Master of Science in Health Economics

About the Master’s Programme Health Economics

This research-oriented programme addresses some of the most significant challenges facing modern societies across the globe: the causes of population ageing and its consequences for different sectors of the economy; socioeconomic inequality in health and the interplay between health, education, and labour market outcomes; the funding of health care and how the reimbursement of health care providers affects their incentives to provide care on equitable grounds. 

The programme provides students with solid training in applied micro-econometric methods, enabling them to assess empirical work and gain first-hand experience in conducting empirical research. It is embedded in a dynamic academic environment firmly integrated into the international health economics research community. Notably, the Faculty is home to CINCH, a national research centre for health economics, which has developed into a prominent European hub for health economics research over the past 15 years.

Students in this programme have access to numerous academic activities, such as a weekly research seminar on health economics, the Essen Health Conference--a leading international conference for applied research in health economics--and the annual CINCH-dggö academy for graduate students from around the world.

Programme Structure

The M.Sc. Health Economics programme is structured to provide a well-rounded and in-depth education through a blend of compulsory modules, elective courses, seminars, and a master’s thesis. The programme starts with five compulsory courses totalling 30 ECTS, including pivotal courses like Health Economics I and II, and Micro-econometrics. These core modules are designed to equip students with a robust foundation in the current state of the art, ensuring they have the necessary tools to understand and analyse complex health economic issues. The program also includes a compulsory seminar module (6 ECTS), where students explore specific topics like Health & Development, Pandemics, or Health & Labour, enhancing their writing and presentation skills.

Beyond the compulsory modules, students can personalise their curriculum by selecting nine elective courses (54 ECTS) from a menu covering a wide array of topics. This flexibility allows students to specialise in areas of interest and gain expertise in specific domains. The culmination of the program is the master’s thesis (30 ECTS), which requires students to complete a significant research project, demonstrating their ability to independently address complex health economics issues using advanced empirical methods.

Career Prospects

This programme offers an excellent pathway for students interested in pursuing doctoral studies in applied microeconomics. It also prepares them for positions in international organizations such as the WHO, EU institutions, government agencies, or the private sector. In all these potential career paths, graduates benefit immensely from their analytical skills, knowledge of economic theory, applied empirical work, and data science methods.

Environment

The academic environment of the M.Sc. Health Economics programme is enriched by its association with CINCH, the national research centre for health economics located in Essen. Founded in 2012, CINCH is focused on three key research themes:

• Health as Human Capital
• Health Insurance as a Social Protection Mechanism
• The Healthcare Sector as a System.

The centre's work aims to influence policy and uphold high academic standards, fostering a dynamic and stimulating academic atmosphere. Students benefit from a learning environment closely connected to global research communities and local and international partner organizations.

The program offers numerous academic and professional development opportunities. The weekly Health Economics Seminar series, in collaboration with the RWI-Essen Institute, features researchers from around the world, facilitating continuous academic dialogue. The annual Essen Health Conference provides a platform for presenting research and networking with experts globally. A DAAD Guest Professorship programme brings international researchers to the faculty, enriching the academic environment. An active international fellowship program and strong ties with the University Alliance Ruhr and the Ruhr Graduate School in Economics further enhance the program, providing students with collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities.

Requirements and Application

The M.Sc. Health Economics program at the University of Duisburg-Essen offers two intake periods annually: Winter Semester beginning in October and Summer Semester starting in April. Prospective students are encouraged to apply online through the university’s application portal.

Candidates for the Master's programme should hold a Bachelor's degree in Economics or a closely related field, or be in the final year of such a program. The minimum grade requirement for eligibility is 3.0 or equivalent. Equivalent degrees may include e.g. Business Administration, Business Informatics, or Business Mathematics. Applicants must demonstrate a solid foundation in economics-related subjects, including microeconomics, statistics, and econometrics, with at least 24 ECTS credits collectively in these areas.

Applicants whose Bachelor's degrees were not completed in English must provide proof of English proficiency equivalent to Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This requirement can be met through standardized tests such as TOEFL (Internet-based 100, Computer-based 250, Paper-based 600) or IELTS (Band 6.5). Candidates with a German "Abitur" or Bachelor's degree with English as the language of instruction are exempt from further English language testing.

Both national and international students, including non-EU students, study at the University of Duisburg-Essen for free, as there are no tuition fees. Students only pay a semester fee of about €350, which includes free public transportation throughout the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Support with Your Application

For assistance or inquiries regarding the M.Sc. Health Economics program application, prospective students are encouraged to contact the admissions team. Due to the potential time constraints associated with visa processes, applicants are advised to notify the university promptly of any issues they encounter during the application process.