Master's Programme in Health Economics, Policy and Management, 120 credits

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by students during first-cycle courses and study programmes, or its equivalent.
 
Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall:

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge,
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

Outcomes of the Degree of Master (120 credits) according to the Higher Education Ordinance
Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity. 

Judgment and approach
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

In addition to the national objectives for the Master's Degree, the following outcomes apply for the study programme at Karolinska Institutet.

On completion of the programme students shall

• demonstrate advanced knowledge of how medical knowledge, individual and organisational competence and the resources of healthcare and society can best be utilised for improving people's health
• demonstrate advanced knowledge about structure and governance as well as developments within medical and social care work
• demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of how health systems function and health policy is created and implemented
• demonstrate advanced skills in using methods within health economics, policy and management during the follow-up and evaluation of health-promotion work and medical methods, as well as todemonstrate the ability to apply theories and models within health economics, policy and management.

The programme focuses on three themes within the main field of study; health economics, policy and management. Within health economics, the focus lies on the financing of healthcare as well as methods for the economic evaluation of healthcare programmes and the measurement and valuation of health outcomes.

Policy includes health planning and methods for the development, implementation and analysis of policies in healthcare systems while management encompasses methods for healthcare management and governance.  

During the first academic year, basic knowledge is provided within the main field of study with a focus on how medical knowledge, individual and organisational competence as well as material and financial resources can best be utilised to improve people's health. Furthermore, students' basic skills in using methods within the three themes of the programme are developed. The first year also covers basic quantitative and qualitative methods.

In the second year there is specialisation within health economics, management and policy whereby the students apply and deepen the knowledge they acquired in the first year. They acquire in-depth knowledge of health systems and health policy, study methods for modelling and economic evaluation. They also deepen their knowledge of how qualitative and quantitative tools can be used for the evaluation of medical methods and for the work of improvement within the healthcare sector. 

The education is completed with a semester whereby the students are enabled to specialise within health economics, health policy or management through a degree project of 30 credits. The course includes planning, implementation and reporting of a study in the form of a scientific paper.

Scientific theory and research methods are introduced in the programme's first course. During the following courses the students acquire an increased level of knowledge and insight into scientific methods. At the end of the third semester, both the theoretical and practical aspects are exercised. Each course includes lectures, seminars and group work as well as practical exercises. The purpose of the seminars is to develop practical skills, a professional attitude as well as critical thinking and they also include various forms of interactive student-led activities. In the degree project in the programme's final course the students are able to apply this knowledge in practice.  

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The grades used are Fail, Pass or Pass with Distinction. Alternative grading scales may apply to a few single courses. The grading scale is detailed in the course syllabus.

The teaching language is English.

There are specific eligibility requirements for the courses within the programme. The eligibility requirements can be found in the syllabi. In cases where the requirements are connected to the admission to a later term, they are described on the programme website. There may also be specific eligibility requirements within a specific term if a course requires certain prior knowledge.