October]

This course explores the nature, purpose and limitations of economic analysis and evaluation; public and private perspectives; measurement and valuation; analysis of costs, performance and effectiveness; cost-effectiveness and cost benefit analysis; inequality and equity.

Epidemiology and Health Care Priorities ( Health Care Planning ) [November]

This course deals with techniques, issues and approaches to health care planning in the context of limited resources at national and local levels; identification of information necessary for health care planning and policy making; issues such as efficiency and equity in the planning process.

Organization Management and Decision Making in the Health Sector [December]

This course concerns analysis and decision making in health care organizations in the public and private sectors, and the execution of strategic plans related to development; attention is given to strengths and weaknesses of modeling in relation to particular types of decisions.

Health Economics Research Methods [January]

This course covers the key principles of health economics research, including the roles of questions, hypotheses, theories in the research process, with critical review of research design and methodologies; this leads to preparation of a research proposal.

Third Trimester ( Electives )

Individual Study in Health Economics

In-depth study of approved specific topics in health economics issues under guidance and supervision of a faculty member, based on good research methods and the critical analysis of data; submit a well-written paper at the end of the course.

Special Topics in Health Economics

In-depth study of one or more topics in the area of health economics; topic (s) selected must be vital, hot, and/or interest the public as a whole.

Seminar in Health Economics

Analysis of topics and issues in health economics; discussion between instructors and students and among students.

Social and Economic Analysis of Health Care Consumption

Concepts of individuals, households and community; factors influencing needs and demand for health care; community participation in health care; analysis of household behaviour in health care; individual and aggregated demand for health care and implications for providers’ behaviour; user charges and effects on health care consumption; and use of demand functions.

Note: Each elective to be offered is subject to the students’ demand and the staff’s availability.

Facilities

The Faculty of Economics has modern computer facilities for students to use for assignment and thesis preparation. Library facilities are available within the University, there is a collection of health economics materials in the Faculty’s Economics Documentation and Information Centre (EDIC), at the M.Sc. Programme Office and the Centre for Health Economics. Students are encouraged to use modern communication technology for research and networking.

Students are entitled to use all other faculties’ library facilities of the University provided they present the student ID Card.

List of Students and Their Thesis Topics

Eligibility and Application

Admission criteria

• Applicants should hold an internationally recognized degree in social, medical or basic sciences and provide evidence of competence in English if that is not the mother tongue

• Prior formal study of economics is not a requirement for admission but some knowledge of the basic principles of economics, statistics and computer use is advised

• The Admission Committee seeks to measure each candidate’s potential for academic success and for subsequent contribution to the health sector in the home country

Documents required

• Official transcript from university previously attended

• Evidence of full or part time work experience, current position, career aspirations

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 500 points

• Two letters of recommendation from unrelated persons able to evaluate academic or work performance

• Completed application form provided by the M.Sc. in Health Economics

Fellowships

Fellowships are not available from Chulalongkorn University. However, a number of organizations have indicated that they may support suitable candidates, including the World Health Organization, the UNDP/World Bank/WHO special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), UNICEF, IDRC, the British Council, DFID, SIDA, GTZ. Applicants are encouraged to seek advice from their Ministry of Health, from international agencies, or to consult with the WHO Representative’s office in their own country.

Application

Download Application Form (PDF)

Letters of application, together with the above documents, and stating the expected source of funds, must be received before 30^th December by

Candidates will be advised of the decision of the Admission Committee by 15^th February.

* Excluding roundtrip airfare. This is an approximate expense only. The grant may vary among funding sources.

Payment to the programme should be transferred to the following bank account.