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The MSc by Research programme will provide students with research skills relevant to employment in the academic and university sector, Health Service and other healthcare organisations as will as the private sector, such as consultancy and the pharmaceutical industry. It also provides a dedicated route for high calibre students who may have a specific research aim in mind and are ready to carry out independent research leading to PhD level study.

The Masters by Research programme is embedded in the Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME) and students will be supported and guided by professional researchers within CHEME as part of postgraduate supervision.

CHEME was founded in 2001 and. is one of the leading health economics centres in the UK. CHEME contributed to the University’s highest ranked unit of assessment in the 2014 Excellence Framework, with 95% if research outputs being world leading and internationally excellent and rating the University 3rd out of 94 institutions across the UK. CHEME is active across a wide range of health economic and medicines evaluation research.

Research Opportunities

This course utilises the expertise of and draws on a wider health services research team embedded in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ Institute of Health and Medical Research.

What will you study on this course?

Course Structure

The MSc by Research is available for full time (1 year) or part time (2 year) study on-campus or via distance learning from within the UK or internationally.  The course requires the student to undertake a substantial piece of independent research at the cutting edge of health economics and medicines evaluation (180 credits at Level 7).

There will be opportunities to undertake taught modules at postgraduate level (available also as e-learning courses) as well as attend workshops and courses provided for postgraduate research students at CHEME, the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ Institute of Health and Medical Research (BIHMR) and the University’s Doctoral School. Any additional taught modules and courses will not count as credits towards this or any other qualification but, if identified as being of developmental value by the student and the supervisory team, will provide the extra skills and knowledge needed to undertake postgraduate research.

Research Thesis

Students will be able to choose a topic that suits their professional or organisational goals linked to the following broad categories supported by CHEME:

• Pharmacoeconomics
  • Cost effectiveness analysis of medicines, pharmacogenetics, pharmaceutical services
  • Pharmaceutical policy
  • Methods of economic evaluation and health technology assessment

• Public Health Economics
  • Valuing nature, public health and the circular economy
  • Behavioural economics, public health and health policy
  • Application of cost benefit analysis and social return on investment analysis in public health

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The assessment will focus on the completion of a thesis consisting of up to 50, 000 word that will not require a viva voce. The thesis may be completed as either a narrative or a ‘two-paper’ format. The ‘narrative model’ presents a traditional format of chaptered thesis which reflects the selected approach broadly consisting of an introduction, literature review, methodology and study design, results and discussion chapters. The ‘two-paper’ format consists of a thesis organised around two distinct elements that represent prospective or submitted papers for journals with additional introductory and discussion chapters.  It is the normal expectation that the independent research completed for a Masters by Research should be of a publishable standard in a high quality peer-reviewed journal. Students will be supported in preparing for the examination process.

Any modules undertaken during the Masters by Research (Health Economics) will not require the completion of assessments such as assignments. Teaching and learning is supported through lectures, seminars and e-learning platforms.

Admissions by undergraduate degree:

Successful completion of Bachelor degree class of 1^st or 2:1 or equivalent, in a relevant subject:

• Social Science e.g. economics, psychology
• Quantitative Science e.g. mathematics, operational research
• Medial e.g. pharmacy, medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences

Admission by Experience: Mature student status

A candidate may be considered for acceptance provided that they have relevant experience and have strong references and personal statement. Usually, under such circumstances, the candidate would be invited for an interview where circumstances allowed (e.g. face-to-face, Skype, telephone).

English Language Requirement

IELTS 6.5 on all components OR specific English language country requirement AND application must include personal statement.

How to Apply 

Admissions to the programme are made on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. Applications are made using .

The MRES (Health Economics) provides an excellent research-based training with exposure to a dynamic multidisciplinary environment at CHEME and the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ Institute of Health and Medical Research (BIHMR). This provides a sound platform for a future career in the area of health and social care research with potential progression to PhD, in particular linked to the subject area of Public Health Economics and It also presents an opportunity to explore a contemporary area of health or social care related to health economics that has relevance to organisational contexts.