The London School of Economics and Political Science
Health Economics and Policy
Acquire crucial perspectives on the economic principles that govern the healthcare industry worldwide, and examine how impactful policies can be utilised to confront present-day obstacles.
Start date
06 August 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
6–9 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The amount of people who will spend at least 10% of their household budgets on healthcare in 2020.
United Nations (2020).
The annual growth of global health spending between 2000 and 2017, compared to economic growth of 3%.
World Health Organization (2019).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
In recent years, the healthcare industry has undergone a significant transformation globally, with a substantial increase in healthcare spending since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations in 2015. Despite this, low-income countries still spend much less on healthcare than high-income countries, creating inequality in the sector. Additionally, technological advancements have added new financial pressures to the industry, while the healthcare labour market is increasingly under threat.
To address these challenges, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers the Health Economics and Policy online certificate course, which examines the underlying economic principles of the healthcare industry and policy proposals aimed at reducing inequality. This course is designed by faculty from the LSE Department of Health Policy, who aim to influence and enhance health policy design, implementation, and evaluation through multidisciplinary research and education.
The course covers healthcare financing, universal health coverage, and the complex healthcare labour market. Participants will gain a balanced perspective on health and social justice, enabling them to evaluate healthcare inequalities and social determinants.
This Health Economics and Policy online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 50 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Is this course for you?
This course aims to equip individuals engaged in healthcare analysis, advocacy, and policy formulation with tools to comprehend healthcare economics and the policies that can tackle inequality. It will provide a modern understanding of healthcare economics and its impact on health funding and workforce dynamics. This course will be useful for healthcare professionals as it will give them a global perspective on the state of the industry. The skills taught will benefit social scientists, public health specialists, and medical staff working in health agencies, governments, or NGOs. For finance and economics professionals, the course will provide insights into the economic challenges faced by the healthcare sector, including health insurance financing systems and workforce issues, and how they can affect outcomes across various contexts.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
In recent years, the healthcare industry has undergone a significant transformation globally, with a substantial increase in healthcare spending since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations in 2015. Despite this, low-income countries still spend much less on healthcare than high-income countries, creating inequality in the sector. Additionally, technological advancements have added new financial pressures to the industry, while the healthcare labour market is increasingly under threat.
To address these challenges, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers the Health Economics and Policy online certificate course, which examines the underlying economic principles of the healthcare industry and policy proposals aimed at reducing inequality. This course is designed by faculty from the LSE Department of Health Policy, who aim to influence and enhance health policy design, implementation, and evaluation through multidisciplinary research and education.
The course covers healthcare financing, universal health coverage, and the complex healthcare labour market. Participants will gain a balanced perspective on health and social justice, enabling them to evaluate healthcare inequalities and social determinants.
This Health Economics and Policy online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 50 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Is this course for you?
This course aims to equip individuals engaged in healthcare analysis, advocacy, and policy formulation with tools to comprehend healthcare economics and the policies that can tackle inequality. It will provide a modern understanding of healthcare economics and its impact on health funding and workforce dynamics. This course will be useful for healthcare professionals as it will give them a global perspective on the state of the industry. The skills taught will benefit social scientists, public health specialists, and medical staff working in health agencies, governments, or NGOs. For finance and economics professionals, the course will provide insights into the economic challenges faced by the healthcare sector, including health insurance financing systems and workforce issues, and how they can affect outcomes across various contexts.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
An understanding of key economic principles governing the healthcare sector, such as supply and demand, and efficiency and equity.
A nuanced perspective on healthcare financing systems and how they can be utilised to realise true universal health coverage.
Insight into the complexities of the healthcare labour market, including workforce planning and forecasting, workforce shortages, and external shocks.
A balanced view of health and social justice based on assessing health inequalities and deconstructing the social determinants of health.
The ability to engage in discussions surrounding fairness in health delivery, alongside a network of experienced working professionals from the healthcare sector.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Economic principles applied to healthcare
Module 2
Health financing systems
Module 3
The healthcare labour market
Module 4
Paying healthcare providers
Module 5
The market for pharmaceuticals
Module 6
Health and social justice
Course convenors
Who you'll learn from
Professor Alistair McGuire
Chair in Health Economics, Professor of Health Economics , Department of Health Policy
Dr Miqdad Asaria
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Policy
About the certificate
Gain knowledge in healthcare economics and policy, and earn an official certificate of competence from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
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GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
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Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
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