Programme Specification: MSc International Health Policy (Health Economics)
1. Awarding Body
2. Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body, e.g. ESRC;
BPS etc
3. Name of final award
4. Programme Title
5. Duration of the course
6. Based in the Department/Institute:
7. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
statements
8. Application Code
9. First written/last amended
LSE
N/A
MSc
International Health Policy (Health
Economics)
Full-time 12 months; part-time 24 months
Social Policy
N/A
L4UJ
August 2004 / November 2012
10. The programme aims to:
Teach students to analyse key health economics and policy issues through the application of
basic health economics and policy principles. It also aims to broaden their understanding of
health economics and policy issues through core courses such as Foundations of Health
Policy, Health Systems and Policies, Health Economics and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in
Health Care.
11. Programme outcomes: knowledge and understanding; skills and other attributes
Upon successful completion of the course students take with them an understanding of the
diversity and complexity of international health policies; an understanding of the process of
policy making; and an ability to use the disciplines required in formulating, implementing and
evaluating health policies and plans. The new health economics stream also allows students
to concentrate on options geared to health economics analysis and for this specialism to be
officially recognised upon graduation.
Many then enter careers in Health Administration, Health Management, Government
Departments or Agencies, Consultancies, International Organisations, the Commercial Health
Sector (eg Pharmaceutical Companies, Private Health Insurance); as well as employment in
research, or further study for a doctorate.
Please follow the link for information relating to careers.
12. Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated
Teaching and learning strategies




various teaching, learning and assessment strategies are used to enable the
outcomes above to be achieved - lectures, seminars, tutorials and self-directed study;
lecture formats are varied, including both traditional formats, audio visual and
electronic presentations;
seminars are interactive and usually organised around themes for discussion or
readings; these aim to deepen and consolidate knowledge, and develop critical
awareness and communication skills;
one-to-one tutorials provide individual pastoral and academic support.
Assessment strategies include





unseen examinations;
essays (formative and/or summative);
dissertation (summative);
summative assessment is carried out anonymously;
mock examinations (formative).
13. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules and awards
See the MSc International Health Policy (Health Economics) programme regulations for
further information.
Additional information
14. Criteria for admission to the programme
Students need a first degree in a relevant academic subject (science, medicine, economics,
other social sciences) at a standard equivalent to a British university upper second class
honours. Relevant professional experience would also be advantageous. Particular attention
is also given to referee’s reports and the personal statement provided by the student.
15. Indicators of quality
The first intake will commence in 2004-5:



interest in the new stream of this MSc has been high;
applications have far exceeded the number of places available;
high entry requirements;
Based on the success of the IHP stream, the following are also expected:




good examination results;
favourable remarks from external examiners;
favourable students’ questionnaires via the Teaching Quality Assessment surveys.
The LSE Careers Centre website provides data on career destinations of LSE
graduates.
16. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standard of teaching and
learning




the Department takes seriously the feedback on teaching quality provided by the
annual Teaching Quality Assessment survey of students;
the Department holds termly staff-student meetings at which student representatives
from all programmes are able to raise issues of concern. It takes forward suggestions
and proposals coming from that meeting;
each programme in the Department has one or two elected student representatives
who bring issues of concern to the staff member with management responsibility for
the Programme and to the staff-student meeting;
the Department has a Teaching Committee; part of its remit is to plan provision and





support innovation;
the Department (and School) takes seriously the feedback from external examiners;
comments made by external examiners are followed up within the Department and by
the School;
the School’s Teaching and Learning Centre is available to monitor and observe
teaching and offers constructive advice on how to improve the standard of teaching
and quality.
The Teaching Learning and Assessment Committee which regulates all aspects of
teaching quality;
Departmental TLAC review once every five years.
The Graduate Studies Sub-Committee which oversees all graduate programmes and
ensures that significant changes to programmes and courses pass through a
sequence of formal stages, so that curricular changes are appropriate and compatible
with other developments.