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PGDip Health Economics for Health Professionals and Policymakers (distance learning)
Discover how to transform healthcare with data-driven decisions.
Year of entry: 2025/26
Mounting pressure on healthcare budgets worldwide has focused attention on how best to organise health care systems and the spending within them.
Building on the University of York's international reputation for excellence in Health Economics, the Postgraduate Diploma programme in Health Economics for Health Professionals and Policymakers is a continuing professional development, distance learning, qualification designed for employees of health care consultancies, the pharmaceutical industry, health insurance, governmental and non-governmental health care organisations.
Course content
You will study part time by distance learning, via a blended design using York-authored workbooks, online learning resources, optional intensive York-based workshops, and online examinations.
Our health economics distance learning modules run on the following term dates:
Term 1
- 22 September 2025 - 12 December 2025
Term 2
- 5 January 2026 - 27 March 2026
Term 3
- 6 April 2026 - 26 June 2026
Reassessment Dates
- August 2026
Specific exam dates and deadlines will be given at the start of each module.
Modules
As you progress through the modules which comprise the Postgraduate Diploma, you will develop your understanding and analytical skills in a range of areas.
Core Modules
- Basic Economic Concepts
- Health Economics: Concepts and Analysis
- Introduction to Health Care Evaluation
- The Economics of the Health Care System
- Statistics for Health Economics
- Further Topics in Economic Evaluation
The first three modules will provide you with the basic principles and tools of health economics so that you can understand the workplace situations you encounter from an economic perspective and apply basic economic concepts in your work. The final three modules will help you to develop your understanding and analytical skills in a range of areas which were studied in the first year:
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applying the theoretical methodology of microeconomics and health economics to the analysis of health care technologies, systems and policies.
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the role of experimental and observational study designs in the analysis of health economic data sets.
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a range of advanced methods to apply to the economic evaluation of health technologies.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Learning outcomes
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Identify the more advanced dimensions of health economics as they relate to health technology assessment and health policy, with a view to integrating and applying this knowledge to current practices.
- Combine more advanced knowledge of health economics with existing qualifications, skills and professional or related knowledge so that future professional practice informs the health economics dimensions to project planning, management and report writing for interdisciplinary teams.
- Use more advanced mathematical and computer-based techniques to contribute to future work-based projects which require a moderate to substantial health economics input. To communicate the results of these analyses persuasively in writing and presentations.
- Conduct advanced information syntheses and literature surveys.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2025/26
| Study mode | UK (home) / International and EU |
|---|---|
| Part-time, distance learning (2 years) | £7,290 |
| Part-time, distance learning (2 years) Discounted fees are available to some self-funding applicants in countries classified by the World Bank as having low-income or lower-middle-income economies. |
£6,480 |
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
- UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
- International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Teaching and assessment
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Teaching format
For each module you will have access to a workbook containing the basic text for the course, references to additional reading and exercises. Some modules will also be supplemented with a textbook containing core material. Your teaching will be supported using the University's virtual learning environment. You will have access to:
- discussion boards monitored by a module leader
- an assessed work submission facility
Teaching location
As this is a distance learning course, you will be able to complete much of the work you need to do for each module in your own home or workplace.
The programme will include an optional residential workshop held at the University of York. Attendees will need to meet their transport, accommodation and other related costs.
Assessment and feedback
Each module contains one or two pieces of assessed work. This will be marked to provide feedback on your progress. The modules themselves are assessed by examination close to the end of the module's twelve week study period. All examinations will be online.
Careers and skills
This is a Continuing Professional Development course and is designed for those who are already employed.
Career opportunities
- Director within NHS
- General manager for a health care company
- Health care analyst
- Health economics and outcomes research manager
- Consultant physician
- Medical writer
Transferable skills
- Integration of new knowledge with existing professional background.
- Application of appropriate mathematical, graphical and data analysis techniques to apply to a wide range of work-based problems.
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our English language requirements.
Next steps
Contact us
Get in touch if you have any questions